The Simply Take on Breastfeeding
*Disclaimer: We know Breastfeeding isn't for everyone, and that's perfectly okay. Each mother's journey with feeding her baby is unique, and the most important thing is that your baby is fed and loved. Below, Simply mothers share their personal experiences with breastfeeding, offering tips and encouragement for those who choose this path!
Formula Resources
For those looking into formula feeding, here are some resources that are an excellent place to start!
Taylor Duke's Formula Comparison Guide:
Provides pros and cons for different formulas
Naturally Minded Mama’s Instagram
Shares her personal experience using formula
Thoughts/Tips from Simply Mamas:
Lauren
As I hold my daughter for a little catnap, I'm reminded of the early days of breastfeeding. It's tough in the beginning but SO worth it. The hardest part is the first few weeks because you're so exhausted, but push through! It only gets easier. Here are some tips that helped me along the way:
Nutrition and Hydration: Make lactation/protein balls and have easy snacks on hand. Food equals breast milk. Increase your calorie and water intake to avoid feeling faint.
Supplements: Continue taking prenatal vitamins and consider a mama bag IV for milk supply and hydration support.
Breastfeeding Benefits: I love being able to feed my baby whenever she needs it and how the female body creates the right nutrients at the right time for the baby. Breastfeeding is amazing and a superpower! Whenever my baby is exposed to germs, I truly don’t worry because I believe breast milk is so powerful.
Breastfeeding is a labor of love, and I am so proud of what my body can do. It's been a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey.
Mackayla
One of the hardest parts at the beginning of breastfeeding is not knowing exactly how much your baby is getting. But as long as your baby is peeing and pooping enough they’re getting enough! Some insights from my experience:
Cluster Feeding: Evenings are tough with a newborn, especially when they begin cluster feeding. Cluster feeding can mean your baby is on the breast every 20-30 minutes, but it's normal and helps get through the witching hours.
Mental Strength: Breastfeeding is as much a mental and emotional task as it is physical. The beginning requires a lot of strength and willpower. Once your baby can go longer between feeds, and they become quicker at nursing, you'll start to enjoy it more. It was usually the only time during the day I was forced to just pause, sit down and relax.
Simplicity: Feeding your child real food is harder than breastfeeding. I cherished the days when all I had to do was nurse, and my daughter was fed and happy.
It's Okay to Stop: Whether you breastfeed for 3, 6, or 9 months, it's okay to stop when you're ready. Everyone's situation is different.
Thoughts on Weaning: Breastfeeding is so worth it and rewarding in countless ways but what a lot of people don’t know is once you wean you might experience a major hormone change and it can cause some issues. Anxiety, depression, acne, or low energy just to name a few. All of these are manageable, which isn’t the case for all women. So if you feel super off after weaning just know it’s normal and should work itself out once your hormones regulate. If it doesn’t or it’s super severe, definitely get a hormone panel done and find a practitioner you trust to help get you back to normal
Breastfeeding for a year was the hardest and most rewarding thing I've ever done. It required perseverance, but I know it was the best thing for me and my daughter. I can't wait to do it again for my next baby!
Salone
One of the best things I did was get a lactation consultant ready to call as soon as my milk came in. Here are some tips that helped me:
Lactation Consultant: Make an appointment to check the latch, for ties, do a weighted feed, and create a relationship for ongoing support.
Support Network: Being the sole provider of your baby's nutrition can be mentally challenging, especially with a small baby. Lean on friends, family, and your lactation consultant for help.I reached out to people who had positive breastfeeding journeys for questions I had. However, it is important to not compare your nursing journey to ANYONE else’s.
Feed on Demand: This helps develop a great supply and creates a strong bond with your baby. As sleep becomes more predictable, you can follow an eat/play/sleep routine.
Comfort Feeding: Breastfeeding is God’s gift to us to comfort our babies, comfort feeding is okay! Trust your instincts and feed your baby when they need it, not just on a schedule.
Nursing on the Go: Get comfortable feeding your baby on the go early on. Don’t let nursing stop you from doing things that fill your cup!
Nourish yourself: A nourished mama is a nourished baby. Lotssss of water, minerals, high-quality protein, & healthy fats to support a good quality milk supply.
Breastfeeding has been a gift for comforting my baby and creating a strong bond. While it has its challenges, it’s also an incredible experience that I wouldn't trade for anything!
Shelby
Breastfeeding is the hardest but the most rewarding thing I’ve done as a mom. It’s so cool to see how your body can provide exactly what your baby needs to grow. My thoughts from my journey:
Your Body Knows Your Baby: One of the main reasons I have continued to breastfeed is because it gives me peace of mind that my baby is getting antibodies through my breastmilk to keep them healthy. Especially with my third baby because I know his siblings are bringing home ALL the germs!
Take Care of You: We get so consumed with taking care of our kids that we forget to take care of ourselves too. If you are stressed, not eating or drinking enough, or not sleeping it will directly affect your milk supply and also your experience with breastfeeding. There truly is nothing sweeter and more precious than nursing a newborn.
I'm so lucky to have been able to breastfeed all 3 of my babies. It is nothing like I expected it to be and each baby has been so different. With each journey I have experienced ups and downs, beautiful and frustrating times.
Heather
In my opinion, breastfeeding (along with lack of sleep) is the hardest part of the initial postpartum period. From latching issues, to mastitis, to stressing over the constant thought “Are they getting enough??” It is HARD! With that being said, here are some thoughts/tips for your breastfeeding journey:
Avoiding mastitis: If you get too full from a long stretch of sleep, put a heating pad on your breasts & pump some off before breastfeeding, then ice them after. Start taking Sunflower Lecithin if you find a clog in your duct (this will thin it out). Stand in the hot shower & massage the clog out (it hurts, but it’s the best method!). Try “dangle feeding” on the breast with the issue. Put warm water & Epsom salt in your Haakaa & soak your clogged breast. Eat 2-3 cloves of garlic/day to help with infection. If it is red/hot/swollen and you have a fever, make sure you contact your OB or Midwife for an assessment and possible antibiotics. Overall: pay attention to your breasts/clogged ducts/being overly full & take action immediately!
It shouldn’t hurt: If it hurts when your baby latches, ask for help! It could be a technique problem or a lip/tongue tie problem. Lactation consultants are excellent at guiding you on a proper latch so that it doesn’t hurt. Dentists who are trained in lip/tongue ties are the best at assessing and diagnosing them. So, don’t be afraid to reach out for a dentist’s opinion, even if your pediatrician and lactation consultant don’t think it’s an issue. Finding a good practitioner to do some body work on your baby to help with latching is also important- even before/after any type of lip & tongue tie release.
Take breaks: at the beginning (with both my daughters), it was extremely painful to nurse. They both had lip/tongue ties, so I got that fixed, but it took time for them to re-learn how to feed. As time went on, they got better & breastfeeding stopped hurting. However, in the interim period, I had to take breaks for my mental & physical well-being. I used a nipple shield for a while (for my sanity) and also pumped & gave bottles for periods of time. I know every lactation consultant hates a nipple shield, but it gave me some relief temporarily & motivated me to keep going!
How to bump your supply: Power pumping will help to increase your milk supply- your body makes more milk when stimulated, so try this method if you are struggling. Legendary Milk has some great supplements to help boost supply (my favorites are Pump Princess & Liquid Gold). Make yourself some lactation cookies- they are a great snack and have the added benefit of boosting supply! Be sure to drink plenty of water (with electrolytes) & eat plenty of food, even if you aren’t super hungry. A monthly Mama Bag to enhance your Hydration & nutrient absorption also supports breast milk production (and improves the quality).. Lastly- if you are still struggling with breastfeeding, be sure to have your provider check your thyroid. If you don’t have enough thyroid hormone, your body won’t produce enough milk!
Breastfeeding is a journey filled with highs and lows, but it's one that many mothers find incredibly rewarding. Whether you breastfeed for a short time or continue for years, remember that your effort and love are what matter most. Trust your body, seek support, and cherish these moments with your baby!
