To start preparing for breastfeeding before I had my little man I changed my eating habits. I started eating foods that help promote healthy milk... blueberries, oatmeal, almonds, whole grains....I also started applying essential oils directly on my chest... fennel and ginger.
I had in my head for someone reason that I didn't want to buy a pump until I had at least 3-4 weeks of strictly nursing. I didn't want to have any reason to give up when it got difficult or even painful. If your pregnant and reading this DO NOT DO THAT!!!! Mr Noah had no problem latching on from the minute he was born. What I didn't realize prior to having him that when my milk finally did come in there would be the possibility of becoming severely engorged or even worse become ill from it.
Like clock work my milk came in on day 4. I will never forget that feeling. I woke up in the morning around 7am and couldn't left up out of my bed. My mother in law was staying with us and when she walked in her face look horrified. It was like I had to huge rocks on my chest. My mom had to help me out of bed and the poor baby was trying to nurse but I was so engorged that he couldn't get anything out. Luckily that morning I had a required lactation appointment at my doctors. I was barely able to get myself dressed and to the appointment. The lactation nurse gave me one look and said " Honey, your severely engorged... like a few hours away from an infection engorged!" She got out the pump and I had to stay there for an hour pumping until she felt I was ready to go home. I broke down and had to get a pump for at home. I have the Medela Pump In Style. Its amazing!
For the next 24 hours I had to pump every 2 hours. It was horrible! I was in so much pain but it all payed off. Within a few days my little man was able to nurse with out any problems. This would have never happen if I hadn't been so stubborn about not pumping the first month of nursing. I also regret not pumping in the first few days because I wasn't able to freeze any of the colostrum. Now that we are approaching flu season I would love to have those immunity boost in the freezer for Mr Noah.
To keep my milk supply rich and healthy I try to eat oatmeal every day with blueberries and almonds. I also drink Mothers Milk tea before bed with a drop of fennel oil. I can tell by the color of my milk when I pump if my diet hasn't been too good that day. Its amazing how the quality of your food does make a difference.
Here is a little trick to see how much milk your breast feed baby is really getting, weigh him or her before feeding then weigh again after. You should see at least 3-4 ounces in the beginning at every feeding. But all babies are different, my little man was eating 5 ounces by 4 weeks at every feeding.
 |
| My Happy Healthy Chunky Monkey 3 month old |
Happy Feeding Ladies!!!
