Breastfeeding realistic expectations

I think many people quit breastfeeding because they have unrealistic expectations on what it takes to do breastfeeding. I do understand that some people just cannot breastfeed due to supply. Some just decide to formula feed and that is ok. This post is for people considering breastfeeding or just starting out.

I want to put some common items here on this blog, but I want to hopefully encourage people to breastfeed (if they can). You can do this!! Many of these items are mentioned in other posts on this blog and some just seem like common sense.

I have a lot more experience with this the 2nd time around and also because I had a challenging time breastfeeding my first child.

1) Breastfeeding is harder than you will imagine.
2) Most people need help...lactation consultant.
3) Take a class if you can. I wish I had before starting. If you cannot take a class, get a book. My company sent me a breastfeeding book. See if where you work has any breastfeeding resources for you...
4) Feed on demand...This means you will be feeding around the clock at first (more on this later). 8 to 12 feedings the first few weeks. You will be feeding more than formula moms and you will have to stay home more until you get the hang of things (and baby does too).
5) It may seem that all you are doing is breastfeeding. That is normal and expected until the baby is older and learns how to breastfeed efficiently.
6) Breastfeeding is a learning process for mom and baby. It is not as normal as most people think.
7) If you can stick to it, it will get easier. By 6wks things are usually easier...
8) Your milk works on supply and demand. The more the baby demands, the more you make. Try not to pump in the first few weeks as it is better to put the baby on the breast.
9) It will take more than an hr to feed at first. Forget the 10 to 15 min on each side as many websites say...that is not the norm. It will take 1 hr to feed a newborn that is 3wks or under and by the time you finish, it will be almost time to start again. It is normal and you will get frustrated to think you are always feeding. Even if you are feeding formula, it takes awhile to feed a newborn baby and their stomachs are really small. My LC gave me good advice...watch the baby not the clock. I had to use a LC last time, not at all this time.
10) Stay in your pajamas...If you have visitors, it is good to let them know that you are still recovering and you need to nurse often. Excuse yourself from visitors unless you can cover up and feed. New moms will find doing this in front of others even with a cover is super hard because the baby does fuss a lot and you have to stop often to burp and reposition the baby. I read the pajama thing in a breastfeeding book and it is good advice to let visitors not to stay too long and to remind them that you are recovering from childbirth.
11) You may have to change your diet. I see many websites say you do not have to do this and I disagree with them. Here is why: I think babies cannot really digest certain items (dairy, peanut butter, gassy foods like brocolli). It does not mean they are allergic to them and your child's dr will say you can eat anything, but I think this is the number one reason why people quit. Your child will be fussy if they cannot digest food. It is more a food intolerance not a food allergy, which drs are quick to dismiss. You can slowly reintroduce items. I would limit dairy items until you start back slowly and are sure it is not affecting the baby.
12) Baby gets more milk than your breastpump. They are more efficient. Remember that...If you pump, then you will think you are not making enough.
13) Your baby will have growth spurts around 2wks, 6wks, etc. They will demand milk more often.
14) Feed every 2 to 3 hrs. If the baby is asleep wake them up until your supply is established (6 to 12 wks). If you wait 5 hrs to feed in those first few weeks, your supply may be hurt. At night, you can let them sleep longer as long as the baby is gaining weight...talk to your doctor (usually if they are back to their birth weight by 2wks...)
15) Breastmilk digests faster than formula meaning you have to feed more often if breastfeeding.
16) Exclusive pumping sounds awesome if you think someone can help you out....but it is harder than just breastfeeding. You have to wash bottles and you cannot just sleep longer because even if the baby sleeps you may have to get up to pump.
17) You may have to eat oatmeal to increase supply. You may have to take fenugreek and blessed thistle...talk to a lactation consultant to find out dosage.
18) You will have to drink a ton of water to keep up your supply. This is the one thing I did not do last time that hurt my supply.
19) You may have cracked/bleeding nipples as that is quite common. I was lucky to not have that, but breastfeeding hurts in the beginning as your uterus shrinks down and getting used to the baby's latch.
20) You may not be able to diet/exercise for awhile. Some people cannot do this until their milk is established. You will require more calories while breastfeeding, so be sure to eat well. Also, watch what you eat as stated above. It took 9 months to put on the weight, cut yourself some slack - it won't come off in 2 weeks. I was able to exercise more this time than with my first child. Some women complain that the baby won't take their milk after running. If you take it easy, you may be ok though. If you aren't getting enough calories, your supply may be hurt too.

More advice on breastfeeding on my next post and what I did differently this time (last time I had low supply)...

This post is not intended to scare, but to provide realistic expectations on what breastfeeding is about. Will you go through all of this - no, but you will likely encounter some of these issues. When you do, know that you are not alone. If you are serious about breastfeeding, you will work through these.

Now, at 3m, my daughter is very efficient at eating so it takes just 10min or less total.