So I started a blog post on Birth Healing tips and it turned into a breastfeeding tip article!
Enjoy!
Here's my story:
Of course, please remember that every person and birth is unique, and seek consultation and guidance from your trusted professional before implementing anything. If you would like to book in a consultation with myself for nutrition and supplementation support you can do so here.
I have been pregnant and breastfeeding for nearly 4 years straight.
With both girls pregnancy, I started producing colostrum at around 28 weeks.
I breastfed Matilda until she was 2 years of age, then fell pregnant 2 months later. I was still producing milk until the 3rd month of my pregnancy.
Again, in my second pregnancy, I started producing colostrum at 28 weeks.
I am so so fortunate to have so much milk it's like I'm peeing myself, but from my boobs.
Even though it's easy now, it wasn't always like this.
The first two weeks of Breastfeeding Matilda (Bubba 1) I remember curling my toes in pain as the letdown happened.
My nipples were cracked and bleeding.
I was constantly wondering if I was feeding her right, if she was getting enough.
And I was utterly overwhelmed and questioning everything!
So I've put together a list of things I've learnt and it's my hope that you find some tips and help in here :D These tips are in no particular order, enjoy :D
1. If your baby's poop is a bright fluro green, it likely means that they are only getting the foremilk.
This means they get the first part of the milk, which is mostly water, but not the fatty part which is at the end of the feed. To help with this, I would put the baby on the boob for their 1st feed. Then start with that boob for the first part of the 2nd feed and move them onto the other boob. Have a play around and see whats right for you and your baby. You might find they feed enough the first time.
Sometimes my babes would take a break before they've gotten to the Hindmilk, so I always offer more just in case :)
Foremilk is the milk available when your baby starts feeding, Hindmilk is the milk your baby gets at the end of a feed.
2. In my case, if I was dehydrated, I would get a nervy like pain in my boob during the let down.
3. Bamboo breast pads are amazing at preventing your clothes getting soaked through! When you wear them the right way! (I wore them the wrong way the first 2 years and wondered why they weren't working LOL) Read the instructions, but it's usually: put the cotton fabric side to your nipple.
4. Got Cracked/ Bleeding Nipples? Expose them in the sun for some Vitamin D! Also at the end of a feed, manually squirt the Hindmilk out of the nipple and coat the nipple with it. Let it dry. This would seal my nipples within 2 hours, stopping the bleed and soothing them! Works better than any product I bought!
5. Give it 2 weeks. This was the best advice I ever received. Just give it 2 weeks and it will possibly be a whole different experience :)
6. Listen to your baby, not a schedule. I most definitely fed both girls more than every 3 hours. Feeding promotes breast milk production, the more your baby nibbles, sucks and feeds, the more signals your body receives to produce milk. My motto is, if in doubt pop them on the boob!
7. Support Network; I had a team of amazing mums, aunts, and family who would all answer the call when I had a begging question, query or down moment. Use your tribe, that's what they're there for :)
Tips in a nutshell:
Drink LOTS of water
Eat good quality fats and protein (if you'd like advice on a diet to support breastfeeding connect here :)
Be Kind to yourself, it's a learning experience for both of you
It will likely hurt! Especially if you've never done it before.
Sun your nipples and add the Hindmilk to heal cracked, bleeding nipples.
I truly hope you've found some nuggets of golden wisdom here <3 Sending you so much love and support <3
Happy Day! Jenna Poole
Clinical Nutritionist