Research continues to show how beneficial breastfeeding is. But many new moms continue to be flabbergasted or stumped by the challenges that breastfeeding presents. So I figured that we could share our stories to help and support each other.
If you are or were a breastfeeding mommy, answer these questions in the comment box.
1. How many children did you breastfeed for?
2. How long did you breastfeed?
3. Why did you choose to breastfeed?
4. Why did you stop breastfeeding when you did?
5. What challenges did you face when you were breastfeeding?
6. What is your advice for breastfeeding moms?
7. Would you do it again?
I’ll go first.
1-3. I breastfed/pumped for my first/only son Noah for about 6 and a half months. I chose to breastfeed because of the research I came across on the expansive health benefits, particularly breast milk’s promotion of brain/neurological development. Also the lower cost (breast milk is free, formula is expensive). Plus, my mother breastfed me and my siblings, so there was some precedent.
4. I stopped breastfeeding/pumping because it became too time consuming and difficult. I was working from home and I found it impossible to pump/breastfeed exclusively while managing my business. Plus, my milk supply was dwindling, and my efforts to increase it/bring it back were unsuccessful.
5. I faced challenges of supply right off the bat. Noah’s body fat percentage actually dropped between birth and 6 weeks because he wasn’t getting enough milk. I learned the hard way that, just as women have different heights, bust sizes and hair textures, we all have different milk production capacities. When I was pregnant my breasts ballooned to triple Ds, and I assumed that they were full of milk.
I was kind of crushed to find, once I started nursing, that they really weren’t, and I struggled to keep my baby satiated. Meanwhile I had friends with A cups who produced 50+ ounces of milk a day. I tried everything to increase my supply — oatmeal, mother’s milk tea, drinking lots of water, sleeping 10 hours a night. I was *this* close to ordering non-FDA approved drugs off the internet from Canada that claimed to boost production before my husband kind of shook me to my senses, and encouraged me to accept that I simply wasn’t gifted with the ability to produce a lot of milk.
6. My advice would be to ACCEPT how much you can produce and SUPPLEMENT if necessary. Looking back, I think one of the reasons I stopped breastfeeding so early is that I was trying to do it all by myself. I was driving myself insane trying to nurse or pump 30 ounces a day. If I had accepted what my body could give my son right off the bat, and supplemented as soon as my supply limitations became apparent, I truly think I would still be breastfeeding today.
Remember that SOME breast milk is better than NONE. Don’t let anyone shame you for not breastfeeding exclusively. As your baby grows you’ll realize that there is a LOT more to developing a healthy, thriving baby than feeding it breast milk.
Also, I think that if you’re breastfeeding or pumping, you definitely need help. Breastfeeding is almost a full time job. So if you’re planning on it, it helps to have a friend/family member to do things like cook, clean or watch your baby. You will need the support. Also, you need sleep to help with breast milk production, so prioritize that if you can.
7. I would ABSOLUTELY do it again! My husband and I are figuring out the right time for baby number 2 and I absolutely have plans to breastfeed my next child. There is nothing like being able to nourish your child from your own body. It is a great feeling.
Alright ladies, answer the questions to share your advice!
1. How many children did you breastfeed for?
2. How long did you breastfeed?
3. Why did you choose to breastfeed?
4. Why did you stop breastfeeding when you did?
5. What challenges did you face when you were breastfeeding?
6. What is your advice for breastfeeding moms?
7. Would you do it again?
