The Real Truth About Breastfeeding

Becoming a parent is one of the greatest transitional moments in a person’s life. Especially a mother’s life. The amount of sacrifices that need to be made to nurture a child begins immediately. All of a sudden you need to do things for real. The things that you already should have been doing anyway. Like, eating right, drinking water, and exercising regularly. 

Some mothers give up their sexy figures to put on baby weight. Other mothers change their sleeping positions to accommodate a growing belly. While some mothers even give up their late-night couch sessions with a glass of wine to ensure that their babies grow healthy.

Meanwhile, some mothers decide to help their babies grow healthy by breastfeeding them. I was one of those mothers. I breastfed my baby for one year. By far the longest year of my life. A year filled with breastfeeding and pumping milk. 

On date nights, I pumped milk on the way to the movie theater. I once cried over spilled milk after a pumping session. I have even pumped milk at work. Where I sat with my back against the door to keep out people who failed to read my pumping sign. 

In addition to my adventurous pumping sessions, I breastfed my baby proudly everywhere I went and dared anyone to question my methods.

Breastfeeding taught me a lot about bonding with my baby. Most importantly, I learned the real truth about breastfeeding.

The real truth about breastfeeding is…

Breastfeeding is Not a Workout.

While breastfeeding burns calories and has abundant benefits for you and your baby, it is not your saving grace for weight loss. You have to put in work as well. 

You cannot expect to gain 25 pounds or more, then think that as soon as you pop your breast into your baby’s mouth, POOF, all the weight will be gone. 

Sorry, but it doesn’t work that way. You might lose a significant amount of weight after you give birth, and breastfeeding may help you lose a little bit more. However, if you want to get back to your regular size, you have to make sure that you are exercising and eating healthy. 

Don’t put all that work on your baby. Breastfeeding may aid your weight loss but it is not the driving force behind it. 

Your Baby and Her Father Will Look at You as a “Snack”.  

As your breasts fill with milk, your baby’s eyes will glaze with hunger and your partner’s eyes will gaze with lust. Officially making you a human snack. Your scent will signal food to your baby. While your enhanced lumps will signal it is “bonding time” for you and daddy. 

You will find yourself being pulled in different directions. At times, you will feel energetic, nurturing and youthful. Other times, you will feel tired and ready to run anytime you lock eyes with baby or daddy. 

By no means should you ever deny your baby milk. Feed your baby as often as he/she will nurse. 

As for daddy, you all might need to schedule a time for “snacks”. 

Whatever you decide to do, do not feel guilty for taking time for yourself and gaining your energy. After all, if you do not take care of yourself, you might only be able to offer crumbs instead of snacks. 

Engorged Breasts HURT!

When you first welcome your baby into the world, within the first hour he/she will be wandering around looking for their first drop of milk. The first drops of sweet milk are called colostrum. 

However, within a few days, that is when the real baby growing milk begins to develop. Your body will begin to determine how much milk you need to support your baby’s demands. When this process begins often engorgement starts soon after. 

Engorgement is a process of breasts overfilling with milk, blood, and other fluids, which may be painful. It feels like your breasts are extremely full of milk-stones in multiple areas. At least for me it did. It was by far the weirdest, bumpiest, sore feeling pain I had ever felt. 

Don’t worry. This will pass. You might want to apply some cold compressions to your breasts. Or, feed your baby as much as he/she will take. Then, hand express the rest of the milk from your breasts. 

The best feeling to reduce those milky lumps would be to simply get the milk out. Freeze it, refrigerate it, or if you have the heart to do so, throw it away. You might be able to look into donating it as well.

Whatever you do, get it out! 

Your Baby is Getting Enough Milk.

A lot of mothers give up on breastfeeding because they feel as if their baby is not getting enough milk. Well, fear not. Your baby knows how to extract the right amount of milk from your breasts.

When your body begins to produce milk, it functions on the supply and demand system. Meaning that your body will produce as much milk as your baby needs and wants. To ensure that you are building up your milk supply, make sure to offer the baby both breasts during each feeding. Also, allow the baby to feed as much as he/she desires. 

If you still feel as if your baby is not getting enough milk, talk with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to offer you tips and refer you to a lactation consultant if necessary. 

Also, you may be able to find lactation centers in your community. Usually, you can stop by your lactation center without scheduling an appointment. 

You might also consider reaching out to other women for help. You can do this by asking friends or family members who have breastfed their babies. Or, you could join social media groups where you can talk to other women experiencing similar situations with breastfeeding. 

Make sure you reach out for help before you consider quitting breastfeeding. 

Fun for Baby Does Not Always Equal Fun for Mommy.

Breastfeeding is all fun and games until your baby finds new purposes for your breasts. Within a matter of months, your baby will start to see your breasts as so much more than a source of food. 

Your baby might use your breasts as a stress ball while nursing. Your baby might use your breasts as a pinch and roll toy or a pacifier. Yet, for the unfortunate mommies, your baby may even try to use your breasts as a teething ring. Pray that your baby does not choose the latter. 

Please be prepared for whatever alternative items your baby will try to use your breasts for. Your baby may think these things are fun to do. Meanwhile, you might not be laughing along. 

If you want to encourage your baby to see your breasts as only a source for food, try offering other objects. Give your baby a pacifier when you see that he/she is sucking for fun. Give your baby a squeeze toy if they have a desire to pinch and squeeze. 

Most importantly, if your baby shows signs of teething, give them a teething ring. I’m not sure if bites are inevitable, but they are for sure unpleasant. 

Breastfeeding Your Baby Makes You Happy.

You are the source of life for your baby. The ability to use your body to nurture your baby is an amazing feeling within itself. Not only will you be connecting with your baby, but your baby will also be connecting you to happiness. 

As your baby feeds, your body releases endorphins which creates a natural sense of bliss in you. Breastfeeding will slowly help you get the pep back in your steps. It may also aid in keeping postpartum depression away.

Breastfeeding is not always a happy experience but it truly brings joy when necessary.  Just remember. when you are happy, your baby is happy. 

All that to say, that breastfeeding is not for the weak. True sacrifice comes with the decision to breastfeed. And with sacrifices comes the truth about breastfeeding that others fail to mention. Like, your weight might not go away just because you breastfeed. Whether you lose weight or not, your breasts will signal “snack time” to your baby and his/her father.

You will feel some discomfort if your breasts become engorged. But as you continue through the discomfort, know that your baby will get enough milk. Know that after they get enough milk, they may be considering having fun with your breasts. But despite all the craziness, you will be happy while breastfeeding. 

What was your experience with breastfeeding? Share your story in the comments.