My Breast-friends...

She was slightly jaundiced and they told us that we will need to supplement with formula, which meant bottle feeding, which also meant "nipple confusion" or so I thought. I nursed pumped and supplemented.  We also use Tommee Tippee bottles and have had zero nipple confusion.

I have to admit that I didn't feel guilty about having to supplement with formula. In fact I felt guilty about not feeling guilty. Breastfeeding is great and I advocate it 100%; however, I am grateful for the substitutes, such as Enfamil, that allow mommies, that are trying to cope with a lot already, a break and time to just take it all in. So, I guess you could say that I'm not a mommy snob that judges or criticizes a mother that strictly formula-feeds her baby

Breast pumps ar amazing. My mother-in-law, God bless her soul, bought me the Medela Swing Breast pump as a gift. That little sucker saved my life! It allowed me the liberty to nap and eat and scratch my head freely. These futile things are very much taken for granted, by the way.

Speaking of which, I would now like to take the time to brag about how easy breast feeding was for me. But, that would be a gross lie. It was hard and painful. She would latch on but not correctly. Then my milk wouldn't let down. It became such a painful and stressful experience that I would solely pump and supplement, no nursing.  I think that was the hardest part- not being able to nurse. It's different when you choose not to, but when that option is taken from you and you enjoyed it... it interrupts the bonding process and, at least for me, it took away a bit of the mommy feeling. I let my girls rest and heal for about a week and gave it another try. I'm not sure if I just got numb or if she improved her latch or suckling technique or all of the above, but it was an automatic, mindless process thereafter. I even learned the lying down breastfeeding position. It's been great!

At the hospital I asked the lactation specialist if she recommended any literature. She mentioned Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers. It has been a booby bible! It gives you the facts and benefits of breastfeeding, how and when to wean, how to help your baby latch, treat your sore nipples, when and how to pump and so on. This is a must! Just like many of us bought the "What to Expect..." book this is something every nursing mother should have on her night stand!!!

BRAS! I was a D cup to begin with so imagine how my cup over-floweth now! It's been a bit difficult finding the right nursing bra with enough support, functionality and comfort. As my night time bra I use the Medela Comfort Line Bra. I like it because it gives as much support a I need for night time feedings and it, true to form,  has the easy snaps that make me accessible at a moments notice. During the day I use camisoles or a nursing bra that my sister passed down to me. She might have bought it at Motherhood. It's ok. I'd like something with a little more support.  Like I said, I have yet to find the right bra for my girls. So, I guess I haven't truly found the best of my breast-friends yet. The search continues!

Screen them! I may not be a snob about formula/bottle feeding but I am a bit weary of the bust-a-boob out move. Yes, nursing is beautiful. And yes, it is natural thing, yadda, yadda, yadda. But, for those of us that are shy or flat out embarrassed of letting our girls be admired by anyone other than our husband, baby and gynecologist there is a solution- nursing screens.  I have had to do it in public- in a waiting room and in the church's restroom but, even though we all have 'em I use the Munchkin Jelly Bean Nursing cover. I take her everywhere I go. And if I were to ever erroneously leave her behind I can always use a blanket to hide my goods. Sure everyone knows what's going on under there but it relieves SOME of the awkwardness.

Overall, breastfeeding has been as predictable as motherhood itself. Which means not at all. Things happen and one can't always do what the agenda or even the pamphlets say. It is beautiful and time consuming. It is stressful and joyous. It is painful and natural. It is everything and nothing and I wouldn't change it for the world!

Having breast-friends have eased me into the whole process. Without these essentials/buddies, I'm not sure how I could have survived the first couple weeks... I still have a ways to go! <3

I also used:
Boppy Pillow
First Years Lanolin free Nipple Butter (for sore nipples)
First Years Cleanse & refresh soothing Breast Wipes