Breastfeeding Guest Blogger - Amy P.

Our next Guest Blogger for this week's Breastfeeding event is Amy P.  If you have any questions or comments for Amy, please leave them below!  And please, enjoy her breastfeeding journey!  ~Laura

When you're pregnant there are things that everyone tells you. “Rest now because soon you'll be up multiple times a night.” “You'd be surprised how many of your conversations revolve around poop when you're a parent.” “Take lots of pictures because babies change so fast.” But nobody ever said, “There's a learning curve with breastfeeding and it doesn't always work out.” I soooo wish someone had told me.

I had my heart set on breastfeeding from the get go. It was a no-brainer! It was cheap, good for my little man, and would be readily available since I would be home with him. I checked out books and videos from the library about breastfeeding and felt I had a general grasp of how things would go. I got a breast pump and my husband and I joked about needing an extra freezer to store all the milk I would pump. I was prepared.

My son had a few issues trying to be born, so we ended up with an emergency C-section. I was in recovery for over an hour and when we finally made it back to the room, I asked the nurses for help getting my little guy latched. They were encouraging, helped us get situated, and then.... pure bliss. He latched so easily and the feeling was amazing! Cradling my precious bundle and providing him with exactly what he wanted, far more incredible than I could have imagined! Things went fairly well in the hospital. I got valuable pointers from the lactation consultants and I felt like we were getting the hang of things. My sweet boy had lost a little more than the “normal” amount of weight at discharge so we made an appointment for a weight check a few days later, but I didn't think anything of it and we took him home.

The weight check was when I knew there was a problem. He had lost a whole pound of weight, wasn't nursing as well as he had been, and I was a week postpartum and hadn't experienced the “engorgement” I'd read about. I was scared for my baby, he was so small and skinny. I contacted the lactation consultants and the battle began. During a one-on-one consultation we determined that my son was a lazy nurser which resulted in a poor milk supply and started a vicious cycle that I fought for the next 5 months. I had wonderful support from my husband and a support group led by the lactation consultants. One consultant in particular reminded me repeatedly, “Good things come in small packages.” Even though I didn't have much milk, what I DID have was good for him and packed with all the great benefits that come from breast milk, and it was worth the tremendous effort I was putting in.

I tried EVERY trick in the book to boost my supply, but it was not to be. We had to start supplementing when my little man was two weeks old, and at five months what little supply I had fought to build, started to decrease. I called the lactation consultant once again and she reassured me, I had done everything and it was okay if it wasn't working out. My heart was breaking, but I had given him the “small package” I had and hung on longer than many people would have. “I don't know why you had to struggle through breastfeeding or why it was so hard, but you have learned more than a lot of other people and there must be a reason,” she encouraged. I will never forget that. I don't know why it was such an uphill battle for my son and I, but I DO know there is a reason. I've already had opportunity to offer support to others with milk supply issues. It can be a lonely, agonizing battle and it took me a long time to be OKAY with the fact that breastfeeding didn't work out. I know it doesn't make me less of a mommy because my body didn't cooperate. I hope the knowledge I gained will set us up for better breastfeeding with future kiddos, but even if it doesn't, that's okay. I'll know I tried and it was soooo worth it!

Amy

Thank you Amy for sharing your experience and your words of wisdom on the art of Breastfeeding!  ~Laura

bamboob-ease Soothing Therapy Pillow Review and Giveaway

Since the guest post for today was a tip on how to heal a cracked nipple…let’s keep the spirit of healing boobies alive with a review of the new bamboob-ease Soothing Therapy Pillows!!  Because we all know…if the boobies aren’t happy…nobody is happy!!

Bamboobies is a company dedicated to finding organic items to aid in breastfeeding health and happiness.  A few months ago, I reviewed their amazing nursing pads.  I was thrilled when they agreed to sponsor this breastfeeding event as well!  They are an amazing company, with amazing ideas and products to promote breastfeeding as well as breast health and happiness!

The new bamboob-ease Soothing Therapy Pillow is just one more of Bamboobies brilliant ideas!  This pillow made amazingly soft organic cotton and bamboo is just what any mother in pain needs!  The pillow is filled with flaxseeds.  The wonderfulness of flaxseeds is that they can be warmed up for heat and can be cooled down for cold.  So whatever your boobies need, this soft pillow can give you!  It is so simple to use too!  To warm up, simply toss it in the microwave for 20-40 seconds!  To cool down, simply toss it in the freezer for a little bit!  The flaxseeds also allow the pillow to conform to your breast and get to those ouchy spots better.

This is perfect for any breastfeeding mother.  We all have those times when we need cool for the boobies (ie. Engorgement pain, nipple pain, teething pain) and we have those times when we need heat for the boobies (ie. Open a clogged duct, stimulate let down, ease mastitis).  Rather than having an assortment of breastfeeding accessories, this is the all in one item that can cover all of these needs!  Just like the name bamboob-ease implies, this product is meant to ease whatever problem your boobies are having!

I was surprised and amazed at the softness of this pillow.  It is extremely soft and plush, perfect to put next to such a sensitive area!  I was also surprised by the size of this pillow!  It is a nice, generous size to fit any breast size and to cover a lot of boobie area!  Many times pain from engorgement, clogged duct, etc is on the side of the breast closer to the arm pit.  Generally, a compress could only be in that area.  This pillow is generously sized to cover more of the breast in order to provide more relief!  I am a D cup and it nicely covers almost my entire breast!

Looking for more reasons to buy these?  Who doesn’t have a thousand uses for a heat/cold pack?  These are also the perfect size to heat up for a little one with a belly ache.  Or cool for those boo-boos!  Since the pillow is so nice and soft, it is more comforting than other heat/cold packs for little children!

My one and only complaint about this item…it is not washable.  You can wipe the pillow with a damp cloth and air dry…but you cannot get it wet or machine wash.  Therefore, if you are leaking a ton or think you might leak, you may want to wrap a washcloth around this pillow.  It really stinks to cover the plush soft fabric, but since it is not washable, you almost have to!  Likewise, be careful when microwaving this item that there is no food residue in your microwave.  I put the pillow on a clean plate when microwaving so as to not get it dirty.  Yes, I looked pretty silly putting my boobie pillow on a plate and microwaving it!!! J

Overall, I absolutely love this soothing therapy pillow!  It is a genius invention created by a mother with lots of experience!  Only a mother could think of something this brilliant!  I love that you can heat or cool this pillow depending on what your need is and I love that it is just the right size to fit most any breast!  I do wish that the cover was removable and washable, maybe they will do that next time!

Total Stars:  ★★★★★

You can purchase Bamboobies here!  Please use the coupon code "MOMGOODS" at the check out for 20% off of your purchase!

And PLEASE follow Bamboobies on Facebook and thank them for this generous giveaway!!

CLICK ON THE "READ MORE" FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!

Breastfeeding Guest Blogger - Ariel W.

Our next Guest Blogger for this week's Breastfeeding event is Ariel.  Ariel has a surprising, yet wonderful tip for Breastfeeding mamas!  ~Laura


Breastfeeding Troubleshooting


My tip is on how to heal a cracked nipple: lanolin oil and saran wrap.  I didn't believe this would work (I had a horrible crack and had tried every tip I could find on the internet), but it worked like a miracle! Apply lanolin oil after nursing and cover it with a little square of saran wrap (this keeps it very moist and allows healing).  Keep the saran wrap on until the next nursing session.  Repeat after every single nursing session until crack is healed!


Ariel


Thank you Ariel  for sharing your experience and your helpful Breastfeeding Troubleshooting tip!  ~Laura

Breastfeeding Guest Blogger - Sarah M.

Our next Guest Blogger for this week's Breastfeeding event is Sarah M.  If you have any questions or comments for Sarah, please leave them below!  And please, enjoy her breastfeeding journey!  ~Laura

When I was pregnant with my daughter, Charis, there was no question in my mind how I would feed her.  My husband and I both wanted me to breastfeed her.  Thankfully, our family was very supportive.  Breastfeeding seemed like the only option to me, and I have my mom to thank for that.  She breastfed my brother, sister, and I.  I remember watching The Bill Cosby Show when I was four years old, with my mom in the same room nursing my sister.

I am also very thankful for my midwife, Sheila.  Before Charis was born, Sheila asked, "How are you going to feed your baby?"  I answered, "I plan on breastfeeding her."   Sheila was THRILLED, but also told me what to expect.  She said that breastfeeding will be painful in the beginning for the first few weeks.  She explained that after my daughter was born, I would have this human who wants to be at my breast ALL THE TIME and that my breasts and nipples would not be used to it, so it would be painful until they "toughened up."  I was thankful that Sheila gave me a realistic picture what it would be like the first few weeks.  Had I not been told this, I would have thought I am a failure, because many books say that breastfeeding is painless.

Do not be afraid to seek out help. I had a cracked nipple and mastitis a week after Charis was born.  When my daughter's pediatrician found out I had mastitis, he wanted me to go see a Lactation Consultant.  Looking back, I am glad he recommended that.  The Lactation Consultant helped me see that Charis was not latching on correctly on my left side, where the cracked nipple was.  They also pointed me to a product that would help my breasts feel better, Lasinoh's Soothies Gel Pads.  http://www.lansinoh.com/products/soothies-by-lansinoh-gel-pads

About seven weeks after my daughter was born, I went back to working PRN at a local hospital in CCU.  Going back to work was hard.  I had bought a manual pump since I only worked 2 days/month.  If I have to work next time, I plan on buying an electric pump.  The biggest drawback for a manual pump was that I could only pump one breast at a time, so I was off the floor longer than I would have liked, but since I worked as a nurse infrequently it was fine for those needs. I have a two pumping recommendations: 

1. Pump in the morning when your milk supply is higher, during late afternoon/early evening the milk supply is lower.

2. When you are at work, try to pump the same amount of times your baby will be taking a bottle or nursing.  That way the demand is still there even when your child is at home.

I'm still nursing my daughter.  It's been over 13 months.  My goal was to breastfeed her for at least a year, and she's not showing any signs of wanting to stop.  One of the fears I had was, "What will I do when my daughter's teeth come?"  So far that fear has been completely unfounded.  The few times my daughter has bit me, I put my finger to break the latch and told her, "No.  Do not bite mommy."  I have also found with my daughter that when she bites, it usually means she is almost finished.  

About 20 months ago, I made the decision to breastfeed my child, and I am thrilled with that decision.  I hope you are too.

Sarah

You can catch Sarah on her blog Musings of a SAHM.

Thank you Sarah for sharing your experience and your words of wisdom on the art of Breastfeeding!  ~Laura

Breastfeeding Guest Blogger - Jessica B.

Today's Guest Blogger for this week's Breastfeeding event is Jessica B.  Jessica is currently ready to pop with baby number three and ready to start another breastfeeding experience!  Here are her responses to the questions that I asked the guest bloggers to speak on.  If you have any questions or comments for Jessica, please leave them below!  And please, enjoy her breastfeeding journey!  ~Laura

Breastfeeding Tips, Tricks, and Techniques
My biggest tip is to relax, relax, relax.  Women have been doing this since the beginning of time – our bodies were created for this and we need to have more faith in them.  If someone tells you something and it doesn’t feel right – do not feel guilty for not believing them – do what’s best for YOU and your baby

Things you wish you had known prior to your first breastfeeding session
It’s hard.  And tiring.  But oh so rewarding. As I am anticipating the birth of my third child – the only thing that is getting me through my fear of labor and delivery is the chance to breastfeed again.  There is absolutely nothing like snuggling with your baby in the middle of the night while all is quiet and calm. 
Also – you can combo nurse-on-command and nurse-on-schedule.  But a baby does need a schedule – that’s one thing I wish I would have known.  My first BF experience was rough because I constantly offered the boob to her and she just wasn’t hungry half the time – she just need to fuss to burn some energy so she could eat better later.  There’s a fine line and you’ll know what it is!

How you dealt with going back to work and pumping
Start pumping early… very very early and build up your supply – it’s never too early to build it up. But make sure your freezer door shuts every time!  A picture never worked to help let my milk down but I took a blanket with me and the smell did the trick every time!


Manual vs. Electric Pump.  Include brand name and/or model if you found one that you highly recommend.
I bought a very expensive electric pump and it didn’t work at all for me.  I actually pumped by hand into a glass cup.  Yes… I really did.  Once you get the knack for it – I found I could pump twice the amount in half the time. 


Those embarrassing Breastfeeding stories…we all have them!
My supply was always great and at least once if not twice a day my poor girl would get covered in a milk bath because she couldn't drink fast enough... hee hee  I remember the first time trying to nurse her in public.  My husband and I were shopping and I went into a fancy restroom in one of those fancy stores where they have couches.  It was an EPIC FAIL.  I remember trying to get her to latch on and she refused but was screaming with everything she had so of course I 'let down' and when I say sprayed, I mean I sprayed that girl with breastmilk.... trying to get her to latch on, holding her screaming body, trying to cover myself as other women were staring (some with sympathy, others with amusement, and others with disgust), and finally got myself put back together, picked everything up and rushed back out.  The look on my husband face was priceless.... it obviously did not go well since I was out in 5 minutes, my daughter was soaked from head to toe, and we were both still crying.  From that point on - we only nursed in the car where it was quiet and I had much more privacy!


When and how you came to the decision to Breastfeed.  When did you decide?  Prior to pregnancy?  During Pregnancy?  After delivery?  How did you decide?
I knew from the very beginning before I was pregnant that I would breastfeed – I was blessed to come from a family where my mother, grandmother, MIL, many cousins all breastfed and it was HUGELY accepted and encouraged. My husband used to walk down the formula aisle at the store and proudly state ‘I love boobs’ while looking at the prices.  Liquid gold it is.


How your friends, family, and significant other reacted to your decision to Breastfeed.  Were they supportive?
As I stated my husband was hugely supportive.  He was the official ‘burper’ for our children and that’s a great way to get him involved.


How long did you Breastfeed?  Why did you go that long?  Why did you stop at that point?  Was this a difficult transition for you or baby?
I breastfed my daughter until she was 14 months – the transition wasn’t too bad.  My son was still nursing at 14 months and I felt that it was time to wean.  Sadly it was very traumatic for both of us and after 3 miserable days we started up again.  For two more months we did evening nursings and he eventually weaned himself with no pain for me or him.  Let your child lead.


The one breastfeeding item that you could not live without?  Ie. Boppy, nursing pads, breast pump, etc.  Feel free to mention types, brand names, or models so that others know what you have used and loved.
A good sexy nursing bra.  Splurge and get a padded one – it will do wonders for your self confidence!  I used it only when I was out in public and needed to look ‘nice’ in our bedroom. So I kept it for good but it really was worth every penny .  


If given the chance to go back in time, would you change anything about your Breastfeeding experience?
Nope. Honestly not a thing.


Jessica


You can catch Jessica on her blog Living Each Day for God.

Thank you Jessica for sharing your experience and your words of wisdom on the art of Breastfeeding!  ~Laura

Breastfeeding Guest Blogger - Sara R.

Our First Guest Blogger for this week's Breastfeeding event is Sara R.  If you have any questions or comments for Sara, please leave them below!  And please, enjoy her breastfeeding journey!  ~Laura

I have breastfed 5 kids. All five of my kids have been breastfed and all have been different.

My first, he was hard. I was told I had flat nipples and was handed a shield to use while nursing. No one told me that you should stop using it after a few weeks. After 5 weeks of nursing, I got a terrible breast infection. My sweet mother-in-law, a "retired" la leche league leader, told me that the best way was to just have him nurse it out. OUCH! It hurt so bad. And I was so sick. Fever, weakness, and I just wanted to sleep all the time. It didn't help that we were moving three states over in a week.

But I got better within a few days and moved without a hitch. But there we were, thousands of miles away from family and it was just the three of us. I lasted nursing him for 9 months. I just dried up. I don't know why I dried up, but I did. I think it might have been stress. I was going to go back to school, we moved again, and I was working. It was a crazy time, and I think my milk just couldn't survive that.

With my second, I was a little weirded out about nursing a girl. In my crazy mind, I felt it was wrong. Thankfully, my husband said I was being stupid and it would be ok. I loved nursing my daughter. I was just sad when I dried up again. This time at 6 months. My doctor told me to stop nursing because she had quit growing. It broke my heart, but I knew I just wasn't producing the milk needed to help her grow. The time we did spend nursing, was great. No infections and no hang-ups. Just that one major one. lol!

Number three, well, I dried up super early. Just shy of 4 months. I was heart broken. He was my best nurser to date. I loved the special time with him. Again, I just wasn't producing the milk to help him grown. Still, I don't know why my first three kiddos I dried up. He was such a good baby, hardly spit up.

Number four, well, he was my only child that latched on within minutes of being born. All the others wouldn't latch on until about 6 hours after birth. Then, wouldn't really eat well until they were 24 hours old. But not number 4. He rooted around for my breast and just latched on for a good 45 minutes! You can guess, that he was my best nurser! We moved to a new states a week after he was born, and even though there was a ton of stress from that, whatever happened, I was able to nurse him for 14 months! We were both done at that time and it was a great weening experience. It was so easy.

As for number five. Well, we are still going strong! He nurses ALL. THE. TIME! He is great. No problems at all. I'm planning on going for as long as we can. I'll let him tell me when we are done.

Nursing isn't easy. It hurts so bad the first month. I know with each of my kids I have cried through a few nursing. The flat nipples went away. I used the shield with my daughter, but learned that they shouldn't be used for more than a few weeks. So I said good-bye to using a shield forever a few weeks after my daughter was born. I haven't had a problem with my nipples since then. I think a few children using them helps draw them out!

Teething and nursing does not mix. My kids like to grind their gums on my nipples. Or pull back with their head, while still attached. Both will earn them a short time at nursing.

All in all, nursing is touch, but well worth it. I've had a pretty easy time with it. Starting out is hard. It really is. But it's so worth it in the end! All I can say to new moms, don't give up! The pain will go away. You'll get a hang of it. Nursing is something that you and your sweet little one learn together. And when you need help, turn to your mother, or mother-in-law, a good friend or a la leche league advisor for help! But in the end, trust your instincts! 

Sara


You can also catch Sara on her blog Outta this World with Me.

Thank you Sara for sharing your experience and your words of wisdom on the art of Breastfeeding!  ~Laura

Breastfeeding Awareness Week!!

So, because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we are celebrating all things boobie, I have put together an event to celebrate Breastfeeding!  Throughout the week, you will be seeing reviews, giveaways, and guest posts by breastfeeding moms.  Breastfeeding can be beautiful, easy, difficult, painful, funny, sad, and basically every emotion you can name.  So this week, we are going to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of breastfeeding!

To kick the event off....HUGE Medela giveaway below!  Medela was WONDERFUL enough to donate a HUGE box of goodies for this event.  There will be multiple winners and each winner will get a goodie bag of Breastmilk storage magnets, Medela Tender Care Lanolin, and Medela disposable nursing pads.

Please follow Medela on Facebook and thank them for this ENORMOUS giveaway!  The box of goodies that arrived on my porch was CRAZY huge and they deserve an even bigger thank you for their support!

CLICK ON THE "READ MORE" FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!