Long before getting pregnant I knew I wanted to breastfeed. Breastfeeding has so many benefits for both mama and baby. Benefits such as providing ideal nutrition, increased bonding between mama and baby, and baby receiving protection against some short- and long-term diseases. I did quite a bit of research about breastfeeding and even attended a breastfeeding class. Still, there are some important things I wish I knew before breastfeeding.
5 important things I wish i knew before breastfeeding
1. Breastfeeding is natural but it may not come naturally.
Getting the hang of something, especially if you’ve never done it before, takes time. It only makes sense that both mama and baby may have to adjust to this new journey.
If you’re a first time mama like myself, or really at any stage in your motherhood journey, always remember that practice makes progress. If at any point you feel like you or baby just aren’t getting it, speaking with a lactation consultant can be very helpful.
2. Both Nursing and pumping breast milk are breastfeeding
If your baby is getting milk from your breast, be it directly or indirectly, you are still breastfeeding. Interestingly, I never thought of this. I started out combo feeding Turtle (that’s my baby’s nickname) by nursing and pumping for bottles.
When asked if he is breast or bottle fed, I used to feel confused because the question implies that bottle fed babies only receive formula, not breast milk. However, this is clearly not the case. So, if anyone ever tries to tell you that you are not breastfeeding because you pump, don’t be afraid to tell them they’re wrong.
3. Nausea is can happen during let down.
This is the one thing I really wish I knew before breastfeeding. I was not prepared for the nausea AT ALL! They never mentioned nausea occurring during let down in my breastfeeding class. I also never came across this while doing my research.
It wasn’t until I started my own breastfeeding journey that I experienced and then learned that it was normal. Thankfully, it doesn’t usually last very long.
4. You may have an oversupply in the beginning.
When I first started breastfeeding, my supply was pretty high. I could nurse Turtle and still be able to pump 3-4 oz from each breast. I also remember a time I pumped over 9 oz in one sitting between nursing sessions.
I thought my supply would be this way forever but it actually leveled out around the 12 week mark.
I currently nurse Turtle on demand so my body produces what he needs. If I do pump right after nursing, my output is about 1-2 oz.
5. Your breastfeeding journey is just that, YOURS!
Just like pregnancy, the breastfeeding journey is unique to each person. There are things that work well for one mama that may not work so well for the next.
One thing is for sure though, there is a breastfeeding community that’s willing to embrace you with open arms. While the journey is your own, finding your tribe is important because they’ll provide you with the support you need to keep going.
Are you a breastfeeding mama? What are some things you wish you knew before breastfeeding?
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If you want to read more about my breastfeeding journey beyond 12 months, you can read about it here.
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