Adventures in Breastfeeding

Were you breastfed as a baby? If the answer is yes, congratulations. Now go buy your mom a car.

After spending the last 17 days at the mercy of my boobs and a “hangry” newborn, I can officially report that breastfeeding is HARD! While I had been warned by many of my mommy friends to prepare myself for what is often an uphill battle, I now know for sure that they weren’t kidding.

Here’s the thing about breastfeeding: Yes, you are delivering the gold standard of nutrients to your child by way of your body, which is pretty genius (nicely done, Mother Nature). However, if you choose to breastfeed, you’re also choosing to let your boobs run the show for a while. By this I mean everyone (you, baby, husband, pediatrician, family, visitors) will now depend on your breasts to keep your baby healthy and happy – and your household from slipping into a state of nuclear war in a matter of seconds.

Here’s another thing about breastfeeding: It’s extremely difficult in the beginning, but it does get easier over time. A new mommy friend suggested giving it a week or two before throwing in the towel, and I am inclined to agree with her logic. I think (hope) I’m finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and getting into a good rhythm with my baby.

That said, I now totally understand why some mothers choose to opt out altogether. There are a variety of high-quality formula brands on the market today, and you’re not doing your baby a disservice or are any less of a mom by choosing a formula-only path. In fact, I applaud your choice to maintain your sanity amidst the many struggles new moms face. Let’s not forget that a happy mom helps to ensure a happy kid.

But for those choosing to breastfeed, let’s all agree that the struggle is real. You deserve a pat on the back for even attempting this insanity. If you’re in need of further support, here are a few notes I’ve picked up thus far:

If your milk is slow to come in, don’t be afraid to supplement with formula. During our hospital stay, we discovered that Flynn dropped some weight after birth. This is totally normal except that he lost a bit more weight than expected. My milk hadn’t come in yet, and my “piranha baby “ as the nurses called him left me insanely sore. It it was decided that we would include some formula in Flynn’s diet while my supply increased. At first, I felt like a total failure but when Flynn’s weight shot back up, so did my confidence as a mom. Bottom line: Choose what works best for YOUR baby.

Talk to a lactation consultant. I don’t know how else to describe the power of a lactation consultant without simply saying that these people are real life angels on earth. Most hospitals will include consulting sessions as part of your postpartum care, but if not, I strongly urge you to schedule a session with a local service. Bad latching? Sore nipples? Crappy breastfeeding form? Lactation consultants have seen it all and will get you sorted out without an ounce of judgment. Did I mention how awesome they are???

Sometimes breastfeeding hurts. I feel the need to say this because almost every nurse would tell me that it shouldn’t hurt. But then every single girlfriend of mine who chose to breastfeed agreed that it DOES hurt – at least a little in the beginning stages. This doesn’t necessarily mean that something is wrong, however. It’s more of your body’s way of adjusting to feeding a little milk monster on the regular. Again, this gets better with time.

Pumping blows. If you’re not feeding you’re little one, you’re supposed to be pumping. Not only does this supposedly help your milk come in, but once you are officially producing breast milk, you’ll want to drain your breasts as often as possible to increase your supply. In other words, more is more. But the combination of feeding and pumping is definitely time consuming – not to mention tiring. Also, most pumps resemble turn of the century gramophones that don’t afford a whole lot of mobility. Seriously, is anything being done to upgrade these things? My advice is to approach the pump with a little foresight and try to find a good distraction to pass the time. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in the middle of a pump session only to discover that my cellphone, laptop or the TV remote is clear across the room. Come prepared! Also, don’t get too hung up on a pumping schedule or you will make yourself crazy. If your husband is on baby duty, pump. If the baby is napping, pump. If your mom is cuddling her new grandchild, pump. You get the idea.

Say goodbye to discretion. Erecting a breastfeeding fort for the sake of being demure in front of friends is downright exhausting (and Flynn is not a fan of eating under a sweaty tent). At this point, modesty has gone out the window, and everyone is getting a show. My new approach? If the sight of a woman breastfeeding makes you uncomfortable, invest in a blindfold.

Breastfeeding can actually be convenient. It’s not all bad, I promise. In fact, there are many moments when going for the boob is far more efficient than rushing to warm up a bottle of breast milk or mixing a bottle of formula. A 4:30am feeding is far more bearable when you can eliminate a step or two. I was given a new mantra: When in doubt, whip a boob out. It’s pretty sage advice, especially if you’re facing a meltdown.

Whatever you decide, leave the mommy shame at the door. Breastfeeding is a personal choice, and only you know what works best for you, your baby and your boobs. Happy feeding!

Jillian Gordon is the Managing Editor of Mamapedia.com. A Los Angeles-based lifestyle writer and editor, her work has appeared in Beauty Launchpad, Nailpro Magazine, Saturday Night Magazine and Westside Today. She is also the former Content Manager of Mom.me. Jillian is currently expecting her first baby in late November, 2016.