Boobs are boss (.)(.)

This is my second blog on breastfeeding but I feel like I am a seasoned breast feeder - (see earlier blog) I expressed for my first babe, my second babe I fed for 17 months expressed an breast and my third babe is exclusively breastfed with breast and EBM - expresses breast milk). One of my best friends is due to have a baby soon and wanted them to know the ins an outs of breast feeding, I said I would write her a little info booklet then I thought I may aswell share it will all.

First things first! I’m going to be brutally honest! It’s hard graft (at first well maybe for the first six weeks to eight weeks) but let me tell you it’s completely worth it! And once you get past the initial hard bit - it’s gets 100% easier you have milk on tap any time day or night at the right temperature, right amount for your baby, no worries about were your going to make a bottle.

Many woman say they can’t make enough for their baby or their milk didn’t come in. This is often a misconception as less than 1% of the population cannot make enough milk for their baby. Some maternal conditions can make it difficult for milk to come but I would advise you see your nearest lactation consultant. However it may take a few days for your milk to come in, (especially if you have had a c-section) In the early days though your body makes colostrum baby’s only need a tiny amount about a teaspoon full each feed.

Colostrum:

Colostrum can be harvested from about 37weeks pregnant (always check with your doctor and or your midwife - there can be certain medically conditions this would not be advised) the colostrum can be hand expressed and frozen and taken into the hospital with you (incase you have a difficult birth or your baby doesnt latch straight away). I took around 30ml into hospital with me and used it all.

The first few days:

While you are awaiting for the milk to come in you can encourage it with lots of skin to skin and don’t limit the time your baby is on the breast. A top tip would be accept help and food from family and friends. Also lots of comfy cushions (maybe a breastfeeding cushion or your pregnancy pillow) also get Netflix or loads of DVD’s or box sets. Be prepared to spend a lot of time on the couch or in bed (soon you will be a pro and be able to make a meal with your baby on your left one but for now just get used to it) Also use this time as wonderful bonding time for you and your baby.

Also be prepared with lots of fluids the thirst is unbelievable (bottles of water or juice everywhere you go) an lots of Oates to help milk production that could be oat porridge, flap jacks, biscuits or milk in tea. Also you will be hungry to just keep eating anything an everything.

Sore nipples and boobs:

This may happen (not always) first of all get some nipple cream & breast pads are essential (leakage is not fun especially when your in The Asda with no baby and another baby cries and your boobs immediately thinks it’s feeding time and they spray everywhere).

Anyway hot an cold compresses are also great for when the milk comes in and the boobs fill up (big time). I think I got mine from boots they are like jelly bags they can go in the fridge and can be warmed (they are a god send).

There’s also no need for your nipples to get sore past the first few weeks an certainly not threw the whole feed this can be due to loads of different issues like baby’s latch, position and tongue tie. First contact your midwife or health visitor they will direct you to your nearest breastfed support group if you are in Liverpool :

BAMBIS - Liverpool

Breastfeeding support Sefton - Sefton

Knowsley breastfeeding support - Knowsley

NCT - national childbirth trust

Association of breastfeeding mothers- Facebook 

The pressure:

The pressure to get your teeny tiny baby into a “routine” - unfortunately babies haven’t read the book that you want them to sleep threw the night! Anyway it’s not normal to sleep threw the night for a breastfed babe ( also I love nothing more than being awake in the quiet hours just me and her time no one else - don’t get me wrong it’s very tiring and tough at times but the most rewarding you will remember those moments forever) 

Daddy’s:

Some may think breastfeeding is “hard on Dads because they want to feed the baby” well let me tell you they can help in other ways like passing the baby to you bringing you drinks and snacks (they can have skin to skin too). My husband absolutely loves me breastfeeding for loads of reasons (probably the biggest one he doesn’t have to get up in the night). But if they were that gutted about not feeding they could give a bottle of EBM (while you rest).

Get the family & friends on side:

Sometimes if you haven’t come from a breastfeeding family there attitudes could be different. They may not understand why the baby isn’t sleeping threw the night or may have bad attitudes towards breastfeeding but just explain why your doing this to help them understand.

Make sure you accept all help food, drinks washing, ironing and especially taking your other children for a few hours. Breastfeeding in the early days can be absolutely exhausting as it is physically draining (literally).

The Benefits:

Suckling at the breast is a pain reliever, a stress reliever and a sleep induced! 

Burns 500 calories a day (it all helps with the baby bod).

Reduces your baby’s risk of SIDS.

Reduces the risk of childhood leukaemia.

Reduces the risk of obesity.

Reduces the risk of infections (fewer trips to hospital.

Reduces the risk of breast cancer (in mum).

Reduces the risk of ovarian cancer.

Reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

Having a night out:

Some mums don’t need to but I certainly did! So pumping is essential but I will discuss that in a moment. Drinking and feeding as long as your not too drunk to hold and feed your baby you can feed away there’s loads of research to say it’s completely safe and the amount of alcohol that transfers to the milk is minimal so there is no need to pump and dump. However do not co-sleep if you have had any alcohol as the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) is increased.

Expressing:

I have expressed for all three of my babes from birth in hospital and at home I actually express 3-4 times a day currently  as her weight gain is poor. In hospital and at home I use an Ardo calypso double pump I was advised by one of the BAMBIS In Liverpool Women’s hospital to buy this (hospital grade pump) when my second babe  had spent some time in neonates. To be honest it’s the best money I have ever spent it’s a hospital grade pump it can be plugged into the wall or battery powered (so you can pump on the move - I’ve only just found this out🤣) 

Feeding in public:

Can be a tricky one ( I remember my first feed it was awful I couldn’t latch Doll on ended up in the car in tears) but IT GETS EASIER. 

Weather you choose to feed with a cover or your boob out your doing an amazing job.

I found getting the baby to latch under a cover was difficult in the end the cover got lashed.

You can feed when and where ever you like feed (in the UK not sure about everywhere else but all the countries I have been to with my girls no one has batted an eyelid even as she was older) 

In fact people seem more tolerant in other country (TOLERANT why should people even have to be its the most natural thing in the world just ignorant idiots who think otherwise).

There are many feeding rooms in different shops I don’t usually go in them (my preference is rather sit in a cafe an feed my face)

But also in Liverpool there are the BAMBI signs in the window of cafes, shops buses to show that breastfeeding is welcome in that establishment! 

This brings me nicely into the last part of my blog people can be unthoughtful and tactless to say the least, I’ve just wrote a few down to give you a idea but don’t but out of by these comments they are just here to prepare you.

The comments:

So to be honest I haven’t had that much negativity but it is out there! But here is some of the usual comments.

How long are you going to be feeding for?

My response: it’s really non of your business is it your not doing it so you don’t need to know

Why don’t you give her a bottle so other people can feed her?

My response: if I wanted that I would of formula fed. Again non of your business 

Isn’t it easier to give formula instead of getting up threw the night?

My response: er no I don’t fancy going downstairs in the night I’d rather just whip my boob out and we’re both back in the land of nod in no time

She’s obviously not getting enough she’s always feeding? 

My response: no there’s so many reasons baby may feed, thirst, hunger, comfort and cuddles (and many more)

How do you know she’s even getting enough milk?

My response: I just do it’s a magical power I possess (FYI as long as baby is having wet an dirty nappies and gaining weight that is a pretty good indicator)

People feel the need to give you unsolicited advice you neither wanted or asked for. About their ideas on breastfeeding.

So there are many ways you can go about telling them either the polite ways, tell them to fuck off or squirt them in the eye! 

Keep on boobing ladies your doing fab!