Weaning Before You Expected

Breastfeeding my daughter has always been something so special to me. I feel blessed to be able to provide such perfect nourishment, not to mention comfort, for her. I always knew I wanted to allow her to self wean, especially because she had such a strong attachment to her nursies. However, sometimes things change and we have to adapt.

I found out I was pregnant when Nora was around 19 or 20 months. In the beginning there was expected discomfort during nursing. I always found ways to distract myself and push through it. At this point, she was nursing a handful of times during the day as well as 4-5 times each night. Once some of that pregnancy exhaustion set in, it was so difficult to keep waking up so many times. We also decided it might be a good idea for Nora to slowly and gently transition to her own bed (we were still bedsharing) so that it wasn't a sudden change when her sibling arrived.

As time went on, nursing became more and more awful for me. I started feeling so bad every time she wanted to nurse! I developed a pretty severe nursing aversion that I never would have expected. I mourned the loss of our enjoyable nursing relationship while struggling with feelings of guilt over the way I was feeling. There were times when I wanted to rip my skin off and push her away from me when she was nursing. After trying to battle through this for some time, I decided the current relationship wasn't healthy. I was starting to resent her and have very little patience with her. When I stepped back and took a hard look at the situation, I realized holding out for a goal of self weaning wasn't best for us when I was so resentful and really struggling. Breastfeeding is a tandem relationship and should continue as long as mom and baby/toddler are mutually happy. When one isn't, it may be time to reassess.

I utilized the book Nursies When the Sun Shines to help us with the transition. Before we started, I spent about a week talking to her about nursies going to sleep at night and everyone sleeping all night long. We read the book consistently, then jumped in one night. Of course she was extremely unhappy and let me know it, but I continued to snuggle with her in her bed and provided comfort in other ways. It was hard on both of us and took some time, but she finally got to the point where she would easily accept when I told her "nursies are sleeping and mommy needs to sleep, too."

The day weaning was a little tricky, but I also had other ways to distract her. I would also gently tell her "nursies are hurting mommy right now. It's time to be all done with nursies." It was heartbreaking when I would deny her something she had been used to her entire life and she would be distraught, but we worked through it.

Today she is a vibrant little two year old awaiting the birth of her baby brother. We talk about how baby brother will eat nursies, and she doesn't seem phased by that at all. Of course she may be more interested once her actually arrives, and we'll cross that bridge when we reach it. My advice for anyone struggling with a nursing aversion is to give it a little time to see if things improve for you, then decide if you need to change course. Try not to let yourself feel guilty. I think many times as moms, we forget to take care of our needs and they get put on the back burner. While I'm not saying to become selfish and only consider yourself, you must make sure you are a happy mother to be the best you can be for your family. Be kind to yourselves, mamas!

Napping with baby brother

Enjoying a beautiful day on the lake

Feeling Torn

Nora and I have reached that point in our breastfeeding relationship where things are...complicated. I realize each child has different sleep patterns and habits, but Nora's apparent sleep allergy is making for one tired (and often cranky) mama. At 20 months, she's still nursing anywhere from 4-7 times a night. On a good night, it might only be 3 times. On a really rough night, it could be up to 9 or 10. Lately, I've been feeling a bit of resentment that nursing is the only thing that puts her back to sleep. Do you know how nice it would be to have my husband be able to put her back to sleep?! This has prompted us (and by us, I mean more me) to consider some gentle night weaning. We've been looking at Dr. Jay Gordon's method, as well as the No Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers.

I don't want to wean Nora completely, especially now that what I fondly call "sickness season" is upon us. I know she gets so many benefits from nursing. I also know I'd get lots of benefits from waking up less each night :) However, even after making the decision to start night weaning, I've changed my mind a few times. We know we aren't comfortable with any type of traditional cry-it-out methods, but we are realistic in understanding that there will be tears. At least we will be there to comfort her and attend to her needs in ways other than nursing. My husband and I have been geared up to go a few times now, fully prepared that a weekend would allow us to nap with Nora during the day, as we know things will get worse at night before they get better. Yet each time, we've managed to find an excuse as to why this weekend just wouldn't work. I have been feeling some twinges of guilt, because I know parenting is a full time job, no matter what hour of the day or night.

However, I keep reminding myself that it is okay to think of my needs sometimes, and me being a happy mama will ultimately be better for Nora. Besides, judging by this photo, I know she's capable of sleep sometimes!

So tell me, mamas - have you ever night weaned? How did it go and what worked for you? How long did it take before your little one was able to go back to sleep without nursing?

Making Travel Easier for Breastfeeding Mothers

Have you traveled while breastfeeding, or more specifically, while pumping? I have a few friends who have and I give them huge props for being so organized! Having to remember to pack clothes, toiletries, and work items, in addition to a pump, storage bags, and a cooler makes my head spin just thinking about it. Wouldn't it be so nice if there was a special hotel package that took all this into account and catered to breastfeeding moms? Ladies, your prayers have been answered!

The Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago knows how difficult traveling without your nursling can be, so they created a package with you in mind. For an extra $30, the Hard Rock will provide you with everything you need to keep that liquid gold for your little one. The package includes a hospital-grade Symphony breast pump, everything you need to clean and sanitize it, nursing pads, breastmilk storage bags, ice packs, and a cooler bag. They will also make sure your room is equipped with a mini fridge and a microwave. In addition to all that, the concierge is available for anything else you might need, such as additional supplies or help shipping milk back home. The concierge team is trained on how to properly ship milk, and would be happy to help you get it back home without having to tote it through airport security.

The idea was launched on Mother's Day in 2013 and was the brainchild of Hard Rock Chicago's General Manager, Carrie Meghie. Meghie felt that this was important for breastfeeding mothers and, after doing research, was surprised to find no other hotels (at least in the US) offer a service like this. The icing on the cake? All proceeds collected from the additional fee for this package will benefit the families of local kids in the NICU. Now that's a win-win!

I think it's so great to see something like this and I would love to see more hotels follow suit! Who knows, maybe the Nursing Mother's Package will take explode in popularity and be available at hotels nationwide.

Share your thoughts with us. Do you like this idea? Would you pay extra for this package?



Information provided by The Chicago Tribune and Child Mode.

Swirled, Not Shaken

As a breastfeeding mom, I'm more than certain you've heard the words "don't shake breastmilk!" at some point in your nursing journey. The logic behind this is that, when shaken, the proteins in the milk can be damaged and denatured. But is this fact or just a myth that has been perpetuated by time and word of mouth?

One anthropologist decided to delve deeper into this issue and has come up with some fascinating information. Because she clearly does a better job than I ever could, I'll let her tell it. The results might surprise you. After reading her results, does it change your opinion on shaking or swirling milk?

Does Shaking Really Matter?

Photo Source

Relax and Enjoy the Journey

I'm a very Type A personality. Some might say I'm a bit high strung at times. I prefer intensely passionate. As a first time mom, I wanted to be sure I did everything right. Or at least what I considered to be the "right" way of doing things. Breastfeeding was especially important to me and I got a little overwhelmed with worry. Worry about feeding her enough. Worry about my supply. Worry about enough wet and dirty diapers. Worry about how long it had been since I fed her. I used a tracking app religiously for almost her entire first year of life. I needed to know (down to the minute) how long she nursed, on what side, at what time. In hindsight, it was over the top.

As time went on, I stopped worrying about some things, but my old worries were replaced by new worries. Now I worried that my supply might be slipping since my breasts didn't feel as firm, especially as she went longer between feedings. I worried that she would never learn to sleep on her own without nursing to sleep. I worried that she would hate solid food and want to nurse forever. Okay, some days I still worry about that one.

As I talk with new moms about their breastfeeding concerns and worries, I see that so many moms worry about common things that are usually just sapping our already low supply of energy. With all the Booby Traps out there, it's easy to get caught up in a cycle of self-doubt and worry. After nursing for 17 months (and still going strong!), I've learned many things. One of the most important things I've learned is that most of the time, the fears are unfounded and a waste of time and precious energy. Are there some women who will legitimately have struggles with low supply or baby gaining "enough" weight? Sure. But these tend to be the exception, not the rule.

For most women, we can breastfeed our nurslings knowing that we are giving them everything they need. Instead of worrying about potential problems, enjoy the journey of breastfeeding. Each and every day is special, and we never know which one will be the last. So enjoy every aspect of your breastfeeding journey. Your hurdle might be the success story that another mama needs to get past the same thing. And remember...

Source

Breastfeeding as Birth Control

Did you ever consider that breastfeeding can be a method of contraception? Many women will go an extended period of time while breastfeeding and not have a menstrual cycle. The hormones associated with breastfeeding can suppress the menstrual cycle for quite some time, although this length of times varies for each individual since no two women are the same. Breastfeeding can impact fertility, which can be seen as positive or negative depending on how you feel about conceiving again. As a Catholic, I practice NFP, or natural family planning. I don't use artificial methods of preventing pregnancy and I accept that every time my husband and I have sex, we have to be willing to welcome a new life into our family.

Before I go any further, let me say that this is not a foolproof method and I think knowing your body and your cycle extremely well are crucial for using this method. With that being said, Ecological Breastfeeding can serve as a great form of contraception and natural child spacing. While it isn't for everyone, it can be extremely effective. As evidenced by the chart on this page from KellyMom, LAM (lactational amenorrhea) has a 98-99.5% effectiveness rate when used properly.

The Seven Standards for Ecological Breastfeeding include:

• Breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of life, offering no other liquids (including water)
• Pacify or comfort your baby at your breasts
• Don't use artificial nipples (bottles, pacifiers)
• Sleep with baby for night feedings, continuing to feed on demand
• Sleep with your baby for a daily nap feeding
• Nurse frequently day and night, and avoid schedules
• Avoid any practice that restricts nursing or separates you from your baby

Photo Courtesy of Whitney Morales Photography

Now I realize this isn't realistic for everyone. It works great for me now because I only have one child. When I have another child someday, I may not be able to follow all the rules exactly. Perhaps following futures births, I'll regain my fertility much quicker. However, Nora is 16 months old now and I have yet to have my cycle return. I've actually been hoping to get pregnant soon but haven't had any luck yet. I've considered some gentle night weaning, or at least cutting back the number of times she nurses at night, but that is proving to be quite difficult. For now, I'll continue to cherish our naps together and hope that at some point, I won't be an all night buffet. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you (or would you) practice ecological breastfeeding? What do you think would be challenging about it and what do you think would be rewarding?

Natural Products for the Breasfeeding Mom

In case you hadn't noticed, I'm the resident "hippie" of our little group here :) I like all things natural, organic, and eco-friendly. So it's no surprise that when it comes to products for use while breastfeeding, I get excited about the natural options that are available to women.

Trilight Health makes a wide array of herbal remedies that are great for so many different things. I've used them for everything from assisting my little one with sleep, relieving headaches, and soothing sore throats.

As someone who has suffered from mastitis before, I can tell you that it is not something I'd wish on my worst enemy! It is absolutely brutal. Not only did I experience some extremely intense pain, but I was so exhausted and worn out. I used a number of different remedies, and I only wish I had known about Mastitix from Trilight Health. Users of Mastitix have great success with healing or preventing mastitis. Women only need to take 1/2 teaspoon (up to 150 pounds; those weighing more will need a little bit larger dose) every 2 hours. That's so much easier than the plethora of stuff I was taking to cure my mastitis. If I ever get mastitis again (God forbid!) I will definitely be taking Mastitix!

I've been fortunate enough to not struggle with a low supply, but I know many women are tortured by the fear of not having enough milk. While many times this is an issue that can be remedied by more frequent nursing; the elimination of artificial nipples (pacifiers and bottles); and nursing on demand; there are times when some women just need a little boost. That's where MegaMam can be a great help. (Did you giggle at the name, too?). As with most galactagogues, this is recommended for use under the supervision of a health care practitioner, such as a lactation consultant. Women take 1/2 teaspoon (again, per 150 pounds) for 2-3 times per day. It's that easy! So pills to take or teas to drink. I won't tell anyone if you want to keep making those lactation cookies, though ;)

And last, but certainly not least, we have the always useful Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter. This stuff is amazing! It was so helpful in the early days as we adjusted to breastfeeding, and was a lifesaver when Nora started teething. Now at 15 months, I still make sure I always have a tub on hand. It even does double duty for dry lips on some of those middle-of-the-night nursing sessions when I didn't have lip balm close by.


*Disclosure: If you purchase from Trilight Health through my links above, I may receive free products from Trilight Health for referring you. If you purchase from Amazon through my links, I may receive a small commission.

Nourishment for the Soul

Everyone knows all the benefits to babies and toddlers when nursing, and many people are starting to recognize benefits to mothers more often. The list is lengthy and includes everything from physical to emotional benefits. It's obvious that nursing provides nourishment to our children, helping them grow up strong and healthy. But did you consider that nursing could also be nourishment for your soul?

I recently lost my grandpa and was extremely sad during the time surrounding his unexpected passing. Nursing provided comfort to me in a way I hadn't imagined before. Taking the time to slow down and nurse my daughter allowed me an opportunity to stop and make time for things I've neglected too often lately.

I was able to find comfort in slowing down, nourishing my daughter, and letting myself reminisce. My grandpa was a good, hard-working Catholic and I wanted to honor his memory. I started praying the rosary while I would nurse Nora. I must admit...I'm normally multitasking on my phone while nursing these days. Gone are the days when I would just stare in awe at my sweet girl while she suckled milk. After 14 months of breastfeeding, I don't give it my full attention like I once did. Taking the time to slow down and redirect my focus was something I really needed.

Photo Source

I was getting to a point where constantly nursing Nora during the day would be frustrating at times. Losing my grandpa reminded me of the important things in life. We don't know how long each of us will have with our loved ones, so it is important to never take the small things for granted. I'm so fortunate to still be nursing Nora and providing the perfect nourishment for her little body. I am also fortunate that breastfeeding provides nourishment to my soul and reminds me of life's precious gifts.

Taking a break from nursies

Celebrating a Milestone - Remembering a Year of Breastfeeding

On Monday, I reached one of my goals - I have been exclusively breastfeeding (with added solids) for one whole year!! I'm so proud of our journey and feel extremely blessed that I was able to give Nora the best start in life. What could be a better birthday gift than the bonding between mother and child; lowered risk of cancer for both; and immunities to protect your little one?

Birthday girl

As I think back on my first year of motherhood, some of my fondest memories include the special moments of love and relaxation spent with my sweet babe at my breast. When she needed nutrition, my breasts provided. When she needed comfort, my breasts provided. When she couldn't sleep and everything else failed...you guessed it, my breasts provided.

There were also struggles, namely mastitis, flat nipples, and an oversupply. And of course, we dealt with the usual issues like distracted nursing and teething. I remember being so nervous for her to get teeth that would inevitably graze my nipple (or worse). But we made it through all of the issues and challenges, and here we are on the other side.

Milk Coma

I always knew I would breastfeed. For me, there was no other option. As I learned more during pregnancy and then experienced breastfeeding, there was no doubt I'd nurse for a year and assess the situation. There was a brief time when I was feeling a bit "tied down" by nursing, and thought maybe I'd be grateful for the freedom after a year. As Nora was able to go longer in between nursing sessions, that feeling dissipated, and was replaced by me looking forward to sharing that special time together.

Breastfeeding on her birthday

Now that we're at the one year mark, I can't imagine stopping anytime soon. There is no doubt that the perfect situation for us is to allow Nora to self wean, when she decides it is time for our breastfeeding relationship to end. I know it will be a sad day for me, so I'm trying to slowly prepare myself for it. Now if I could only add a new squish so I could tandem nurse...

Treating Mastitis Naturally

Mastitis. It's a word dreaded by every breastfeeding mother. Some are lucky to never know mastitis on such intimate terms. Yet others, such as myself, become way more familiar with mastitis than we could ever hope and imagine to be possible.

In between my baby's first and second week of life, I developed mastitis. It was brutal and excruciatingly difficult. Here I was still adjusting to being a mother, learning to breastfeed, and figuring out the nuances of a newborn. Then, for fun, let's throw in the gift of mastitis. Had it not been for my extremely supportive husband and a wonderful doctor who understood my desire to avoid antibiotics at all costs, I might not be where I am today. Nora is 11 months old and going strong with nursing!

I'm certain my mastitis was brought on by a combination of my oversupply and Nora's tongue and lip ties, which unfortunately went undiagnosed until she was 11 weeks.  I cannot stress enough the importance of draining the breast in the early weeks! Because I had an oversupply and Nora had transfer issues, she always got enough milk but didn't take enough out (if that makes any sense).

When I realized what was going on, I started gathering as much information as I could about natural treatments. Because Nora was still so young, the absolute last thing I wanted was to take antibiotics. Her gut flora was still developing and passing antibiotics to her through my milk could wreak havoc on her system for a long time. Aside from that, antibiotic use can perpetuate thrush in mother and baby, and I certainly didn't need any more setbacks!

I kept in contact with my OB's office so they could advise me if I needed to wave the white flag and use conventional medicine. My fever did get pretty high a few times (up to 103.4) but a fever is the body's way of fighting infection and doesn't always need to be shut down. The most difficult part was the extreme pain in my breasts and feeling so exhausted. However, I'm slightly stubborn (huge understatement) so I knew I could get through it. Obviously everyone needs to do what they feel comfortable with, but if you feel strongly about avoiding antibiotics, here is what worked for me.

First of all, do nothing, and I mean literally nothing, except nurse your baby, eat, and stay hydrated! Consider yourself on bedrest. You will need help during this time as someone will need to bring everything to you. Don't get out of bed for anything except going to the bathroom. Rest, rest, rest! Every time you put baby to the breast, use slow massaging motions to help move the milk and the clog out. It will probably be pretty uncomfortable, but it will help work it out. Get yourself a pair of Earth Mama Angel Baby Booby Tubes. These things are indispensable! Pop them in the microwave for a few seconds for instant, heated relief. These can help with letdown and allowing the milk to flow better, which will ease the clog. Some women also find relief from alternating hot and cold compresses. Keep one tube in the freezer and one ready to go in the microwave.

The following can be taken internally to help your immune system fight off the mastitis:

• Raw apple cider vinegar - A tablespoon or two in about a quart of water. You can add a little raw honey if the taste is too strong for you. Add a splash of raw ACV every time you (or rather someone else!) refill your water glass.
• Echinacea - Add 30-40 drops to your water, three times a day. 
• Vitamin C - Taking a megadose of Vitamin C will help boost your system in conjunction with the other vitamins and supplements listed. 
• Raw garlic - Cut 2-5 cloves of garlic into pieces and swallow like a pill. I wasn't able to use this method since I'm awful at swallowing pills, but garlic has some wonderful healing properties. If you can't stomach swallowing the garlic, try eating some food with lots of fresh garlic. 

You can find some additional information and the protocols I followed here and here. Let me reiterate that I AM NOT a medical professional and this is simply a method I used to help beat mastitis. This isn't a substitute for keeping in touch with your healthcare provider and using your best judgment. Letting mastitis continue for too long without getting better can result in serious infection that can lead to abscess. 

This post contains affiliate links. That means I recommend super great products that I use anyway, and may get a small commission for referring you. If you choose to purchase from my link, I greatly appreciate it!

Snuggling with my nursling

The Importance of Good Nutrition

We all know that breast milk is the best nourishment for babies (and don't forget toddlers!), but did you know not all breast milk is created equal? Everyone knows how important good nutrition is while pregnant, but what about while nursing? Eating right and putting the most nutritious things in your body will produce the best milk for your baby, full of all the antibodies and nutrients needed.

I follow a traditional style of eating, based on the teachings of Weston A Price. While I don't follow the recommendations to a tee, I do like to use it as a guideline for making sure I'm truly providing the best for my baby and myself. While WAPF recommends following every aspect of the protocol for pregnant and nursing mothers, I realize it isn't practical for everyone. Here are the WAPF recommendations, with notes on what I eat to make sure my nursling gets the best.

Cod Liver Oil to supply 20,000 IU vitamin A and 2000 IU vitamin D per day - I do take CLO, but please keep the warning at the bottom of this post in mind when supplementing with it. My favorite is from Green Pastures, which you can find here.

1 quart (or 32 ounces) whole milk daily, preferably raw and from pasture-fed cows (learn more about raw milk on our website, A Campaign for Real Milk, www.realmilk.com) - I'm lactose intolerant, but I'm able to drink raw milk and all raw milk products from our dairy herd association with no problems. I'm not always able to drink a quart a day, due to production from our cow share. In the spring and summer, we get at least 6 quarts each week so it isn't a problem. In the late fall and winter months, we only get 1 1/2 or 2 quarts a week, so I do the best I can.

4 tablespoons butter daily, preferably from pasture-fed cows - This is an easy one for me! I LOVE butter. Seriously, don't tell my husband about the affair we have going. We use Organic Valley's pasture butter. It is the most delicious flavor and is packed with good levels of vitamins, CLA, and balances omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. I put butter in and on everything I possibly can.

2 or more eggs daily, preferably from pastured chickens - This is another easy one for me. I loved eggs during my pregnancy. More than I ever have before. I'm fortunate to get wonderful eggs from happy, pastured hens that my parents lovingly raise. Eggs from the grocery store just don't have the proper nutrition that pastured eggs do, so it is important to try to find a good source for high quality eggs. When my parents are out of eggs (they only have 6 hens), we buy them from a local health food store that sources them from a local farmer.

Additional egg yolks daily, added to smoothies, salad dressings, scrambled eggs, etc. - This one is hit or miss, but I always try to add in the nutrition of extra eggs whenever possible.

3-4 ounces fresh liver, once or twice per week (If you have been told to avoid liver for fear of getting "too much Vitamin A," be sure to read Vitamin A Saga) - I finally found a good source for liver, but I still couldn't bring myself to do it. I'm hoping to cross this bridge soon because I know the health benefits are worth it. Hey, I consider it a crime if my chicken stock doesn't have feet floating in it now, so I'm sure I can figure out the liver situation ;)

Fresh seafood, 2-4 times per week, particularly wild salmon, shellfish and fish eggs - Living in the Midwest, I don't have great access to fresh seafood. I'm also still a bit concerned about contamination in seafood, but I do enjoy sustainably sourced seafood (say that five times fast!) when I can find it and when it fits in our budget.

Fresh beef or lamb daily, always consumed with the fat - We have great access to the most delicious, locally raised, heritage breed meats! Boy was I glad when I found Grass is Greener Farms. They raise heritage breed cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens, sheep, ducks, and lambs. The bacon and sausage have the most fabulous, buttery flavor, and they melt in your mouth. The chicken and beef are so tender and packed full of healthy nutrients. We eat meat almost every day and always source it from our local farmer. Meat from the grocery store can be loaded with hormones and antibiotics which you don't want to pass on to your baby.

Oily fish or lard daily, for vitamin D - I use lard or bacon grease to cook everything. When made from properly raised pigs that are able to root and roam freely, these fats are superior to anything you can buy at the store and provide good levels of Vitamin D. I cook everything from eggs to vegetables in lard or bacon grease. If you've never cooked eggs in bacon grease, you are missing out!

2 tablespoons coconut oil daily, used in cooking or smoothies, etc. - I really love finding new ways to get more coconut oil into myself and my family. This stuff is like gold! Lately, I've been enjoying homemade hot cocoa with some coconut oil melted in. I use my immersion blender to make it frothy and creamy. I also love it in fudge, coconut flour muffins, and even straight off the spoon. My favorite coconut oil is from Tropical Traditions and can be purchased here. I order this stuff by the gallon.

Lacto-fermented condiments and beverages - I just started making my own fermented veggies this year. It was a little confusing at first, but a friend helped me out and now I've got the hang of it. The benefits of lacto-fermentation include everything from helping make food more digestible to providing you with plenty of healthy and beneficial bacteria. It's also known to increase vitamin levels.

Bone broths used in soups, stews and sauces - I can't say enough good things about bone broth!  It's always a staple in my house, but especially around the time of year when germs are rampant and everyone is getting sick. It's so simple and cost effective to make your own bone broth, and you'll never get the same goodness from a can or carton of broth. I started using this recipe and have since adapted it by trying different things. I always add chicken feet to my stock to give it extra collagen and gelatin. Yum!

Soaked whole grains - Soaking grains is really important for proper digestion and maximum nutrition. Soaking grains prior to consuming them helps break down and pre-digest the grains, making it easier for your body to absorb the nutrients.

Fresh vegetables and fruits - I think this one is pretty obvious and needs no explanation!

Of course we all indulge and splurge sometimes (my sweet tooth can get quite convincing, sometimes) but eating healthy overall is best for you and baby. Many people follow the 80/20 rule, eating healthy 80% of the time and not worrying about the other 20%. Do you eat healthy while nursing? Do you try to stick to good habits most of the time?

Read more details on fats here.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase coconut oil from Tropical Traditions using my link, I may get a gift certificate for referring you. Your price will remain the same and you will get the same great quality product that I use everyday.

Do Faulty Breasts = Breastfeeding Failure?

As soon as my husband and I started trying to get pregnant, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. Okay, I always knew I wanted to, but that was when I made a serious commitment to it. I'm extremely stubborn, so when I set my mind to something, it's pretty much a done deal. 

All the research shows that breast is best, not only for the baby, but for the mother as well. I wanted all those benefits for my baby and myself! Lower chance of food allergies and reduced risk of disease? Yes please! Lower risk of breast cancer (for mother and baby!)? Yes please! Let's also not forget that breastmilk is always evolving and changing based on your baby's needs. How cool is that?? 

Another big reason breastfeeding was so important to me was because of ingredients in formula that I personally find questionable. We eat a very specific way in my household, and formula just wouldn't do the trick for my babe. Besides that, I knew I would feel like a failure as a mother if I couldn't provide natural nourishment for my child. I know not everyone feels that extreme about breastfeeding, but I do.

I learned everything I possibly could about breastfeeding. I was like a sponge, soaking it all up. There are loads of books, websites, and videos to teach you the ins and outs. It can get overwhelming! Some of these resources were downright scary. Would it be excruciating? Would I be able to push through the inevitable pain? Would I have enough milk? 

But the questions that plagued me the most were about my own breasts, which I felt were going to be lemons.

"Would my flat nipples cooperate?"

"Would my breast augmentation (implants) ruin my chance to BF?" 

I've had flat nipples my whole life (I'm starting to think I always will). If the nipple is so important in breastfeeding, how would that affect my experience? I became more hopeful once I read about nipple shields and nipple shells. I knew there were at least options for working with my flat nipples. One hurdle down, one to go.

I was still unsure about how my breast augmentation, which now seemed vain and superficial, would affect my breastfeeding relationship. I searched and searched for information about breastfeeding after an augmentation, but I couldn't find much. Basically, I might be able to make it work, but I might not. Would breast implants be what stood between me and giving my daughter the best? I was genuinely worried about this, but I was determined (aka stubborn).

After the beautiful birth of my baby girl (which you can read about here), I was anxious to try our first latch. We enjoyed skin to skin immediately, and while I basked in the glory of knowing I had just given life to a human being, I waited for her to begin rooting and crawling toward the breast. When she finally seemed interested, one of the nurses was kind enough to come over and help me get Nora latched. We got her on a few times, and I could feel her suckling. But it wasn't going great and she kept popping off. Her tiny little mouth just wouldn't fit on my pancake nipple. It also felt pretty excruciating. 

I was on such a natural birth high and didn't want to come down with the devastation of breastfeeding not working. But sweet Jen (the nurse) wasn't about to let that happen! She quickly left to go grab a nipple shield and the problem was solved. 

Photo Courtesy of Lori Diane Photography

I think the look of sheer joy on my face says it all. I was breastfeeding my baby! It was such an amazing and wonderful gift. I was overjoyed and relieved that the nurses and lactation consultant seemed impressed with the amount of colostrum that was free flowing. And so the birth high continued as I was able to provide that sweet, liquid gold for my precious nursling. 

We just celebrated 9 months of exclusive breastfeeding this past week, and I am extremely proud! We've had ups and downs (which I'll definitely share at a later time) but the ups have definitely exceeded the minor setbacks that we experienced.

What were you most scared about before breastfeeding? Were your fears realized or did you worry for no reason?