Nursing Update

Happy baby  |  milk coma  |  our nursing spot + Abe

 6 months. I have been nursing our sweet baby boy for 6 months. It seems like a long time, but it really has flown by. Let me preface everything that I have to say in this post - We are SO incredibly thankful that breastfeeding has gone so well for us. I know that some people have a very hard time with it, so I know that we are very blessed. We do not take it for granted.

As I've said before, we  are (I am) planning on exclusively breastfeeding Dayton until he is one year old. So far, so good! Dayton has not had one drop of formula. I feel pretty good about nursing him and pumping at work for this long. Some days it seems like a full time job and some days it's hard! So, yes, I am proud that we've made it this far! According to Iowa statistics, only 43% of Iowa babies are exclusively breastfed at 3 months and only 15% of Iowa babies are exclusively breastfed at 6 months. I feel pretty happy about making it in that 15%. I know that there any many many reasons that some mamas can't make it that far, and my heart goes out to them. I know that we have been so fortunate, but I also know that I've worked my tail off to get this far.

If someone tells you that breastfeeding is easy, they're not telling the whole truth. The first two weeks are pretty much terrible. The first month is hard. It wasn't until I hit 2-3 months that I felt like breastfeeding was getting easier. Even though some days are hard and even though pumping can be a pain, I consider all of it worth it. Besides, one year really is not that long in the long run and the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh some of the discomfort it causes me. Going back to work made it a little trickier, but so far I have been able to make it work. My supply is strong and if anything, we have a surplus.

Here's is what my schedule looks like at 6 months-

• 4 am - wake up and pump, usually about 12 oz
• 6 am - nurse
• 8:15 - pump, about 8 oz
• 10:30 - pump, about 8 oz
• 2:30 - pump, about 10 oz
• 5:30 - nurse
• 7:30 - nurse
• 9:30 - pump, about 8-10 oz

Some thing that I have done to help boost and maintain my supply -

• educate yourself - I have read so much about breastfeeding, I feel like I could be a lactation consultant (okay maybe not, but I do know quite a bit!). I have read countless articles, blogs, books, and even talked to many friends about their experiences.
• start pumping right away - I had to pump in the hospital because Dayton had to learn how to latch. I think this was one of the key things to my success.
• nurse and pump often - As soon as my milk came in, I had to pump due to engorgement. But I kept on pumping. Basically, I tricked my body into thinking that baby needed more milk. Do I regret this? Absolutely not - I have never worried about my supply decreasing. Did this mean I had to pump more often? Yep, but it was totally worth it.
• pump for at least 10 minutes after you nurse - I can feel my let-downs very strongly. Women's breasts can have up to three. Some women feel them, some don't. Dayton usually eats 1-2 let-downs on each side. In the beginning, I would pump out the 2nd or 3rd let-down after he was done eating.
• eat healthy, nutritious calories - Yes, your body can produce milk on any diet. However, is that the best way? Breast milk is made mostly out of water and protein. A good diet includes protein at every meal, whole grain carbs, and healthy fats. Some great food for breastfeeding are: protein, oatmeal, eggs, leafy greens, berries, coconut oil, almonds, fish, quinoa, avocado, yogurt, and seeds.
• drink a ton of water - you cannot produce milk if you're dehydrated. The more you drink, the more your body is able to produce milk. Basically, I drank more water than I thought was possible.
• offer both sides every time - Dayton nurses from both sides 
• don't give up - The first 2 weeks are so hard. A few of my friends told me to just get through the first 2 weeks. That was some of the best advice I got. It hurt, it took forever, he didn't latch well, and it was hard. I got through those first 2 weeks and it was uphill from there. 
• take milk thistle and fenugreek - I take 1 of each every day. Maybe this helped, maybe it didn't.

I am incredibly pro-breastfeeding - if it works out for you. I wish our society (and I think there has been a change) was more supportive of breastfeeding mothers. I wish it was normal for mamas to breastfeed in public without shame. We have chosen to breastfeed in public - with a cover. Why? As much as I believe that mamas should be able to breastfeed anywhere at anytime, I do not want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. That is the choice that we have made for ourselves and for others.

Why are we so dedicated to breastfeeding only? Here are a few reasons.

Breast milk is by far healthier and contains many more nutrients and antibodies.

There are many many benefits of breastfeeding for baby.

There are many many benefits of breastfeeding for mama.

Here's to all the mamas - breastfeeding or not. You choose what is right for you and your baby. I will always support your choice. Being a mama is hard. Let's all support each other!