Breastfeeding - Natural but not easy

If you couldn't tell already from your Facebook feed it is breastfeeding week. Now to all the momma's out there you do what is right for you and your baby.

Many momma's I know have tried to breastfeed and it just does not work for them. That really does happen. I know some people out there believe well you just didn't try hard enough, you wont hear that from me.

I believe as long as baby is healthy, happy, loved, and growing that is all that matters in the end. But for those still fighting the fight to breastfeed I understand your pain.

I always, ALWAYS, wanted to breastfeed since I was a teenager. Yes I thought about those things at a young age, I'm weird, its ok :). But I'm a buxom lady, always have been. I always thought God gave me big boobs for a reason, might as well use them for their intended purpose. Sorry guys they are not for you to just look at.

(7 days old)



So like any good first time pregnant momma-to-be I took my classes to get ready for baby. One of those being the breastfeeding class. All they talked about was how natural it is to breastfeed, along with the different ways to hold a baby to ensure the best latch, what a proper latch should look like, and how it is a beautiful experience.

What they did not say is that its hard to breastfeed.

I'm sure somewhere out there is a magical breastfeeding "unicorn" experience. Where the latch was perfect in the first 24hrs and that momma had more than enough milk for her little ones needs, not to mention for a back stock. This magically breastfeeding "unicorn" momma also has never had clogged milk ducts, this was not my story.

Now I guess I had it coming, I did have the "unicorn" pregnancy, I wore heels most of my pregnancy, was able to keep up my workouts while my belly kept growing. Heck I was still hiking at 28 weeks. I also have the "unicorn" sleeping baby. Disclosure: Sleep deprived moms do not read the next section. Lilly at 2.5 weeks started sleeping 5 solid hours at night, and from 3 weeks on she hss slept a minimum of 7 hours straight outside of growth spurt transitions. She also loves her naps.

So I was due to have something be difficult, because learning to be a momma, everything to one little being isn't hard enough. Breastfeeding has been my biggest struggle as a new mother.

First off Lilly had dropped weight in the couple days after she was born by 10%. By her first appointment 4 days later she had dropped 15% total weight from birth but my milk had just come in so the doctors were waiting before really forcing formula. They wanted us to come back in that Friday. When we got home I looked at Lilly and said, "look little girl we are going to put 8 ounces on you by Friday". By golly come Friday she was up 8 ounces, I was so excited the doctors were to. The excitement was short lived.

(8 days old)

At 3 weeks old Lilly out grew my supply. It wasn't for just a few days as my body adjusted to her new demands, it lasted another month and a half. It broke my heart every time I had to give her formula. I did everything I could to get my supply up. I went to lactation specialists and they said I was doing everything I could. Oatmeal twice a day, Guinness, fenugreek/blessed thistle, hand expressing while nursing, brewers yeast, pumping after every feed, taking prenatal vitamins, and getting up in the middle of the night to pump for extra stimulation. My daughter had a perfect latch and suction, it was my body that was not catching up.

Wanting something so bad and not having it go as planned is horrible but feeling as though your body is failing your child is heart wrenching.

(Nursing Lilly in Aerie's at 6 weeks)

That went on for a month and a half, that entire time we had to supplement with formula. Then I started on Domperidone, it increases prolactin levels, and I also started using essential oil blend my military momma Sheri made for me.

(3 months)

Finally my milk was getting better. We stopped using formula and I was able to build a back stock for emergency. It was starting to look great for our breastfeeding future but then life happened.

I had to get my wisdom teeth removed. I had three total removed. At the time I thankfully had over 40 ounces of pumped breast milk. I figured that would be enough. As soon as I got home from surgery I nursed my daughter (approved by pediatrician) but with the stress of the surgery it was like starting from ground zero again.

My supply dropped quickly. Even with nursing her on demand we went through 40 ounces of supplemented milk. It took another solid month before my supply was back up to the point where I did not need to pump anymore.

To this day we still struggle especially during growth spurt transitions. My body just seems to have a hard time keeping up with her demanding cues. I have to constantly do everything right. I have not hand anything with mint in it since she was 3 weeks old (mint reduces milk supply). I still eat oatmeal everyday, use essential oils everyday, drink more water than I thought possible, take prenatal vitamins, and I have to remind my self to breathe through her fussiness.

Breastfeeding has been the hardest part for me as a new momma but I would not trade it. So for you moms out there still fighting to breastfeed it took me 3 months for it to be good. So keep going it will get better. If it doesn't, give yourself some grace and keep breastfeeding what you are able. Even if you have to supplement with formula at least you are still breastfeeding and having that bonding time. I know its hard. Just keep trying. For those that breastfeeding just never happens, remember your love is enough.

To the spouses out there helping us moms keep up breastfeeding, THANK YOU. My husband has been my cheering squad. Without him and I am certain I would have given up along time ago. Thank you Billy for always encouraging me, bringing me water and food during feeds, and being the hug I needed after all the hard nursing sessions, THANK YOU!

The proof is in the baby. I'm am proud to say that at Lilly's 4 month appointment the doctors said she is 26" inches tall (90th percentile), has a bog ol' noggin at 16" (88th percentile), and weighed in at 14.96lbs going up 3 percentile in weight to 50th percentile.

My momma's heart is healed, my baby is happy and growing. I could not ask for more.

-Adrien