I often hear so many stories about mothers getting discouraged when it comes to breastfeeding. There are also numerous articles talking about how difficult it is. As if there aren’t enough articles telling pregnant women and mothers to be afraid and unconfident. While breastfeeding isn’t exactly as Ali Wong described her expectations, “I thought it was supposed to be this beautiful bonding ceremony, where I would feel like I was sitting on a lily pad in a meadow and bunnies would gather at my feet while the fat Hawaiian man version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” would play.”

It can be tough but nothing you can’t handle!

My Top Tips & Inspiration for Breastfeeding

  • Relax!– While nursing comes naturally to some babies and moms, there is just as often a learning curve for mom or baby, (or both)!
  • Ask for help in the hospital– Catalina had a difficult time latching so when the nurse asked me if I wanted the lactation consultant on call to stop by, I took advantage of the offer! If I had waited to see a lactation specialist, I would have had to drag myself to an appointment.
  • Know that nipple pain is temporary– As a lot of nursing mothers do, I dealt with cracked bleeding nipples. I didn’t use any fancy creams. After nursing, I coated my nipples with breast milk. Breast milk is packed full of nutrients, vitamins, and antibodies. Everything was fine after a couple of weeks! 15 months later, I’m still nursing and still have zero nipple pain.

Oversupply

Your breasts and baby will adjust! If you’re dealing with oversupply you might feel like you’re pressure washing your baby. Catalina used to choke during letdown because of how fast my milk flow was. Overtime my milk flow and production adjusted to what my baby needed. Now I don’t even need to wear nursing pads. Here are some tips to make your baby and yourself more comfortable.

  • Breastfeed only when you’re baby is hungry- Extra pumping will cause you to produce even more milk.
  • Avoid unnesecary pumping.
  • Feeding Positions- side lying or reclined positions allow your baby to control their feeding pace and freely move their head to take a break.
  • Pump a little before nursing- Pumping a small amount will help relieve the pressure, making your flow slower for the baby.
  • Avoid lactation tea and supplements

Undersupply

Breastfeeding is like the saying, “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.” Your body adjusts how much milk it produces depending on how much your baby eats. To build up supply your milk supply, nurse often, or pump. Some foods can help increase milk production while other foods and medications can reduce milk production.

  • Nurse frequently whenever your baby wants- I co-slept with both of my kids, (I know it’s a controversial topic), but nursing throughout the night can increase milk supply.
  • Give your baby only breast milk to encourage your breasts to produce more milk.
  • Pump- The more milk you express the more your body is signaled to produce. I reccomend the Spectra S2!
  • Use lactation supplements- There are many teas, cookies, herbs, and vitamins aimed at increasing milk supply.
  • Supplement with formula- I hear a lot of mothers feel defeated if they supplement with formula. I was 100% formula fed and I turned out okay, (mostly ;)). You love your baby and are feeding them. That’s all that matters!

The world is tough on us mammas! We are under a microscope and will be judged no matter what. Women get shamed for formula feeding and breastfeeding, when all that really matters is that our babies are loved and taken care of. It’s time for us to do what is best for us and our babies instead of worrying about what everyone else says.