5 Things They Don't Tell You About Breastfeeding
While the joys of being a new mother are boundless, there are some things they don’t quite seem to cover in your birthing class. Namely, almost everything about preparing yourself for breastfeeding (if you choose to do so).
If you’re expecting or have recently welcomed a new little one into your life, here are a few handy things to remember so you can make the most of this beautiful chapter of your life.
You’re going to feel it.
So many mamas make breastfeeding look incredibly easy. And while you expect to go through physical changes after the birth of your baby, you may not realize how much of an emotional experience breastfeeding can truly be.
As your body produces the hormone oxytocin while you breastfeed, you'll often feel a sense of bliss or euphoria, making the breastfeeding experience all the more pleasant. However, if your baby refuses to latch on, or your nipples hurt and bleed, you might go through a range of difficult emotions. Our biggest advice here is to get as much support as you can.
These early days can be difficult but once you get into a rhythm, everything becomes so much easier. The goal is to power through those first days and know that the best is yet to come.
It might be painful at first.
A lot of things can come into play while you’re breastfeeding that makes things very uncomfortable. You can work through a lot of this with a trusted lactation consultant to make sure your baby is latching in the most ideal way for you both.
In the case of improper latching, your nipples may become tender or bleed, and you may be tempted to give up. In addition, your breasts can get sore when they become engorged between breastfeeding sessions.
If you're unable feed your baby or pump your breast milk as need, you may develop mastitis, which is often quite painful. Adding a product made from cabbage leaves, like CaboCreme, can help relieve sore breasts or engorgement pain with you having to go to the grocery store with cabbage leaves in your bra.
Your lifestyle will evolve.
Your new baby will need your time and energy, but learning how to take time for yourself in the moments when your newborn is sleeping on its own is challenging. Be prepared to adapt your lifestyle to make things easier for you both (and let go of any preconceived notions of how things should look). This is your journey, your life, and you get to do things *your* way.
It can be helpful to hire a lactation consultant or a doula, a trained professional who provides emotional and physical support before, during, and after your child's birth. They can help you adapt to these lifestyle changes, ease any pressure you’re putting on yourself, and welcome you into this new chapter with as much grace as possible. Get the support you need!
It’s a lifechanging bonding experience.
As you breastfeed your baby, you and your child will have a special bond that you will cherish for life. Of course, you can still feel attached and bonded with your baby even if you choose not to breastfeed, but we hope this encourages you to stay the course if it feels important to you.
Even though you may feel pain and fatigue from lack of sleep, know that your breastfeeding journey only lasts for a short time. This special time may be one of the best experiences of your life! You may want to take photos of your breastfeeding time together, so you have a sweet reminder of your bonding time.
No one really talks about the closeness we feel when we nurse our little ones, and it’s an important thing to keep in mind to help you make it through.
Make Your Breastfeeding Journey Easier
Joining a group of other lactating mothers is a good place to share your breastfeeding ups and downs. Our Instagram community is full of them, and we’d love for you to join us!
CaboCreme can be a wonderful support on your journey because it helps relieve engorgement, slows your flow, and supports you feeling your absolute best as you venture into this most enchanting part of life with your baby.
