Breast feeding is stressful (in the beginning) Sorry - I'm being honest here. Yes, yes it is natural, beautiful and incredibly AMAZING (not to mention nutritious) for your baby and the bond between you.... but sometimes it doesn't go as easily as expected.
I never really considered that breastfeeding wouldn't happen easily for me - I just assumed it all clicked into place once baby arrived. I would be one of those amazing Earth Mamas.... breastfeeding without a care in the world, my body would just DO IT.
Hmmmm, perhaps not as easy as I thought.
Anyway I did manage to breastfeed. My supply sucked. I had vasospasm in my nipples which sucked. My boy DID suck rather well, but he didn't care if he was sucking a nipple or a teat from a bottle so I did a LOT of pumping to try and increase my flow. Pumping sucked too (literally) I felt like a cow. Anyhooo - we do what we have to do, and what we think is best at the time.
What I'm trying to get across with this post is that YES breastfeeding is an amazing thing you can do for your child... but it CAN be a bit of a struggle. There is so much help out there these days so lap it up!! Whatever happens for you, don't feel like a failure if breastfeeding doesn't work out. Give it a damn good go, of course - at the end of the day YOU know what is right for you and your baby, so trust that Mothering instinct you have.... trust those gut feelings.
Here's a few tips and tricks that might get the goods "flowing".......
Some grains/seeds like oatmeal, flaxseed and quinoa help boost milk supply, especially when loaded with butter and heavy cream for a tasty, filling oatmeal breakfast (or scroll down for a recipe idea)
Remember.... growth spurts commonly occur at around 10 days to 2 weeks, at 3 weeks, at 6 weeks, at 3 months, and again at 6 months. Baby will nurse more frequently during a time of rapid growth and not seem satisfied. I remember thinking I wasn't doing anything right at this point, as NOTHING I was doing would satisfy my little one.... man I wish I has known about growth spurts! After nursing frequently (okay, all the time) for a few days (feeling like a cow) your supply will increase to meet the demand, and most babies will level off and go back to a more predictable schedule. Also, many babies will "cluster feed" in the evenings before going to sleep. This is a normal pattern for a breastfed baby.
If you are still struggling you may like to try a few old herbal remedies - including my very own herbal tea blend (click picture to go to my Etsy store. I have formulated this tea to help support new Mums.... if you are interested in the power of herbs check out this info.
I never really considered that breastfeeding wouldn't happen easily for me - I just assumed it all clicked into place once baby arrived. I would be one of those amazing Earth Mamas.... breastfeeding without a care in the world, my body would just DO IT.
Hmmmm, perhaps not as easy as I thought.
Anyway I did manage to breastfeed. My supply sucked. I had vasospasm in my nipples which sucked. My boy DID suck rather well, but he didn't care if he was sucking a nipple or a teat from a bottle so I did a LOT of pumping to try and increase my flow. Pumping sucked too (literally) I felt like a cow. Anyhooo - we do what we have to do, and what we think is best at the time.
What I'm trying to get across with this post is that YES breastfeeding is an amazing thing you can do for your child... but it CAN be a bit of a struggle. There is so much help out there these days so lap it up!! Whatever happens for you, don't feel like a failure if breastfeeding doesn't work out. Give it a damn good go, of course - at the end of the day YOU know what is right for you and your baby, so trust that Mothering instinct you have.... trust those gut feelings.
Here's a few tips and tricks that might get the goods "flowing".......
- Encapsulate your placenta!!!
- Get high-quality protein into you! Lean red meats (organic please) like beef and kangaroo will also boost your iron which is typically low after childbirth. Tempeh and tofu along with pulses and legumes if you don't eat animals.
- Get enough calories (this is the #1 problem breastfeeding Mums have - you can't make rich milk if you're not getting enough to eat....EAT!)
- Eat quality fats, and enough of them (coconut oil, nuts, seeds, avocados, and organic butter are all good choices) Don't fear the fat - it's good stuff.
- WATER!!! Staying hydrated is KEY to milk production.... if you are sick of the plain stuff try coconut water for something different and keep chugging your raspberry leaf tea!
- Rest. I know this sounds like a joke at this point, but PLEASE take any opportunity that comes your way for a nap. Who cares if the house is a wreck or you have no clean clothes, everything will look that much sunnier after a snooze. Rest is paramount to milk production so DO IT. No ifs or buts..... you have to take care of yourself FIRST so you can be the best Mum possible.
Some grains/seeds like oatmeal, flaxseed and quinoa help boost milk supply, especially when loaded with butter and heavy cream for a tasty, filling oatmeal breakfast (or scroll down for a recipe idea)
Remember.... growth spurts commonly occur at around 10 days to 2 weeks, at 3 weeks, at 6 weeks, at 3 months, and again at 6 months. Baby will nurse more frequently during a time of rapid growth and not seem satisfied. I remember thinking I wasn't doing anything right at this point, as NOTHING I was doing would satisfy my little one.... man I wish I has known about growth spurts! After nursing frequently (okay, all the time) for a few days (feeling like a cow) your supply will increase to meet the demand, and most babies will level off and go back to a more predictable schedule. Also, many babies will "cluster feed" in the evenings before going to sleep. This is a normal pattern for a breastfed baby.
If you are still struggling you may like to try a few old herbal remedies - including my very own herbal tea blend (click picture to go to my Etsy store. I have formulated this tea to help support new Mums.... if you are interested in the power of herbs check out this info.
When all else fails.... make cookies.
Brewer's Yeast is something you should definitely add into your diet to help get those jugs filled up. Try and find someone who is going to reject these cookies - breastfeeding or NOT.
Brewer's Yeast is something you should definitely add into your diet to help get those jugs filled up. Try and find someone who is going to reject these cookies - breastfeeding or NOT.
Milk Boost-Biscuits
(not just for Mum's - perfectly fine to share.... if you want to, that is!)
(not just for Mum's - perfectly fine to share.... if you want to, that is!)
- 2 eggs
- 1/2C room temperature organic butter OR coconut oil
- 3T ground flax
- 1/8t sea salt
- 1t vanilla extract
- 1C wholemeal spelt flour (plain spelt flour OR regular plain flour will work well too)
- 1/2C whole oats
- 1/2C coconut sugar (or raw sugar)
- 1t baking powder
- 2T brewer's yest - more if you can handle it, it's got a bitter "vegemite" sort of flavor!
- 1/2C choc chips (or more, because you know you want to ...I buy dark vegan chocolate and chop into chunks) If you are avoiding chocolate try your favourite dried fruit/nuts/seeds.
- Mix , flour, oats, flax, Brewer's Yeast, chocolate, salt & baking powder in a large bowl.
- Cream together butter (or coconut oil that is not quite solid, but not overly runny) and coconut sugar until nice and fluffy.
- Add in vanilla & lightly whisked eggs.
- Add wet to dry - mix well.
- Line a baking sheet and place spoonfuls of the mixture on the tray. You can smooth out the cookies with slightly wet hands. The cookies DO spread a bit, so make sure there is sufficient room for them to do so - I usually make 12 large cookies.
- Bake for 12 minutes at 170 degrees, fan forced.
- Cool before moving to a wire rack.
- Store in an airtight container.
