Things People Don't Tell You About Postpartum Pt. 1 - BREASTFEEDING

I have been meaning to write about this topic for a LONG time and now that Cooper is almost a year old, maybe I actually have the energy to do so. This series is for anyone who is going to be a mother, who is anxious about motherhood, for you to laugh if you're already a mom, or if you ever visit a friend or family member who is a new mom. There is a lot--and I mean a LOT--of things people don't tell you. You get information about pregnancy and birth but hardly anything on postpartum. Why is that? Do we think that people need space and can "figure it out" on their own once the baby is born? Is it too awkward for people to talk about? Well...things could get uncomfortable but if nobody else is willing to say something then I WILL.

Let's start out with one of the most important pieces to postpartum life: breastfeeding.

Some people will say "breastfeeding is so hard" or "breastfeeding sucks" or "I LOVE breastfeeding, there's nothing more bonding". These things are all true, but there's WAY more than just those little phrases that you need to know.

1) This is a learning process for both you AND your baby. Neither of you have done it before. You just barely met. It's like two people getting thrown into some job and you just have to wing it. That's what it's like. It's hard.

2) What is the most comfortable position for you and the baby? Yes, there are multiple. I didn't find out until 4 months in that I actually preferred laying down. It was easier on my back and was nice to snuggle at the same time. You don't only have to hold them across your body.

3) You will be sore. You may crack, bleed, develop little "milk blebs", or have bumps that you have no idea how they showed up

4) You may produce too much or too little milk. It's not like you just produce the right amount of milk for your baby. I had an oversupply and was constantly squeezing out my boobs into the sink because I already had the whole freezer full of milk (good problem), but seriously they needed to calm down. Definitely pump once in a while to see how much milk you are actually producing. ALSO, some women really just don't produce enough milk (despite trying the milk cookies and milk tea, etc.). It is okay. Supplementing is okay. Your baby will be OKAY. As will you.

5) You can use a nipple shield. There are all different shapes and sizes of nipples that may be hard at first for a baby to latch. OR you may just be sore and need a little break. And yes, it is possible for the baby to latch without the shield after using one. I am case in point.

6) GET A LACTATION CONSULTANT TO YOUR HOME. NOT just in the hospital--your HOME. They are covered by insurance (usually) and are more help than you could even imagine. They will point out things that will help in every way--whatever the problem. Don't even question it. As soon as you have your baby, schedule an appointment right after your milk comes in. It will save a lot of headache.

7) You're going to be leaking all the time. You might wake up in a pool of milk. Once it's been 3 hours--your boobs will just start leaking. 

8) Going braless is easier but also maybe not the right option. It's so much easier to not be wearing anything or not wear a bra, but the leaking happens more. I found that if I had a bra, the leaking stopped faster.

9) Your other boob will spray milk when the baby starts eating on the other side (pro tip: get a Hakaa pump and put that on the other side...just when you first start bf'ing)

10) There is a "let down". When baby starts eating, you'll feel this weird tingle in your boobs after about a minute.

11) It may take up to an hour (maybe even more..) for baby to do a whole feeding. It takes some time, but there will be a point when they are finally doing feedings in 5-10 min. It's annoying, but be patient.

12) When your baby starts to sleep longer stretches, you will not only wake up in a pool of milk, but your boobs will be huge, rock-hard basketballs. It takes some time to adjust and you may have to pump a little. I had an oversupply so I would literally just squeeze them out into the sink. Crazy times.

13) People will often be either judgy or fascinated or awkward when you breastfeed in public. My advice: screw them, and just do it. It's natural. Your baby needs it. It's not always convenient. But you gotta do it. Cover or not, it's sometimes hard to do in public, especially when you're still learning. Though once they're older, it's still difficult because they get really distracted.

14) Biting. This will not happen obviously until they have teeth (around 6 months) but it is the worst thing ever. You want to slap your baby when they do that. Resist. But just flick them on the cheek instead. They'll cry, and maybe even not want to breastfeed for a little bit, but it works. 

15) Cluster feeding is a thing. There will be a time(s) when your baby wants to eat every hour. Your nipples will be raw. Get nipple cream and ice.

16) You will eat a LOT and be hungry all the time. EAT ALL THE THINGS (Unless your baby is sensitive to something)

17) You can get a "breast friend" pillow that helps at the beginning to just hold the baby so your arms don't get so tired. I used this for a minute but actually thought it was less comfortable.

18) Each boob is not the same. Some produces more milk because some have more ducts. There will be times when your baby may prefer a certain side.

19) Clogs. The dreaded clogs. It's inevitable that it will happen and you may even get mastitis. Luckily I never did because I would massage the hell out of it. Take a hot shower and seriously dig into that thing until it unclogs. It hurts and will be sore, but it's better than getting an infection. 

20) Take a break. You can pump! Have your partner do the middle-of-the-night feed and get some rest. 

21) Even though it's a challenge, there is nothing better than when you're breastfeeding, stroking your baby's cheek or head and then they look up at you and SMILE or GIGGLE. I have loved breastfeeding and through all the challenges, it has been a very rewarding experience.

Hope this helps anyone that need this info or at the very least got a laugh out of it. Happy feeding!

xoxo,

kay