Breastfeeding is challenging, ask any mum who does it, but it’s also unbelievably rewarding. The thing is, the early days can be so tough while you’re establishing a routine that it can be so easy to give up and bottle feed. The pain, the cluster feeds, engorgement. Oh, the engorgement.
Like I’ve already talked about on here, I couldn’t breastfeed Lamb, so I didn’t expect breastfeeding to be so successful with BB. You can read about my breastfeeding hopes and fears in a previous post.
I’ve now been successfully breastfeeding BB for 16 weeks and I love it. The early days were tough. The first time I cried after BB was born was because of how engorged and painful my boobs were. I didn’t suffer with baby blues, but the pain of breastfeeding in the first days really got to me.
I knew I would power through but there was a moment on my first day at home with BB when I begged my husband with get the breast pump in the early hours so I could use a bottle for a little relief. He spent 20 minutes downstairs sterilising my Medela Harmony manual pump and a bottle. I tried pumping and managed a to express a couple of ounces. BB took the bottle (as far as I remember) but I knew I really needed to continue to feed him myself if I wanted to establish a routine.
I started reading tips and advice on the internet. A lot of women were saying if it’s super painful then baby probably isn’t latching correctly. As this was my first time breastfeeding I didn’t realise there are techniques to latching and how easy it is to do it wrong.
Luckily my health visitor called me the day after BB was born (earlier than expected). She offered to come over to give me some support and I was so grateful for her help. Immediately she saw I wasn’t holding BB correctly. She must of spent half and hour watching me latch over and over again to make sure we got it right. This sort of support is so crucial in the early days.
It turns out the damage was done and the pain continued even after we established breastfeeding. I remember talking to my neighbour and she said by around 3 weeks everything starts feeling normal again. She she was totally right. By the time BB was 3 weeks old I was starting to actually enjoy breastfeeding. The first few weeks I spent all day dreading the next feed. Hoping he would sleep a little longer.
The only relief I had was that BB fed super quickly. He literally would feed for no more than 5 minutes at a time. My milk flow was so fast he guzzled up the milk and filled up quickly.
16 weeks into our breastfeeding journey and I’m honestly enjoying it more than I thought I would. Ok, I’ll admit, I desperately want him to take a bottle (I’ve tried multiple brands and he’s refusing all of them). It’s my 30th birthday in 2 weeks and I’d like to celebrate a little! But if he doesn’t it’s no biggie.
After getting through those difficult weeks in the beginning I’ve thought of what tips I would give to a new mum who wants to breastfeed…
- Make use of your time hospital going over breastfeeding positions and latching.
- Do not go home until you feel comfortable feeding your baby.
- Be prepared with nipple shields and lanolin nipple cream.
- Use nipple cream before every feed. The Medela Purelan Lanolin Cream is amazing. I still carry it in my changing bag in case I have a day where I feel a little sore.
- Get yourself a breastfeeding cover if you’re feeling a little nervous about feeding in public. My friend has the Milkscarf by Mamamoosh and it’s amazing (I always steal it when I’m with her!)
- Your arms can get pretty achy so make sure you have a breastfeeding pillow to help support the baby during feeds.
- Don’t leave the house until you feel ready. Don’t let anyone pressure you to go out.
- Have a bottle of water within reach at all times. Breastfeeding makes you seriously thirsty, and you can’t produce liquid without drinking it.
- Don’t let yourself get hungry. You are feeding your baby so you need to feed yourself too.
- Look up your local breastfeeding support group.
BB is almost 4 months old so I can say for definite that I will reach my goal of 6 months of breastfeeding. Which I am extremely proud of. Until BB decides to take a bottle I will be stuck breastfeeding but you know what, I’m totally ok with that.
~A~
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A little while ago Hayley who blogs over at 
Let’s face it, we all expect it to rain on Bank Holiday Monday, but to everyone’s surprise it’s been lovely! I had such a busy weekend seeing lots of friends and family, I felt the need to write about it and document such a fun few days.
Blogging brings me many amazing opportunities and experiences. Reviewing products is one of my favourite parts of what I do. I’ve always loved helping others shop and choose what they will spend their money on. I’m always the one to find the best price or a sneaky discount code.
You can use the Snuzpod in 3 different ways. As a bedside crib, stand-alone crib or as a bassinet. We have only used it as a bedside crib so far, but I think once BB starts sleeping through the night I may move him away from the bed. Although I love having him so close to me.
The Snuzpod comes with absolutely gorgeous bedding and accessories (bought separately). The Crib bedding set includes 2x fitted sheets in a very sweet shooting star design. You also get an adorable reversible cloud print blanket. All made from 100% cotton so super soft on your newborns skin.
Finally, the latest product launched by Snuz is the Swaddle Blanket. Perfect for tiny babies (0-3 months), this blanket design makes swaddling super easy and ensures your newborn feel safe and secure while they sleep. As you can see the Cloud Nine version is in the same print as the cots sheet with gorgeous neon yellow trim.
Attaching the Snuzpod is explained well in the instructions. There are 2 different ways to attach depending on the type of bed you have. We have a divan style base so the straps fasten around the mattress. With standard bed bases, I think you fasten the straps around the bed frame.
