Wow! Sloane will be 10 months on Sat and I'm still breastfeeding! I didn't think I would make it this long, however extremely blessed to have been able to make it thus far and want to continue until 12 months!
There is just a few details that don't get relayed or shared to you as a new mom about breast feeding. You will often hear.... Oh yes! I breast fed for a year..6 months..14 months... Etc However here a few things they don't tell you!
For the first oh... 3 months or more you are literally stuck on the couch or bed breast feeding... It's sooooo demanding.... I never realized it. My child nursed every two hours or less for 2 months! You can go take a shower or eat... As soon as it's over back to it! Wait a minute oh by the way "eat again, alone or in peace... NEVER"! Sometimes I just sit in my car and eat....my.... Lunch..... Piece.... By ..... Piece.. Lol. Anyway, when you are hungry, they are too. and for the first month your in soooo much pain.... It hurts! And if anyone tells you ... It doesn't .... They are not being very nice to you:) Don't worry, it gets better... ALOT better! And Mama's of breast fed babies they don't always sleep through the night, it's nothing like formula fed babies!!!! It's comfort to them and they enjoy, take comfort in the skin on skin time with mommies!
And for me I went back to work full time..... PUMPING... A whole new aspect of the BF journey! Pump after you nurse, every 3 to 4 hours, the more often the better! Thankfully I have a flexible traveling job. I admitt... I've pump while driving.... Pumped on a toilet, pumped in parking lots while waiting for jobs... Pump, pump, pump!A lot! Hey you have to do to what you have to do! Keep a sun visor and a blanket/jacket in car to cover yourself. Sometimes only 30 mins or so btw jobs so had to pump on the go....the Medela Pump has been an awesome gift!!!!! My backpack pump has been one like a purse! You don't leave home without it! Ha! The ice Pac block will keep in the storage all day.... It has for me!!! Freeze all the extra milk you can for later! Thankfuly I still have some, it's low but know able to replenish because Sloane is sleeping through out the night! pumping while I'm writing this blog lol:) and if you think you will sleep all night long when they do start sleeping longer... Well if your like me.... NOT happening... I wake up about after 4 hours of sleep to pump for a bottle for next day and to keep my supply going! After 10 months she is needing less oz each nursing and you're body just matches their need! Isn't God so awesome making our bodies in a way to supply food, nutrients for our babies:)
Yes you will lose weight fast, you also end up eating more than you did while pregnant bec you are STARVING because of all the calories you are burning! Yay! I lost all my weight fast then gained some back because of all the eating! Drink Tons of water, this also help your supply! You will be thirsty anyway, your body's reaction to the bf. I worked out, ran and lift weights! It did effected my supply.. You just have to make sure you eat lots of calories and drink LOTS of water.
Get a good nursing bra!!!! Don't settle for cheap, you will be so uncomfortable:( I went to Motherhood, I bought bras, sleeping bras, and sports bra! All worth every penny!
People will discourage you! Don't give up, family members that did not experience breast feeding DO NOT get it! They will tell you... Oh just give them a bottle! Bottles are fine, but that is not always the solution! I mean I had to introduce Sloane to a bottle because I had to go back to work. Thankfully, She does well with both! I wish I could stay home with her, but this season in our life doesn't really give us that option. Don't give up and don't let others discourage you!
In writing this, I'm not at all complaining! Just hoping this benefits someone and tells a little of my experience! Some of which I wish I would have heard before! Just remmy you both are learning! And it's important to have a supportive husband/family! Jason was very encouraging and helpful through out this entire experience! That alone has boosted my confidence! I'm so thankful,blessed I've been able to do this for my child! I know breast feeding is not for all:) and completely respect and support those who do not!!! Breast Feeding is not for the faint at heart, it's all kinds of challenging, tiring, and repetitious. Saying all that, it's one of the most rewarding, fufilling, beneficial gifts that I've been able to provide Sloane! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! I would take nothing for my journey now and so glad God has given me the endurance to go this long:)
I will be traveling at the end of this month out of state for 4 nights. I will be bringing the pump and probably just dumping until the day I come back. I may be able to store some and get through the airlines. We will see! That will be another blog, I'm sure. Until then.......
Love
Tabby
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