Stress and your milk supply the never ending battle...

SO many times I have walked into a NICU room to talk to a mom about her LOW milk supply. I look behind her to see a small fragile baby fighting for their life. I look at the mother who is calm and concerned but does not put the two together. Sick baby= low milk supply. Why is this? Stress of course. Cortisol levels raising and constricting the milk from flowing well. I will go through the past few weeks with her: How often do you pump? What type of pump? When did you see you supply drop? Usually the answers are every 3-4hrs, during the day only...Double electric hospital grade..it just seemed to keep going down and down. I then start to talk to her about how to relax and how to bring the milk supply up. I then look her in the eye and say " this is hard, having a baby in the NICU, away from you." This is usually when the real emotions that are keeping her milk supply at bay show up. She may become teary eyed or just cry all together. Either way I think it helps to release those emotions. IF they work on their pumping and relaxation they can bring it back up.
 So how do I counteract my stress? HMMMM... do I follow what I say? Do I release my emotions? go for a run? watch a funny movie? eat comfort foods? get a massage? Of course not. Where is my Lactation Consultant that is going to help me get through a rough patch. This is very odd thing for me. I am the one who has all the answers to these questions and yet here I sit very stressed out, knowing that it is effecting my milk supply and I do nothing.
I can only say that I do have peace of mind that I know how to bring up my milk supply if it does fall too drastically, so I guess I am just waiting for it too happen. I SHOULD do extra pumping after feeds and make sure I am hydrated. SHOULD being the most important word in that sentence.
So I WILL do a few extra pumps a day and take walk and relax. After all I am only 3.5 months into a 2 year breastfeeding journey. My daughter WILL exclusively breastfeed, so I have no other options. SO I better stop typing and get pumping!!!

As the saying goes.. Don't cry over spilled milk

 So the battle between me and my pump has begun. I have now been pumping for a month at work and I went from 26 oz a day to 18 oz. does she need 26 oz a day? No... Her mama does. For my peace of mind I would like to pump as much a possible, but I can't. This is something that I have to let go of. I need to be able to be happy with what I am getting, because she doesn't need more than that. I need to not be upset when I come home to bottles with 1 or 2 oz left in them. She is a healthy growing girl and  on my days off she breast feeds perfectly.  We have had lots of fun with our two kids out and about. Going out

 is a breeze with my breast and a sling. She is happy to feed anywhere and seems to nap better on dads flat chest than my .. Well unflat chest. We r in the midst of moving and a month from today we will be somewhere else. A move is always a stressful time, I try not to let it get to me, for the sake of my milk supply.

 

Eye on the Supply

So now that I have been pumping ALOT, I have a visual on my breast milk. Some days I pump out 25 oz somedays 18oz. This makes me want to panic, but I won't . Well, maybe I won't. It's hard not to think that I might be making less than I should or that she may someday run out. But my personal lactation consultant ( me) tells me that I am fine and stop thinking about it. My little princess is fine at the breast and is always satisfied. Now I need to teach husband that every drop I pump is important. Last night I came home and he had started feeding her. 5oz bottle! Of which she only took two oz!!! So were did that three oz. go? Down the drain!! I am beginning to see why women call it a milk stash. It is to be kept preserved and perfect and only touched when needed. So after a quick late night lesson on my milk supply I think my husband is on board.  But I will keep you posted

               My "stash"❤😋                         

Back to the Daily Grind

Well my summer of bliss has ended. I have been back to work for two weeks. I did shed a few tears leaving my little girl in the hands of our babysitter, but what is a working women to do.  I was prepared. I had about 60 oz in the freezer, and I really only pumped once a day for about 5 weeks. I was a good working mom, I made all her bottles ready to go. I made five four ounce bottles!!! That was definitely overkill!! She only drank three bottles, and only three ounces out of them.  Even with all my knowledge my momma brain tends to trump my knowledge on the subject. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I've have Pediatricians ask me why their 6 month old babies want to breastfeed so much. I have to ask them if they have started giving them food. The answer was no surprisingly ..." add food" I would say.  I would think " wow, how did she not know that?" Now I know.. she was thinking  with her mom brain. Mom brains are always the best brains to think with, its important to use your instincts. Well I know that a exclusively breastfed baby isn't going to take more than three oz at a feed especially at 10weeks, but I still made all those bottles. OWELL :)
So adding REAL pumping to the day is ALOT of work! I am not going to lie, sitting at home and breastfeeding is so much easier than any other form of feeding, but that's just my humble opinion. I pump about 20-25 oz in 12 hrs. Even though I am good with pumping, I still have a little voice in the back of my head saying "what if you run out!!!!!!!" I wonder if that "Mother Guilt" will ever be silenced? I was able to stay home with my son for 15 months and I remember thinking " should I be working?" Maybe I'll never be happy with my work choices, but I do find comfort in the fact that my little one is only breast milk fed. I like to think that even though I am not the one always feeding her, she remembers me when she drinks her breast milk.
Being back at work, does remind me of how much I love to teach breastfeeding education and help moms latch their new little ones. I now have a very fresh memory of those sore nipples and the burning pain of a c-section. I think I'm a little more delicate with the moms now.
My husband has been in charge of the kids from 3:30-10:00pm  while I am at work, and has done such a wonderful job. This is all new to him, and he has been fantastic. When I think of how much work the two of us have to put into these two kids, it really does make me realize how lucky I am.  He loves taking care of our kids and putting the baby to sleep. If I could lend him out to all those single moms out their I would. Those are the moms that should right books on how to jungle work and kids. Whatever their secrets are, we should all be doing.
So, so far so good. We have many many weeks and months to go, but I'm making it so far.

Back to work I Go!

Well after weeks and weeks of pure bliss, reality has reared its ugly head. Tomorrow I join the workforce once again. Am I happy? No..not at all. I love my job and I'm sure once I get there I will be happy to do what I love, but I will be thinking all day about my little girl. I haven't been away from her for more than a hour since her birth and to put many miles and hours between us is not going to make working easy. That is why if you are able to stay home, DO IT!!! who cares about being a superwomen who does it all!! It's less full filling I guarantee.
BUT, I am ready technically. I have a awesome baby sitter. She took care of my son and now will be taking 50% of my daughters care..well maybe 30% another 30% going to my husband who will have to do the B-shift of care until I get home. Looking back I really should of made him do more. O well he will learn on the job.  Breast milk? I have about 70oz ready to go. That was from pumping once a day for the past 30-40days. So if you want more, I encourage more pumps a day, but SOOOO much work, why do that?  If you are going to pump at work? Diapers? check: Extra clothes? check: bottles? check.
My one thing that I have been going back and forth on is the pacifier. On one hand I do not want her to be stressed out away from us and have no way to soothe herself. On the other, my dad is a Dentist and may flip out if he finds out I am using one. We have tried it a few times, and she reluctantly sucks on it. If she wants it, its there, if not, she seems to like to suck on her fingers.
SO... I am making 5 bottles at 4oz each..she doesn't seem to eat that much, but I don't want her to starve and if she doesn't eat it all that's fine. I know my supply is in my breasts, and as long as I have that I am good.
Here comes the real work..pumping and working. We will see how I deal with it. I know I will never supplement with Formula, but I am wondering if I freak out like the mothers I speak too, or will I coast through the next two years. Time will tell... I will keep you posted.

The Hardest Three Months of My Life

Today is my first Born's birthday. He is eight!!! Happy Birthday Son.
As I do every year I think about that first day, and the first three months of his life. That's because the first 90days of being a mother was the worst! I had no idea what I was doing!! He cried all day unless I held him. So I would just sit planted on my couch holding him. I was not a LC yet so my knowledge on the subject of breastfeeding was pretty much at 0. In the first three days I was sure I wasn't giving him enough, I begged the nurse for a bottle, which they didn't give me until right before I left the hospital. They also didn't educate me on breastfeeding, which would of been more helpful. My nipples were so sore I was sure that breastfeeding was torture. I would hold my breath and watch the clock, counting down the seconds until I could take him off. I came from a family that breastfed, and my Aunt gave me many books on breastfeeding all of which I didn't read. The only thing that kept me going was that my best friend did it, and I figured if she could do it, I could do it. She talked about how great it felt when they would empty you and how easy it was. I had the opposite experience of course. I gave ALOT of formula and soy no less..which now I am dealing with his asthma and eczema both I believe came from the soy formula. Many, many times I wanted to stop, or at least have someone tell me to stop. That did not happen, everyone said to continue, I don't think anyone knew how much I hated it, but I felt like it was all over my face.
How did this person ever continue breastfeeding? Well, I have never thought anything in life was easy, I figured this was just another hardship of life, but more than that, this little beautiful baby LOVED IT! He loved breastfeeding :) He would sit there for hours cuddling and eating. He would play and laugh, he always wanted total silence while he ate and would always fall asleep while eating. So I continued.
When we reached three months things started to look brighter. He was stronger and would eat faster. I was coming out of my fog and started to enjoy the experience. I still had no idea what I was doing, but I did know that when I breastfed him, he was happy, and a happy baby makes a happy momma.
So when a mom tells me she doesn't think she can go on and its too hard, I think, wow she's only been doing this a few hours, I felt like that for three months! Does that make me a better person because I continued? No, I tend to be stubborn and giving up is not something I do easily. What it makes me is lucky. I am so grateful for my little man, who didn't like a pacifier or a bottle and who preferred to breastfeed. He made me a excellent LC who understands sore nipples, sleepless nights, self-doubt, and the appreciation of education on the subject.
So thank you to my son who made me the women I am today.
I Love You Forever and ever..

Enjoy your Maternity Leave from Day One!!

SO many times while I am working, I have new mothers, with 24hour old babies asking about pumping for work. I realize this may be their only chance to speak to a LC and they want to be prepared, but I fear that they never fully enjoy their short time away from work. I myself took 12 weeks off, I am half way through and could definitely take another 6 months off. Yesterday I was reminded that I have a job when I had to call in and figure out exactly when I was coming back. It was a little bothersome, but had to be done. So to all those new moms, enjoy every moment that you have when your home with your new little one. My new little girl is starting to smile at me and coo, she is bigger and going through her onsies pretty fast. We have seen as many movies as possible, and we just came back from a trip to the mountains. All of this we have enjoyed and breastfed through. The best part about being in the mountains is that we could sit outside on the deck of the Cabin we were in and breastfeed. Pumping I haven't been consistent on, but now that I am about 6 weeks away from going back to work, I am going to start being more diligent. My husband has enjoyed giving the baby a bottle of expressed milk when I go for my evening run. He felt that it was important for him to feed the baby as part of his bonding wtih her. As much as I didn't want to give that  up, she was already 5 weeks old, and again sooner than I would like she will be going to a baby sitter while I work. SO to all new moms who are concerned about work, chances are you are a good employee, other wise why would you worry, and your work will be patient wtih you and wait for you to come back with no issues. Most moms really don't have breastfeeding down until they are about to go back to work, which means it is very even more difficult to leave the home and go back to work. The moral of my story is, when preparing yourself for having your baby forget about work whether your taking four weeks or 12 weeks or half a year, cherish every day and every moment..and take pictures!!!

Breastfeeding in an Emergancy

Well as much as I don't want to admit it, I have to tell this story because it reminds me of so many other, more tragic situations. Today as I was on my way home from dropping my son and nephew off at Karate Camp, I ran out of gas!!!! I haven't ran out of gas in a very long time. But any time that I did I knew I was going to. This time I didn't even realize I was low on gas. I guess new mommy brain is a real condition, and probably has no cure other than sleep. So less than a quarter mile away from my house me and my little one were on the side of the road. Even at 9am in the summer heat it is not a good situation. So luckily I have AAA and my cell phone was charged so I called. So as I called AAA my little one started crying...she is not a fan of being in a car when its not moving. The very nice women on the other line assisted me in getting someone to the car. In her lovely southern accent she said "bless your heart" as she listened to me try to calm my baby. Something about "bless your heart" in a southern accent was very soothing to me. It made me wonder if AAA hired her because they knew her voice would be helpful to the people on the other line. So there in the back seat of my car I whipped out my "soother" :) I breastfed to help my baby calm down and give her a drink..after all it is summer in Arizona. After a small meal she fell asleep. I got out of the car and stood in the shade. A very nice Police Volunteer pulled over and checked on us. Also two nice women pulled over to make sure I was ok, one even had stopped at the store and brought me water bottles. Its amazing how wonderful people can be in bad situations. My little angel slept through the whole thing. I got some gas and then went to the gas station and filled up. I was fine and so was my little one.
My emergency was nothing compared to what the news forces me to watch every day. My son was a month old when Katrina hit New Orleans. I was home and watching every day, these people with out water or food or shelter. I remember Anderson Cooper standing next to a dead body and wondering..when are they going to help those people!! But the  thing I remember the most is a mom crying to the camera because she didn't have formula to feed her baby, which she was holding in her arms. That almost killed me. I cried and cried for that baby, and as I looked down at my little breast feeder I of course thought..why didn't she breastfeed!!
I know that people aren't always thinking, " I better breastfeed in case I am in a situation were my only choice is too breastfeed, like a hurricane or earthquake, or tornado.But shouldn't that be a little of how we approach it?
I know that its a very "lactivist" way of looking at the world, but today I thought I was making a quick ten minute run and it turned into an hour on the side of the road. Now of course this was my fault, but if I had been a bottle feeding mom, I would have not brought anything with me because I had just fed her before we left the house and would of figured she would be fine for 20min. Now of course I am not a bottle feeder and I'm sure that most carry a bottle around with them all the time, but I most likely wouldn't. Also again this was not as serious as a natural disaster were water is not always around.
At some point it would be nice for America to see Breastfeeding as the very convenient method of feeding that it is. Today it was defiantly very convenient and incredibly helpful.

Practice What I Preach....Pumping

New moms are always ready to pump. I can understand, your tired, your nipples hurt, the feeds are sometimes longer than a whole movie, it sounds much easier. But that's just a thought, not the truth. The truth is that pumping is much more work than breastfeeding. When I am discussing breastfeeding with a new mom I always use exercise as an analogy of breastfeeding. So if breastfeeding is a light walk around the block with the dog, pumping is a triathlon! The human body is not prepared to have a machine attached and "give " it milk. Its a lot of work for nothing. BUT, for many women, me included, its a necessity.
When I am away from my baby I want her to only drink breast milk, so I will need this pump. Since I am trying to be the best breast feeder ever, I am only allowing her to use a bottle when I am away from her. Some people will have you believe that you have to introduce a bottle early because otherwise they won't take it. I am going on the theory that if my little girl is hungry enough she will eat. So bottles only when I am away from her.
So this week I have started to pump. The real reason is because my husbands birthday is next week and I want to be able to have a nice adult dinner with him and not have to rush home to feed. So at five weeks old she will have her first bottle :/
So what I remember from my own pumping experience is that I really didn't like it, but luckily I was a stay at home mom and did not have to pump. This time is very different, but since I am a IBCLC a very nice Rep. from one of the big Pump makers has graciously allowed my to use their very best pump, in hopes that I recommended it to moms, or our hospital. So yesterday I started. I did a ten minute pump and had to give myself a internal "pumping consult".
I had to remember to not look at the pump..I was starting to wonder "were the milk was?" Typical first time pumper.
What I always tell moms...close your eyes, take deep breaths, the same kind you do in Yoga and relax! Also of course my favorite thing to tell moms..hand expression. Its always important to move the milk manually..the pump only pulls from the end, but milk is all over the breast.
So after ten long minutes I pumped out three ounces! I had to laugh a little at myself..I was a little disappointed I didn't pump out 10 ounces! Its our society we want everything bigger and better. I am sure my little one doesn't drink more than 2oz at a time, so the plan is to have three bottles with 2oz in them left for her. I am going to pump once a day if I can to start a small collection of milk. This is also something I recommend, no reason to go crazy with pumping early on. Their is plenty of time for that once you go back to work.
The biggest thing to remember about pumping, is that it is not breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is easy and the milk is always fresh. If you are a few days into breastfeeding and are starting to eyeball that pump, take a deep breath treat those sore nipples and stay away from the pump. You will appreciate breastfeeding more when you realize how it is really the easier way to feed the baby.
So lets see how this goes...I'll keep you updated

Breastfeeding through my sons eyes :)

I remember once I was at a conference...IBCLC conference, and a women who was not part of the conference saw a picture that ILCA had posted of a little girl pretending to breastfeed her doll. This picture that I had seen all week while walking into the conference never had made me think twice about it. Of course I grew up in a breastfeeding family and was now an IBCLC, but still it was obvious that this little girls mother was breastfeeding a sibling and she was trying to be like her mother. Little girls want to wear lipstick and high heels and everyone accepts that, because they are mimicking their moms, but for some reason this picture really upset this women. Well when she realized that she was saying how awful the picture was around a bunch of LC's, she said, "well I breastfed my kids". And in unison all the LC's said "how long?" It was clear that this women did not see breastfeeding as something natural and definitely not something you do in public. Why? well I would assume her up bringing, maybe when she was young she never witnessed a baby breastfeeding, or if someone was breastfeeding they probably left the room, shunned by who ever was around. Or maybe it was just her, she was not comfortable with the idea of people, especially children knowing about how a baby feeds from her mother.  Whatever the reason that always stuck with me.
So now that my son is around me while I am feeding my little one, I had wondered how he would react. Since day one, I didn't do any preparation for him. I hoped that he would see it as just a normal part of the day. He did..and does :) He comes over a kisses her head when she's eating, and tells her   " I hope you have a good meal". He doesn't ask me why she is eating from my breast or cringe or run into the other room, he accepts what I am doing and is completely comfortable with it.
Is it his personality? or is it how we raised him? I couldn't really tell you. All I can say is that when he grows up he will be his wives biggest supporter when she is breastfeeding. :)
I am an eternal optimist and of course I want all things in life to be positive. So in my optimistic mind I would hope that all moms, even the ones who don't breastfeed are able to explain breastfeeding as a normal and natural part of life to their children, because even if the mom does not breastfeed, it doesn't mean that her little girl will not breastfeed later in life, and it's important for her gown up self to be comfortable with it. Its hard enough to start breastfeed, and if your feel uncomfortable doing it around your own family, it makes it even harder.

Mom instincts trump the edjucated mind

Something we have been dealing with since day two ir three of my my sweet peas life is spitting up. As a LC I knew it was because she was gulping ALOT and I need to pace her feeds more. As a mother I started doubting myself and started going over what I was eating. My LC brain wanted to slap my mom brain.  How could I even think it was food?! I have sat in on lectures from the top breastfeeding experts explain how very little of what we eat affects breast milk. I know the rule ..less than one percent of what you ingest gets into the milk! But my little one is uncomfortable and gassy and spits up often. So why does my mom brain want to squash all the education I have and share on a daily basis with other mothers? Im sure its just the hormones that make me want to protect my baby and make sure she is happy and healthy, but I still feel like I am not doing everything I can for her. So how would a mom who is new to breastfeeding over come this? Well she would hopefully rely on a Lactation Consultant. I guess I forget that part of my job is just the ability to reassure mothers that what they are doing is correct and that some spitting up can be normal as long as the baby is pooping, peeing and gaining weight. And MY baby is doing that! ...remember 10oz in 7 days. Every mother wants to know if what they are doing is correct, even me. I have had Pediatricians ask me questions about their own breastfeeding issues so I shouldn't feel defeated that I have my own concerns. I guess it makes me human to want to be told.." your doing a good job, she's fine ..don't worry ". Thanks LC brain..i needed that.

Breastfeeding outside of MY comfort zone

My little sweet cakes is now two weeks old and so far we have breastfed out of the house in three very public areas. All three due to my 7 year old, who needs to get out of the house, and me trying to make all my children happy and take him out as often as possible. Just because I'm a Lactation Consultant doesn't mean I am completely comfortable breastfeeding in public. Each time I find myself getting nervous that someone will be able to tell what I'm doing, or that my breast is going to flop out for all too see. SO yesterdays adventure to a indoor play ground was probably the first time ALOT of people could tell what I was doing. I and my baby were completely covered, but I got the sense that everyone around us was very aware what I was doing. I don't think of myself as one of those moms who wants to prove anything about breastfeeding in public and that it is the norm and everyone should accept it, even though it is VERY normal and everyone SHOULD accept it. I understand that to most people in our society breasts are only sexual and to see too much of one may seem offensive. I know that aspect of breasts all too well.  I am a large chested women who has been trying to hide my breasts since I was 13years old. Even under clothes I always got too many looks from men and unhappy glances from women. It doesn't help that I tend to smile all the time and so I probably always look like I am inviting men to stare at me. As with most large chested women ( I assume) the opposite is true. But, I have lived in Arizona my whole life and so dressing in tank tops is almost required most of the year..and if you don't know...tank tops and large breasts tend to not show off modesty. However I am a Taurus and my stubbornness made me dress like everyone else, even though the shirts didn't always fit me properly. That same stubbornness is what has been getting me out of the house and breastfeeding, not all my knowledge on the subject, or how I refuse going to introduce a bottle until I absolutely have too. So Awkwardly trying to latch a baby inside my baby wrap is something I am doing because sitting at home all day every day is not a option for me. So please know that if you are embarrassed to breastfeed outside your house and you are opting for bottles or early pumping, or just not leaving the house at all, that I understand. I am still planning on buying a breastfeeding cover, and I know that we will get less awkward at our latching abilities under a cover, but the only way to get better is practice :) I do have to say that a nice mom and her little two year old were playing around me while I was feeding, and in Spanish he asked her were my baby was and in Spanish she told him that my baby was feeding from my breast to get milk. For some reason in Spanish is sounded very lovely, maybe because the two year old repeated it very matter of fact with no weird faces or concern. If everyone could look at breastfeeding like that two year old.

Gaining weight!

At her weight check she had gained 10oz in 7 days! This is just a small victory for me. I am the only one who feels accomplished because of this, but I had to share. Feeding a baby every 2-3 hrs around the clock is easier said than done, and since its almost all I do, I can feel that I am not doing much during the day.  Knowing that I helped her gain more than her birth weight makes me feel good. Remember ladies you are doing the most important thing you could be doing ...giving your child the nutrition they need to thrive. It is more important than any cleaning or any other daily tasks that you might think you SHOULD be doing.
This is my baby taking a nap on my chest :) and I will only get this for a few precious moments in life

CLUSTER FEEDING

Cluster feeding is a time that all moms should be prepared for, even me. A time when a baby eats and eats and eats !! Helps them grow which is wonderful!But definitely takes energy from mom.  Yesterday my sweet little angel decided it was a good day to cluster feed. She didn't want to be put down and she fed every hour for about 6 hrs. So this morning as I sit here with extra tender nipples I am wondering if I am in for another day of that.    I am always the first to inform mothers that cluster feeds are normal and a healthy behavior of a newborn. But what I had forgotten was that the oxytocin will make you extra sleepy and if your not careful that extra sting will come back to the breasts at the begining of the feeds. So I will start my lanolin and shell regiment again today.    It reminds me that there are no absolutes to the way a baby feeds . As long as they pee, poop, and gain weight.                                         
This is my sweet baby...satisfied! :)

Getting out!!

Just a week into maternity leave and I was climbing the walls of my house. I needed to get out, but its just me and both kids now at the house, since my husband works and my son is now on summer break. I knew it wouldn't be the easiest thing I ever did, but me, my breastfeeding baby and my son were going to do something! I decided to take my son to one of those Trampoline places were he could jump and jump and hopefully tire himself out. So armed with my baby wrap and some Gatorade we got out. To my surprise it wasn't that bad. I sat in a a secluded area and when she got hungry I fed her. Of course never feeding in a wrap before I now know that I should of practiced that before trying it the real world, but we figured it out. She fed for 20-30min and then fell back to sleep :) We even stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home.
On the weekend while my husband was home I decided that I was going to take my son to an outdoor water even that our town was having. I knew he wouldn't want to stay too long, and it was free and close so it was perfect for us. I breastfed for about a hour before I left, and told my husband that if she woke up before I was home to call me and I would get home quickly. I think most people would say, " why not just pump a bottle?" and by most people I mean my husband.  Well I am not ready to give bottles, and she gives me at least 1 1/2 to 2 hrs between feeds. So my son and I got out together for a little bit. As we were ready to leave I got the call and came home to a hungry baby.
Out next venture out was to a movie. One of the perks of a breastfeeding baby is being able to feed in a movie. Its dark and cool and the baby doesn't really care what you are watching.  Having a 7 year old we were watching "Epic", but I plan on seeing ALOT of movies this summer.
Something that all moms, including myself have to get used too, is that you are now fitting feeds into your day. Its best to feed before you leave the house, and feed for as long as you can. I would still like to buy a baby cover to feed with, but the wrap works well if you can play with it.
Breastfeeding definitely becomes a lifestyle, not just a part of your life. Its not forever, just a few moments really in the span of a lifetime. They are memories you will have and most you will cherish. So get out there! Take a deep breath and start working those feeds into every aspect of your day.

My son loves hoding his sister and thinks she is the cutest thing he has ever seen :)

This is him out at the "Cool Down" event that I took him too..he's a ham..

The first week...

Every mom has their own story about how their children came into the world. My little one was a  repeat c-section. I don't know how people can plan sections and be ok with it. From the minute I scheduled it I was worried about every bad thing that could happen. I had two months to think about it..way too much time. Thank the Lord everything went very well. :)

Day One: I had the nurse make my husband do skin to skin with her while they put me back together. As soon as they handed her to me, I was able to latch her quickly. I was pretty drowsy, but I do remember a student asking me why I was massaging my breast while she fed. I didn't even realize I was doing it, but its what I do when I help moms. I always want to make sure the baby's sugar doesn't drop and that the breast is as stimulated as possible. I tried to explain that to the student,  but I pretty out of it..so I'm not sure what came out of my mouth.
For the rest of the day I fed her off and on..but mostly I threw up. That night she woke up and fed all night. I was ready for her and thanks to toradol I was able to move around and feed her in a side lying position.
Day Two: She was sleepy from her all night feed fest, so I had to remember to feed her at least every three hours, which she did. I found I could hold her in any position, but I could feel the soreness coming on. I asked for comfort gels and lansinoh.
Day Three: I was ready to leave the hospital at this point, and I had found out the night before that she would sleep in her crib?! This was new too me..my oldest never slept in his crib even for a hour..so of course all I did was watch her sleep. We left in the afternoon and we continued to feed every three hours. At this point I was starting to notice scabbing on my nipples. I chilled my comfort gels and tried to latch her as deep as I could. So this is were I remembered that a deep latch still means soreness :(
Day Four: My little darling girl was starting to show me she was a easy going gal. She slept between feeds, fed 15-30min and sometimes would eat so much she would spit up. It was really good for my sanity..helped me sleep..but now I was treating two very sore nipples :/ Luckily the new season of Arrested Development started at midnight, so I was able to take my mind of the very tip of my nipple with a show I love.
Day Five: So how did this IBCLC over come sore nipples. Five days in, I was starting to count the minutes into a feed. I didn't want too..but I was super sore. I found wet hot wash clothes over my nipples for a few minutes took the sting off after a feed. LOTS of lanolin! and during the feeds I would compress the breasts as much as possible for the first few minutes. I also started using breast SHELLS. Not a shield...SHELLS..they really helped since in between feeds the friction of clothes is not great for nipples. Also I think the Motrin I was taking for incision pain was helping.
Day Six: I was now on a good regiment of heat on the nipples, lanolin and shells. I was also switching up the positions very often during the feeds. Clutch to cradle so that her  lower jaw was not always on the same part of the breast.  I can say that by the end of the sixth day (yesterday) I was feeling decent. She even fed through all of Magic Mike! not a movie I would ever pay to watch, but it was starting and the remote was so far away.

Breastfeeding Take Two..

I decided to start a blog since I am a week into my maternity leave and am over watching TV. I am a 2nd time mother..sorry breastfeeding mother. This time I am a lot more educated on the subject. I am proud to say that both my children took to breastfeeding very quickly. The only difference is my son (my first) knew WAAYYY more than I did. I was a typical first time mother who wanted to breastfeed, but knew nothing on the subject. I was sure he wasn't getting enough and my nipples were so sore I could barely breath. I gave ALOT of formula. Breastfeeding started to work for us at he four month mark, but then he got teeth. At six months I was hired by WIC to be Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and finally learned about Breastfeeding. I decided that no one who even is thinking about breastfeeding should  have education on he subject. I realize that sometimes with knowledge, guilt can come into play. I figure if I could feel a little guilt so can everyone else.  I decided that I wanted to become an IBCLC, and I lucky enough to reach my goal and have been working with new mamas for five years in a hospital setting. What I have learned about new moms is all will breastfeed..few will follow though. If anyone ever reads this blog I hope someone can be motivated to continue breastfeeding and know that  nothing every worth doing is ever easy.

My plan is to breastfeeding for two years. I made it 18months with my son, so I am hoping to go a little longer with my daughter. She is 6 days old and a pro. She is a by the book type of gal. She feeds 15-20min every 2.5-3hrs. My son was a wild card. He fed for hours at a time and never slept. He had a beautiful crib that he never slept in. He slept with the breast in his mouth for basically the whole first year. SO I already have two different personalities..this should be interesting.