Breastfeeding

I am this little humans' sole source of food. Every newborn is different; though much the same. Every journey isn’t the same. Luckily, Landyn latched on right away and I nursed her for one year.  I was delusional for the first couple days. Life was unreal. 

Countless sleepless nights, cracked nipples and sore boobs. Worth it? Sure! “Breast is best” right?? Who knows. Formula is made better than ever and what if mom has a poor diet...I did my best to eat well. It did get easier, it became second nature.  I didn't have to bring a bottle anywhere and once she was done; no clean up. Unless she spit up. And she would, a good bit too.

Every two hours I would nurse her. Fifteen minutes on each boob! This was advised by the hospital lactation consult. I only did this until we got into our own schedule. WATCH your baby, NOT the clock. It was work to get my supply flowing. It seemed like I would nurse and pump, then it would be time to nurse again. I was drained. Life was much easier once my boobs were on babe's schedule. 

I found it helpful to know how much time babies can stay awake. From birth to six weeks wake time is 45- 60 mins. Counting the time Landyn would be nursing; she would not be awake for long. Not until about six months was she wake for two full hours. 

After we were both sort of sleeping through the night - this is the routine we rolled with. 

7am- nurse and wake

9am- morning nap

11am- nurse and wake

1pm- Nap

3pm- nurse and wake

5pm- nap

7pm- nurse, bath and bedtime routine

9pm- nurse and sleep! 

Landyn was sick ONCE as a baby. She had RSV when she was two months old. We had to give her breathing treatments for a week. From the day she became sick until back to health, my milk changed everyday. Color and constituency; it was the strangest, neatest thing. My body knew Landyn was sick and was creating anti-bodies to help her get well. Miracle milk. 

The beginning was hard. Nursing and pumping to get my supply going..rough. It was stressing me out that I might not produce enough for her. I didn't give up. I wanted to nurse and soon I was able to produce all she needed and more. After developing a solid supply, it was a breeze.

My advise for new breastfeeding moms, don't give up. Just get it flowing..

Whether breastmilk or formula, I am for feeding babies.