Hey, Goddess. Welcome. I would like to say I am so proud of myself for breastfeeding for 10 months and to think I almost gave up…for the second time. With my first baby, I tried so hard but I just didn’t have the support and I didn’t know any breastfeeding mothers to ask for help. The lactation consultants at the hospital where I had my baby lost their contract so they were no longer available and the nurses tried their best but it wasn’t working. I held out for two weeks and the cracked sore nipples, clogged milk ducts, and fear of mastitis were too damn excruciating. And then the depression and anxiety set in and I could no longer do it. Keep reading to find out how I got my newborn to latch perfectly!

With my second baby, my lactation consultant made me the breastfeeding goddess I am today. Now I whip out a boob without a second thought. There’s no pain and I absolutely looove breastfeeding. My bond with my little is amazing and I get way more sleep. Yep, read about the benefits and why I love breastfeeding here. Let me share with you what made it possible for me to become a pro at breastfeeding.

My lactation consultant entered the room with bare feet, relaxed, and awesome energy (I’m big on energy) and she taught me these six things that made me a professional breastfeeding mama:

1. Forget the YouTube Tutorials

1. She said, “Let me see how you breastfeed before I show you anything.” I went to pop baby Cairo on the boob like numerous Youtube videos and she exclaimed, “STOP!”
2. It wasn’t natural or comfortable for me or baby to just slap his little face on the breast the second he opened his little newborn mouth. It made me anxious. And if and when he latched on, it was excruciating and incorrect and he probably wasn’t getting enough milk. My nipples were getting more and more cracked and sore and I dreaded feeding him. Don’t slam the newborn or even a toddler on the boob, as many videos show. Hold your baby belly to belly. Put the nipple in front of your baby, near his nose or upper lip and let him find it. Next, gently use your fingertips to fix his lips correctly around the areola. Trust the process.

2. “You’ve got a death grip on him, Mom.”

1. I was so anxious to be successful at breastfeeding and so scared I wouldn’t succeed that the negative energy was all in my muscles and spirit and my little baby was feeling that stress too. This wasn’t just in the lactation consultants office but also every single time I prepared to feed him. I was anticipating the pain. No wonder he wasn’t latching. Stressed mama. Stressed baby. Breathe and relax your muscles and know all will be well. See how your little one responds.

3. Your Baby is a Mammal.

1. Put him tummy to tummy and let him find the nipple. It turned out God gave him the skills he needed to latch on. Babies have thousands of years of instinct. Let them use it. When I put him on the breast, it felt right. And the more I fed him in a relaxed state, the less it hurt until it didn’t hurt at all and my nipple finally healed.

4. No Nursing Pillows.

1. My Lactation Consultant hated nursing pillows. They are not customized for every woman’s and baby’s size. I always found them a bother, so I never touched one again. I just put him in my arms and now that he’s huge, I put him in my lap.

    

5. NO lanolin cream

1. I could not believe this. She said these creams make your nipples too tender and beyond the first week, you should stop using them. And I’d been slathering my lanolin on. I had tubes of it. But I never put it on again once I left her office.

6. Roll up a diaper and put it under your breast.

1. I have large and not so firm breasts so it was easier for the baby to latch on if my breast were nice and perky. To help your breast stand more erect, roll up a size one or two diaper and stick it under your breast to help the girls sit up perfect for baby to get to your nipples.
2. 

7. Have support behind your back.

1. It can be a pillow. Just make sure you’re not slouching or leaning forward to accommodate your baby. This can lead to soreness and who needs more pain after having a baby. Again, Relax.
   

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   Now here we are, 10 months later, and baby Cairo can find my breasts in pitch-black darkness. There’s no pain and as I said, I love breastfeeding. It’s convenient for me and him. I can always feed him as long as I’m with him. I’m his pacifier and we share a great bond. Click here to read the other reasons why I believe breastfeeding is so much easier than formula feeding.

   My advice is if you can go to a lactation consultant. They are amazing. They help you give your babies the best. They make sure your baby is getting enough milk by weighing him or her and checking for tongue-ties.

   Also, your insurance may cover a consultant especially if you’re military. Hurry before “you know who” changes ish.

   I’m here to help and I know how frustrating trying to breastfeed your newborn can be. Comment below if you have any questions for me. I love nothing more than helping mom’s especially with something so important.

   Live in the Hampton Roads area? Make sure you check out Tidewater Lactation Group.