Breastfeeding looks different for every mommy and baby but quality tips and tricks make it easier! Find out which tips I share in this sponsored posting.Ā
As I sit here writing this I’m filled with both happiness and sadness at the thought that my journey in breastfeeding will be coming to a close with the freshly delivered baby snuggled up on my chest. Happy because my body will finally be all mine again and I’ll be able to do some much needed fine tuning on some things. Sad because never again will my body produce the liquid gold that has grown 2 (and will be 3) children. Breastfeeding is not the same for all kids and I’ve picked up some tricks along the way to make things easier.
My First Time Breastfeeding
With mini we didn’t have the current movements across social media and in real life that encourage the normalizing of breastfeeding. In truth, I breastfed her out of necessity. I was laid off before I had her and had no income to buy formula. Luckily for me, I had bartered my design services for a hypnobirthing class with a supreme hippie that taught me the value of a more “natural” maternal existence. It was the first time I’d really heard the “Breast Is Best” saying.
Mini latched on right away. She was an easy baby anyway but she made my introduction into breastfeeding an easy one. We had no latch issues and it was a breeze. She was nursed until she was 13 months though I had to supplement with formula towards the end. While I do feel like breast is best, I subscribe to fed is better. She got sick at her 1 year mark from cow milk so weaning her didn’t happen until later.
My Second Go Round
Abc was a boobie lover. She, too, latched right away but hers was incredibly painful. Her latch was strong, incorrect and she had the most powerful suck which all created a recipe for some sore nipples. Correcting her latch wasn’t easy but we did it and developed a strong nursing relationship. But eventually I was over it and it almost felt like a burden. I hated pumping and though I had a freezer full of stored milk, abc hated taking a bottle more. She preferred her milk body temperature. Weaning her wasn’t as easy as it was mini but by 16 months, our nursing relationship had come to a close.
My Mic Drop For Breastfeeding
BC is it. Like abc, BC is a boobie monster. He’s less than a week old and I’m pretty sure that I’ve spent more time with him at my breasts during this time than with I did with both of his sisters combined. His latch is good though I have to fight with his hands and his suck is super strong. I expected to wake up covered in milk like I did with his sisters when my milk came in but he’s yet to let any of his milk go to waste. Dude is serious. But after this, there will be no more so I’m using what I learned previously to rock this relationship out.
Breastfeeding Tips & Tricks
In no particular order:
- Keep water with you always.
- In the beginning establish proper latching and always correct the lazy latch.
- Get a good, organic nipple butter.
- Eat enough calories for milk production.
- The quality of your calories matters so no junk foods–get the good stuff.
- Watch how baby responds to your diet so you know what may need eliminating for their tummy health.
- Create a cozy nook for nursing.
Creating A Cozy Nook For Nursing
Already having 2 children this is the breastfeeding tip that’s biggest for me now. In my nook, I have the following:
- Bottle of water
- Phone Charger (yes, I browse while nursing!)
- Comfy chair
- My Ergobaby Natural Curve Nursing Pillow
I love the Ergobaby Nursing Pillow. It offers a level of support that I’ve yet to experience. My posture post-pregnancy is so not the greatest and the firm support that the Ergobaby Nursing Pillow offers makes nursing my wiggly newborn so much easier. I love that it has two different sides that offer different types of support. One of the positions that I was never able to get the girls into was the football position. Using this nursing pillow has made this possible for even this seasoned breastfeeding mama! Best part is that when we’re ready for tummy time, we don’t need to buy any additional baby gear since this handles that too!
Although it’s sad that I’ll be saying goodbye to this chapter of my life soon, I’m happy that BC and I will be comfortable as we develop, nurture, and conclude our breastfeeding relationship.
Mamas, what other breastfeeding tips would you offer?
This is a sponsored posting written by me on behalf of Ergobaby.Ā
