On Breastfeeding

Photo courtesy of Aspin Photography

I feel both fortunate and proud that we have been able to exclusively breastfeed for almost six months now.  I use the word ‘fortunate’ because I personally know women who have been to hell and back fighting to breastfeed their babies.  I use the word ‘proud’ because quitting was never an option.  While there have of course been difficulties, we haven’t encountered any insurmountable roadblocks.  For all of this, I am grateful.

Before I really started to read about breastfeeding, I set a goal to do it for six months.  I figured six months is the minimum recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization, so that’s good enough for me.  There were three things I didn’t realize at that point:

1. That if I stopped at six months, I would have to supplement with formula;
2. That the hardest parts about breastfeeding typically take place in the early days and weeks;
3. That I would love it so very much.

At this point in our journey, G and I have worked through engorgement, thrush, plugged ducts, elimination diets, an oversupply and a forceful let-down (and the resulting hindmilk/foremilk imbalance and lots of gas!), nursing strikes, and supply drops.  Oh, and night nursing every hour for at least a month.  But we’re still going strong.

I never thought I would be one of those women who got all mushy and passionate when talking about breastfeeding.  But I am.  I can’t imagine not doing it and I can honestly say it’s right up there with pregnancy and birth as the most rewarding experience of my life.  If my body and G are up for it, there is no way we’re stopping at six months.  I’m going as long as he wants.

My advice to moms-to-be and new moms would be this:

1. That breastfeeding is natural, but not always easy;
2. That it will get easier;
3. That it is so, so worth it (for at least 101 reasons!).

Here are some of the products and resources that have been most helpful to me thus far.

Resources

• The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding book
• The Nursing Mother’s Companion, 6th Edition: 25th Anniversary Edition
  book
• Prenatal breastfeeding education class
• Postpartum doula services for breastfeeding support
• Breastfeeding 911 drop-in workshop
• Lactation consultant, in-home visit:  This was pricey, but I was in a panic and it was worth every penny!
• Drop-in lactation group sessions:  Many hospitals have a weekly drop-in window where you can meet with a lactation consultation for a small fee.  For me this is ongoing.  I go almost every week because it’s kind of a social thing now.
• Kellymom.com

Products

• Target nursing bras for sleep
• Bravado nursing bras and nursing tanks for daytime
• Disposable nursing pads:  Not everyone needs these, but if you are a leaker, you need LOTS.  Disposables are best to avoid thrush.  I learned that the hard way.
• Soothies nursing pads:  These are just for the early days while your nipples are dealing with the shock of all the stimulation.
• Bamboobies nursing pads:  Much more comfortable than the disposable, but I would only recommend these if you aren’t a heavy leaker.
• Organic nursing pillow:  I really wanted to avoid the chemically-treated mainstream pillows and I was lucky enough to receive this as a baby shower gift.  I didn’t end up using it much for nursing, but it is GREAT for other baby-related uses (namely propping up my elbows and back for night nursing).
• My Brest Friend pillow and extra cover:  I ordered this in a panic a couple weeks postpartum.  It helped us a lot with form and latch but I didn’t need it for long.
• Nursing Cover:  I only used this for the first three months.  Since then, G flails until I take it off.
• Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump and a Hands-Free Pumping Bra
• Pumping accessories (wipes, microwave-steam bags, storage bags)
• Misc (nipple creams, supplements)

So that’s our journey thus far.  As I said, I feel very fortunate.  In another month or two, we’ll be looking to introduce solid foods through baby-led weaning.  I am apprehensive for the changes this will bring to our rhythm.  I’m also excited for the next step in this adventure!