Celebrating Breastfeeding Week

Today was the last day of World Breastfeeding Week. The theme for this year was "Let's make it work". It aims to not only bring awareness to breastfeeding mothers but specifically to working mothers. It's a tough road for mothers in the workforce. Pumping in itself is hard. Then finding the time and support can also prove to be a challenge. Offering a little encouragement and support can be a world of difference for those struggling.

I know I am thankful for those who have and continue to support me. Never did I think I would or would be able to go as long as I have. Nor did I think I would be pregnant and still nursing/pumping for my little one at 18 1/2 months. Some people told me I would not have enough milk with working. I was so worried. But that is absolutely untrue! You can make it work! And the benefits are huge for both the child and mother so why wouldn't you want to.

I know of the challenges mommies face. Our breastfeeding journey was not easy. If you have read any of my other posts, Juliana would not latch for the first five and half weeks after birth. We tried everything, people would tell me this or that and often times it felt like people thought I wouldn't be able to do it.

On top of that the pump I had was not effective for me. Every mommy is different and pumps work differently for each mother. Some moms can't even pump but can nurse. Pumping proved to be a huge bump in the road for us. I struggled for five and half weeks to get milk for my daughter. My mom tried to be helpful but only made me feel worse. I felt like a failure but never did I give it up. Juliana was patient. There were a couple nights I cried and wondered how I was going to make it when I went back to work. But I have an amazing husband and he helped me through everything!

After five weeks my husband suggested trying a different pump as others had suggested. We went and got a manual pump. That worked like a charm for me. Although it is not as convenient as an electric and it is a lot of work it does the job well. I got nine ounces right away. Quickly I was able to build my stash and pump about 60 ounces a day with nursing Juliana.

It was about that time I had a wonderful professor who reached out and said maybe I should try craniosacral therapy to help her latch. The first few calls were unsuccessful, we couldn't find someone. With my mom hounding me to find someone, we finally did and they got her in right away. She latched within 24 hours. It was amazing. I could see the instant relief in her face when they examined her and adjusted the spots. She had been out in three places around her jaw and ear area. The therapy is just simple gentle pressures. I would definitely recommend it even if nothing appears to be wrong with your little one.

Our breastfeeding troubles didn't end there. A few weeks after going back to work I had terrible pain and fevers from infection. One breast was so sore from the chaos of trying various electric pumps (one was an improper fit). There was a huge crack that bleed every time I pumped. Several times I got nearly straight blood in my bottle. I think I measured about 2 oz of pure blood.

Pumping consumed my life. I pumped every two hours 24/7. All anybody heard was "it's time to pump"... pump, pump, pump. It has gotten better. Like I said Juliana is 18 1/2 months and I am still able to provide breastmilk for her. I've been able to supply milk for eight babies (temporary, part-time and full-time) throughout our journey. 

So if you are a momma struggling to provide breastmilk for your baby hang in there. It does get better. It may not be easy but align yourself with supportive individuals and you will get there. I promise! And don't be afraid to reach out!

To learn how to advocate for nursing moms click here.

Here We Go Again

"I wish I could have breastfed longer....".

That is the number one phrase I have heard several mommy friends/coworkers say in the last few months. Yesterday this exact phrase was said at least three times in an hour to me from different new moms.

I am a first time mom so obviously it is something new to me. My whole experience has not been pleasant and I understand there are times when one is going to have to formula feed. However, I think majority of the time mommies are not given the support nor the information (benefits, suggests/guidance) they need. In the end they switch to formula and later regret doing so. Why is it that many doctors do not provide the necessary tools to make a clear decision.

Let's go back to my wonderful experience. So I work all day while having contractions, come home get everything ready, have Matt snap some pictures and head for the hospital at 2:00 a.m. Monday morning. We get there and I decide to get what rest I can before being admitted to a room. My water breaks on its own around 4:00 a.m. so now they decide yep you will be admitted. I struggle all morning, they give me pitocin without my knowledge and I end up getting an epidural. When they finally say I can push at about 6:00 p.m. I can't feel anything, they have me labor down, I'm exhausted and have no clue what I am doing. The nurse was not friendly and asked didn't I take my classes. Well yay but I can't feel anything and it is a whole lot different than classes. I'll I can think is I can't wait until the admitting nurse is back at 7:00 p.m. She was so extremely nice and helpful I just knew she would be able to help this tired soon to be mommy out. I pushed for several hours when they told me that I would need to deliver or we would have to have a c-section. It was about 11:00 p.m. and there was no way I was going to have a c-section. So forty-two minutes later and with the help of a vacuum we welcomed our beautiful daughter to our family.

That's when all the joys went out the window because she wouldn't latch. I was told she had a weak suck, no big deal, they would work with us to help... so we thought. There was no discussion of a plan or what would be done. Just go ahead get some sleep see you in the morning.

The next morning a lady came in and said we are gonna take Juliana to work with her weak suck. I was like okay. She grabs Juliana, then proceeds to sit down and use a tube to finger feed her with formula. WHAT? Formula... I want my child to have breastmilk. It was really bothering me, why didn't they ask if I could try to pump, or what about donor milk? I'm so confused.

Later I said I would really like to have a pump so Juliana can get my milk, it is what is best for her and the aide says but you probably won't get but a ml. of milk. I said well that will be a ml of my milk that she will get so could I please get a pump. We also discussed how I am going to school to be a dietitian and I would like her to have donor milk if she needs supplementing instead of formula. The aide says well then you have to sign a form. Okay I will sign... get me the form please. Why was this not offered to me prior to me asking? And why was I treated like it was such a hassle?

Anyways, throughout the whole morning I saw lactation consultants who were going to help Juliana and I work out the bugs. Our room for the next several days would be filled with all sorts of women trying to help get her to latch. None of which were helpful. There were three techniques they had me try. Juliana did try to latch to one side more than the other and would only do so in football position. They other ways were not working. I had one lady sit for hours trying to get her to latch sideways with me laying down. Obviously it wasn't working and she was just getting frustrated. I was treated like oh your a first time mom and have no clue. They were right I didn't have any clue but one thing I did know was it should be natural for a baby to latch... there was something else going on. On top of this they brought in a nipple shield to have me try. Everything was a disaster and I just wanted to go home.

We did have some luck getting her to latch on the left side with the shield if I squirted a little bit of my pumped milk first. What a mess that was. Knowing now what I know she was not even effectively sucking. Juliana was so patient throughout the ordeal, but because she had lost too much weight and was not gaining it back they discharged us and had her stay an extra day. They did let us stay in the same room for that extra day so we could be with her. We were still being treated as first time parents who knew nothing, which is so annoying.

On Thursday, the day she was to come home the pediatrician told us she was not where they wanted her to be weight wise but they had heard from the nurses that she may be latching better now (so they thought, I didn't tell them any different I wanted to go home) so they went ahead and let her come home. Once we got home we had to get her up in weight because they wanted us back in two days. Juliana wouldn't latch when we got home and there was no way I was given her formula. So I would pump ...but my pump was not getting anything. Ugh.

My mom had come down to help, which I am grateful for, but that was stressful in itself because she thought that it was me and all I heard about was a manual pump plus I got to do this or that to get my milk in. She had Joanne come down to breastfeed Juliana, which was okay, but I wanted to be the one feeding her. Juliana didn't suck long and Joanne had said she was real dainty about it. Well she did have a weak suck. There were many ups and downs for the next five and half weeks. Times where I thought things were going good and no more worries. We went through times when my pump was working okay and then all of sudden nothing again. I thought it was me, I was failing my daughter, lactation consultants were not helping and the doctor got after us for using a nipple shield. It was so frustrating. I pumped every other hour just trying to get what little bit I could. Then I would walk away dripping. Nothing made sense to me.

It was not until my professor reached out to me about some of my assignments. We were suppose to be doing journal article reviews for my nutrition class and I said I am sorry but I don't really have anything to write about unless it has to do with breastfeeding. I told her nothing was working to get my daughter to latch and I was overwhelmed. She sent several links for me to read, many which Matt had already looked into, but she also gave me her number and said call me. I called her. Thank God for her. She talked to me for a couple hours, gave me several suggestions but craniosacral therapy was at the top of her list. I had always wanted to do chiropractic care for Juliana just because I heard it was good to get things realigned after going through the birth canal. However, I didn't understand all the benefits.

So I finally found a chiropractor who does craniosacral therapy in Burlington. Little miss Juliana started latching within 24 hours. It was amazing. No more nipple shield, no more struggle. I am so grateful. During this time I was having my own issues with healing and what not so I had been put on pain meds. I tried to not take them but there were a few times I did need to take them. Well I feel asleep with her in my arms and she rolled right onto the floor. I noticed a change in her latching. She still latched and it wasn't a struggle but it was with excruciating pain. I kept telling my mom something is not right. It shouldn't hurt. I had read articles that my professor sent me about if there is pain something is not right. In my head all I could think was something is probably out of whack from me letting her fall.

She was scheduled for a follow up in just a few days anyways so I endured through the pain, although I really wanted to just pump and give her a bottle. But it was only when I nursed the right side. When we went back for our follow up I told her what had happened. She made some adjustments because she was slightly out but not like the time before, which I still think was my fault. Good news is though her latch has been amazing since then. I LOVE breastfeeding her now and we get some much bonding time. I love it.

Point in all of this is why did all of this happen? Why couldn't people be upfront? Do they not know? Or what? There has to be other lactation consultants who have heard of craniosacral therapy. Don't you think? I don't know but I am very grateful that my teacher went above and beyond her role as a teacher to provide the necessary information to me and letting me know it WAS NOT me. It should be a natural for a baby to want to latch.

Since then I have read many articles regarding breastfeeding. I've read many posts from mothers who think they couldn't get enough or their baby is not latching right and while I do understand that there will be cases where mothers may have done everything but for whatever reason it didn't work I think majority are not given the information/resources needed. As with some of the mommies I have talked to recently.

Like I told them it takes a lot of work and I do understand but the benefits are so great. There are even benefits between breastfeeding and pumping/bottling feeding. For example, those who are breastfed have better developed airways. So why are mommies not having this explained to them? Shouldn't the doctors care to tell you that? I don't know maybe I am just nuts when it comes to giving my child the best.

I have heard many moms say that they dried up because they just couldn't get enough. Should you find yourself having low production problems and you have tried all the many techniques to increase it try craniosacral therapy because if you can get your child to effectively latch and suck properly, then your body will be able to produce adequately. If your child is not effectively emptying your breasts then of your course your body won't know to produce more, which may cause a low production.

Or try getting a different pump. Remember when I said my mom annoyingly talked about her manual pump all the time when I was struggling. Well guess what she was right after about six weeks of not being able to get hardly anything and having many ups/downs we went to wal-mart got a $30 manual. It worked amazingly for me. Maybe a different pump will help. Every baby is different, every pregnancy is going to be different so find what works for you.

There are so many things that one can try and I know it can be so frustrating trying to find what works. But reach out don't be ashamed of it. I know I was so embarrassed that I was struggling. Mommies really do need support. Be there for them. That is the reason for all my posts about breastfeeding not to go on and on about my experience. It is to let you know you are not alone.

As of right now I got so much milk it is coming out of freezers. I'm so glad I stuck with it and found the support I needed, I'm grateful for all of those who have supported my breastfeeding and listened to all my struggles... friends, family, coworkers. Now I just want to help others if there is anything I can do reach out to me even if you just want someone to listen.

I'll leave you with one last read. I've posted it before but I really think it helps put things into perspective.

Rolled Into One

Oh my I don't have much time... my computer is going to be restarting. Although I have several items to write about I'll be uber quick while I try to beat the restart.

First I've been selling my breast milk here and there. I've also donated milk along the way to some mommies who have needed it. Supporting breastfeeding mommies is important to me. There are so many benefits for it. However, I didn't realize how much work it is especially for mommies who are working, struggling with supply, etc.. My breastfeeding experience has not been a secret I've wrote about it before. At the beginning it was a disaster. But now things are GREAT. We have so much milk that I've had to slow production because I have no where to put it. I feel so bad when there is a mommy juggling the breastfeeding war. It definitely can be a fight. One thing I have noticed about new mommies including myself was I would always check the amount. I was really paranoid whether I would have enough when she got 6 months due to my struggle the first five and half weeks. Of course now I don't have that problem and I am able to help others out. But a couple days ago I found this amazing little article that help put things into perspective about tracking the ounces. However, should you find yourself with a low milk supply check out this page for some possible causes and solutions.

KellyMOM.com has also been a wonderful source of information. There are many great articles and tips offered on the site. But one article I wish I would have seen sooner was this one because when I first came home I tried doing a lot of things. Those tips would have been great and in the end I found out some of them on my own.

...Ugh So I didn't beat the timer before my computer restarted. Luckily, it did save what I had. The only problem is that I got distracted waiting for it to restart. I ended up getting ready to celebrate our anniversary (which is on Sunday!). We went to Des Moines to see the Phantom of the Opera. It was fun but made for a late night. Poor Matt had to get up early to be at a golf tournament for Medforce. Oh well more about all that later.

Let's see... my rant about breastfeeding is over. Haha. I'm sure some of you are glad because not all of my friends share my same view points.

Second topic for today is cloth diapering. I LOVE saving money by cloth diapering. Our cloth diapers (we use Sunbaby) seem to be doing well. I usually just wash them without an extended period of soaking. But before we left, for Des Moines, I soaked them, did a cycle with no detergent and then washed them with detergent. I recently joined this facebook group that talks solely about cloth diapering. A lot of them spend a lot more time then I do washing their diapers. But we really have not had a problem. The women on there have said that it is good to do a stripping once in awhile in case there is build up. So I did the above it to see if there would be a difference... make them seem more fresh I guess. I even decided to dry the inserts because I can't find where I read not to and everyone else seems to. This will make it that much better because sometimes waiting for them to dry would make them seem kind of musty.

I'm sure there were a few other rants I wanted to write about. But now I don't remember the rest of them.

Oh well. So yesterday was our anniversary celebration. We went to Des Moines waited for over 40 minutes for the waitress to come take our order. Matt and I must be pretty patient because we waited so long hoping she would come that we didn't even get to order. We ended up leaving without anything because we needed to get over to the theater. Matt said he enjoyed it but liked Wicked better. Although it was fun we were EXCITED to be back with our little princess.

As for today, Juliana and I went to a safety expo at the park. Not that she could do anything but it was fun to get out. Matt is gone as I mentioned earlier. And we are anxiously waiting for him to come back home. It is much better when we are all together.

The house needs some detail cleaning done and I am sure that it won't all get done because I would rather enjoy my time with Juliana. And now that she is napping I wanted to update. It seems like it has been so long.

Juliana is 8 months today! She is so fun. We LOVE chasing her around even though it wears us out. She is cute. I'll have to post a picture later after she wakes up.

Which reminds me... I LOVE that Joanne can watch Juliana. I'm super picky when it comes to watching my daughter. I have just a few people who are on the approved list. There can be no swearing or rude talking including music, they must interact with her...not just plop in a chair with some toys, there should be soft voices used and not fighting or hollering at one another, etc... Something ever mother would want for her child. But Joanne does a really GREAT job with Juliana especially since she has Sadie to watch too. Joanne even sends me cute little pictures or videos once in a while.

Check out the below video and picture she sent me.



Well I can't get the picture to upload from my phone. So I guess I will try another time.

World Breastfeeding Week

This past week was World Breastfeeding week. It ended on August 7th. Breastfeeding is something that takes a lot of work...not gonna lie. It's very time consuming but oh so worth it. I struggled for the first five and half weeks to breastfeed. Juliana did not watch to latch. It made me feel like a failure. I'd try and try but she wouldn't. Whenever I would put her to me she would cry out like she was being tortured. I knew something must be wrong. But I went to several lactation consultants at the hospital and not one of them seemed to be real helpful. It was so frustrating.

On top of it I was trying to pump for Juliana to have something. I'd spend hours and getting nothing. Sometimes I would feel like we were getting somewhere because I would have two or three good days where I would get a good stash of breastmilk. But then back to nothing. That ended up being my pump. We had spent a couple hundred dollars on a pump only to have a cheap thirty dollar pump work.

Then there were times that I got an ounce or more of blood in my milk. It would look like strawberry milk. I had a huge laceration on my nipple that still has not healed normal and I'm sure it will never be the same again. I had excruciating pain, infections and several fevers.

Anyways, point is breastfeeding can have many bumps in the road but knowing the benefits can help you stay focused. 

Having great support is also very helpful. So all family members and friends should offer support. I'm so glad that I had Matt's support. He helped me throughout the whole ordeal. There were several nights, those first weeks, were I would spend hours pumping trying to get something. Then I would give it to him to feed to her and back to pumping I would go. My professor from Kansas State University was also very helpful. She suggested several things as well as many websites to look at (Matt had already looked at many of those sites). But one thing she suggested stuck out to me because I had wanted to take Juliana to the chiropractor before she was even born. I had heard good things about doing so. However, I was not aware of craniosacral therapy that some chiropractors practice. I took her to Absolute Wellness in Burlington, Iowa and within 24 hours she was latching. It was AMAZING! Click here to learn more about  craniosacral theray.

Through ALL of my breastfeeding challenges I would not trade it for anything. It is what is best and I know Juliana will benefit from it all.

Dilemma

This question has haunted my mind lately... to sell my breastmilk or not. I've been bogged with this for a little while but something has to be done because I am OUT of room. No more room for anymore. So today I sat and tried to figure out the whole selling thing. People sell it for like $2.00 an ounce. One lady even sells it for $2.50 an ounce. They send it with dry ice through fedex. I have a thousand or two ounces. It would be GREAT to sell it and put that money away for Juliana or something. But I just don't know if it would be a hassle that I don't need. I put so many other things on my plate. So I have struggled with what to do. But tonight I ended up donating some. Below is just some of the milk I have. Our deep freeze is completely full with milk as well.

And on top of that yesterday I decided to wash our bed protector. You see before we got the new mattress last year we had always had the protector that zips around the mattress plus another one. I'm SUPER paranoid about bed bugs. When we got the new mattress we planned on doing the same but so far we had only got the zip up because I was in search for the perfect top protector. I had a protector I absolutely LOVED. It seemed to always go on nicely and has long as I was careful it didn't melt when I dried it. But could not find one that I seemed to like for the money. Moral of the story is yesterday it melted and that just mad my day even better.

So today's agenda to ENJOY it while getting some work done. Wish us luck. So far I've only managed a trip to the store and our morning volunteer work. I need to pick up, get the bed put back together with the new protectors, do Juliana's footprints and hopefully get some swim time in.