1 Month Update: Breastfeeding Tips

FINALLY my baby Lucas is 10 pounds and gaining weight!!
For the last month, I found my focus was on learning to feed my baby and maintaining a good milk supply.
Now that my milk has filled in and our latch is more comfortable, I can say good-bye to sore nipples, stress and worries.


OUCH MY NIPPLES!!!
Breastfeeding, though is much healthier for your little one, comes with its pros and cons.
The first couple weeks were excruciating! Most medical professionals say uncomfortable breastfeeding is due to an incorrect latch. So, I had a nurse come over to check and visited 2 lactation consultants. ALL said I was doing fine, yet my nipples were incredibly sore. At one point they were even bleeding. YOUCH!

I found 2 Treatments for Sore Nipples very helpful:
1. Medela sore nipple cream (softer than most lanolin creams) after feed, and cover with saran wrap
2. Dr. Newmans nipple cream (contains, anti inflammatory, anti fungal) - need prescription for

I wish I had taken the advice to "toughen up those nipples" during pregnancy to prepare.

WHERE'S MY MILK?
I was forewarned that it would take around 3 days for my milk supply to come in after birth.
Which meant that day 2, baby Lucas will be very fussy and losing weight. My routine was feed 20 minutes each side, then pump to stimulate the milk, then take care of my personal healing needs, brew some lactation tea, rest for 20 min, then do it all over again 24 hours a day.  However, my milk did not come in on day 3 and I was getting worried. Lucas was losing weight (10% of birth weight is ok) and I contemplated on feeding him with a bottle. - I didn't quit; though some family members said I was starving my baby.

Thank God, my milk did gradually fill in on Day #5.  - I encourage every women to breast feed and don't buy the lie that you have not milk. Our bodies were created for this and all new moms will have milk. It's just a matter of time and enough suckling and pumping.

Recommendations
1. Medela Swing Breast Pump - This is the brand they use in the hospital. I tried Safety First and it sucks.
2. Johnson Johnson Breast Pads - These pads were alot softer and comfortable compared to Medela. I didn't think I needed any breast pads to absorb the milk but yup, I do need these.
It helps keep my bra clean; so less laundry.
3. You Tube Videos on Breastfeeding - There are tons of helpful videos on you tube about breastfeeding

WHY DOES MY HIP HURT?
During week 2, I found that my hip joint was hurting. I realized that it was my positioning when feeding.
After sitting in a chair with proper back support and the help of an amazing breastfeeding pillow called MY BREST FRIEND, my hip started to improve. 

Well that's it for now. Stay tuned on my experience with a colicky baby...

Xoxo,
Jo