Where to start?! I know.. breastfeeding

There is so much I want to share, but I had to pick one thing first. And I picked what I think is the single most important decision a mother can make for her newborn. The choice to breastfeed.
There are tons of articles and evidence to prove the benefits of breastfeeding versus formula feeding, and you can do a google search and find them all. But I will focus on my personal experience to tell you why I chose to do it and how it is working out.
For me there was no other choice, I knew before I was even pregnant that I would breastfeed. Not only for the wonderful and unmatched benefits for the baby, but also due to the financial benefit (formula is so expensive!), and the benefits for me as a mom (shedding the baby weight I gained was so important to me). I was scared and unsure about the process. My mother and most of my aunts had stories about not having enough milk, or not being able to keep up with their baby's demanding feeding schedules. And some even had horror stories about pain and bleeding, yikes!
But I was determined. And there is my first hint! If you decide that you are going to breastfeed you have to make that decision 100%! Tell yourself you will do it, and that you CAN do it. That you will get help if you need it and ask questions if its not going the way you expect it. That you will not give up. Sometimes I hear someone say: I'm gonna try to breastfeed. And to be honest, that is just not good enough. Once you say TRY versus I WILL, you are already giving yourself an out when things get hard. And believe me, the begining is hard, and often full of questions and situations that may lead us to give up.
I was able to nurse my daughter until she was 14 months. Then I stopped because she was doing so well with baby food, and cow's milk that I chose to stop at that point. And I am currently nursing my 2 month old son. So let me tell you some of the things I learned from experience:
1. It takes a while for your milk to come in. So your baby is born and you are ready to feed.. except that no milk comes out yet. And that is normal! The first 2-4 days all I got was very little yellow liquid, the colostrum. And that is enough for your newborn. It is all they need. And yes, they will cry, and you will think they are hungry and that you don't have enough milk. But the second you let someone give him/her a bottle instead of putting them to breast, it sends a signal to your body to lower production or even stop it. It is that fast! Our bodies react pretty fast in the beginning. So it is the most important time to nurse as often as needed. Most times newborns are crying not because they are hungry, but because they want to be held close to you, and nurse for confort only (hence the invented pacifier and swaddling). I strongly believe that those first few days are crucial to set up your milk supply and routine.
2. It hurts! yes, it does. The first few feedings are a strange sensation.. makes you second guess your choice. But it gets better! It really does. Within 3-4 weeks you won't even remember those painful days :)
3. Breastfed babies sleep less. Ok.. I have a real big problem with this one. When parents give in to formula because they just need some sleep! Oh please... what is more important to you, your baby's health or a few extra hours of sleep. I know it seems like it will never end in the beginning, but it does, just ask your own mother. So it is worth it. And yes, nursing babies often wake up more throughout the night for the first 2-3 months. But that is because they nurse as much as they need and then go to sleep. Not like formula fed babies who are gulping all the bottle has to give and then crash. Plus, if you are really in need of some extra sleep hours, work out a routine with your husband, or someone who is helping you (a grandma for example), and pump ahead of time to leave a bottle ready for the baby.
4. Supply and Demand! That is how our milk works. Our body is extremely smart and able to adapt easily. So if you think you don't have enough milk, nurse more often, or even pump after you nurse for a few minutes. That will help send a signal to your body that you need more milk. I often noticed that if my baby slept well one night and did not wake up as often to feed the very next night my supply had already decreased.
5. Are they getting enough? So many moms give up because they want to know exactly how much the baby is getting, and if they are getting enough. But that should not worry you at all. Babies gain weight differently. There is no set rule for every single baby. So if your baby gains one week and not the next, it is ok. The red flags are if your baby has not regained birthweight by 3-4 weeks after birth. If they are not gaining any weight between doctor's appts. But if your baby at day 7 has not regained, it is ok. Take my second one for example. He was born at 7lbs, 13 oz. After 7 days he was 7lbs, 3oz ... oh no!!! But at 14 days he was 8lbs 15oz, and now at 2 months he is almost 15lbs! Just give them time.
6. Poop- breastfeeding poop looks so weird to me. It is more liquid than you would expect, and it has curds in it.. sometimes seedy looking. It is yellow-brown.. different shades in between. My second one has been having green poop. I've been so upset over this. It could be a virus, a bacterial infection, or as simple as milk imbalance. Sometimes babies nurse just 5-10 min in each breast and end up getting just the first milk, the milk higher in sugar, and never reach the fatty milk that comes next (you can really notice that difference if you pump, it is visible! a watery milk first, then a more white thick milk next). But the lesson here is to call the doctor if you are not sure. And be very clear with them that you are breastfeeding and you will continue to do so! Since some doctors may encourage you to give formula to see if the problem clears. But only if there are other symptoms or circumstances you should consider that... really, just the green poop alone is not a reason to stop breastfeeding. I haven't! And sometimes he still has the greenish stool, but it has been getting better with time.
Ok, I am sure I forgot some things.. but please if you want to ask just do so! I'll be happy to answer.
Remember that deciding to breastfeed your baby is a sign of love and committment to your baby. You will not regret it!
My daughter, now 2 years old, has never had a cold or flu, she has a strong immune system because she was nursed and it build a foundation for a healthy child!
Next post: First foods and when to start.