Breastfeeding: Q+A
Hi mama! I’m so glad you are here :)
I hope your cup is full of caffeine, gratitude and grace.
I promised you that I would put together a post answering all you breastfeeding questions so without further ado, here it is! Before we dive in, a friendly reminder that I am not a certified lactation consultant and we all have a unique breastfeeding journey. What has worked for me may not align with your breastfeeding chapter and that’s ok! This is a safe and judgment free zone. I am simply here to be a resource for you and kindly pass along some products and advice that have helped me feed, comfort and connect with Brody over the last 14 months.
Nursing bra
Whether you are nestled up at home or out and about with your little one, having comfortable and functional nursing clothing items is key. One of my favorite brands for nursing bras is Cake Maternity. They are an Australian based company and not only is each and every package hand-packed by an Aussie mum but their mission is what captivated me to place an order and give their bras a try. Turns out, they uphold their promise to support, nurture and provide women with the confidence to navigate this often tricky but rewarding phase in each of their bras.
The milk bamboo sleep bra is one of my personal favorites. It’s made from super soft sustainable bamboo and helps keep you dry and comfortable all night long. The cross over cups can easily be pulled aside for feeding in both day or night. It also has a pocket for breast pad inserts to ensure your nursing pads stay in place. If you are a smaller breasted mama like myself then I’d recommend the Mousse Padded Nursing Bra. The easy-feed drop down cups are a little slice of magic.
Gosh, apparently I can talk all day long about nursing bras!! I’ll wrap us up so we still have time to get through all your other questions but if you are looking for a bra that has it all: comfort, functionality, durability and sustainability then Cake Maternity is your one stop shop.
What To Wear
Now that we have our bra’s on, let’s talk about what to put on over them. Personally, I did not invest in a ton of nursing dedicated tops rather I worked with what I already had in my closet or purchased pieces that I knew could double for both stages of life – during + after breastfeeding. I’ve been a big fan of oversized tees and or button down shirts.
It all boils down to whatever you are most comfortable with.
If you want to whip it out, then you do you mama.
If you want to use a nursing cover, then you do you mama.
If you want to wear a nursing tank under your tee, then you do you mama.
So to answer your question if I think “nursing clothes” are completely necessary, I’d say no. Bras? 100% Clothes? Not necessarily.
#NormalizeBreastfeeding
I’ll never forget the first time I breastfeed in public. To be transparent, I was a little nervous and felt flustered as I unclipped my nursing bra and brought Brody to my chest. It was like I was frozen in time and looked around and literally said to myself, “wow. I’m doing it.” In hindsight that might sound silly but in the moment I was sincerely proud of myself. I felt incredibly liberated and strong – I am a mother, hear me roar.
So for all those wondering how to deal with other’s opinions here’s the golden ticket:
Opinions from others on how you feed your baby simply don’t matter.
If they need to take time out of their day to think about or express what you are doing “wrong” or “right” then that’s on them. Your energy and focus should remain on your baby and not the glaring eyes of a stranger. Whether you are in a crowded restaurant or at home with family, the decision is between you and your child. Whip it out or keep it sacred – however and wherever you’d like to feed is exactly what you should do.
Pumps and products
Ok ok, all the questions when it comes to the goods so let’s break this down.
I used this pump: the Spectra S1 and it worked like a gem.
I would file the Haakaa under holy grail item. Buy it. Use it. Thank me later.
These organic bamboo nursing pads quickly became my go to’s – especially when my milk was coming in and I was leaking well . . . everywhere.
In terms of pre/postnatal vitamins Ritual all the way.
I really enjoyed the recipes out of this cookbook: Truly delicious and nutritious for the nursing mother.
What To Expect
Ah, the million dollar question: what to expect.
Since I am not your body, I can’t tell you in black and white what to expect. Breastfeeding might be the most natural thing you have ever done, it may be the most difficult thing you’ve ever done or it might fall somewhere in between. How’s that for an answer?
To be transparent, I went into breastfeeding with zero expectation of what it would be like or how long I’d continue to do it for and here we are 14 months in and I’ve loved close to every second of it.
My biggest piece of advice is to listen to your intuition, surround yourself with support and shower yourself with grace. Breastfeeding is a personal journey and not a comparison game. If you do what you feel is best for you and baby, then you’re doing your job mama!
If you have lactation consultants available to you at the hospital after birth, lean into them. I asked ours any question that came to mind and am so thankful for their nurturing guidance.
Weaning 101
Gosh, even typing the word weaning makes me a bit emotional.
As of last week, I dropped my first feeding so we now down to one day time feeding + morning and night. Since he is not yet completely weaned I’ll hold off on sharing any advice until I can confidently say what worked for us. Mama’s who have weaned before, if you’re up for it, why don’t you drop your best pieces of advice / tips below in the comment section. Thank you in advance!
Ouch
Clogged ducts? Been there. OUCH.
A few things that helped like clockwork when relieving a clogged duct:
- Fill the haakaa with hot water and a tablespoon of epsom salt and then attach the Haakaa to the affected breast and allow the combination of heat, the salts and suction to help remove the clog. Keep the Haakaa attached for between 10-15 minutes. You may need to repeat several times until the clogged duct is released.
- Massage the duct with either your hand, an electric toothbrush or this massager
- Keeping a hot compress on the affect area with surely help or stand in the shower and let the hot water run over your breast.
- Sunflower lecithin supplements and these happy duct drops work like magic
Ok wow, that’s a lot of info !! I hope it’s all helpful. What other questions do you have? As always, I’m a quick message away if you need me. Before I leave you, here are a few breastfeeding accounts that I found to have incredibly helpful information:
Marissa The Milk Mom
Karrie Locher
Milk Sprouts
proud of you mama,
Chels
This post was sponsored however, the opinions are of my own.
