A few rotations later...

I am back after a much- unplanned- hiatus!

Since I lost posted, my first born LAMM has experienced many different things; things including: HFM, her first major hospital visit [dehydration], potty training, turned TWO (and is not two-and a- half), finally learning &understing the story of Santa Claus & The First Christmas [religious] and gaining a sibling brother. These are just a few of many things that will be discussed in coming posts... I am more than happy to share my insights, findings and otherwise irrelevant opinions. However- take them as you will, as they are just my mama experiences!

GMM who is now 9 months old. I will have posts about this nugget to follow. However, to summarize;

We've experienced so much with a little boy added to our household. From circumcision care and learning how best to not get peed on to biting, putting anything & everything in his mouth and crib-training. We are well on our way to having a crib trained nugget & hopefully- a soon to follow tater tot- in her toddler bed.
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With our first born, we had every intention of crib-training LAMM. The plan was to keep her in our room from birth to a year, in the pack'n'play sleeper/bassinet/lowered crib.

This.did.not.happen.

We created a little monster with our LAMM, which I both love/hate myself for! 
She is a snuggle monster and has come to realize this herself. She tells us "I want to hold you" when she is feeling extra cuddly or needy.

We have tried every method found on these sleep-groups, recommendations from other parents who sleep trained, sleep-methods like cry-it-out, which only result in uncontrollable screaming and crying/ gagging. None of these methods worked for us; nor did we feel it was healthy for our little girl.

So, in lieu of these things, we have resorted to our own sleep method, and it is gradually working. See my Milli Sleep Method post here if you want a little insight into what's been working for us and our stubborn tater tot.

I am so anxious to really dive back in to posting and hoping that in some way- my experiences can help others with theirs. Comments welcome as I always love strategy-sessions with other parents!

Lots of love,
TMD

Happy Nursing & Pumping

Preface: What worked and works for my body may not work for all. The below are strictly suggestions and recommendations. Before taking any supplement, consult your doctor and your child's pediatrician. I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

I have seen so many posts on each of the breastfeeding and mommy groups that I follow, about "how to boost my supply" or to increase lactation during a pumping session.

Building a backup supply for when you plan to return to work or school is definitely a stressful topic- especially when your baby is so new, so little and needs you!

Nevertheless, I reiterate my response each and every time in hopes that it will be helpful to someone out there. 

I was incredibly fortunate to spend the first seven full months at home with my little LAMM. This was due to being laid off from my job, not because I am wealthy & could afford to stay home.

I pumped however often I needed to. LAMM  has been very consistent with her nursing since her birth. Initially we were nursing once every three hours and unless we were "growth spurting" and clustering feeding, this was always her schedule. Once she would sleep through the night, I would wake and pump to keep my milk from leaking all over whatever milk-stained tank top I had elected to wear for bed.

We gradually began to stretch our feeding times to 3 or 3.5 to sometimes 4 hours apart. 

Regardless of knowing that my supply was fine and my little was gaining weight as she should have been (she had all of the cinnamon rolls to prove it), I wanted to MAKE SURE I would maintain and be able to provide her with the liquid gold she would need when it came time for daycare.

Some of the foods/ supplements and other recipes that have helped me grow and maintain a healthy, need based, supply include:

- Hummus and carrots
- Strawberries, banana and Spinach (blended to a smoothie or on their own)
-Eggless Lactation cookies (Recipe to follow)
-No-Bake Lactation Bites (Recipe to follow)
-Oatmeal pies (on-the-go and NOT a first choice)
-Oatmeal breakfast bars and 
-Nature's Valley Granola Cups with almond butter (because YUM!)
-Almond Milk

* Fenugreek ( 2 tablets, 3x a day)
*Brewers yeast (3-4 tbsp in lact.cookies or 1 tbsp in oatmeal)
*Flaxseed
*Mother's Milk Teas

I will also admit that I tried the blue-gatorade, the 'Pink-Drink' lactation fads and neither made a substantial difference for me. I think hydration is really the key, so I will continue to drink my 120+oz of water per day.

I do my best to stay away from parsley, chocolate and other caffeinated products and also foods that tend to be gassy.

Another, non-food suggestion, is to massage your breasts while pumping. Do not stop pumping if there is still milk flowing or you will inadvertently be signaling your body to slow it's production. Pump after a nursing session for five or so minutes to stimulate and watch video's of your little peanut.. Every little smile will help!

We are approaching 13 months of breastfeeding and I have the mentality that we will continue over the next five months or if LAMM self-weans herself somewhere along this line.
If you are encountering criticisms, or "mommy-shaming", please jump over to my blog about this topic and know you are not alone. Stay strong in your breast feeding journey and know that it is just that--- your journey. Not theirs.

At 12.5 months post partum, I am still able to pump an adequate supply to meet Layla's needs while she is at daycare (two pumps over 8.5 hours, puping 6-8oz total).  With the approval of her pediatrician, we have gradually begun to introduce her to almond milk, while the majority of her nutrition comes from breast milk and the foods that she eats. 
We nurse a.m and p.m and she takes one 6-8 oz bottle of BM + one 2-4oz bottle of BM and Almond Milk (original/unsweetened organic) combined. All in all she receives anywhere between 7 & 9 oz of BM while at daycare.

If your little refuses a bottle come time for daycare/family-care, HANG IN THERE. Know that you CANNOT force a bottle. Your baby will retro-feed (basically be glued to your breast the moment you're together until bedtime) when he or she is with you again. They will make up for it. Continue to practice bottle feeding (not-mommy if possible), while at home and also have your child's care-taker continue to offer your BM with ONE brand of bottle.  If you notice a drop in your baby's weight as a result of this refusal- contact your pediatrician!

We went with Dr.Browns ventilated bottles and after two months of NOT taking more than 1 to 2 oz of BM (first four weeks she refused it almost entirely), LAMM happily takes her 6-8 oz without an issue. 
She still prefers the 'booba'- and shows this by grabbing at the neck of my shirts every afternoon.... butttttttttt- that's a different blog post...


Happy Nursing & Pumping mamas!

To nurse...

First & most importantly- breast feeding is not for everyone.
Whether your milk does not come in, or formula is just a better route for you and your family- A fed baby, is a happy baby!

That said, if you are able to and elect to nurse, it is super important to have a strong and supportive network of friends and family.
I was fortunate enough to have a friends and relatives with nursing experience, a supportive boyfriend and an incredibly supportive family who didn't mind when I tucked away for an hour with my nursing newborn.

I also had an awesome lactation nurse. They worked with me on several different positions and gave me insight on what could happen to my body as I nursed. It is important to know each of the different positions you can hold your little because early nursing can be somewhat uncomfortable as you and your baby figure it all out, together.

We all cannot be expected to nurse the same way. What works for me may not work for you. However, I will share a few things that have helped me, some trials I have faced & how I have gotten and continue to get through them...

The many different nursing techniques/holds:

1. Cradle

2. Cross cradle

3. Football hold

4. Belly to Belly/Lying Down (my favorite! Especially helpful if you find yourself co-sleeping!)

In the hospital, we worked on cross cradle and football hold. I'm not sure if this is general practice, but the lactation consultant suggested them.

Our first few weeks at home were a bit difficult with nursing. Baby girl seemed to be latching slightly off on my left side and I didn't know what to do. Let me preach: Lanolin...lifesaver. End of story. 

I had encountered some BP issues through my pregnancy, so I visited the doctor a week after delivery. The nurse practitioner strongly suggested switching up nursing positions to put latching "pressure" on a different spot, thus avoiding the crack that I was desperate to have heal.

LAMM did not like football hold, but unfortunately- I was suffering from cracked and even bleeding nipples. After a few tries of football hold (while laying down on my bed with her) LAMM's latch corrected and my battle-wounds healed up and we were working together more smoothly. Things finally clicked!

#TreeofLife #Normalizebreastfeeding

EBF, Pumping, Supplementing or Formula Feeding?

This is a choice we all face with our new little ones and here is how I see it...FED is Best!! I apologize if you have read this already. I tend to reiterate this a LOT because it is so important to know. EBF is not everyone's best plan- do what is right for your family and do not allow anyone make you feel less!

Once LAMM was born, we supplemented. I was still off from my pregnancy hypertension and magnesium drip. I couldn't get up to nurse and didn't want the NICU pumping my baby with saline rather than giving her formula. That, to me, was not the route we wanted to take. So- for the first week or two, we supplemented with Similac Supplementing formula to allow Daddy time to bond with baby and mommy an extra few hours of sleep.

As baby girl grew, I began to nurse as often as possible- determined to get my supply up and producing. I was home with her all of the time, so this wasn't an issue.

When it came to pumping- I really didn't want to. That is putting it mildly.

LAMM was sleeping through the night and if I skipped that overnight pump- I was waking up in pools, wet shirts, wet sheet and I couldn't help but be upset at the waste. So I pumped and massaged and pumped and massaged. Determined to get every drop of liquid gold that I could. 

Five weeks after having Layla, I was laid off. This was truly a blessing in disguise. I was able to stay home with her until she turned 7 months and she was EBF up to that point. 

HOWEVER- my biggest battle with EBF is that my little will now NOT take a bottle without a fight. Even when she DOES take a bottle, she will only take half to 1 oz of breast milk before calling it quits. 

EBF mommy's- a piece of advice- give your baby atleast one bottle a day (if not more). If you have to return to work it will make things much easier on you and baby. If you are returning to work as a nursing mom- check out my pumping at work post!









Disclaimer: All opinions recorded on this blog are strictly my own. I am not a medical professional & my advice should not replace that of your own or your child's medical professional. Always consult a doctor before trying anything new with your child!