I've learned that in motherhood so many people have different opinions, but it's important to just find what works best for you and your baby. Before having our son, I heard varying opinions and viewpoints about breastfeeding and pumping. It was honestly a little overwhelming!
I didn’t know where I’d land when my little munchkin actually arrived Earth side, but I was open to doing whatever was best for him and I. Once he was born, I ended up pumping slightly because he wasn't eating as much as my breasts were producing. This is totally normal at first because your milk can come in hot and heavy before it regulates to your baby! I needed to pump to release some of the milk to avoid pain or mastitis.
The #1 thing I was told to regulate your production was to get baby to breast as much as possible and allow him to eat when he wants. Babies have such a tiny belly when they are first born and so they typically eat quite often. Once he and I regulated, I produced just the right amount for him and it has worked well for us since!
I like to pump once or twice a week after the morning feeding to have some “extra milk” on hand to freeze and store. I wanted to make sure I had some incase I need to be away from him for any reason; aka if Tim and I should decide to leave the munchkin with one of our parents' to go out to dinner, to actually have a date night.
I wanted to share with you one pump that has been really helpful! I'll never forget the night where I woke up in a lot of pain and this little guy just didn't want to eat (and he wasn't actually hungry). I ordered this pump in order to save some of the milk for a later date or even sell/donate!
I’d love to hear your breastfeeding experience! Did you choose to pump? What was most helpful for you?
If you're currently a breastfeeding mom, grab my FREE guide here packed with tips and resources to help you along your journey!
Breastfeeding is a full time job and I learned quickly how nice is it to have a few designated “nursing spots” in my house. Sometimes he might nurse for longer than usual or sometimes he will fall asleep afterwards! Having designated spots helps me if I’m going to be trapped under a baby for a little bit.
Before I share about the stations, I want to add that’s it helps to go to the bathroom before you nurse. It’s not fun being nap trapped under a baby and having a full bladder! Make sure you fill up your water bottle too! Drinking water is so important as a nursing mom, but can easily fall to the wayside. It’s a great reminder for us to drink our water while baby is nursing.
The goal of having a breastfeeding station is that everything you need is readily accessible to you. I like to try to have a few different stations around the house (if I can) so that I have these items handy for whenever the baby needs to eat! If you want to go a step further, you can even grab a cute basket like this one (link) and keep everything in there! I’ve seen moms use a caddy as well to transport to different areas of the home, so do what works best for you!
Things to include:
✨ Water bottle
✨Snacks
✨Burp cloth
✨Phone charger
✨Something to entertain you (book, magazine, tablet)
✨Nursing pillow
✨Nipple cream
While all you technically need is baby and boob, it’s nice to have these things to make nursing easier, comfier and more relaxing for you. It’s great to have a happy momma for a better breastfeeding experience and for baby! Breastfeeding consumes a lot of our time and these baskets are just one way to make it a little easier on us!
Click here to grab my FREE guide that is packed full of information and tips for breastfeeding moms!
This is an excellent recipe that can help you feel like you’re getting a more decadent dessert! But even better, with the cinnamon and baking the apples it actually has health benefits too! Apples may lower your chance of developing cancer, diabetes and heart disease, can help with weight loss and can improve your gut and brain health. This is the perfect treat to add to your repertoire because it's so simple and perfect as we transition to Fall! Not only that, but it makes your home smell wonderful too!
Ingredients
- 3 apples
- 1/4 cup honey or sweetener of choice
- 1 drop cinnamon bark vitality
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 225⁰ F.
- With a mandolin or knife, thinly slice apples from top to bottom.
- In a small bowl, combine honey and Cinnamon Bark Vitality.
- Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and place apple slices on top. Drizzle honey mixture over apple slices.
- Cook in the oven for 90 minutes.
- Remove cookies sheets from heat and place apple slices on cooling rack.
- For best results, store apple chips in an airtight container and eat them within 24 hours.
Adapted recipe from Young Living Blog
Breastfeeding takes on a whole new challenge during the summer heat, but it's important to plan ahead to keep you and baby hydrated and happy!
✨ I want to start by saying that your baby only needs breastmilk! It’s totally normal for him/her to want to nurse more in the summer heat; same way we drink more when we are hot. Just lean into your baby’s cues and let him/her call the shots. If your baby is starting more foods than just breastmilk, freeze some milk with softened fruit to make a frozen treat for them.
✨ Don’t forget to pack a few snacks for you too! Being a breastfeeding mom, I know we are always hungry!
✨ With that, it’s so important that you stay hydrated too! It’s always important to be drinking more when you are outside and sweating, but if baby is drinking more, that can dehydrate you too. One of the easiest ways to do this is to keep an insulated water bottle with you at all times; whenever baby drinks, you drink!
✨ Wear loose, cool clothing to keep you and baby as comfortable as possible. When it’s time to nurse baby, find shade if you can! If you can’t, try to shade baby as much as possible. A wide brim hat is a great option to block the UVA/UVA rays from the sun. If you prefer to use a cover while nursing, a light muslin square works great! If you’re able to, I know moms who have gone to the car to nurse to get a break from the heat and utilize the air conditioning too!
✨ If you are a pumping mama, don’t forget to pack a cooler and ice packs too if you need to store or transport any milk. This is a great reminder too if you make any of the frozen treats I talked about above!
I know breastfeeding in the Summer heat can be a little overwhelming, but don’t let it stop you from having fun and enjoying the sunshine!
Click here to grab my FREE guide that is packed full of information and tips for breastfeeding moms!
Being a mama brings a whole new perspective on self care...
I've always been such a fan of self care. I knew that mothers had a tougher time with it then those of us without children, but figured there had to be ways to get that in!
After birthing my little one I still do agree with this, but have an entirely new appreciation for even just the mindset around it! The only thing I really care about is making sure my baby is doing awesome, how can I care about myself? But then I take a moment and think, wait if I don't care for myself, I literally cannot care for him either!
Getting exercise in and moving my body is something I truly enjoy doing, but it looks a little different now with a baby. I workout before the munchkin wakes up which is for about 20 minutes, but I'll take it! It’s important to remember that something is better nothing and to do what feels good to you! Each mom’s postpartum journey is different.
I want you to be getting movement in because it feels good for you and is serving your body. Not because you are trying to "lose the baby weight" or "bounce back." It's so important that your mindset be in a place of love and respect for your body and what it just did.
Being a breastfeeding mom, it’s important for you and I to take extra steps to nourish our body. Exercise and breastfeeding both require more of your body, so it’s necessary we nourish our body! The goal is to nourish your body with good foods, stay hydrated and move in a way that brings you joy.
Interested in learning more? Click here to grab my FREE guide that is packed full of information and tips for breastfeeding moms!
