A Post about Breastfeeding

Coming up on Josephine's First Birthday tomorrow,

I decided I would do a post about breastfeeding since I have done it full time for a year now.

A little background first.

I have always wanted to be a mother. 

I have always looked forward to the amazing bond that breastfeeding provides.

I was NOT breastfed. 

I just longed for that interaction.

Knowing that God made us as mothers to provide for our new baby's every nutrient from our bodies was totally amazing to me.

A lil hippish... yes.. I am.

Anyway...

It really just blew my mind how God created all this work naturally. 

So I was really looking forward to this journey w/my sweet girl. 

So Day One.

 right after giving birth

 Just a few hours old.

I was definitely scared. 

Scared that it wouldn't take.

That we wouldn't get the hang of it.

Face, it's hard... 

You're exhausted.

You're nervous about how life will be from now on.

And making sure your baby is getting enough to eat... 

it's scary.

So we sought the help of plenty of lactation consultants while we were in the hospital.

You can read my birth story HERE.

I did have some placenta issues at birth & that caused my milk to be late coming in.

Day 7.

We had to suppliment w/formula for one night b/c she was jaundice & didn't have the energy to latch.

I hated that night.

Formula is such a hassle!

I would much rather just lift my shirt & cuddle up. 

Anyway...

So I went to see another lactation consultant on day 7 b/c I didn't even know if my milk was in yet.

After a visit to the pediatrician who made me feel worthless b/c I wasn't experiencing the standard engorgement, I walked into the lactation office & saw the most precious face.

A very close friend of mine's mother!
Susie King!
If you are birthing at Baptist Hospital in Nashville or need an AMAZING LC, seek her out!

I just lost it! Told her I didn't think my milk was in & the pediatrician was mean to me!

She took one look at me & told me my milk was in & not to worry.

So we went back for a weigh in & feeding so we could see if Josephine was eating well.

The girl took in 2 oz in 10 mins.

Score!

Took her back to the pediatricians office 2 days later & she gained 5oz back!

Hugh relief right? 

 this was her after one of her first full feedings once my milk came in on day 7.finally full.

During the first several months, KellyMom was my breastfeeding bible!

So if you are an expectant mother, and plan on breastfeeding, bookmark that website!

So I thought everything was fine & dandy & we were on our way to better days now that I had milk.

So we get to about week 4-6 I think then all of a sudden her poop is green and frothy...

When we nurse, she will nurse for a few mins & then pop off screaming...

then go back & then come off...

Was tramatic!

I was so scared. I thought... gosh, nursing is suppose to be comforting & it's not...

What is going on?!

So I contacted my AMAZING lactation consultant & she just encouraged me to just breastfeed & it will work it'self out.

Then one day, we noticed some blood steak in her poo. 

So we went to the pediatrician.

She told me to get off dairy & that it was an allergy.

So we did...

for 2 weeks.

No change.

Still screaming while nursing... still green poo. 

So then we contacted my LC again & she said that it sounds more like a 

foremilk/hindmilk imbalance & oversupply.

So we just kept on breastfeeding & my supply evened out at about 3 months or so.

No more green poo...no more screaming.

We were comfort nursing once again!

Now... during those first 3 months while my supply was evening out..

I encounted several plugged milk ducts...

Im talking like... 3 in one week.

I was soooo scared of mastitis. I mean.. terrifed.

So I contacted my lovely LC & she taught me the fool-proof way to get them out & it worked everytime.

Had all my clogs out within 1 day. 

Then after 3 months, I was still getting pretty common clogs. 

Still pretty often.

So my LC recommended taking Lecithin.

That was my cureall.

 3 Months nursing outside

I started the suppliement & I think I've only had 2 clogs since...

& I've been on it since about 6 months ago.

Also, something I HAVE to do is nursing in a different position every time.

So in the morning we do the sideways laying on the "brestfriend", which BTW is WAY better than a Boppy...

it's much sturdier & is almost like a shelf they lay on.

Then we do "football" style in the afternoons, then cradle position for her evening feeding, then back to sideways on the brestfriend for her bedtime nursing.

And the clogs were mainly b/c I didn't drink enough water that day or something...

So... once again, my LC saved the day!

5 months old

 So we were finally nursing happily!

But it took several months.

Several tears.

Several doubts.

But it was SO worth it.

10.5 Months old

Looking into those eyes as they look up at me. 

Even through her teething, we encountered no problems. 

5 teeth now.

I was nervous that once she got her teeth in, it would be challenge. 

Nope. Not for us.

We did encounter the challenge of "bottle refusal"...

So we just accepted that fact that she would not take a bottle & just accommodated accordingly.

We are busy professional photographers so that was a challenge.

We just worked around her feedings.

She started on solids at 6 months. 

No baby food.

Solids.

So if Im going to be a lil longer, we just have whoever is watching her give her some yogurt, grilled cheese, anything she likes until I get back & we nurse. 

She also takes my milk in a sippy cup casually

so that holds her over for when we shoot weddings or newborns.

My thought is this: She has been sleeping 12 hrs at night since 3 months so if she is a lil hungry for an additional hr or so, she'll be just fine. 

Hey, I was watching Regis & Kelly the other morning & Heidi Klum was on & said that her lil girl who is 4 months old refuses the bottle too so she is exclusively breastfed! Some babies just want the real deal!

Nursing in public is a tad bit of a challenge now b/c she like to play w/toys while she nurses. 

She has even wanted to read a book while nursing.

So if I have to nurse while we are out, I make sure I have plenty of options for her.

Usually the cell phone works just fine while we are out.

At home, I have a table next to my nursing chair that has a basket on it that has some toys for her.

Recently, she has wanted to play w/the whole basket... so that was interesting.

Wow... so I think that is a pretty good recap of my first year breastfeeding.

I would LOVE your feedback.

How have you enjoyed breastfeeding?

What are you currently encountering if you are breastfeeding?

Do you have any questions about what I've shared that you'd like me to expand on in another post?

Tips, advice, anything?!

I'd LOVE to share!

xo