Woo! I can’t believe that my baby is over one month old. Just looking at these sweet pictures of when he was a newborn already makes me sentimental. We are six weeks in and I am just thanking the Lord that breastfeeding is going so well. John William is becoming quite the little chunker and is packing on the pounds. Breastfeeding sounds so wonderful and like its been a breeze, but honestly, there have been some bumps in the road to get here. Today I’m sharing The Truth About Breastfeeding with you mamas in case some of you are in the throes of those early weeks too.
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It’s Natural, But NOT Easy
Even though breastfeeding is a natural part of life, it doesn’t always come easy. At least, it didn’t with my babies. It is something that my baby and I had to learn and practice. Even though babies naturally come out with the desire to suck and instinctively want to nurse, they still need to be directed. Since no two babies mouths are exactly alike and moms breasts range in sizes, there can be complications to getting the baby to latch on correctly. That can be painful! If breastfeeding came easy for you, I would definitely count that as a huge blessing!
Breastfeeding Does Hurt
I have said many times that if I did not have the support, knowledge and passion to breastfeed it would be easy to give up completely. And I know other moms have had harder obstacles to face than I did. There were many times with my first baby that I wanted to quit nursing because it hurt too much or had doubts about how much milk I was producing. I had been to the classes, learned the benefits, had help from my mom, sister and lactation consultant, but at times the struggle was overwhelming. I had this expectation that breastfeeding was this beautiful, natural bonding experience between you and your baby. The mental picture in my mind of quietly rocking my nursing baby, overwhelmed with the feeling of love, was not matching my reality of those early weeks. It’s hard to enjoy nursing when you are wincing in pain every time they go to nurse or when you feel undue stress about how much milk they are getting. The truth is, breastfeeding DOES hurt if your baby has a shallow latch or is not positioned correctly.
It Takes Commitment
Breastfeeding definitely takes time to get used to but its so worth it in the end if you are able to do it! At the beginning of our breastfeeding journey I honestly felt like a “milk machine” since we were nursing so frequently. It seemed like thats all I was doing. No one can prepare you for that, but I truly feel grateful for my family and husband for their support and encouragement to keep going when it got tough. During the first 6 weeks, I remember thinking “WOW! I have a huge respect for moms!” I definitely learned that motherhood takes sacrifice. Sacrifice of your time, your energy, your body, your sleep, etc… I always knew this, but never really appreciated moms like I do now. I have a new respect and admiration for all moms out there.
It Takes Time
With Audrey Grace I was so sore for about 2 months. As a mom with no previous experience, I remember being so hunched over and uncomfortable and not able to get a very good latch. I remember thinking… “When will this get easier?” Once we got a deeper latch and learned to get in more comfortable positions, the soreness subsided and it became MUCH easier. I looked up helpful videos like this and this one and asked for advice from my mommy friends. This particular firm nursing pillow was also very helpful in helping to get the proper latch. It was important to me that she would breastfeed and our goal was to make it to a year. I am so happy to say that I successfully breastfed Audrey Grace for 20 months and actually ENJOYED it. It really was such a beautiful thing. It was so worth persevering through those early stages.
My journey with John William is a bit different. He came out wanting to eat right away. I was so happy to have that “golden hour” right after birth for skin-to-skin. JW latched on for like 30 minutes and it was such a good bonding experience. I didn’t have this hour with Audrey since she had some fluid in her lungs. I wish I had because I believe that time truly helps you bond and release the oxytocin (love hormone) to help you relax and bring in your milk. Breastfeeding was off to a great start, but since newborns nurse so often at first and we were still working on getting a good latch, I started to get really sore. By day five or six, I was so sore that I decided to pump and give bottles for a few feedings to give me some relief. I also used this organic nipple cream and these breast shells during this time to help heal and protect the boobies. (ha!) It took a couple weeks, but now he is such a little champion eater. As I healed and we continued to learned together, it got so much better.
NEW MOM TIP* I found out about this silicone pump from other moms and this was one of the best tips I received to relieve engorgement and help establish milk supply (no plugged ducts here!). When nursing, you simply suction it to the other side and it will catch your let down and express milk on its own! I get at least 2 oz of milk each nursing session! I HIGHLY recommend this to all new breastfeeding moms! Our freezer is starting to run out of room with stored breast milk, which is such a great problem to have!
Breastfeeding takes PRACTICE, PATIENCE AND PERSISTENCE!
It’s not going to happen overnight. In fact, it will most likely take a few weeks. And that’s okay. I promise you aren’t alone! It may feel as if you are the only one awake in the world during those late night nursing sessions. But trust me, there’s a whole tribe of women who are on this journey with you. One of the most helpful articles I read was this one about the 5 P’s of successful breastfeeding. I also used kellymom.com as a resource for learning the benefits, the mechanics, and other interesting facts about breastfeeding. The reality is that breastfeeding has to be practiced, and you need a healthy dose of patience to persevere through the set backs.
It’s okay if you decide not to, or aren’t able to breastfeed.
I want you to know that FED is BEST!! It’s okay if you tried breastfeeding and decide it’s not for you. Some babies end up in the NICU with mom unable to breastfeed. Some moms don’t desire to breastfeed or aren’t able to because of low milk supply. Whatever the situation, as long as your baby is fed, that’s all that matters. I hope that whatever “mommy camp” you fall in, that you know you aren’t alone and that you can rest in the fact that you are doing your best for your baby and that is enough!
I am now officially six weeks in nursing my second baby. John William’s latch has significantly improved, my pain is next to nothing (only occasionally when he narrows his latch..but I can just flange his lips wider with my hand), and little man is getting to be quite the little chunker! In my experience thus far, it has been easier the second time around. I remember talking with a friend about how once you learn, breastfeeding becomes so much more “natural” and I have to say, I definitely agree. Something so difficult in the beginning really can become like second nature. I know this isn’t everyones experience, but I hope my story encourages you that you are not alone in your struggle! If you can push through those early days, I promise you it will be worth it.
If you are breastfeeding, you know finding clothing to accommodate can sometimes be a challenge! I found these comfy and cute nursing friendly shirt and dresses all around $20 that allow you easy access to the goods! 
This one comes in so many different prints and colors! So soft and simple to nurse in!
Easy and comfy nursing pajamas are a must. I wore this nursing dress during pregnancy, too! The maternal is so soft and comfy for sleeping or lounging around the house. Even though its a “sleep dress,” I actually paired it with a cute pair of sneakers and wore it out!
I love this dress because it is SO comfy and cute for nursing. I got it in a size Medium, but I think a small would have fit. I love that it has pockets, too!
I also linked all of my top breastfeeding essentials and favorite maternity dresses/nursing tops in one place, you can find that here.
I hope this encourages and helps you along your journey of motherhood. Remember to give yourself grace in the process. I pray that God will give you the patience and strength even when sleep is scarce, and fill your heart with peace as you nurture your sweet babies.
With a full lap and a full heart,
Dorothy
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Love the honesty and transparency! You Go mama!
wow such honesty, I have some friends with newborns and will definitely share!
Great article, with lots of awesome information for first time mums, or second time mums. It’s not an easy road for some, so all the helpful advice is great.
Wow, this article is honest and inspiring. Here I am 5 months PP and wishing I had stuck with my BF journey. I wish I had stumbled across your article sooner, but glad it is out there as a resource for other moms. Way to go BF both of your babies!
Great tips and honesty about the challenge of learning. I love how you are supportive of all mamas, no matter how things turn out for them.
this is so encouraging and TRUE! oh goodness you hit the nail right on the head