Breastfeeding (and a mini-update)

Evie has started to become mobile, through rolling over and scooting, so I'm finding less time to sit and relax and more time finding ways to entertain her so she will just sit and relax. She began sitting up about 3 weeks ago and has mastered the art of it. As of today, she appears to be entering the fussy phase of teething. We haven't found any tooth buds yet, but her gums have hard spots underneath so I'm assuming that those are her teeth getting ready to explode out and become little razor blades on my just-toughed-up-enough-to-breastfeed nipples.

Speaking of breastfeeding....I realize this is a topic that I have woefully left out of much of my writing. Of course this is all about Evie, but where do you think Evie gets her nourishment!? So let me talk a little about breastfeeding.

In the beginning, it was very painful. Since, as you know, she was in the NICU, I had to pump from the start. I didn't really get a good explanation so my chance of succeeding at breastfeeding went way down. Luckily I was pretty damn determined to breastfeed successfully. I used a nipple shield for a few weeks after we got her home from the hospital and eventually weaned her off of it to go bare nipple. That caused a bit of pain for awhile and really, just now my nipples have toughened up for the most part. I've endured middle of the night "misses" hickeys, chomps from gums and the terrible tearing at my nipples that she has decided is a thing now. 

(With her fingers, see?)

I had an oversupply in the beginning due to pumping and then nursing and pumping when we got her home. I kept up the every-3-hours schedule for longer than I needed to, eventually cutting out the middle of the night pumping sessions out of pure exhaustion. Evie didn't mind, she was sleeping through the night regardless!

I cut back to 4 sessions during the day for awhile and stored up a TON of milk. When I found an opportunity to donate it to help another mama in need, I did it. At that point I dropped down to pumping a couple times a day to build my personal stash back up, but then the mama asked me to be a regular donor. After I had my stash, I donated to her. I had to stop when I got mastitis and started birth control because my supply took a hit, but I started again when it recovered. 

Just a couple weeks ago I met another mama who needed milk and my heart was tugged enough to add in a third pumping session to make enough for her too. All the while feeding Evie on demand! These breasts are going through the ringer.

If there's anything I want to share about breastfeeding, it's this:

1. Moving milk makes milk. If you're worried about your supply, first make sure there's anything to worry about, but if it's confirmed, just pump/feed/pump/feed as much as you can. Your breasts are a factory, not a warehouse. Demand milk and milk will come. Leave it there and it will go away.

2. Pumping doesn't indicate supply. I used to pump 11-14oz in a single session. I donated a LOT of milk then. Now I get anywhere from 3-8 ounces depending on the time of day and when Evie last ate. I have had days where I got barely an ounce from both sides combined. Output depends on a lot of factors, including hydration, if you've been eating enough calories, stress, as well as medicines you may be taking. 

3. Believe you can do it and you can. Seriously. I know so many moms that quit because it was too hard or too much of a hassle. It really isn't. Finding hot water in the middle of the zoo is hard. Popping a boob in a mouth in the food court is the easiest thing ever. Don't give up on a bad day. Get help and find a friend who can help you succeed. Refuse to give up!

nom nom nom

Okay, now I have to cover the formula moms too. As much as I am PRO breastfeeding, the important part is that baby is getting nourishment. Formula gets the job done too, so there's no shame in feeding formula. There are many reasons to do so and not all of them are medical, and that's okay. Love you all the same. :)

Bonus pic of Evie because I am a show-off. :)