Having to heal, deal with exhaustion, and breastfeeding can become a lot during the newborn stage. When I found out I was pregnant I was adamant that I would breastfeed. I never understood why anyone would want to use formula since breastfeeding is so "natural". I got a taste of my own medicine and dealt with sore cracked nipples, low milk production, and clogged milk ducts. It was frustrating that I could not feed him and I felt like a failure.
Additionally, remember that your mental health comes first. If breastfeeding becomes too difficult or exhausting, it is perfectly fine to switch to formula. Once my little one was 6 months old, I was completely dry, and giving him formula was the best decision I made for the both of us. In terms of formula, Kirkland was my favorite brand since it did not contain harsh ingredients. Be cautious of the ingredients some formulas contain sugar and corn syrup.
Not being able to breastfeed or having a low milk supply can be because of hormone imbalance, medications, breast surgery, the baby not latching correctly, and many other factors. To alleviate the pain of sore nipples and low supply I used these suggested items. They helped me to soothe my breast and continue to breastfeed for an additional 6 months. I recommend trying these tips out to see if they are able to help you out on your journey. I would love to hear in the comments below if some or all of these items were helpful to you!
Soothing Breast
Breastfeeding became so painful I would grit my teeth and almost cry every time he latched. My nipples were raw and cracked which led to clogged ducts. Instantly, I searched for items that might make breastfeeding more bearable. Lansinoh was one of my favorite brands to use on my breast. The Lansinoh Soothies lasted for about a week. In order to ease the pain, I would put it in the freezer and then place it on my nipple. They also protected my sensitive nipples from being rubbed against my bra. I applied Lansinoh nipple balm for my cracked nipples. After I put it on I would place a nursing pad over. It is safe for your little one to consume as well. Likewise, I enjoyed Lansinoh TheraPearl Breast Therapy Pack because it could be used to reduce pain, relieve clogged ducts, and encourage milk flow while breastfeeding. Frida Mom will forever be one of my favorite brands. Frida Mom products helped with cracked nipples and they have multiple packs to choose from. Now I love giving breast support products to expecting moms. Add them to your baby registry too. They are must-haves in your hospital bag, especially nipple cream.
Breastfeeding- Low Milk Production
I tried the lactation foods/drinks, Brewer's yeast, and bought $50 lactation supplements. I also did power pumping and I felt like my life was consumed by breastfeeding or pumping. Nothing seemed to jump-start my milk flow. If I was lucky I would have an extra ounce of milk. I saw some improvement eating oatmeal but overall Body Armor helped me increase my milk supply. I went from producing 2 ounces to almost 5-6 ounces. Body Armor kept me hydrated and it was nice to drink something besides water.
Items that helped me the most during breastfeeding were the Haakaa and breast lactation massager. I loved getting every last drop of liquid gold from the Haakaa while breastfeeding. I provided a demonstration video below on how to use this item the most effectively. A lactation massager can be another effective way to help with clogged ducts and improve milk output. I also recommend buying nursing/pumping bras and shirts. They help make feeding your little one convenient and quick. Having easy access allows you to breastfeed a fussy baby without the hassle.
Now looking back I did not feed myself enough to sustain my supply. I believe I would have been able to breastfeed longer if I would have been less stressed and had eaten more during that time. My postpartum experience created a few setbacks for me as you can read here.It can be difficult to find time for yourself even to eat in those first few months. Having meals prepared and planned before your little one arrives can relieve a lot of stress. Follow your instincts, rest, and do lots of skin-to-skin with your baby. At times, breastfeeding may feel like a lot of work, but you will miss the bonding moments, I know I do. You got this mama!
I found out I was pregnant after receiving my associate's degree in the summer of 2020. I was in complete disbelief. It was not a part of my "plan" since I wanted to finish college before starting a family. I had everything sorted out of how life was supposed to proceed. I was already accepted into an accelerated college program I worked extremely hard to get into. My world came crashing down on me. As many women can relate to at times finding out you are pregnant while in school or in the middle of your career can feel like a death sentence to all you were working towards. I felt stuck since I wanted to be able to stay home with him and not put him in daycare. Mostly because of how expensive it can be and because I wanted to influence him in his early years. In addition, g rowing up I promised myself that I would always be independent and not have to rely on anyone. My mindset did not alter. I was not willing to give up. Tears in my eyes, I searched for solutions instant
I do not think anything can prepare you for pregnancy, birth, or postpartum. If you are an expecting mom, you take it one day at a time. My little one was a surprise to me when I found out I was pregnant, as I stated in The Balancing Act . He was our plan for the future but finding out we were pregnant was a huge rush of emotions. I think many people can relate to that first time seeing the pregnancy test in complete shock. I have also previously written about how challenging pregnancy was for me in Two Easy Ways to Help with Morning Sickness . I had every possible miserable symptom. I was so ready for him to come. Then BOOM nine months passed and I was in labor. We went to the hospital right after my husband got off of his 14-hour shift around 11 pm. It was a tight cramping pain and then it worsened into a pain where I could no longer walk anymore. While in labor my husband expressed to me that he was worried that an angel was going to be taken from this earth when another enters.
Most importantly it is essential to be an advocate for health and lead by example in the classroom. Modeling healthy eating habits, physical activity, and appropriate responses to stress can have a powerful effect on students, health decision-making behaviors. Having a positive attitude and placing a high value on healthy habits can affect students' attitudes as well. (Evans and Sims, 2018) Teachers/parents have a responsibility to guide children to the best choices for their health and their future. As you can observe in this chart shown in, Health and Physical Education for Elementary Classroom Teachers, th ere is a huge link between better grades and healthy habits. Many things can be done to promote health that could lead to improved grades in your classroom. Here is a list of ideas to use in the classroom to get students to be healthy, concentrate and have better behavior. Brain Breaks- Provide guidelines and organization in advance. These guidelines must include stop-
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