Breastfeeding: My Story

Breastfeeding was (is) supposed to be a wonderful experience. "It's natural." "Babies are born to breastfeed." So many slogans are out there touting the simplicity and benefits. Yes, you sometimes hear horror stories of cracked and bleeding nipples or the dreaded "I didn't make enough milk," but overall, moms are told it will be an easy and convenient process.

What I've learned since having my son? It is anything but.

I planned on breastfeeding from the moment I saw those two lines. I knew the benefits and all of the basics. I mean, IT'S MY JOB to counsel expecting and new moms on breastfeeding. I read the books, I have the license (CLC), I knew it all.

Then my son was born. 8lbs 12oz of screaming, wonderful, joy.

He came out rooting!

His latch was beautiful. What a relief! I had no worries that breastfeeding was going to be anything but easy from then on. He clusterfed all night, which is what I was told is normal (and it is!). We discharged a little over 24hours after he was born.

At his peds appointment the next day, his weight had dropped to 7lbs 15oz. That's about 9%. 10% is considered concerning.

So I kept feeding over the weekend. Every 2.5-3 hours, we'd latch and "feed". On Monday, his weight was still 7lbs 15oz. I was crushed. His pediatrician, bless his heart, tried to be very optimistic and said, "Well he probably lost another ounce or two then gained it back, so that's good!" But he was still a little jaundiced and wasn't having enough output to clear the jaundice, so something had to be done.

Long story short, I started supplementing using and SNS (which I hated) to help J-man gain some weight. I also rented a hospital grade breast pump to help increase my supply. After three weeks of feeding on both sides, measuring supplement, recording intake, pumping, recording output (repeat), I was able to wean him from the supplement and "fully breastfeed."

Somehow, someway, by the grace of God, we breastfed until 10 months when he and I decided it was time to wean.

MILK DRUNK

Here's what I've learned:

Breastfeeding is hard work. Especially for first time breastfeeding moms. Its a learning process for both mom and baby. Just know there will probably be some difficulty in the beginning whether it be supply related (over- or under-), latch related, or baby just not cooperating. Until you both get the hang of it, and your supply regulates, it is anything but dandelions and daisies.

Supplementing is not a defeat. At the end of the day, we have to feed the baby. It doesn't matter how or with what. This was the hardest thing to wrap my head around. Please know that giving your baby expressed breastmilk counts as supplementing! If you produce enough either by pump or hand expression, you can use that to supplement. It doesn't have to be formula. However, if you aren't producing enough at the moment, formula exists. And formula isn't the devil. It will help to keep your baby alive and well. I'm planning to write a post about formula vs breastmilk later because there are MANY, many misunderstandings when it comes to formula.

There are many misconceptions about pumping. There is such a thing as "pump envy". I discovered this as I was struggling to pump an 20ml at each session. Seeing women who pump 8oz per session is enough to send a struggling pumper over the edge! I can't stress this enough to moms: It is average to pump 1-2oz combined during a pump session. Bodies respond differently to pumps. Some women respond very well to a pump. Those are the moms who are pumping bottles at a time! Others, like myself, need to pump multiple times per day to get enough for  bottles. If you're struggling with pumping, I'd encourage you to try and manual pump (I like the Medela Harmony) or hand expression. Many find that they can express double the amount with hand expression than with an electric pump.

Bottle feeding is OK. Yes, nipple confusion can happen. But babies are smart and can be taught to like both the breast and the bottle. If you do have to use a bottle, be sure to use the slow flow nipples. Find the "newborn" nipple, or even the "premature" nipple. When you flip the bottle over, it should barely drip, if at all. Also when feeding, use what is called "Paced Feeding." There is a great article on that here. My son never had an issue going back and forth between the two. In fact, I think having to supplement early on using a bottle made going back to to work easier because I was confident the sitter wouldn't have any issues feeding him.

The "Mom World" is tough. No mother, I repeat, NO MOTHER should ever be made to feel like they are failing their child. It is in our genes to care for these little screaming aliens that we birth and to do everything that we can for them. The Mom World is so incredibly judgmental and mean. I can't help but to feel embarrassed and ashamed by the thoughts passed on forums and the never ending Facebook groups about the cruelty and harm that comes from not breastfeeding your child, or letting them cry, or not putting them down, etc. I hate that I feel included simply because I am a mom. It doesn't matter how we care for our babies because we are still caring for our babies. At the end of the day, if they baby is fed and happy, you are a good mom.

Breastfeeding can be tough. No questions about it. Like my IBCLC told me, Never quit on a hard day. If it is something you want for your baby, you will make it work. It might take some blood, sweat, and tears, but you'll get there mama!



**I believe support is HUGE when it comes to breastfeeding. If you need a breastfeeding friend, feel free to let me know :D

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Vintage Card Box

When I was pregnant, I had some crafty moments. It was almost my form of "nesting". One of which came after one of my showers. I went to sit down and write some thank you cards and I had to sift through an entire stack to scrounge up a couple of cards. It took more than a minute, which is enough to drive a pregnant lady mad.

The Lord must have spoken to my mother, because she showed up soon thereafter with materials to make a card box. (My mother has a tendency to read your mind and show up with things you need before you even know it. She's amazing) So a card box was made!

Materials Needed:
Wooden box with inside and bottom painted color of choice
12-14 pieces of scrapbook paper
5-6 pieces of card stock (depending on how many dividers you'd like)
Distress Ink
Mod Podge
Makeup Sponge
Sand Paper
Printed Labels for the dividers



1. Using the box as a template, create a template for the dividers and cut each out of card stock. Then cut scrapbook paper to cover both the front and back

2. Trim scrapbook paper to cover each side of the box

(Hard part is done!)

3. Spread a thin layer of Mod Podge over each side and cover with scrapbook paper. Be sure to work out any bubbles or puckers in the paper. Allow to dry.

4. While the box is drying,  Cover one side of the card stock dividers with scrapbook paper using Mod Podge. Allow to dry.

Helpful Hint: Put heavy books on the pieces once mostly dried to prevent curling

5. Once dry, brush a thin layer of Mod Podge over each scrapbook piece.

6. When covering the dividers, place each label towards the top and cover with Mod Podge.

7. Once everything is completely dry, use the makeup sponge to put Distress Ink along the edges of the box and dividers.

8. Use the sandpaper to "rough up" the edges, creating a vintage look.

9. Place dividers in your box and Voila! You have a fancy looking card box to keep all of those cards straight.

Enjoy!

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DIY Maternity Pillow

Hey Friends! I've moved this post to my new site! Click HERE to see my post on the DIY Maternity Pillow!

Enjoy!! Happy crafting :)

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My New "Clean" life

I debated posting this because I doubt anyone really cares, so this is more of a "get if off of my chest" post! You have been warned :)

I mentioned in my last post how I have been introduced to all of the Rules of Pregnancy. The rules are great in number and I feel like they change every day causing all sorts of confusion and frustration. I do like to research claims and the like, so I have spent lots of time on the internet looking up supportive data for these so called rules.

What I have found? A whole bunch of contradicting statements, articles, studies, etc. Very seldom is there anything definitive. It is beyond annoying.

One that amused me from the start was: Don't use lipstick. .....What? They say this because of potential effects of everyday chemicals as they may cause harm to your baby in utero and even once they are born. And they aren't saying just lipstick, there are apparently lots of harmful everyday chemicals. By everyday chemicals, I mean the ones found in food, body products, cleaning products, etc.

Now, I've never been one to go along with hype. In fact, I hate hype. I hate hype because it usually stems from one person's or group's idea with little or no basis behind it, then attracts a bandwagon of followers who will believe and do anything they are told.

Case in point:

But the lack of information on the effects chemicals have on your body is astonishing. We are living out each day using products and putting chemicals on our bodies that could be harmful to us, and - here is the kicker - we really have no clue what chemicals are bad, or why! 

So, I decided to approach this the same way I do what I eat: Do the best you can with what you know to be true. 

There are a few chemicals that we do know are bad and that have had research done supporting their damaging effects: parabens, triclosan, and oxybenzone. All three are known to be endocrine disrupters, and parabens have been linked to cancer. Another one is PEGs. Any ingredient that has 'PEG' in front of it can be converted into a carcinogen during manufacturing, and this ingredient is the one I see the most.

You'd think it would be easy to just avoid things with chemicals like the three mentioned above, but no. Its incredibly difficult. AND there are multiple companies out there that "greenwash," or say they have pure/organic/natural ingredients but might not. I won't mention them unless asked because I have plenty of friends who swear by their products, and that is fine!! It's all a matter of belief.

I set out to find natural alternatives of products that I use on a daily basis and it turned out to be a nightmare. I couldn't find anything that only had ingredients I recognized or trusted. I spent a lot of time on the EWG website comparing products and trying to find what worked. And let me tell you, all of these products get expensive!

I have a friend who sells an organic line through direct sales, and I had bought some bathroom and window cleaner from her a while back. I took to researching (shocker!) and found that the company she sells for has very clean products. AND they are the kind of products I use; like makeup,  body care, and cleaning supplies.

There are a few organic direct sales lines out there, and I did look into all of them. I decided to join my friend and sign up for Ava Anderson for a few reasons:

1. I actually trust the products. Other organic lines often had questionable ingredients, or were too expensive.
2. Using them makes me feel better, not only about my own health, but the health of my family and dog (she likes to lick windows...)
3. I need the discount to be able to afford natural products!!

Ava Anderson is my attempt at "cleaning up" my life in a way I can afford. At this time, I don't really plan on doing the direct sales thing of pushing product. However, I am all about sharing what I have learned and the products if someone asks. I absolutely love the products and will most likely talk about them a lot in the posts to come.

If you'd like to look at the Ava lines, you can visit my page HERE!

I'm excited about this new direction with my personal care. It is helping my self esteem and trust in my motherly abilities, knowing that everything I do right now affects the little guy inside of my belly.

If you would like to join me on this journey, please let me know :)

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5 Things Pregnancy Has Taught Me...So Far

Pregnancy has been nothing like what I imagined. To be honest, I really had no idea what to expect! As little girls, we most often dream of our weddings and being a mother or wife (if that's what you'd like). Well, I must have skipped dreaming about the getting to being a mother part.

You always hear one of two things when other moms talk about pregnancy: A) "I LOVED being pregnant", or B) "It was the worst thing I've ever gone through." I can't say my allegiance is strongly with one side or the other. I have my days of living in pregnancy bliss and then I have other days when I am absolutely miserable. I have a feeling this is normal though.

I'm a little over half way through now and learning more and more about myself, my baby, and my future life every day. Here are some of the lessons I've learned thus far, and what I can tell first time expecting moms!

It goes very fast. I cannot believe the 30 week mark is approaching, not to mention single digit weeks until Baby H is here! It seems like just yesterday that I was taking the test and now, it has taken over my life, in a good way of course! I do feel like I have been pregnant for a long time, but I might be a little sad when I am no longer. I do regret not taking more bump pictures along the way. Word of advice to the newly pregnant, take lots of pics! Oh, and because the time is so short, don't spend lots of money on maternity clothes. See if friends have some you can borrow or secondhand-it. No use in spending a crazy amount on an entirely separate wardrobe for such a short time!

There are a lot of rules. So. Many. Rules. Don't eat this, don't do that. I swear sometimes it feels like you're in preggo jail. The worst part is if you aren't up to date on the rules (heaven forbid!) and someone sees you committing a crime (i.e. eating a hot dog, gasp!) they will definitely give you the eye and pull the, "Are you really going to eat that? Do you know what that can do to your baby?" It is awful. Sometimes I feel like I am in high school again! I feel so self conscious when we go out to eat like I might choose something wrong. And most of the supporting information for these "rules" is contradictory. One place will tell you to eat a salad every day, then another will tell you leafy greens can't be trusted and are usually too high in Vitamin A anyway, so don't eat them. FOR THE LOVE! If you have a question, ask your doctor. If you are trusting them to deliver your baby, you can trust them to tell you what is and isn't safe. Don't check the internet, it will only terrify and confuse you.

All I want in life right now is a salami sandwich. You know what? I might just eat a salami sandwich if I want to. And no, that does not mean I am a bad Mom, it means I am human, oh, and pregnant.

Pregnancy brain is a real thing. Oh boy, is it a real thing. I have this one bad too. Before pregnancy, I felt so on top of my game. Now? Not so much! It is incredibly frustrating forgetting where you put things or commitments you have made. I was never good at writing things down, but now make myself or else there is no promising I'll remember! My husband and I have an agreement that he can't get upset with me for forgetting things or being indecisive while pregnant. He didn't understand that I really couldn't help it! While frustrating, it can also be comical...once the initial tears from embarrassment and frustration pass. You will be able to laugh about it later, I promise!

Pregnancy can make you your own worse nightmare. I struggle with worry and anxiety. Unfortunately, these traits mixed with pregnancy are a recipe for disaster. It is difficult, for me anyway, to not know exactly what is happening inside of me. I read into every little symptom that comes along. Because I like research, and knowing what is going on (say it with me, "Control Freak"), I'll usually try to find out what it means on my own. This never ends well...usually I'm speeding off to my doctor's office or calling them in tears. Its exhausting. I'm working really hard on staying positive and trusting my doctors when they tell me everything is just fine! I can't really help out with this area because I still haven't learned to control it myself!

Everyone's pregnancy is different. This is the most important thing I have learned and had to repeat over and over again to myself. I am blessed to be pregnant at the same time as a handful of my friends. It has been so much fun laughing, venting, and crying with each other as we go through this journey. However, it is hard not to compare your own journey to theirs. I remember someone asking me around 18 weeks if I had felt Baby kick yet because they started feeling it at 14 weeks. I hadn't, and I immediately thought something was wrong. Nothing was wrong, my pregnancy timeline was just different. My preggo support team had to help me through that one! This is also why googling symptoms doesn't work. A symptom can mean one thing for one mom but something totally different for another. Again, just ask your doctor. They know more about your situation than "Mama79472" on babycenter.com ;)


If you have anything to add, please do so in a comment! I love learning hearing other mommy-to-be stories!

<3
Me

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