Hey, mama. I hope you find these resources useful. These are the 10 essential things I wish I knew before I started breastfeeding my first baby.
When I taught high school I couldnโt stand when my kids would say things like, โhaters gonna hate.โ And yet, when it comes to breastfeeding, never have I found that phrase to be more true.
For some reason, when youโre pregnant, people come out of the woodwork with horror stories. People just feel the need to tell you awful things that happened to their friendโs momโs co-workerโs sister, and youโre like, thanks? Before summer rolled around at work, people would randomly stop me to ask about how I was feeling and my plans for the baby. With that always came questions about breastfeeding. Why did people want to know this? Not a clue. So they would ask if I planned on breastfeeding, and I would say, of course. The reactions. Oh dear friends, the reactions.
โThatโs what you thinkโ – โGood luck with thatโ – โI thought I was going to, tooโ
And Iโm sitting there 8 ยฝ months pregnant, thinking, what is wrong with you? The only response here is, โhaters gonna hate.โ Breastfeeding is all about perseverance. Donโt let anyone try to talk you out of it.
So when your little blue alien pops out and you attempt a feeding only to feel like: holy bananas this creature is ripping off my nipple, you could imagine why most people would call it quits. But donโt. Call a momfriend for support, meet with a lactation consultant. Google it (WebMD doesnโt count). Just promise yourself you wonโt give up.
More Essential Breastfeeding Tips
The Absolute Truth About Breastfeeding
Easy Recipes to Boost Your Milk Supply
Breastfeeding: With a Baby & Toddler
How to Get Your Newborn Baby to Breastfeed
10 Things I Wish I Knew About Breastfeeding
Today Iโd like to share these pieces of wisdom I so desperately wish I knew beforehand, because sharing is caring and because breastfeeding is a beautiful experience.
- There is no single correct position to feed. Laying side-by-side was a lifesaver during the first few weeks of recovery because sitting was so not my jam.
- Just because youโre doing it โrightโ doesnโt mean it wonโt be extremely painful. Like toe-curling, tears dripping painful.
- It can be REALLY hard to feed a newborn baby because they are SO sleepy. Most new moms expect that a baby will just immediately latch and know what to do. Not always the case. If you’re having trouble getting your newborn to breastfeed, check out how I did it.
- Enlist your spouse because at first, breastfeeding is a 4-hand job. Your newborn is like, โmom, my hands are deliciousโ and itโs hard to compete with their delicious little hands.
- The never-wake-a-sleeping-baby thing? What my lactation consultant told me: in those first few days of life, the goal is for your baby to gain weight. If your baby is super-sleepy and not waking AT ALL to feed, they canโt gain the weight they need or have wet/poopy diapers. Def consult your own pediatrician, just sharing what I learned.
- Coconut oil can fix pretty much anything. Amen.
- At first, going anywhere, and/or leaving the house takes 3 times as long. Doesnโt matter if youโre going 5 minutes down the road, if your baby is anything like Harper, youโll be stopping to feed and change multiple times, turning even a quick trip to the doctor into a 3 hour adventure.
- You can breastfeed anywhere. I used to try to plan everything I did around getting back home to nurse my first baby. In the beginning, it was so hard to feed her to begin with, I just wanted to be on the comfort of my own couch. Now? Looking back it seems silly, but hey, first time mom.
- Breastfeeding a newborn is a round-the-clock, 24-7 job. When everyone wants to โsee the baby,โ be sure to tell them that the baby is attached to your boob. Weโre being real here, remember?
- I know youโre hoping Iโll end this with a cheesy one-liner like, โbreastfeeding is the greatest bonding experienceโ (which it is), but this is not that kind of post, so hereโs my last tip: if someone comes up to you at work, in the grocery store, in line at TJ Maxx, and asks you about breastfeeding, just say โdo I know you?โ and walk away.
Bottom Line…
I recently came across this Breastfeeding Courseย and I had one of those laugh-until-I-cried moments, because, honestly – it was just everything. Everything I wish I knew the first time around (and even some things I still didn’t know!) Breastfeeding is easy to give up on if you don’t have the support and the know-how to continue on. Just promise me you’ll check it out!
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor (although Iโm 99% sure my Jewish parents wish I was one…or married one?) so please consult your pediatrician or lactation consultant if you have any questions. This post contains affiliate links.
Have any breastfeeding wisdom to pass on? Share and help a fellow new mom out!
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This is a great list….and new moms should definitely pay attention to #2 because it is soooo true. I feel like other moms do not talk about how extremely painful breastfeeding can be in the beginning!
Thank you! That is why I wanted to put this out there. I had no idea it would be that painful!
I’m breastfeeding my 5-week old son around the clock right now. After nursing two kids I thought it would come easily but it didn’t. But it’s definitely worth the pain and sleepless nights. Thanks for sharing your story. It is very relatable.
It is so worth it! But you’re absolutely right – it doesn’t make it any less difficult. It’s always good to know you’re not alone!
I tried to breast feed and it was such a struggle for me.
I feel your pain! It was so hard for me at first. Luckily it got better!