Okay let’s talk breastfeeding! One of my number one worries I had when I was pregnant was about ALL things breastfeeding so I thought I would talk to you about my experience today & everything that has helped me so far. First off, I want to say I have been blessed with a relatively “easy” breastfeeding experience. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t had it’s challenges, but it has been better than I thought it would be! Something my midwives said to me was normally people don’t have an easy pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding experience. You are going to have some challenges. Mine was FOR SURE birth haha. I also want to say FED IS BEST! There is no room for guilt or pressure here! However, you feed your baby is AWESOME, this is just my experience!
Let’s start at the beginning right after Asher was born. Well first thing I did not know is your milk doesn’t come in for like 2-4 days after your baby is born. The first few days you are feeding them colostrum, which is so good for them & then your milk comes in and wow. So this can be really painful for some. For me it was a little. I would put ice on my breast before I fed him and then heat after. I used these to do that and they are amazing!! YOU NEED THESE they can be frozen or warmed up!
This could be TMI, but I want this to be helpful for y’all so something I struggled with was cracked nipples. OUCH. This nipple cream is the best in my opinion. I also would brew these tea bags and put them in the fridge and then put them on after I fed. I also used these gel packs that were cooling! I would also put a little breastmilk on them and let them air dry. I know weird, but it works!
Another thing the first few weeks is I constantly was leaking! I used these reusable nursing pads in my bra religiously. I liked them more than the disposable kind. But you need several because you need to switch them out frequently so you don’t get an infection or anything. These were my favorite kind and these my second favorite that are a bit cheaper. I got 3 packs total and it was perfect and I am still using them so it is a great use of your money up front.
Pumping Schedule
Asher has to get a probiotic once a day for his digestive system (that’s a whole story in itself), but we have to put it in a bottle. For a while I was pumping at the 7:00 feeding and then giving him that milk the next day, but then I couldn’t store any milk. So we did decide to supplement with formula just at the 7:00 feeding and I will pump and store that milk! Here is his typical eating schedule schedule.
4:00 am (sometimes when he wakes up)
7:00 am feed everyday **PUMP AROUND 8:00 am
10:00 am feed
1:00 pm feed
4:00 pm feed
7:00 Bottle feed & PUMP
10:30 Dream Feed
I have the Spectra S2 Pump it doesn’t have to be plugged into the wall.
I also have this hand pump that is great to have on the go or by your bedside if you get engorged.
Another MUST HAVE is the Haaka. You put this on the opposite breast from the one you are feeding on and it catches all of your let down. I also used this when I had Mastitis and put warm water and epsom salt in it to help pull the clogged duct out.
This Sunflower Lecithin is great to have on hand if you have a clogged duct. I wish I would have started taking it he started sleeping through the night to avoid clogged ducts as my body adjusted.
Now let’s talk nursing bras! I tried SO many kinds and these are my favorite. I also am putting how many packs I got of each because I feel like I have the perfect amount!
I got 2 packs of this kind for just normal bras. I LIVED in these!
I also got these “sleep bras” I would take out the pads in them and slide a nursing pad in for sleeping. I use them now just around the house.
This is my favorite nursing sports bra!! I would get two of these!!
For nursing tops I personally did not buy any specific nursing tops. I will just pull up my shirt to nurse or tried to buy more tops that button! Here are a few of my favorite nursing tops for summer!
And one of my favorite nursing Dresses!
Tip – If you know you are going to be nursing in public wear a button/wrap top or dress. I made this mistake at a wedding and it was a disaster so now I have been keeping my eye out for more nursing friendly options especially if I am doing this for a year!
Let me know any tips and tricks you have! Or leave any questions in the comments.
