I have had ups and down with my breastfeeding journey(still do)....and I don't want anyone else to face the issues like me...well in my case, I was hospitalized after 15 days of giving birth and my baby had been formula fed for quite sometime...it was real difficult and stressful for me to get her off the formula and I see lot of moms these days facing this issue too, so writing this blog which hopefully helps mothers like me out there especially new moms.
I don't want moms to make similar mistakes like me and hopefully can this can reduce their stress.Not doing my research early.
Despite of being internet savvy generation, I did not do any research about breastfeeding. I never thought it would be this difficult and comes with its own challenges. In India, every mother breastfeeds their child, its like second nature...so I just thought it would be second nature for me as well. Turns out its not...
Despite of being internet savvy generation, I did not do any research about breastfeeding. I never thought it would be this difficult and comes with its own challenges. In India, every mother breastfeeds their child, its like second nature...so I just thought it would be second nature for me as well. Turns out its not...
Never considered pumping.
I have heard about working mothers pumping at office and thought I would do the same once I start full time work. I got our pump for free from insurance and I packed it up, put it aside thinking will need it later. Turns out I was wrong and lot of mothers are exclusively pumping. When I finally decided to pump, I didn't know how to use the pump and wasted few days thinking pump is not working.
I have heard about working mothers pumping at office and thought I would do the same once I start full time work. I got our pump for free from insurance and I packed it up, put it aside thinking will need it later. Turns out I was wrong and lot of mothers are exclusively pumping. When I finally decided to pump, I didn't know how to use the pump and wasted few days thinking pump is not working.
Started re-lactation late.
When I came back from hospital, I was weak and got my strength back after few days but I was still not ready to breastfeed. I was having catheter and my mind was totally stressed out with when I will be fit again. After a lot of suggestions from my husband and friends, started breastfeeding again, but I should've started it sooner.
When I came back from hospital, I was weak and got my strength back after few days but I was still not ready to breastfeed. I was having catheter and my mind was totally stressed out with when I will be fit again. After a lot of suggestions from my husband and friends, started breastfeeding again, but I should've started it sooner.
Did not pumping more often at night.
When on catheter, it was difficult for me to walk, so I would pump at 12 night and than 6 in morning. But that routine continued for sometime even after I got well. Meanwhile if my baby is hungry, she was formula fed.
When on catheter, it was difficult for me to walk, so I would pump at 12 night and than 6 in morning. But that routine continued for sometime even after I got well. Meanwhile if my baby is hungry, she was formula fed.
Never considered breastmilk could be stored or freezed.
Again being traditional, I always thought giving baby pumped milk within 4 hours. So I would not pump again unless it's required.
Again being traditional, I always thought giving baby pumped milk within 4 hours. So I would not pump again unless it's required.
Did not pump on schedule.
I was breastfeeding/pumping on demand and when I realized that the baby needs more and needs to be supplemented with formula, I never tried pumping on set strict schedule. It took me a lot of time to wean formula because of that, especially at night when I have very low supply and I am tired. But as soon as I started pumping on schedule, my supply got increased.
I was breastfeeding/pumping on demand and when I realized that the baby needs more and needs to be supplemented with formula, I never tried pumping on set strict schedule. It took me a lot of time to wean formula because of that, especially at night when I have very low supply and I am tired. But as soon as I started pumping on schedule, my supply got increased.
Not eating proper food.
Again due to lack of knowledge. My elders suggested a few things but I was not taking it seriously. Also, amazon has tons of lactation tea, drink mix and tablets. I realized fenugreek is divine. So if it suits u, eat in any form u like, leaves, seeds or laddus. Apart from that, I started having oats in breakfast and shatavari powder with milk at night, which created its effect in 2 3 weeks.
Again due to lack of knowledge. My elders suggested a few things but I was not taking it seriously. Also, amazon has tons of lactation tea, drink mix and tablets. I realized fenugreek is divine. So if it suits u, eat in any form u like, leaves, seeds or laddus. Apart from that, I started having oats in breakfast and shatavari powder with milk at night, which created its effect in 2 3 weeks.
Stressing out.
Ok, I know it's very overwhelming having a baby, so many ppl in the house and sleeplessness. Not to mention baby blues and being frustrated for not getting enough milk supply. But u need to trust urself, it requires lot of patience and there is no magic wand. The process takes sometime, u just need to feel proud of urself. Also ask ur partner to make u feel good, l know it sounds silly but he will be able to build all confidence in u. Have a laugh, go out for a walk, pray regularly, meditate, read whatever makes u feel good. Eat what u like. I used to watch favourite comedy series while pumping/breastfeeding and these days I play laughing game with my baby, I dance with her and sing with her.
Ok, I know it's very overwhelming having a baby, so many ppl in the house and sleeplessness. Not to mention baby blues and being frustrated for not getting enough milk supply. But u need to trust urself, it requires lot of patience and there is no magic wand. The process takes sometime, u just need to feel proud of urself. Also ask ur partner to make u feel good, l know it sounds silly but he will be able to build all confidence in u. Have a laugh, go out for a walk, pray regularly, meditate, read whatever makes u feel good. Eat what u like. I used to watch favourite comedy series while pumping/breastfeeding and these days I play laughing game with my baby, I dance with her and sing with her.
Not having baby sleeping in my room.
Since I was not well initially, she was sleeping jn grandparents' room and we did not move her to our room due to pure respect for them as they were used to having fun with baby in their room. As a result, I never got to breastfeed her during the night. She has been always fed pumped milk/formula from bottle and till now it has been a habit. She cries hysterically at night whenever I try to breastfeed.
Since I was not well initially, she was sleeping jn grandparents' room and we did not move her to our room due to pure respect for them as they were used to having fun with baby in their room. As a result, I never got to breastfeed her during the night. She has been always fed pumped milk/formula from bottle and till now it has been a habit. She cries hysterically at night whenever I try to breastfeed.
Feeding her from bottle from day 1 and not knowing about nipple confusion.
Again lack of knowledge from our side. Plus hospitals in America never educate these things, they directly feed formula when momma's supply is low initially and never tell us to feed using spoon etc.
Again lack of knowledge from our side. Plus hospitals in America never educate these things, they directly feed formula when momma's supply is low initially and never tell us to feed using spoon etc.
Not speaking up.
It has happened many times that family members would feed her formula because she is hungry and crying and I am busy sleeping/in meeting/eating and I didn't like it many times but did not speak up until long time out of respect.
It has happened many times that family members would feed her formula because she is hungry and crying and I am busy sleeping/in meeting/eating and I didn't like it many times but did not speak up until long time out of respect.
Starting full time job early.
As soon as I got well and my maternity leaves were over, I started working as we have planned to take remaining leaves for vacation in India but I still regret that. Working full time has stressed me out and I am exhausted at night which affected my supply.
As soon as I got well and my maternity leaves were over, I started working as we have planned to take remaining leaves for vacation in India but I still regret that. Working full time has stressed me out and I am exhausted at night which affected my supply.
Consulting lactation consultant very late.
In US, most of the insurance covers lactation consultant, but I was not much aware about it but after getting few basic tips from her, I felt very confident about lactating with increased milk supply.
In US, most of the insurance covers lactation consultant, but I was not much aware about it but after getting few basic tips from her, I felt very confident about lactating with increased milk supply.
Not having a right mind-set
We all know that babies make u awake and u will be weak after delivery but how exactly post-partum period is, u never know unless u experience it, u won't be able to tell. Again research about post-partum pains and problems beforehand so that your mind will be set with expectations. I personally feel that house full of people with everyone having different opinions about baby and everyone sleepless bound to have fights. It's very common to have fights with ur partner, with ur mother over smallest things. Important thing is to set correct expectation in ur mind and with ur partner that both of u temporarily will have very less sleep and need to find time during the day to sleep and eat.
Not consulted doctor/hospital early when needed
Post-partum is overwhelming and if you are in lot of pain, consult ur doctor early and do go hospital if u feel its needed. Due to corona situation, we were very much afraid to goto hospital to do proper reports and went only when my pain was too much to bear, this eventually affected my supply too.
Not having so much of fun time with baby.
With my full time job and family taking care of baby, I never found time alone with baby to play our lil games. Lot of websites talk about skin to skin and nursing vacations but nobody talks about establishing that bond. Now after all family members have left, I am able to find lil momma-baby time which has made me super confident as a mom.
Trust me all mommas out there, if you follow these lil tips, ur breastfeeding journey would be smooth and stress-free and u will be able to increase ur milk-supply in very lil time.
