Breastfeeding

 Emily at 9 months in a onesie that I had made.

Emily will be 10 months old tomorrow and Lauren will be 5 in eleven more days. Where does the time go? My goal before I had the girls was to breastfeed them for their first year of life. It worked with Lauren and I am still breastfeeding Emily so it is working with her too. Breastfeeding is a huge commitment! It can be painful, frustrating and oh so rewarding all at once.

The best "tool" I used was a Medela Nipple Shield. All new moms should pack one in their hospital bag! It makes latching on a cinch for baby. Especially if your breasts are large and/or your nipples are inverted. I used a shield for the first 2 months of both my girls' breastfeeding days. Another great must have product is Nipple Butter. It is a topical cream that you apply after each feeding. I did not have it with Lauren and wish that I would have. I still use it on dry skin and lips to soothe and heal.

There are many resources out there for the breastfeeding mom. This site pretty much covers is all: Breastfeeding. The La Leche League will connect you with other moms in your community, and is also a great resource. Be sure to check with the hospital where you will be delivering as they should offer pre-natal classes with their lactation specialist. I went to one when I was pregnant with Lauren and was really glad that I did. She will also come by to see you after the baby is born to answer any questions and assist if needed.

I could not be a breastfeeding mom without my Medela Electric Breast Pump! Although I do wish that the sound it made was not so loud as I often feel like a cow when using it, it works great! I have pumped a lot more with Emily than I did with Lauren. When Lauren started sleeping through the night I just slept. With Emily I woke up a couple of hours before her and would pump a full serving and then go back to bed. The reserve that I pumped has really come in handy. It has allowed me to go out for longer than a couple of hours and know that she is still getting breast milk. I have even resorted to pumping in the car if I was away for the day. Hey, whatever works!

Here is a list of my must haves for the breastfeeding mom:
1. Medela Electric Breast Pump
2. Medela Nipple Shields - buy at least one size small and one size medium (I bought 3 of each for my stash. Nothing like searching for a nipple shield when the baby is crying! UGH!!)
3. Nursing Cover
4. Nipple Butter
5. Lilly Padz - I prefer these over the bulky and awful disposable ones.
6. Breast Milk Storage Bags

Yes, breast is best and the preferred choice for me. I encourage you to try it and not give up right away. Emily was a much harder baby to breast feed but I was determined to stick with it. You might need to supplement with formula and that is okay. There are so many benefits for you and the baby if you choose breast feeding. I hope I have provided some needed information for you and I wish you all the best in your breastfeeding adventure!