Breastfeeding can be a Beast; Mom Focused Breastfeeding Tips
Now that I’ve exclusively breastfed two little humans, I feel like I can talk about it and maybe give some breastfeeding tips
*deep sigh*
If you are like me, I had my heart set on breastfeeding. In my mind, I figured how hard could it be to have the baby suck on your nipple for nourishment each day.
Wrong, wrong, and WRONG.
Breastfeeding is not as simple as it seems and can be quite challenging for some moms. There are all sorts of books and articles on the art of breastfeeding, breastfeeding tips and milk supply/demand etc, but the reality is every mom and newborn baby duo are different.
In my experience, week 1 at home nursing my first born was HELL. In the midst of trying to learn how to latch my daughter, I was also trying to figure out how to work a very basic breast pump with a billion pieces provided by my insurance company. I was frustrated, to say the least. I had friends and mom circles for support but again, every mom and baby are unique. Quickly, I developed mastitis, and was in excruciating pain from it even after seeing my doctor who worked with me in an attempt to clear out my milk ducts.
For those who are unfamiliar, mastitis is an infection of the breast due to bacteria or a blocked milk duck. I can assure you it’s painful, and it almost caused me to throw in the towel on breastfeeding altogether despite the fact that my daughter was only about two months old at the time.
I kept thinking to myself, this too shall pass… and it did.
Thankfully, I’ve crossed the bridge as both of my girls now fully enjoy solid foods.
But if you are a mama who is in the midst of your breastfeeding journey, here are a few breastfeeding tips to remember:
- Breastfeeding is not always as natural as people make it seem and it’s best to take it one day at a time.
- Take care of your physical and mental health, as your mood and mental health can have a direct affect on your milk supply.
- A fed baby is always the goal. It’s imperative that you do what works best for you (i.e. exclusively nursing, nursing and pumping, nursing and formula).
- Give yourself grace. It definitely takes time and patience to get into a good groove with breastfeeding overall, hence my next point.
- Seek help from qualified professionals to provide you extra support. I saw lactation consultants every day until I was discharged from the hospital but my follow-up visit with a lactation consultant a couple weeks after being home was EVERYTHING. She shared so much knowledge and wisdom during that appointment that changed how I nursed, positioned my baby, and even recommended products (mainly a bomb nipple cream that I used faithfully. This appointment definitely changed the game for me.
Overall, what I loved the most about breastfeeding was the bond and intimacy. Nothing can compare to it and it was honestly what kept me pressing forward every time I hit a nursing stumbling block. It’s not easy, or for the faint of heart but honestly what is in motherhood. If you stick with it, it can be a beautiful experience for both you and baby.
My name is Rashetta. By day, I am a Communications Director but my 24/7 job is a wife and mom to two little ones. As certified #girlmom, I spend a majority of my days keeping them busy and finding quiet moments in between for myself. I’m passionate about women’s health, and wellness in general, which shows itself in my many spare time activities; including a motherhood blog I recently launched, teaching kids Zumba classes, and being a change agent for fibroid awareness. I love connecting with other moms because community is what keeps us all going.
Find me on IG @joy_andrain 
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