ML Interest Tag: formula

When Should You See a Breastfeeding Counselor?

By Penny White

Editor’s Note: Here at Red Tricycle, we respect and celebrate every mom’s feeding journey. Bottle? Boob? It doesn’t matter—we believe fed is best. Our Spoke Contributor Network is inclusive and open to all parenting journeys—yours, too!

This really is quite a big question and one that does divide those that work with people who breastfeed. Should we do an assessment before or after the baby is born? Once they’ve got an issue or beforehand to prepare them? Personally, I think it’s best to be prepared as new motherhood can be such an overwhelming time so let’s minimize some of that worry but there are others who feel that breastfeeding support should be given as needed.

Before the Baby Is Here

If you wonder/worry about any of the following:

  • PCOS: Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome can result in lowered milk production so you can struggle to begin with.  The good news is that your milk supply will increase the more babies you have but it’s still worth getting information on how to manage.
  • Previous breast surgery: Whether it’s due to a medical issue or cosmetic surgery, medical interventions can result in damage to the delicate tissues contained within so again it’s good to get some resources ready so you can spot any potential issues.
  • IVF: Now it all depends on why you had it and to be honest there isn’t a whole heap of research on this but it is believed that it can cause issues with breastfeeding for some—so again be prepared!
  • If you’re worried you just can’t: Now a lot of babies (the vast majority in all honesty!) will latch with no issues and minimal intervention but again it’s worth having a chat with a professional who can give you lots of little tips to avoid you stressing when you don’t need to. C-section, induction, vaginal birth, medication in labor can all have an impact. Flat nipples, small nipples. inverted, big, uneven nipple size, big breasts, small breasts, one side bigger than the other—we’ve seen them all (it’s our job!) and we are trained to advise you on how to feed your baby.
  • Do you need all that stuff that comes with breastfeeding? Do you really need a pump? Manual, electric, silicone, one you wear, a double or single—which one will work best for you? A pillow? Shields or shells? Isn’t a Hakka something they do in New Zealand? Confused as you just thought you needed your boobs and a baby? Then ask a breastfeeding counselor!

After the Baby Is Here 

If you have any of the following:

  • Pain: Honestly I cannot stress enough—pain in breastfeeding indicates a problem and needs to be addressed. You should not suffer when you feed your child. It doesn’t matter where that pain is in your breast or nipple or stomach or neck and shoulders, having discomfort indicates an issue somewhere. If your emotions are being impacted by your feeding choices/routine that is considered pain as well—ask for help.
  • Questions: So you’ve had the baby and received brilliant help from the breastfeeding counselor in the hospital however you still have lots of questions and she has lots of other patients to see. A one-on-one session with a breastfeeding counselor will give you the time to fire away all those little ‘does this look right to you?’ worries.
  • If you are worried about supply: Not producing much when you pump? Does the baby seem to feed a lot? Breasts suddenly don’t seem as full? Will one bottle of formula a day make a difference? All of these are questions that breastfeeding counselors are trained to answer and can reassure you as we are trained to get to know you first before making any comments.
  • If you have concerns: How often should your baby poo? How will you know that they are full? How will you know that they are hungry? How will you know if they’re full? Feed on demand or to a schedule? Should their poo look like that? Why do they want to eat all the time? Your sister says that [….] shouldn’t happen—is she right? Are you going to spoil your baby by doing too much skin-to-skin? You know what I’m going to say about this don’t you?
  • If you want to stop: It is believed that our ancestors may have breastfed their young until the age of 7. The natural age of weaning is thought to be between 2 and 4 years of age. Now there are a whole host of reasons why we want to stop breastfeeding and seeing a breastfeeding counselor can make sure that you are doing it in a safe way as sudden cessation could result in mastitis, engorgement, and other complications for you.

But does seeing a breastfeeding counselor actually make any difference? In a study in 2019, participants in a breastfeeding support program were “on average 66% less risk of cessation of any breastfeeding and on average 54% less risk of cessation of exclusive breastfeeding at any point in time.” A significant decrease in women still breastfeeding after ten days postpartum was noticed if they did not receive support is shown in a study from 2015.

The facts are that getting breastfeeding support doesn’t mean you’ve failed or you’re not doing it right—it just means that you want to do it well or better. You shouldn’t be judged for asking a question (believe me I’ve been on the receiving end of judgmental breastfeeding support and that was one of the main reasons my oldest was formula fed!) Seeing someone trained in breastfeeding means you will get support and understanding, from a person who can acknowledge how important, frustrating and wonderful this journey is.

This post originally appeared on Bahbabelle.net.

I'm certified as a doula, breastfeeding counselor and Lamaze childbirth educator.  I'm British, living in Bahrain in the Middle East for the last 14 years. I have three daughters and I just want to show them that it doesn't matter your age, dreams can be followed. 

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Your Fave Grove Co. Products Are Coming to a Target Near You

by Erica Loop

Make every day Earth Day with Grove Co.’s eco-friendly, plastic-free cleaning essentials! The Earth-conscious brand recently announced the release of an exclusive new scent—and how you can now shop the line at Target!

The Citron and White Rose scent will be available at the big red bullseye retailer to finally buy in store, bypassing the brand’s website and membership option. You’ll be able to shop the plastic-free products online starting and in stores starting Apr. 18, 2021.

The new collection includes refillable cleaning concentrates to use on an awesome array of household surfaces, a refillable hydrating hand and high-performance dish soap, and dishwasher pods. The dishwasher pods are made with a 91 percent derived plant-based formula and are free of synthetic fragrances or colors.

To learn more about Grove Co. or view the entire plastic-free product line, visit the brand’s website here.

—Erica Loop

Photos courtesy of Grove Co.

 

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Failure to Thrive

By Cheryl Gottlieb Boxer

Photo: Cheryl Gottlieb Boxer

Recently I was going through some old papers in an effort to tidy up, and I came across a page from my son’s infant feeding log. This piece of paper was 22 years old, but seeing it still felt like a punch to my stomach.

Born six weeks early after a harrowing pregnancy, our son’s earliest days and weeks were filled with sadness, anxiety and desperation.

We literally fed that child around the clock, yet he would not gain weight. We tried breastfeeding, then formula feeding, then a variety of foul-smelling predigested formulas. Every ounce consumed was carefully logged. Everything that exited his body was meticulously noted.

There were doctor’s appointments, specialist referrals, blood tests and x-rays. I’d feed him before each weigh-in at the pediatrician’s office, and pray he wouldn’t poop just so he’d be an ounce or two heavier than he was the week before.

That scale became my greatest foe, and I hated it with a passion.

Yet nothing we did worked, and our son’s weight continued to falter. Until all we were left with was a hospital admission, and three ugly words: “Failure to Thrive.”

“Failure to Thrive” is a cruel diagnosis. It felt as much like a condemnation of my mothering as it was evident that something was wrong with my child. He was the one not meeting the goals on the growth chart, but I felt like the one who was not measuring up.

Well, all I can say is twenty-two years later, those dark days are a distant memory. That diagnosis did not define me as a mother, and it most certainly did not define my son.

Twenty-two years later, he is living his best life and is most assuredly not failing at thriving.

Twenty-two years later, “failure to thrive” is a boosted board-riding, roller coaster-loving, wants to jump from an airplane one day, thrill-seeking adventurer, who keeps his mom on her toes and her heart in her throat.

Twenty-two years later, “failure to thrive” is a deep voice and an even deeper soul who plays “Livin’ on a Prayer” on his guitar just because his mom loves it and sings on stage and loves the crowd and belts out a tune slightly off-key.

Twenty-two years later, “failure to thrive” is a meat-loving, raw fish-consuming, midnight snacker who wakes up in the morning and asks “What’s for dinner?”

Twenty-two years later, “failure to thrive” is a heart of gold who loves his grandma and teaches senior citizens how to use technology and plays with babies and is loved by ALL the dogs.

Twenty-two years later, “failure to thrive” offers the strongest hugs that lift me off my feet and melt my heart and make a mom wish this moment could last forever.

Twenty-two years later, “failure to thrive” is a college student too far away, missed by his sister and adored by his parents, finding his way, making the grade, reimagining the world, leaping with faith.

Thriving.

This post originally appeared on No Sick Days For Mom.
Feature image via iStock
Cheryl Gottlieb Boxer
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Cheryl is the creator of the popular blog, No Sick Days For Mom, where she offers encouragement and support to moms muddling through marriage, motherhood, chronic illness and the empty nest. Cheryl resides in New Jersey where she micromanages her tolerant husband, her geriatric cockapoo and her two mostly grown children. 

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22 Hacks for Feeding Baby On the Go: Bottles, Breastfeeding & Snack Tips

by Eva Ingvarson Cerise

Have baby, will travel? Yep! Make it much easier to leave your home with these tricks for feeding your baby when you’re out and about. Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding or if your kid more of a snacker, our list of helpful hacks promises to make your park trips, errands, road trips and flights go more smoothly. Keep reading to see it all.

Hacks for Nursing & Bottle Feeding

Rainier Ridao via Unsplash

1. Get an inflatable travel nursing pillow to keep in the car, and pop it in your carry-on when you travel by plane. When you’re not in transit, that pillow can give your baby a cozy, supported spot to sit or lay on.

2. No need to cry over spilled or spoiled milk. Just bring more formula or pumped breast milk than you think you’ll need. On active days, especially warm ones, your baby will likely be more thirsty than when you’re chilling at home, and a change in routine can also mean a change in feeding habits.

3. Pre-portion formula into small, snack-size plastic bags and fill clean bottles with the amount of water you need. Mix and shake, and it’s bottle time! Bring along additional water in case of spills or if you need more water for drinking.

4. While at home, get your child used to bottles made with room-temperature formula or breastmilk in case you aren’t able to warm bottles while you’re out. With powdered formula, water must be heated to at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit and then cooled until it’s safe for baby to drink.

5. If your babe isn’t going for the room-temperature beverage, there are ways to get hot water to heat your formula bottles or breastmilk bags. Fill large-mouthed travel mugs with hot water before you leave the house, and they’ll keep the water hot for hours. When it’s time for feeding, place the formula bottle or breastmilk bag in a bowl or empty travel mug and pour the hot water into it. Gas stations and coffee shops will also give you hot water (usually for free!) if you tell them you’re using it to warm up your baby’s bottle.

iStock

6. Keep pumped breast milk cold with an ice cooler or freezable lunch bag until you can refrigerate it.

7. Wear a nursing tank under your top so your stomach isn’t exposed when you’re breastfeeding. It also keeps you warmer on chilly days.

8. A swaddle blanket isn’t just for tucking around your baby when it’s chilly or covering the car seat during naptime (leave some of the car seat uncovered so it doesn’t get too hot under there). A swaddle blanket is also handy for slipping over yourself if you’d like some privacy to breastfeed.

9. This is a game-changer for road trips and car outings: If you pump milk, buy the accessories so you can pump in the car. Get an extension cord that plugs into your cigarette lighter, and you can even pump in the backseat!

10. Bring soapy water that you can use to rinse out formula or breastmilk from bottles. Give the bottle a shake to clean them out, and you’ll remove most of the liquid and smell. Pack a clean plastic bag or another container to keep them in until you can wash them properly.

11. Changing your routine might change your focus while breastfeeding. To remember which side you last nursed on, place a hair tie or ring on that hand. Move it after each nursing session, and you’ll always know which side to start nursing on.

Hacks for Baby Snacks

Csifferd via Pixabay

1. When you’re out and about, whether you’re in a stroller, car seat or sitting outdoors, snack cups with lids that allow little ones to reach their hands in are the key to less mess. The cups are fairly spill-proof, and your child will love the autonomy of grabbing their own snacks.

2. Have you seen those plastic pillboxes they sell near the pharmacy at drugstores? Pick up a large one and pack it with a variety of small snacks, like puffs, Goldfish crackers and dried cranberries. Kids will love having an array of options, and you’ll be glad not to have to pack big containers of snacks. Open all the compartments for a baby buffet or just one at a time to contain messes. When kids get older and hungrier, switch to a larger container with small compartments, like a crafting box or a tackle box.

3. Freeze applesauce pouches or yogurt pouches before you leave the house, especially on hot days. They’ll act as ice packs for veggies and sandwiches when you’re en route, and then you can give your child a cool, slushy treat.

4. Bring along sandwich bags filled with folded paper towels (wet towels in one bag, dry towels in the other). The towels can wipe up any spills, and you’ll have a baggie for food wrappers and other items you’re throwing away.

5. Coffee liners make handy snack plates you can throw away—one less thing to lug around.

Aline Ponce via Pixabay

6. If your child is just starting solids, bring along foods that don’t need to be heated, just mashed, like bananas and avocados. Just bring a spoon to mash them up and a knife to cut the avocado.

7. If you’re going on a longer outing, like an all-day or multi-day trip, save some new snacks for the trip home. If your child is over the traveling, a different snack will perk them right up.

8. Looking for a healthy, filling meal you don’t need to heat up? At home, mix raw eggs with finely chopped veggies—roasted or raw. Pour the mixture into mini muffin cups and bake to make a toddler-size treat you can bring with you anywhere.

9. Bring plastic wrap and straws with you if you’ll be getting food from restaurants. If a restaurant only has plastic or paper cups, wrap plastic wrap over the top and pop a straw through. If the cup gets knocked over, the mess will be mostly contained.

10. If you frequently travel by car, a portable car vacuum can keep your car, including the car seat, from getting covered in crumbs. Get the kind that plugs into the cigarette lighter, and you won’t have to worry about it losing its charge.

11. In your kitchen, keep a dedicated snack drawer or shelf with baby-approved store-bought snacks so you can grab and go when you’re in a hurry. Keeping all the kid stuff together also makes it easier to see when you’re running low.

—Eva Ingvarson Cerise

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4 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Night Nurse or Postpartum Doula

By Denise Stern

When hiring overnight care, references, background checks and gut feeling are the most important things to check off your list. Because newborns and new parents have very special needs, here are 4 questions you may not have thought to ask:

1. Do you have your flu shot and vaccinations?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) calls the “mandatory immunization of all health care personnel an ‘ethical, just, and necessary’ means to improve patient safety.”  Babies cannot receive a flu shot before 6 months of age so they are especially vulnerable to influenza. Be sure you and your newborn care provider get the flu shot!Hepatitis B, MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) and TDaP (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis, also known as Whooping Cough) should all be current and documented in your child’s caregiver.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, TDaP  “is especially important for…anyone having close contact with a baby younger than 12 months.”  Even if an adult has had the TDaP vaccine as a child, whooping cough boosters are recommended for adults.

2. How will you support my feeding decisions?
While your doula or nurse is likely very experienced, you are the expert in what’s best for your family.  If breastfeeding is your goal, someone who can’t wait to cheer you on may be a priority for you. If formula is an option, you may want someone who’s also comfortable giving formula.

3. What kind of Experience, relevant Certifcates or Continuing Education do you have? 
At Let Mommy Sleep, we try to stay away from saying what parents and caregivers should or shouldn’t do, but the one exception to this is in safety. For babies 0-1 year old, caregivers need to demonstrate thorough knowledge of basic safety, carseat safety and reducing the risk of SIDS. The AAP offers a comprehensive, free online course, which issues a certificate after completion which we encourage all parents and caregivers to take. First Aid and CPR Certification should also be a given for every caregiver. Other continuing education courses such as lactation support or early childhood milestones offered by regulated agencies show a caregiver’s commitment to their profession and an understanding that recommendations for baby care can change over time. Experience is another excellent indicator of commitment though, and there are many wonderful night nannies and newborn care providers without formal training. Just because someone has taken a newborn care training class doesn’t mean they’ve ever held a real baby. On the same note, it may give you added peace of mind to know that your postpartum caregiver or night nurse is accountable to a state or other governing agency.  It’s important to note that only professionals who have completed Registered Nursing, Certified Nurse Midwife or other higher level Licensed Nursing degrees should be called “nurse” or “baby nurse.”  Without these licensures, is actually illegal to use the term “baby nurse” in many states.

4. How will you soothe my baby? 
Are you thinking you may be an attachment parent? Is sleep training important to you? Maybe a “wait and see” approach to newborn care feels more comfortable? Whatever your personal philosophy, you may wish to ask your night nurse or postpartum doula how s/he soothes baby.  Someone who can explain many safe ways to comfort babies is not only demonstrating experience, but also that they understand that each child and family has different needs.

Whatever you decide, we hope that these questions help make your transition home with baby a happy and healthy one for your family.

With twin girls and a boy born 17 months apart, I'm the owner of the world's most ironically named business, Let Mommy Sleep. Let Mommy Sleep provides nurturing postpartum care to newborns and evidence based education to parents by Registered Nurses and Newborn Care Providers.  

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These Are the Questions to Ask Your Pediatrician on Your Newborn’s First Visit

by Sarah Blight

You may have a laundry list of questions that have popped up in the hours and days since your little one entered the world, or you may not have any and might be unsure what questions to ask. Either way, we’ve got you covered with topics and questions to ask a pediatrician at your first visit to get the most out of your appointment.

Pro tip: Keep a list of questions on your phone for easy access at the pediatrician’s appointment. And no concerns are too small or unimportant to ask. These experts are there to partner with you in your baby’s health and development. So ask away!

Food

1. How much should my baby be feeding?

2. How long should each feeding take?

3. How often should my baby take a bottle or breastfeed?

4. If using formula: What’s the best formula for my child?

5. If breastfeeding: Do I need a lactation consultant? If so, any recommendations?

6. Any tips on nipple care for breastfeeding?

7. Is it okay to pump and breastfeed at the same time?

Digestion

1. After eating, the baby seems gassy or upset. What should we do?

2. Our baby seems to spit up a lot after eating. Could it be reflux?

3. Any techniques to burping our baby that would be helpful?

Sleep

1. What’s the best way to soothe baby to sleep?

2. Is it okay to use a pacifier?

3. How often should my baby be sleeping?

4. Where should my baby sleep, and how can we make sure it’s safe?

 

Diapers

1. How many wet diapers should my baby have each day?

2. How many dirty diapers should my baby have each day?

3. What color and consistency poop should we be looking for?

Weight

1. It looks like our baby has lost weight since birth; is this a concern? Why or why not?

2. If it is a concern, what should we be doing differently?

Vaccines

1. When are the baby’s first vaccines?

2. What side effects can we expect after vaccinations? How should we comfort our baby?

3. How often will baby be scheduled to receive vaccines?

4. Can we discuss specific vaccines and any risk factors to consider?

5. Can we request specific vaccine brands?

6. Is it possible to spread out the vaccines to different appointments? Is it advisable?

Umbilical Cord

1. How long will it take for the cord to fall off?

2. How should we be taking care of the area around the cord?

Circumcision

1. What are the risks and benefits of circumcision?

2. When do you typically do the circumcision?

3. What can we expect after the procedure?

Bath Time

1. How often should we bathe our baby?

2. Where is the safest place to bathe our baby?

3. Any tips on products to use to avoid rashes or irritation?

4. Is lotion recommended after bath time?

Development

1. When should we start tummy time?

2. Why is tummy time important?

3. What things should we be looking for developmentally right now?

Extra Help

1. If we have a concern after office hours, what number do we call?

2. Is a doctor or nurse available for tele-health consultations after hours? If so, how do we access that service?

A Note About New Moms & Mental Health

Women experience a dramatic drop in hormones after giving birth, so it is completely normal to feel out of whack in those first days, weeks and months after having a baby. Sometimes these are simply baby blues that pass as time goes by, but more intense feelings may be postpartum depression and could be dangerous for you and your baby. This happens to many women and is something you should discuss with your OBGYN. While this isn’t a pediatrician concern, it is very important to be in tune with your feelings and emotions during this newborn period and to ask for help when you need it.

RELATED: How to Choose a Doctor for Your Newborn

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The Reasons I Wanted to STOP Breastfeeding

By Karissa Whitman

Photo: "Karissa"

Editor’s Note: Here at Red Tricycle, we respect and celebrate every mom’s feeding journey. Bottle? Boob? It doesn’t matter—we believe fed is best. Our Spoke Contributor Network is inclusive and open to all parenting journeys—yours, too!

For me, breastfeeding was one of the hardest challenges of the postpartum period. The first week in I had no idea if I’d be able to make it to my goal of three months.

You see, it turned out that for 12 solid weeks, my son had an undiagnosed tongue and lip tie. Yep, he had both. Well, why didn’t I seek help? Oh don’t worry, I did. I saw my pediatrician along with a lactation consultant for two weeks within my insurance network. Per their advice, everything was great and this was just a ‘learning curve’ of being a new mom.

Had I known anything about lip or tongue ties, I would have mentioned it. Sadly, I’d never even heard of it before. For 12 straight weeks, we went on struggling to latch every single day for every single feeding. He’d clamp down so hard on my breasts at times they even started to bruise.

I remember my breaking point vividly—I was cradling my son, desperately trying to get him to latch as tears pour down my cheek—I looked over to my husband and told him I didn’t think I could do this anymore. I failed. Our son hated me.

Before giving up, we decided to run one last option. I had been talking to another mom friend of mine that told me her daughter had difficulties latching due to having a lip tie. She told me that she had to use a lactation consultant outside of her network as nobody was able to diagnose the issue. So I decided to contact these lactation consultants and make an appointment.

If you can’t tell, I’m pretty stubborn when it comes to giving in. Not because I think formula feeding is bad, in fact, our son has had plenty of formula early on during these issues.

He also had nothing but formula when he was born. We didn’t necessarily have a traumatic birth, but it wasn’t very straightforward either. He ended up aspirating some meconium when he was born and ended up being taken straight to the NICU after birth so that they could monitor his breathing. On top of that, he had some slightly abnormal lab work that they needed to closely monitor. As I never got to have any skin to skin after birth or even hold him until the next day, it was that much more important to me that I be able to breastfeed him. Even if it meant it was only for three months.

Finally, the day came for our appointment with the new lactation consultant. And what do you know, he was diagnosed with BOTH a lip and tongue tie. How in the world both our pediatrician and other lactation consultant didn’t catch this for 12 weeks was beyond me. I spent 12 weeks in so much pain, nipple cream was actually painful to apply. 12 weeks of feeling like I failed. 12 weeks of wondering why he didn’t want my milk. 12 weeks of finally accepting defeat.

Now that we had a diagnosis, we had his ties repaired via laser. The repair and recovery were also brutal. You have to do these stretches to make sure the repair site doesn’t heal back the way it was before. Trying to hold a baby still while gently applying pressure to a minor surgical site it no fun. It was painful for him and emotionally heart wrenching for me.

After all was said and done, we finally were on a path to a successful breastfeeding journey! He began latching well and nursing consistently around the second week into his recovery. By the fourth week, he actually began to decline his bottles and only wanted to nurse! Again, I remember it all so vividly like it was yesterday.

I’m glad I didn’t give up. I know I easily could have and it probably would have turned out ok. He’d still be fed and I’d truthfully have more of a life (you know, since it wouldn’t have been all encompassed around breastfeeding).

Instead, I got to experience this incredible bond with my son. A special bond that only we will be able to have forever. The memories of him starring into my eyes as he gently ran my hair through his little hands. How sometimes, he’d fall asleep if it was close to bedtime and nuzzle his head into my chest.

He’s going on 11 months old now and our journey will soon be ending (on his terms, of course). He eats his solid food like a mad man and has slowly wanted to nurse less. I look back and remember that making it to three months felt impossible, but here we are heading into 11 months.

Although it is what I consider to be the hardest part of our postpartum period—it’s also been the most rewarding.

 

Karissa is a mom to two young boys and a blogger of Mom After Baby. Karissa believes ALL moms are capable of life beyond motherhood and is passionate about providing informative & educational content to new, expecting, and postpartum moms.

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Baby Brezza Just Launched a WiFi Bottle Maker & It’s a Game Changer

by Karly Wood

Baby Brezza has been leading the way on bottle makers for quite some time, but even they have outdone themselves with their newest product: a WiFi Bottle Maker!

The Formula Pro Advanced WiFi Baby Formula Dispenser is available starting Jan. 5 and will change your bottle-making ways forever. Currently retailing for $279.99 in the U.S. only, the formula mixing machine can be controlled from your phone!

The dispenser uses Baby Brezza’s patented mixing technology to mix formula and water to the ideal consistency and works with nearly all formula brands and bottle types. Parents can customize and set up to five different bottles and select from three temperature settings. Additionally you can choose to dispense anywhere from two to 10 ounces or just dispense water only.

 

You can control the Formula Pro Advanced WiFi Baby Formula Dispenser with the free Baby Brezza app for IOS and Android and get notified when a bottle is ready or there is no formula or water.

You can purchase the machine on babybrezza.com and take advantage of an 18 month warranty, or purchase wherever Baby Brezza products are sold.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Baby Brezza

 

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The Pandemic Forced Me to Breastfeed & It Was the Best Thing I Ever Did

by Danielle Rizzo

 

Katelynn Ansari

I'm a creative hustler and model turned mama. I love sharing real-life moments, affordable fashion, and everyday beauty looks.

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I’d like to start off by saying this isn’t a political post – despite your stance on COVID-19, I think we can all agree that it’s been rough on us all. 

I had a baby during the peak of COVID-19 lockdowns and let me tell you; it was wild. I was having appointments in my car, we didn’t know if my husband would be able to attend the birth, and we watched supermarkets be drained of basic baby necessities like diapers, wipes, and formula. This was my second pregnancy, and I was terrified to give birth like many mothers are but then also faced with the uncertainty of the world and how I would provide for this new life.

With my first baby, Cash, I tried to breastfeed but didn’t last more than 3 months. My nipples hurt, I was exhausted, and I had no idea what I was doing. At that level of exhaustion, formula sounded like a much better option. Fast forward to the pandemic and seeing the pandemonium of baby formula being unavailable to new mamas – I knew from that moment on, I was going to breastfeed if it was the only thing I did. There was no guarantee that formula would be an option this time around. 

When Oliver finally arrived, he was a bundle of pure happiness. We waited to know the gender till his due date and although I swore he was a girl, my husband and I were in complete shock to hear the nurse proclaim, “it’s a boy!” Oliver came into this world on April 26 via planned C-Section; thanks to placenta previa.

Soon after the serotonin high of meeting our little man wore off, on came the same breastfeeding woes from my first – the cracked nipples, pain, exhaustion, cluster feeding, and night feeds. However, this time was different; my mind was right. I’m a very head-strong woman and when I put my mind to something, I don’t waiver. My poor husband would confirm this. Although secretly I know he loves how determined and strong-willed I am (haha). I kept breastfeeding to be certain that Oliver would be fed no matter what and he wouldn’t get sick. I would be his safe place amidst the pandemic. Turns out, it was the best thing I ever did. Pushing through the tough 3-month mark was exactly what needed to happen. From past experience, I never thought I would like breastfeeding as much as I do now but let me tell you, it’s pure joy. The bond Ollie and I have is special. We get uninterrupted time together where we just cuddle, and *sometimes* sit in silence. I look down into his eyes and see such a pure soul. I’m watching him grow, knowing that I am responsible for that. I know that no matter what happens, he will be fed. Truthfully, I’m a bit sad knowing it’s going to end soon.

Breastfeeding is hard. They say it’s a natural thing and I understand that. However, I don’t know about you, but no one ever taught me how to breastfeed. It didn’t come natural to me and in my exhausted state of mind, I had no idea what advice to take. 

1

Elvie Pump

Elvie Pump, The best hands-free pump I used to chase around my first child, work from home, and build up a freezer stash.

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2

Earth Mama Nipple Butter

The best nipple butter thats organic to help with cracked nipples and the pains of breastfeeding.

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3

Dr. Brown’s Bottles

Easily transitioned from breast to bottle with these Dr. Brown’s bottles

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4

Boppy Nursing Pillow

My favorite nursing pillow

$39.99 BUY NOW