A short one, but regarding breastfeeding... I wish I would have known:
- That it could hurt so much (although maybe I wouldn't have tried).
- That it could hurt so much for SO LONG! (see above)
- That lanolin products could create an allergic reaction (yes, I got pins and needles whenever I applied lanolin-based balms).
- That it was okay to use a bottle sometimes, to save myself some pain, get some sleep, etc.
- That pumping for an entire day to save myself some pain was okay too.
- That some people (including MEN) insist on asking me to my face if I am breastfeeding. Please don't do that. It's first of all not your business, and second of all, super awkward. If you need to know, have your wife ask me.
- That people would then ask "Are you STILL breastfeeding?" Unless you're related to me, or a personal girlfriend (or blog friend), why do you really need to know?
- That my entire wardrobe would change to accommodate breastfeeding comfort. (I got a few things, but quickly realized nearly NOTHING I owned was suitable for easy nursing).
- That there were breastfeeding specialists available to help. (I would have gone to one ASAP instead of waiting until week 8).
- That there are awesome nursing clothes out there, (like Bravado, Milk Nursing Wear, Japanese Weekend, and MilkStars... and probably more I don't know about but would love to try!)
What do you wish you'd known about breastfeeding?
Breastfed all 4 of my kids. Last one just over 2 yrs. I love talking to moms about breastfeeding because Ioved it so much so I'd be one of those moms who thinks nothing of asking you if you are. LOL I personally would've added 11. Mastitis hurts more than you could ever imagine. Oh, and maybe 12. Don't get a bunch of new bras a week after your milk comes in. They won't stay that big that long! LOL
~Mimi @ PITM
Breastfed all 4 of my kids. Last one just over 2 yrs. I love talking to moms about breastfeeding because Ioved it so much so I'd be one of those moms who thinks nothing of asking you if you are. LOL I personally would've added 11. Mastitis hurts more than you could ever imagine. Oh, and maybe 12. Don't get a bunch of new bras a week after your milk comes in. They won't stay that big that long! LOL
~Mimi @ PITM
Love this. I was going to ask you how breastfeeding was still going. I need some mama chat about it.
Couple of comments...
I actually only hurt for about 7-10. Pain wasn't really my issue for long but everything else! TIME mostly. Took me 4 months til I said ok I can do this.
I had a non-lanolin product I used. Glad I did!
Entire wardrobe change makes me laugh. I STILL live in my nursing tanks. Every single day. 🙂
Love this. I was going to ask you how breastfeeding was still going. I need some mama chat about it.
Couple of comments...
I actually only hurt for about 7-10. Pain wasn't really my issue for long but everything else! TIME mostly. Took me 4 months til I said ok I can do this.
I had a non-lanolin product I used. Glad I did!
Entire wardrobe change makes me laugh. I STILL live in my nursing tanks. Every single day. 🙂
This list needs to be posted every where especially the ones about people asking stuff! People can be so rude! And that is ok to pump! They still get the milk, dad gets to help with the bottles and mom can SLEEP! lol Even as my milk dried up I would pump just a bit if I could, we laughed and said it was like a power shot in a jamba juice, him having a tad of breast milk before a bottle.
This list needs to be posted every where especially the ones about people asking stuff! People can be so rude! And that is ok to pump! They still get the milk, dad gets to help with the bottles and mom can SLEEP! lol Even as my milk dried up I would pump just a bit if I could, we laughed and said it was like a power shot in a jamba juice, him having a tad of breast milk before a bottle.
I have to admit... I was happy I did not know #1 and #2 as well....
I have to admit... I was happy I did not know #1 and #2 as well....
I'm with you on the pain thing. My girl had a wacky latch and it was almost 6 weeks before I didn't flinch in pain when she nursed. And I wish I had tried bottles with her earlier. We didn't try until she was almost 3 months old and she flat out refused to take one, and still refused until she was almost 7 months old! Made my going back to work impossible. A mixed blessing 😉
I'm with you on the pain thing. My girl had a wacky latch and it was almost 6 weeks before I didn't flinch in pain when she nursed. And I wish I had tried bottles with her earlier. We didn't try until she was almost 3 months old and she flat out refused to take one, and still refused until she was almost 7 months old! Made my going back to work impossible. A mixed blessing 😉
I wish I would have known how easily your milk could dry up. After DS was born my boyfriend lost his local job and had to go back to driving over the road, leaving me with our newborn son and our two dogs, and faced with an eviction notice. Between all the stress I was under, and then starting the mini-pill, my milk completely dried up within days after our son turned 3 months old. Everyone told me the mini-pill was fine, but I should have just stopped taking it when I noticed my milk decreasing, I probably could have held onto it a little longer. I still stare at my son and cry because I feel like I failed. I give him formula and seeing the amount he throws up now makes me feel like I'm poisoning him. I appreciate you (and all the bloggers in the Breastfeeding Blog Hop) reaching out.
I wish I would have known how easily your milk could dry up. After DS was born my boyfriend lost his local job and had to go back to driving over the road, leaving me with our newborn son and our two dogs, and faced with an eviction notice. Between all the stress I was under, and then starting the mini-pill, my milk completely dried up within days after our son turned 3 months old. Everyone told me the mini-pill was fine, but I should have just stopped taking it when I noticed my milk decreasing, I probably could have held onto it a little longer. I still stare at my son and cry because I feel like I failed. I give him formula and seeing the amount he throws up now makes me feel like I'm poisoning him. I appreciate you (and all the bloggers in the Breastfeeding Blog Hop) reaching out.
I wish I had known that babies have a growth spurt around 6 weeks and will seem like they're nursing 24/7! This is when most women are told that their babies aren't getting enough to eat and need to supplement with formula. It's NOT TRUE! The more the baby nurses, the more milk you make. They're hungry because they're growing, not because they're not getting enough milk.
I wish I had known that babies have a growth spurt around 6 weeks and will seem like they're nursing 24/7! This is when most women are told that their babies aren't getting enough to eat and need to supplement with formula. It's NOT TRUE! The more the baby nurses, the more milk you make. They're hungry because they're growing, not because they're not getting enough milk.
Bras and clothing - I did not know a think about those. I, like you, soon realized nothing was working.
Also, sometimes it can take up to 5 days for milk to come in. This can be impacted by sleep, too. So, lesson learned - mom needs her rest to make milk, especially in those early days. And secondly, a little formula can be alright (I know, I sound like I'm speaking some kind of sacrilegious thing - you know how pro-breastfeeding I am) but really, that's what saved us with #1. With #2, she never tasted formula.
Bras and clothing - I did not know a think about those. I, like you, soon realized nothing was working.
Also, sometimes it can take up to 5 days for milk to come in. This can be impacted by sleep, too. So, lesson learned - mom needs her rest to make milk, especially in those early days. And secondly, a little formula can be alright (I know, I sound like I'm speaking some kind of sacrilegious thing - you know how pro-breastfeeding I am) but really, that's what saved us with #1. With #2, she never tasted formula.
#4 - YES!! At first I felt guilty, then I realized it wasn't a big deal at all. And now look at me - an exclusive pumping mom. Giving him the bottle was really just a head start 🙂
Thanks for linking up! I hope you'll join in again next week when we're talking Success Stories.
#4 - YES!! At first I felt guilty, then I realized it wasn't a big deal at all. And now look at me - an exclusive pumping mom. Giving him the bottle was really just a head start 🙂
Thanks for linking up! I hope you'll join in again next week when we're talking Success Stories.
I agree! Breastfeeding does hurt, even when you are doing it right. It takes time because your boobies aren't used to it.
I agree! Breastfeeding does hurt, even when you are doing it right. It takes time because your boobies aren't used to it.
I breastfed DD#1 until she was 2. Had to deal with those "are you still breastfeeding" questions for a long time. And then when I answered Yes, some got this weird look in their face.
LOL - my son is 30 months. He still nurses at bedtime. People stopped asking me around 2 years old - I think they just assume I've stopped! Good news - he's only had one very minor cold his entire life!
I breastfed DD#1 until she was 2. Had to deal with those "are you still breastfeeding" questions for a long time. And then when I answered Yes, some got this weird look in their face.
LOL - my son is 30 months. He still nurses at bedtime. People stopped asking me around 2 years old - I think they just assume I've stopped! Good news - he's only had one very minor cold his entire life!
Ah yes, the hurting/tenderness... I kept being told ahead of time if it hurts, I must be doing it wrong. So I kept thinking I was doing it wrong, when I really wasn't
Ah yes, the hurting/tenderness... I kept being told ahead of time if it hurts, I must be doing it wrong. So I kept thinking I was doing it wrong, when I really wasn't
Aaah yes, the "are you still breastfeeding" question!! Drives me kinda crazy, since it's usually not asked in a genuine way, but more in a "you really should stop that" sort of way.
Aaah yes, the "are you still breastfeeding" question!! Drives me kinda crazy, since it's usually not asked in a genuine way, but more in a "you really should stop that" sort of way.