First off, all moms and dads are welcome here regardless of how they decide to feed their baby.
I am a breastfeeding mom and advocate for breastfeeding but we all have a choice and ultimately fed is best.
Sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan and we have to adjust. Some babies have gut issues and don’t tolerate breast milk, mommies may need to undergo medical precedures or they simply do not want to breastfeed. There are options for all of us.
As for me, I have breastfed 3 babies and have pumped with all three – more with one than the others.
I breastfed my first for 2 years, my second for 3 years and I’m still breastfeeding my third. I had problems pumping with my first and that experience was completely different to the next 2 so if you had problems before with breastfeeding or pumping , don’t discard the idea for the next baby.
Let’s talk breastfeeding:
Breastfeeding has many benefits for both mom and baby. Many of us know about the benefits for baby but we often forget about the benefits for mom.
Breast milk boosts baby’s immune system and provides the nutrients they need. It is often the best option for babies and helps their digestion. It is also the best option for premature babies. The advantages continue even after a year old. It is now reccomended to breastfeed for 2 years.
For moms, breastfeeding may reduce risk of ovarian and breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus among others benefits.
Breastfeeding can be hard and challenging but it is very rewarding. The bonding between mom and baby is incredible. Other factors that may impact your journey are pain, diet restrictions and bra usage.
What diet restrictions?
During breastfeeding, the mom will need to limit caffeine and alcohol intake. Medications can also pass through the breast milk therefore it is important to monitor what substances go into your body and are passed to the baby through your milk. I myself have had to limit spices and some fruits due to sensitivities on my babies. These sometimes resolve by themselves in toddlerhood so its not a permanent diet restriction.
Lets talk about pain while breastfeeding. Pain can be caused by poor latching, engorgement, clogged ducts, mastitis and yeast infection.Keep an eye for any redness, sore spots and fever. Please don’t give up. If you are having issues breastfeeding, a lactation consultant or your Local LaLegue can help you.
A regular bra can impact your breastfeeding/pumping journey too. The underwire can not only cause pain but it causes unnecessary pressure on the breast. Normally this can even cause cysts but when producing milk, the pain and discomfort can be signals of milk ducts, mastitis and other problems.
What is mastitis?
Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue. It usually occurs when a milk duct gets clogged, and the trapped breast milk gets infected with bacteria. You may need antibiotics and other medication to treat the mastitis. If you notice any redness and experience pain, do not freak out. Use a warm and moist compress and then massage the area, feed on demand or pump to break up the blockage. If it does not resolve in 24hrs or you have a fever, call your doctor.
In order to minimize this problem, you can wear bralettes. Good bralettes are supportive and will have an easy access to the breast so you can inset your pump or breastfeed easily. I often avoid any bralettes that have thin straps as they dig into my shoulders and cause pain.
Often mommas with larger breast cannot find good bralettes that can support the weight of their breast and feel comfortable all day. Many resort to using regular bras without knowing it can cause issues.
You may find yourself hacking your regular bras or sewing new straps (I see you!) and there is nothing wrong with making what you have work but these don’t need any modifications. They are comfortable from pregnancy to breastfeeding and pumping.
My suggestion is to grab a few of these:
Why are these my picks?
Davin & Adley is designed by a breastfeeding and pumping momma of three. The brand includes sizes S to 2X (Woohoo!) and are more comfortable than all nursing bras I’ve tried. They are useful during pregnancy to avoid the digging under the breast and adjustable/stretchy enough to grow with your growing body.
I had been a lurker of her work while I breastfed Emi but thinking that we were at the end of our journey and we wouldn’t have another, I never ordered. I used SOMA nursing bras and loved them but I felt like an old lady. How I regret not getting D&A sooner. D&A fits better and I feel beautiful. The bralettes are absolutely stunning and no one would ever guess they are breastfeeding and pumping bralettes.
I honestly think any woman could rock these especially if they have size fluctuations. These bras are adjustable, comfortable and supportive. No ugly clips in sight. My teen has even asked for some. She thinks they are so cute.
My favorite every day bralette is the Logan. It is a breastfeeding friendly sports bra; comfortable and supportive enough to workout. The lace front is beautiful and acceptable to poke through tops.
If you want a cami style to avoid wearing a top or for layering, then the Amelia is for you. It features a lace back that levels up your look instantly.There is even a swim version, yaaaas!
I personally haven’t tried the Autumn or Paisley but I they are just as beautiful and I imagine they are just as supportive.
The Ella is my husbands favorite. It will make you feel like a goddess. It features lace edging which looks incredible poking out of tops and looks normal. The magnetic clips for quick release but a strong hold.
You gave birth but you are still a woman. You don’t need to wear ugly, misshapen bralettes. You need support. You need to feel beautiful and loved. Say it with me, “I’m sexy and I know it”
Get back to feeling like yourself!
You may even gift these to your friend, sister or wife. I promise she will love them for years to come.
If you can’t afford these or any bralettes, I suggest ditching the bra altogether to avoid any unwanted pressure on your ducts.
The breastfeeding benefits surely outweigh the discomfort of the first weeks, engorgement and diet restrictions. If you want to make breastfeeding work, stay consistent, positive and remember that if it doesn’t work, you didn’t fail. You are doing the best you can.
Let’s talk pumping and increasing production
Contrary to popular belief, pumping during you last trimester won’t make your supply larger. It is also not advisable as it can trigger contractions. It won’t cause your baby to come. Bbay comes when baby wants. There is no point in pumping while pregnant. It will only cause discomfort.
Pumping is just as important as breasfeeding and often harder for mommas. Pumping takes consistency and effort. Some mommas pump exclusively to feed their babies.
Pumps are usually a great investment but not everyone can afford them. If you have the opportunity to rent and try before purchase, that would be my first go to as many hospitals have pumps for rent. You don’t want to use your insurance benefits or pay for a pump to end up hating it.
There are many pumps in the market and you will always find someone that loves and hates pumping. We are all different and pumps dont work for everyone in the same way.
Always check with your insurance for coverage. I suggest to get what you can from your insurance and if that doesn’t work for you or you have very particular needs, then look into another pump. The upgrade cost is not always a good deal.
I usually pump to alleviate any clogged ducts and to build an emergency milk supply. My favorite wired pump is the Spectra S2. I feel more comfortable with it over the Medela and I like how customizable the settings are. It is a powerful pump and definitively helped me when I needed to up my supply one day to the next.
My favorite wireless is the Elvie because it is comfortable and the milk container is easy to clean. Elvie is good for two pumping sessions and is ready to re-use after an hour of charging. The pump is small and easy to travel with as it is smaller and weighs less than the S2. It is particularly useful in the car where a regular electric outlet is not present. I only own a single Elvie and often use it while my baby feeds on the opposite breast or I’m on the move.
If you are only going to use one – I’d suggest the Spectra S2, it is powerful and usually covered by insurance. I like the wireless feature of the Elvie but it is important to note, it is not as powerful and sometimes I forget I have it on and end up spilling. There are pros and cons to both, some people rave with Medela and I absolutely hated it.
How do you increase production?
- Make sure you drink enough water to hydrate yourself and compensate for the water used in the milk production. You should be drinking around 16 cups of water daily.
- Relax and try not to think about the amount of milk you are producing, instead think of your baby.
- Sticking into a routine will help too
- Breast compression and massages can help – check these out – Your pump may have a letdown/massage cycle too.
- Latch your baby as much as possible – target to latch or pump every 2 hours. If your baby is available, latch your baby. Use the pump when the baby is unavailable, sleeping or you are at work. You should pump for 15-30 minutes trying to mimic a regular session. The increase in sessions will signal the body that more milk is required to feed your baby. It might take a few days of consistently doing this to see an increase.
- Try different nursing positions with your baby. In the first weeks, I have found the football hold to be most helpful while they learn to latch. Once I feel confident nursing we usually side lay.
Keep in mind that right after birth, mom’s hormones are changing and the breast will go through and adjustment period which can cause engorgement and pain. The milk will also be adjusting the sugar and fat ratios until it becomes more liquid and will be easier to pump.
What happens if you stop breastfeeding for some time and want to retry?
Relactation is entirely possible, even after weeks or months of no production. Establishing production, may take weeks to months. This process requires consistency and lots of effort. Relactation can be established for the same infant or when a woman has previously breastfeed other babies and wants to establish lactation in an adoptive, surrogate or partner’s baby.
Frequent stimulation of the nipples by pumping, hand expression, and/or an infant nursing is required to re-establish milk production. Once milk production has begun, frequent and complete removal of the milk from the breast will help to develop a milk supply.
How do you build a supply?
A supply is built over time by freezing a portion of your production, it can take months to get to where you want. The best way to create a supply is by pumping when baby naps and in between feedings; after your baby has been fed and before the next feeding.
You can choose to pump daily or once every week, the frequency is up to you and how much milk you want to stock up on. Keep in mind, breastmilk is usually okay in deep freeze (0°F (-18°C) or colder) for 12 months. It is best up to 6 months but you can definitively use it up to 12 months. Learn more about proper breast milk handling here.
NEVER refreeze human milk after it has been thawed. If you had a power surge, make sure to dispose of any milk that thawed. Use this easy trick to identify if your freezer was off for an extended period of time: Freeze a cup of water and place a penny on top of the ice. If the water melts, the penny will begin to sink into the cup and you will be able to tell there was a surge even if it water freezes again.
If your milk is close to expiration date, please consider donating these pouches if you won’t be using them. Many newborn babies are in need and can use it quickly before the expiry date comes. For premature babies, breast milk is easier to digest and builds their immune system, lowers their risk of life-threatening infections, and improves their developmental outcomes. To donate your supply, check your local hospital or search online for a local milk bank. The donation process can include bloodwork, medical records, phone or online interviews and they can also request your pediatrician to confirm that your baby is healthy; this is all done at no cost to you.
Check your supply often in order to avoid forgetting upcoming expiration dates. If you are aware of the dates, you can replenish your supply accordingly and help others instead of tossing all that liquid gold. You can always use your expired milk as a milk bath so it doesn’t necessarily need tossed.
In a pinch, you can build a supply by pumping every 2 hours, increasing your supply temporarily in order to save the pumped milk and stock up for an emergency trip, surgery, medical treatment, help a friend, donate milk, etc. You might experience engorgement afterwards if you suddenly stop pumping, instead slowly decrease the amount of sessions back to your normal after you reach your goal.
You can also ship large or small amounts of breastmilk to yourself or a friend in need. Shipping breast milk is available via MilkStork or FedEx. This can be useful in a handful of situations like moving cross-country or internationally, vacationing, needing more supply than expected on a trip, your friend just a premature baby, etc.
Last but not least, formula:
There are three major formula types:
- Cow milk protein-based formula
- Soy-based formula
- Protein hydrolysate formula
Formulas come in ready to use, powder or concentrated liquid forms. Usually the powdered formulas are more affordable and have a longer shelf life; although both the powdered and liquid formulas are often mixed at home with distilled water.
Infant formula is generally recommended until age 1, followed by whole milk or fortified unsweetened soy beverage until age 2.
You can use pre-made formula for up to 24 hours but it’s usually only good at room temperature for 2 hours. Open containers of ready-made formula and concentrated formula can be stored safely in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Do not store unmixed powder formula in the refrigerator.
When choosing an infant formula:
- Make sure it is not expired.
- Make sure the container is sealed and in good condition. If there are any leaks, puffy ends, or rust spots, do not feed it to your baby.
- Make sure it is not labeled for toddlers.
- FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics warn against using recipes to make homemade infant formula.
You can even mix some of your breast milk with formula to make it more nutrient rich and transition smoothly from breast to formula. You may even supplement with formula for the entirety of their toddlerhood if your milk production has decreased or you have a limited stock of frozen milk.
To feed your baby your pumped milk or formula you will need bottles but what bottles are best?
It will really come down to your baby and their preference. I suggest trying many bottles with your baby; don’t commit to a single brand without trying them out with your baby, what works for my baby may not work for yours.
Breastfed babies usually will need a preemie teat (or nipple) in order for them to latch as they do on the breast. The usual sized 1 that comes with the bottle might cause your baby to gag and reject the bottle faster. The reason for this is that milk doesn’t easily come out of the breast, they have to work for it and the bottle nipples have bigger holes and the unintentionally suck more than they need. By instinct the baby feeds as on the breast, they don’t know what a bottle is so when you bottle feed them in the beginning it may be hard for them to control the flow. If you continue to breastfeed while bottle feeding, then keeping the smaller teat makes sense.
There are bottles designed for breastfeeding babies so its good to try those first as well as they often mimic the breast shape. Our favorite are Dr. Brown’s™ Options+™ Wide-Neck. I like these because they are glass, easy to clean and my kids just prefer them over Avent, MAM, Nuk, Nanobebe, Comotomo, Tommee Tippee and others. Add a silicone sleeve to protect from breakage and give you a good grip; there is even a glow in the dark option which helps parents and babies find the bottle in the dark.
If you exclusively bottle feed, babies will become used to the bottle and as they grow, you can change the size of the teat.
I would love to say that my babies like bottles and dad feeds them while I rest but the truth is that they don’t. They will take bottles during emergencies like when I get sick and have antibiotics or have a doctors appointment they can’t come to, etc. For this reason, I think it’s always good to have a milk supply and preferred bottles in case you need them down the road. They are also useful during roadtrips and vacation.
Take into consideration that while we would love something to work perfectly since day one, every baby is different and life usually throws curve balls. It’s good to know what options are out there in order to find what works for you and your family. Enjoy your journey, the cuddles and feedings as they won’t last forever.
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Disclaimer: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and diet.
