Breastfeeding

No B.S. New Mom Breastfeeding Essentials

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure at the bottom of the page.

Here’s something I wish someone would have told me when I was pregnant with my first baby-

You do NOT need nearly everything that is thrown at you or suggested when you have a baby. Some things you will use once, some not at all and some have multiple uses and you’ll use them for a very long time.

With that being said, it is super hard to know what, exactly, is going to be necessary for your breastfeeding style.

Are you going back to work at 6 weeks? Are you exclusively breastfeeding but going back to work? Staying home? Working part time? Are you laid back? Worried about needing something for every possible situation?  These are questions that will change some of the things you may need.

This list was written well after the birth of my 3rd baby, and let me tell ya sister, you don’t need a million things to get by!

Learning HOW to breastfeed shouldn’t be hard- but it is! Milkology is offering a short class that guarantees you will be breastfeeding like a pro in 90 minutes. Totally worth it!

Make sure you grab these FREEBIES for breastfeeding mommas ❤

(use the code NEWMOMMA20 to grab any of the following for free)

FREE NURSING PILLOW

10 REUSABLE NURSING PADS

NURSING COVER

FREE AEROFLOW BREAST PUMP

Breastfeeding Essentials For The New Mom:

NURSING BRAS

I was lucky enough to get a whole bunch of nursing bras passed down to me from my sister-in-law. I was not lucky enough to have tiny boobs like her!

So I suffered through 2 babies wearing nursing bras 2-3 sizes too small.

Yeah, kinda ridiculous.

With my 3rd baby I splurged and realized what all the fuss was about!

You are going to be practically living in this bra for the next 1-2 years (depending on how long you nurse).

 Here’s your permission, here’s your validation-

YOU’RE WORTH EVERY PENNY OF A GOOD NURSING BRA.

Don’t settle for some cheap, crappy bras that don’t fit quite right.

Any mom with a baby deserves a super comfy, easy to use nursing bra.

This nursing bra is the one I finally settled on and it’s the epitome of comfort and support. I live in this bra during the day and will definitely buy another one when it wears out. It’s going strong 7 months!

This pack of 3 is a bit more budget friendly and has over 7000 reviews giving it a 4.5/5 rating. 

RELATED: How To Heal Postpartum Like A Boss

 

NIGHT NURSING BRAS

Night nursing bras help with a few things:

• keeping milk from leaking down your naked body during night time feeds
• extremely easy access (no clips) requiring zero brain power for those middle of the night feeds.
• they are super stretchy and comfortable and won’t be too hard on your fluctuating breasts or cause blockages.
• These night nursing bras are comfortable, affordable and are easily tossed in the wash. It’s really nice to be able to roll over and whip out a boob in bed (if you co-sleep) easily and not have to worry about snapping anything back together.

RELATED: Should I Have a Third Baby?

NIPPLE CREAM

This is not optional. For your nipples’ sake, please use nipple cream! You seem to really only need it for the first few weeks and then your body adjusts to breastfeeding. If you are a DIY’er, here is a recipe for homemade healing balm that you can definitely use, just omit the tea tree oil.

If you really want to make it yourself but don’t have the time or ingredients for making a balm, throw a couple of drops of lavender essential oil in some coconut oil. Works like a charm!

If you don’t have time for that, this is what I’ve used for 2 of my nursing babies- it smells like chocolate and is safe for baby!

RELATED: How To Increase Milk Supply (even if it seems hopeless)

FREE printable breastfeeding supplies checklist below!

NURSING BREAST PADS

Some people swear by reusable and some people swear by disposable. I’ve tried both and I don’t mind either. These are the kind I’ve tried and stuck with for all of my babies!

These reusable nursing pads are made from organic bamboo, washable, reusable and waterproof.

You can grab a set of reusable ones for free- click here and use the code NEWMOMMA20.

MILK BOOSTING TEA

This is totally optional and depends on what you are like. Are you already worried about your milk supply and your baby hasn’t been born yet?

Then you may want to have this tea on hand. I drank it with my first daughter, kind of as a ‘just in case’ type thing and actually had to stop drinking it because I was producing too much milk!

If you’d rather have a milk boosting snack, this protein powder was made for breastfeeding moms and has milk boosting ingredients in it. It helps you lose weight while keeping up your supply 🙂

RELATED: VEGAN LACTATION RECIPES FOR BOOSTING MILK SUPPLY

 

NURSING PILLOW

Having a nursing pillow with my first baby was a complete life saver for my back and shoulders. If you’re on baby 2 or 3- you probably don’t need one. But with your first, breastfeeding is a bit of a learning curve and I used my nursing pillow constantly.

This nursing pillow has adjustable strap to keep your baby in place which is very helpful when you’re both brand new to breastfeeding.

You can also click here to grab a free nursing pillow with the code NEWMOMMA20 but I’m going to be honest with you- the quality just isn’t as good. They’re not quite as firm but sometimes that’s fine- depends on the momma.

RELATED: How To Lose Weight While Breastfeeding

PUMP

When I had my first baby, I went out and bought all. the. things. A pump was one of them! I bought a Medela Swing and did NOT love it. There are many reasons you may need a pump but quite possibly, you won’t need one.

I certainly didn’t!

If you are wondering if you will need a pump or not, please check out this guide.

If you are going back to work and want to exclusively breastfeed there are a few options to consider but factors like budget and necessity come into play.

What is a deal breaker for you?

Do you need a double pump? Single? Hospital strength?

I recommend doing some serious research into what would be best for you.

If you are going to be home most of the time and will occasionally go out to dinner and a movie, an electric pump really isn’t necessary.

This Hakaa is a good option for a manual pump. It’s so easy to use, helps with the pain of engorgement and can be used to catch the let down milk from the other breast while breastfeeding. Some are saying that they are using this as a replacement to an expensive electric pump and are using it even while working!

*UPDATE! I bought the Hakaa manual breast pump and it is AMAZING! Like, unreal! Once it suctions onto your breast you don’t need to do anything- the milk will keep coming out!

If you are going back to work full time and are going to pumping quite extensively, some of the best reviews I’ve found are for this pump which is hospital grade and an excellent price for what it does.

RELATED: Newborn Baby Essentials (+what you DON’T need)

NURSING TANKS AND TOPS

This nursing tank is so incredibly handy. You can wear it by itself with no other bra and it looks cute with a cardigan thrown over top. Easy to breastfeed while at home or out in public. I do not have small boobs and was worried about the support aspect but they are AMAZING!

These tanks have a 4.5 star rating and come some beautiful patterns and solid colors. Click here to read some of the awesome reviews they have.

If you’re looking for a nursing t-shirts, these ones has really high reviews and some lovely prints and solid colors!

Or this pack of 2 is a good option for a really good price. Check out the reviews here.

MATERNITY SPORTS BRA

If you are active at all, I highly recommend spending the money on a legitimate maternity sports bra! The difference is incredible and it will be kind to your changing boobs. Many of them are supportive but super stretchy to accommodate growing and shrinking breasts during breastfeeding!

This sports bra has some raving reviews-

*So comfortable! I love love love this bra. This is my third baby and have tried them all… this one is the best

Click here to read some more of the reviews and questions answered!

If you aren’t super active and don’t do high impact things like running or jumping, please skip this section!

If you are active, continue reading:

This sports bra (which is NOT a maternity sports bra) needs to be mentioned here. I have been running for almost 5 years. Never in my whole experience running have I come across a better sports bra, and I’ve tried a lot. This sports bra reduces the bounce rate of your boobs by 76% and this in itself is worth every penny! When you are nursing and running or doing high impact activity, having a sports bra like this is heaven! I would recommend buying this after about 3 months when your milk production has regulated and your chest isn’t changing size as much as in the beginning.

RELATED: Everything You Need To Know About C-Section Recovery

BONUS

A nasal aspirator. No, this doesn’t have to do with breastfeeding but I’m putting it in here because it is such a damn life saver and I wish I’d had it with my first baby. She was so congested after the birth that we would hold her her facing the floor and smack her back because she couldn’t breathe ?

If your baby gets stuffed up and cannot nurse or is congested after birth, this invention will blow your mind! You put a small piece in your baby’s nose and suck through a tube (the snot does not go anywhere near your mouth, don’t worry!) and it will literally clear out your babies nose and give them huge relief. I would now buy this for any expecting mother as my number one present!

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I got overwhelmed by the information and guilt as to what I thought I ‘should’  have for my baby. Now with my 3rd breastfed baby, the only things I have legitimately used for breastfeeding are on this list!

Did I miss anything? What nursing/breastfeeding essentials for new moms would you add? Let me know in the comments ❤

Other Breastfeeding Articles You Might Like:

• 12 Vegan Snacks For Breastfeeding Moms
• How To Drop Weight (without dropping your milk supply)
• Breastfeeding Tips For 1st Time Moms
• How To Heal Quickly Postpartum

No B.S. Breastfeeding Supplies and Nursing Essentials For New Moms

 

How do I Choose a Nursing Bra?

Searching for the best nursing bra on the market this year? Well, you’ve found it!

In this article, I’d like to discuss the best nursing bra I have found to make your breastfeeding journey successful in 2020!

This nursing bra is going to take you from annoyed and disgruntled to feeling confident and comfortable 🙂 It’s easy to use, super comfy and will last a LONG time (I’ve had mine for over 4 years, through 2 babies and it’s still solid!)

mom life. Motherhood and breastfeeding are easier with this wireless nursing bra (great for large breasts too). A guide of the best nursing bras for postpartum life. From sleep nursing bras to full wireless or sports nursing bra, I have rounded up the best bras for your breastfeeding journey. #breastfeeding #nursing #nursingbra #newmomlife #babies #postpartum” src=”https://themommyhoodclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sept-8-copy.jpg” alt=”best nursing bra/bravado nursing bra” class=”wp-image-8251″/>

Do You Really Need a Nursing Bra?

You might be thinking that you can get away with any old bra for breastfeeding your baby…

I hate to break it to you, but you’d be very wrong!

There are so many changes that happen to our bodies when we have a baby- one of the biggest being our breasts!

Not only do they swell and change with pregnancy, they change again when your milk comes in for baby.

Breastfeeding is hard enough on it’s own- give yourself a fighting chance with the right tool (hint- a good nursing bra!)

When you have a nursing bra that is comfortable, easy to put on, easy to wash and will last your whole breastfeeding journey (or longer), magic will happen.

There isn’t anymore frustration or discomfort and your breastfeeding journey will be smooth (er).

RELATED: No B.S. Breastfeeding Essentials

How Do I Choose a Nursing Bra?

The options for choosing a nursing bra that’s right for you can be so overwhelming. While it might seem productive to read over giant lists of “top 50 nursings bras of 2020” or whatever they call them, it really isn’t.

Those giant lists usually just end up overwhelming and confusing you to the point that after you’ve read it, you still don’t KNOW which is best for you!

According to Consumer Reports, there are 6 types of nursing bras:

• Sleep nursing bras
• Soft-cup nursing bras
• Underwire nursing bras
• Sports nursing bras
• Tank top nursing bras
• Breast-Pumping Nursing Bras

Sleep Nursing Bras

A lot of new moms end up asking “should you wearing a nursing bra at night?”

There a few reasons new moms might want to sleep in a nursing bra:

• Breast size– having smaller breasts may mean that you don’t need the extra stability or support overnight.
• Comfort– it’s all about you, momma! If wearing a well fitting bra aids in your comfort overnight, then wear one!
• How much milk you’re leaking– this is the reason I did buy a pack of night bras. I would leak milk at night during feedings and didn’t want to deal with wet, sticky milk all over me and my bed so I wore a night nursing bra.

This pack of 3 night nursing bras have over 13000 reviews on Amazon.

Another great option for night time is to wear a nursing tank. These still offer support but may not be as restrictive.

Soft-Cup Nursing Bras

So, what does a soft cup bra mean? Just that the bra will provide support with no underwire. This can be especially nice during breastfeeding where comfort comes first! Having restrictive underwire is not good when you can get plugged ducts easily- room for bloodflow is important.

This bra is hands down the best nursing bra for that reason- it’s got lots of support, no underwire and is easy to use.

This nursing bra is a really close contender but is more expensive.

Underwire Nursing Bras

“Can I wear an underwire bra while breastfeeding?”

The answer is, YES! You certainly can. Some women may prefer underwire because it can provide a lot of support and some extra lift.

You shouldn’t wear a bra with underwire while sleeping, though. That can cut off circulation. Make sure you have some super comfy night nursing bras to compliment your underwire day nursing bra 🙂

Sports Nursing Bras

Getting a sports nursing bra may not be necessary. It depends on the level of activity and whether or not you need to feed baby around exercising.

If you’re going to be running or jumping a lot but won’t need to feed baby in between- consider getting a high impact sports bra. This will help with bounce and support. This sports bra has held up for 3 years of running for me- and still going strong 🙂 they boast a “70% bounce reduction rate.”

If you’re planning on doing low impact activity or using the sports bra though out the day- consider getting a true nursing sports bra that allows easy access for breastfeeding.

Another option is to simply get a stretchy sports bra if you don’t need one that unclips for breastfeeding. Just make sure you consider the level of activity and how much support you’ll need!

Tank Top Nursing Bras

Tank top nursing bras are really nice to have for sleeping in or wearing (mostly) around the house. I really loved having a couple of nursing tanks for the early newborn days with all 3 of my babies.

Sleeping in them is nice too- they aren’t too restrictive and hold everything in place nicely. They also catch the leaks 🙂

You can find more expensive nursing tanks like the one Bravado offers but honestly you don’t need to spend much on a nursing tank.

I’ve Found the BEST Nursing Bra of 2020

There are different situations during breastfeeding that call for different types of bras. For the regular, every day, mostly at home milky days with a newborn?

The Bravado Seamless Body Silk nursing bra is exactly what we breastfeeding momma’s need 🙂

Are you tired of shopping around for a nursing bra that actually fits? Are you done with having nursing bras come in the mail only to be seriously disappointed and then have to send them back?

This nursing bra will last for years, keep you well supported and be a pleasure to put on. After I got mine, I immediately ordered a second one to rotate throughout the week.

GRAB THIS AMAZING NURSING BRA NOW!

• 
  Breastfeeding Essentials For New Moms
• 
  The BEST Nursing Bra Money Can Buy {with a buying guide and reviews}
• 
  How To Lose Weight While Breastfeeding (safely and without affecting your milk supply!)

Losing Weight While Breastfeeding

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure at the bottom of the page.

Having a baby is seriously intense. Your body completely changes, your life kind of turns upside down and on top of that you just want to lose some damn weight after feeling like a house for so long ?

When I had my first baby, so many people told me that breastfeeding was magical because the baby weight would “melt off.”

Well…. 6 months came and went but the baby weight sure as hell didn’t. Something that helped me lose weight quickly after subsequent births was finding this protein powder. I use it as a whole meal for breakfast or as a snack in the afternoon and it helps to keep me feeling full so I don’t just constantly eat all day. It’s the tastiest protein powder I’ve ever tried and made specifically for breastfeeding moms- you can check it out here.

Here’s something we all need to understand though-

You GREW a HUMAN for NINE MONTHS. Give yourself a grace period of NINE MONTHS. Please! It’s better for your mental health. 

I’m not saying you shouldn’t care or try to be healthy before nine months is up- I’m saying, 9 months is a long time to grow a baby and you need that time to get back to ‘normal.’ Grace is what you need momma. 

How Many Calories Does Breastfeeding Burn?

Breastfeeding your baby and producing milk burns calories. The actual amount depends on your baby’s age, how often you’re breastfeeding and how much milk your body is producing.

On average, breastfeeding can burn up to 500 calories.

Source

How Much Weight Can You Lose While Breastfeeding?

You can lose around a pound every 1-2 weeks if you are taking in the recommended calories and breastfeeding exclusively. 

I don’t think this worked for me because I was NOT counting calories or exercising for the first 6 months after my first baby was born- I was just expecting that breastfeeding in itself would make me lose weight.

If you want to lose weight while breastfeeding safely, you need to figure out how many calories you need for your BMI and make sure you are not losing weight too quickly. 

Most moms can safely lose 1.5lbs a week without affecting milk supply. Slow and steady wins the race!

Again, your weight gain happened gradually and you need to lose it gradually, not all at once!

What Is A Good Breastfeeding Diet To Lose Weight?

A good diet- isn’t a ‘diet’ at all. What you eat should be a lifestyle and you should never feel boxed in by your ‘diet.’

As long as you’re consuming mostly healthy and whole foods (not processed) you can have some junk here and there and you won’t die. 

The reason I started to eat plant based foods was strictly for my health- I wanted to feel good and lose weight, which I did!

This is the guide I try to follow as much as I can. I still treat myself to some plant based junk food when I feel like it. There is a plant based version of pretty much any meat/dairy products now so I’ve never once felt deprived and there seems to be more and more everyday!

When I started eating this way and took up running- that’s when the weight melted off. I literally remember running ‘out’ of my clothes- they started to fall off as I lost weight!

RELATED: How To Start Running (as a new mom)

Best Foods To Boost Milk Supply (+6 to avoid)

These foods can help you produce more breast milk and some also encourage weight loss:

• Oatmeal
• Spinach 
• Brewer’s Yeast
• Garlic 
• Fenugreek
• Apricots
• Sesame Seeds

Foods To Avoid While Breastfeeding

• Alcohol– it’s best to generally avoid it but according to the CDC “up to one drink per day” is totally fine.
• Excess caffeine– Medela has an article that states a small amount of caffeine per day is totally fine, just don’t over do it!
• Fish– eating fish in moderation is okay but you want to be careful of how much and what kind. Mercury found in fish passes through breast milk to your baby so be aware of that.
• Peppermint, parsley and sage– for some reason, these herbs can decrease your milk supply. You don’t need to avoid them completely but be mind of dishes that have large amounts or drinking a lot of peppermint tea.

RELATED: Yummy Lactation Boosting Recipes

Will I Lose Weight After I Stop Breastfeeding?

Some women do and some women don’t. The reason why you might not lose weight after breastfeeding is because you are used to consuming extra calories to fuel milk production.

If you stop breastfeeding but keep consuming those extra calories, you might end up gaining a bit of weight.

The reason you might lose weight is because your body isn’t retaining as much water and your breasts shrink down!

What’s The Fastest Way To Lose Weight While Breastfeeding?

1. Eat a balanced diet with whole foods

It’s tempting to try to find something that promises to make you drop weight quickly. Unfortunately- that’s just not healthy for anyone, but especially for breastfeeding moms.

By eating a balanced diet with whole foods, you are nourishing your body and you will lose weight. Be patient and remind yourself how fortunate you are that you are ABLE to access and eat fresh and healthy foods!

2. Drink lots of water

It almost seems counterintuitive to guzzle water but this truly helps you lose weight. It’s especially helpful if you try to drink a glass of water before eating- hunger pangs and thirst pangs are identical.

Try drinking water to see if you’re actually just thirsty!

3. Eat smaller meals throughout the day with protein rich snacks

I mentioned this protein powder earlier- it truly is amazing and it was made FOR breastfeeding moms! I either drink it as breakfast (plain shaken with water or blended up with ice, a small bit of spinach, almond milk and a banana) or as a snack at some point in the day. It helps to kill sugar cravings, has milk boosting ingredients and keeps you feeling full!

Eating a small handful of nuts, a bit of hummus and veggies, a piece of whole wheat toast with some peanut butter- all great snacks to give you clean energy and keep you feeling full!

4. Exercise safely

Start slowly if you haven’t exercised before. Build up a good fitness base before going too hard! I love to run and that’s pretty much free- you just need running shoes and the courage to get out the door.

When it’s winter and too cold to run I use the BeachBody on Demand app. You can sign up for a free trial here.

At first I was embarrassed about it- now? I LOVE it and tell everyone about it simply because you can do everything from home with minimal equipment.

They have something for everyone:

• 21 Day Fix- get fit in 21 days!
• Morning Meltdown- commit to 100 days of workouts (only 30 minutes or less a day)
• Insanity- cardio based total body conditioning (only body weight required)
• Liift 4- get into shape with weight lifting and HIIT workouts in just 4 days/week
• Core de Force- MMA style workouts to have feeling strong and empowered

Start with the free 2 week trial to find something you like.

The important thing is that you find something you love! Don’t force yourself to lift weights if it makes you want to die of boredom- do something that brings you joy.

(On the other side of that- sometimes it takes time for something to bring you joy as you learn a new skill. If you’ve never run or lifted weights before, it might suck at first until you get good at it.)

5. Don’t be hard on yourself

When you are stressing out and being hard on yourself- it will be harder to lose weight. Push yourself with realistic goals but don’t stress every day if you’re not seeing drastic results- the results are there but they take time to be noticed.

6. Don’t weigh yourself every day

Weigh yourself once a week or once every two weeks. Even once a month! Weighing yourself every day is pointless- our weight fluctuates day to day- sometimes by 1-3 POUNDS! So weighing yourself every day is not an accurate representation of how you’re doing.

RELATED: How To Exercise At Home (when you have small kids)

Every Mom’s Weight Loss Journey Is Different

They say comparison is the thief of joy. And it’s so so true.

Don’t look at pictures of other moms who ‘bounced back’ right away. Don’t compare yourself to celebrities who went down to their pre pregnancy size 2 hours after giving birth.

Seriously, I’m giving you permission to mute notifications or unfollow any social media accounts that make you feel like garbage.

The only person you need to worry about is yourself. You can DO THIS!

More Breastfeeding Articles You May Like:

• Breastfeeding Must Haves For New Moms
• 10 Realistic Breastfeeding Tips
• How To Boost Your Milk Supply
• Lactation Boosting Recipes

BREASTFEEDING DIET FOR NEW MOMS

We’re on baby number 3, she’s 6 months old and the breastfeeding this time around has been a dream! When I had my first baby, not so much.

My first baby had:

• tongue tie
• thrush
• trouble latching from the two mentioned above

As a mom, I had:

• cracked nipples
• dysphoric milk ejection reflex
• horribly sore back and neck from incorrect positioning

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure at the bottom of the page.

Breastfeeding a newborn is surprisingly difficult. Milkology is offering a short class that guarantees you’ll be breastfeeding like a pro in 90 minutes! So, if you’re short on time but need some help with your breastfeeding game- this class is for you.

Breastfeeding tips for new moms:

EXPECT THAT IT WILL BE PAINFUL

(At first, but that will go away as you both learn)

Breastfeeding is a HUGE learning curve. You should be completely committed to breastfeeding so that you stay with it. I think it takes mothers by surprise how intense it is, how raw and real and painful it can be.

Especially in those first few weeks.

That being said, OF COURSE there are reasons to stop, I do not want to discount that and it is so important you do what’s best for YOU and YOUR BABY.

It’s important to stress here that most of us believe we’re just gonna sail into breastfeeding like we’re breastfeeding goddesses that won’t have a single issue…

and while YOU ARE a breastfeeding goddess, you are one that will need to learn this new skill. Just like diaper changes, swaddling and baby wearing, it takes-

PRACTICE.

Don’t give up!

I had *almost* forgotten the pain of breastfeeding until my 3rd was a couple days old and the milk really started to come in. Your nipples are not used to being suckled on and they will be sore and may crack (this is what I’ve used every baby), no matter how many babies you have had.

The good news?

It gets better.

Oh hell yeah!

Suddenly you realize that you just fed your baby and it didn’t hurt! 

And honestly, it seems like an eternity when you are in the thick of it, but by roughly 6 weeks (usually sooner) your breasts will have evened out with production and the cracked and sore nipples will have cleared up.

RELATED: Breastfeeding Benefits

TRY A NURSING PILLOW

Being able to have your baby at the right height and easily access your breasts without killing your back is CRUCIAL during those first few months. Using a nursing pillow with my first two children really was extremely helpful.

This is a great nursing pillow to start with because it’s sturdy and even has a strap so that it won’t slip around.

You can grab a FREE nursing pillow by using the code NEWMOMMA20 but please be aware that they aren’t as good quality.

If this is your first (or second!) baby, grab a nursing pillow. They‘re soooo freaking helpful.

Also fun to use the nursing pillow to prop your baby up in bed before they can sit up by themselves!

BE AWARE OF TONGUE TIE

My first baby had a hell of a time latching. She just couldn’t quite do it and it was excruciatingly painful. After 24 hours in the hospital, they whisked her away and made a tiny cut to help with the tongue tie symptoms, which are:

• difficulty lifting the tongue to roof of mouth or side to side
• trouble sticking the tongue out past gums
• a tongue that appears notched or heart shaped when stuck out
• difficulty latching properly

If breastfeeding is unbearable, your baby might have tongue tie. It will be painful at first, but if it is so painful you are crying at the thought of a feed, look into tongue tie.

(Disclaimer: You may cry when they take your baby away to do this. I was absolutely heartbroken, but it IS worth it, for you and for your sweet baby.)

RELATED: How To Lose Weight While Breastfeeding (without affecting your milk supply)

BE AWARE OF THRUSH

My first two babies had thrush, almost immediately following the birth. This is usually because you’ve had antibiotics during your pregnancy or labor. Or you’re prone to yeast infections. I was lucky enough to have antibiotics during both pregnancy and labor with both children. (This is what to take after antibiotics to build your immune system back up)

Thrush can cause difficulty feeding and irritability in your baby.

Symptoms are as follows:

• white patches on tongue, roof of mouth or inside of cheeks
• redness around the patches
• corners of the mouth may crack
• patches of white that look like milk but can’t be wiped away

Luckily, it is easily treated. Just make sure if you are treating your baby, you are also getting yourself examined because mom and baby can pass it back and forth between nipple and mouth. No big deal, just make sure you are both treated at the same time!

RELATED: No BS Pregnancy Essentials (for every trimester)

CHECK INTO D-MER

Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex.

This is something I wish someone had told me about sooner.

When I breastfed my first daughter, right before my milk would let down, I would get some crazy feelings. Feelings like-

• unbearable homesickness
• deep, aching sadness
• being totally unworthy
• a feeling of just being sick to the stomach, almost like when you realize you’ve done something shameful and the pit of your stomach drops.

It took me a long time before I would openly talk about it with anyone. And when I did,  I realized that MANY other mothers experience something like this.

Although there isn’t much in the way of treatment, just knowing that what you are experiencing is a chemical reaction and that there is nothing WRONG with you can help you get a serious handle on it.

CO-SLEEP WITH YOUR BABY

Imagine co-sleeping next to your baby and feeding them without getting up, sitting up, WAKING UP.

It’s a (sleeping mom’s) dream come true!

Not to mention, we are biologically meant to sleep with our precious babies.

It’s easy to quickly assess how they are doing, check their temperature or breathing and make sure nothing is obstructing their face all without having to wake up and run to the crib or another room.

BE PREPARED FOR PLUGGED DUCTS

Plugged ducts are seriously not fun. You’ll know when one of your breasts starts to feel hot to the touch, is red and has sore spot or lump.

It’s important to keep breastfeeding as often as possible to try to unplug the duct. Applying warm compresses and massaging during breastfeeding can help.

A hot shower and a gentle massage of the plugged duct has helped me more than a few times!

Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish a plugged duct from…

MASTITIS

Mastitis is different from a plugged duct because it is an infection, usually accompanied by a fever.

Although you may need to take antibiotics, (don’t mess around, if you need to take them, please do and don’t feel guilty about it) usually mastitis will clear up in 48 hours and they may not be necessary.

The reason for waiting to take antibiotics right away is because our bodies are extremely adept at fighting things off, if given the chance. When you take antibiotics, they wipe EVERYTHING out of your system, good or bad and then you can have a weakened immune system. Which is why I highly recommend taking a probiotic if you end up needing antibiotics!

RELATED: No BS Breastfeeding Essentials

KNOW HOW TO GET A GOOD LATCH

BE KIND TO YOURSELF

Even if you have the most amazing labor and delivery, nothing could have gone smoother and you are home within 24 hours of giving birth-

You are gonna have some HUGE emotions that come up. 

Your life has drastically changed. You are now in charge of a tiny human who is relying on your for their survival.

Yeah, it’s a big deal. 

It’s also an empowering feeling to know that you DID IT.

And that you will do it, keep your precious newborn sustained and thriving.

So when you have these emotions and you need to cry, or scream or break down-

DO IT.

Honor the hell out of those feelings, and also, let them go. 

It’s not you personally breaking down and entering a state of depression.

It might be if you let it get that far but if you try to remember that it is NORMAL to have these feelings and that they will pass, you will truly kick ass as a new mother. 

It’s when we try to fight these feelings, control them and act like they are wrong that it’s not gonna go well.

They’re not wrong.

Birthing a baby is a HELL of thing, no matter if you had a 48 hour labor or a 4 hour one. C-section or a vaginal birth.

IT DOESN’T MATTER.

Surrender to the feelings, don’t fight them and when you are ready to move on, do it with self-love.

By the way- don’t miss these nursing momma FREEBIES ❤

(use the code NEWMOMMA20 to grab any of the following for free)

• Nursing Pillow
• 10 Free Breastfeeding Pads
• Nursing Cover

Are you pregnant or nursing your new baby? Let me know in the comments what kind of stuff came up for you and how you dealt with it!

MORE HELPFUL BREASTFEEDING ARTICLES:

• No BS Breastfeeding Essentials
• How To Increase Milk Supply (even if it seems hopeless)
• 12 Vegan Snacks For Breastfeeding Moms
• No BS Newborn Must Haves

SIGNS OF LOW MILK SUPPLY

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure at the bottom of the page.

Having a baby is kind of sort of CRAZY. It’s like, your hormones are partying like teenagers on the 4th of July, you pushed a watermelon out of yourself and now you’re responsible for keeping this tiny, fragile human ALIVE.

Yikes!

And then on top of all of that you may be learning to breastfeed. Which comes with it’s set of challenges. And if you have a low supply? That could be devastating.

This post is meant to answer all of your questions on how to increase breast milk supply, why your supply might be low and signs of low supply! I’ve included some quotes from real mommas who did have some trouble but got their supply up successfully! Hopefully they help you.

how long does it take to increase breast milk supply?

It takes about 3-5 days before you’ll see an increase in your milk supply when you’re actively trying to increase it. This is because of supply and demand. Give your body a chance to adjust to the new demands!

Signs of low breast milk supply

Here are some signs your breastmilk IS decreasing:

• Your baby isn’t gaining weight– babies lose 5-10 percent of their birth weight within the first days of their lives. However, they should be back up to their birth weight by day 10-14 and then start gaining around an ounce a day.
• Not enough wet diapers– expect 5-6+ wet diapers every 24 hours after your milk comes in!
• Dehydration in baby– if your baby has dark-colored urine, dry mouth or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) or if they seem lethargic or not interested in feeding they could be dehydrated.

Why is my milk supply low?

According to Mayo Clinic, your milk supply may be low for a number of reasons:

• Waiting too long to start breastfeeding after birth.
• Not breastfeeding often enough– even though your baby may be sleepy, make sure they are waking often enough to feed. Newborns eat 8-12 times a day.
• Supplementing breastfeeding– the chances of needing to supplement are not high. Only supplement if your doctor has recommended this. Supplementing can cause a low milk supply because your body doesn’t think it needs to produce as much milk. This is because of supply and demand. 
• Incorrect latch– I found it confusing and difficult to understand what the nurses were telling me about latching while I was in the hospital (probably because of sleep deprivation and utter exhaustion- go figure.) Check out this video to get a better understanding of a good latch if you’re struggling, it’s very helpful!
• Premature birth.
• Pacifier introduced too soon– giving your baby a soother in the first month can affect your supply. Mayo Clinic suggests waiting until 3-4 weeks after birth before giving your baby a pacifier.

What foods help produce breast milk?

Eating these foods can help you naturally boost your breast milk supply:

• Oatmeal
• Spinach
• Brewer’s yeast
• Garlic
• Fenugreek
• Apricots

RELATED: Yummy Lactation Boosting Recipes

What are the home remedies to increase breast milk supply?

• Breastfeed more often.
• Pump in between feedings to increase your supply.
• Breastfeed from both sides.
• Making lactation cookies, lactation smoothies or any lactation boosting foods. Or grab some Milk Dust protein powder and add it to just about anything! It’s plant based and contains lactogenic ingredients (like milk thistle, raspberry leaf, brewer’s yeast, fenugreek and fennel). And it actually tastes good! You can find it HERE.
• Try supplementing with breastfeeding herbs known to increase supply such as fenugreek, garlic (I recommend getting odorless), fennel, brewer’s yeast, blessed thistle, alfalfa or spirulina. 
• Grab some breastfeeding tea, like this one! I drank this with my first baby and actually ended up producing too much milk.

• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
• Rest when you can.
• Be easy on yourself.

Tips from real moms who had a low milk supply and brought it UP successfully!

Keyona from Professional Momma

When I first returned to work I experienced a decrease in my milk supply. I wasn’t able to pump as often as I’d been nursing at home and it was very stressful. I wanted to avoid the herb supplements because I had heard they could actually hurt your supply too. So, I turned to power pumping on the weekends and it was a game changer.

Keyona also has an in depth guide to power pumping, you can find it HERE.

Hilda from Real Mom Help

I had trouble with my milk supply with my first born. I am not sure it it was stress, inexperience or just overall low production that I dealt with. I think it was probably a bit of all of these. My lactation nurse recommended fenugreek capsules. They worked wonders. I was able to produce more ilk and was able to stop supplementing with formula. My baby was growing. Ever since, I breastfed two more babies successfully. And while my milk supply was never super abundant, the fenugreek helped make it enough for my babies.

Ashley from Mom Like You Mean It

Making sure to drink plenty of water and eat foods like oats and fenugreek. They always gave my supply a little boost, but when I really needed to up my supply considerably I always used power pumping to help increase milk production. Power pumping works by mimicking a cluster feeding session where you use a double electric pump to pump off and on for an hour.

You can check out Ashley’s post on power pumping that goes a lot more in depth HERE.

Rebecca from Collecting Clovers

My last child was born with an undiscovered tongue-tie. By the time it was discovered, at 4 weeks of age, my supply had already taken a significant hit.

With the assistance of an IBCLC, I began triple feeding and power pumping to increase my supply. Since supply is established by demand, triple feeding and power pumping told my body it needed to produce more milk. I also added in oatmeal every morning, increased my water intake and fenugreek free Milk Mama supplements.

It took several weeks, but I was able to increase my once depleted supply. I increased it so much, I actually ended up with an oversupply, which came with its own set of challenges!

It’s a wild and scary time the first few weeks/months with a newborn. If you’re struggling with a low supply, please know that it’s probably not your fault. These things happen sometimes that are out of our control. Be easy on yourself, be patient. I’m sending you so much luck and love on your journey, whether you breastfeed or not. I know you’ve got this ❤

Do you have any tips or words of wisdom for other mommas who may be struggling? Leave a comment and let me know where you’re at, I’d love to connect!

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure at the bottom of the page.

The three main ingredients that are good for lactation and boost milk supply are:

1. Oats- they contain saponins, plant estrogens and beta-glucan which all have a positive effect on the hormones that help produce breast milk.
2. Flaxseed- contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which increases the ALA content in breastmilk.
3. Brewer’s Yeast- contains galactagogues which have lactogenic properties.  (This brewer’s yeast has been debittered which I would recommend using in your recipes! Otherwise it does have a slightly bitter taste.)

Although I truly love to bake… I also truly love doing things quickly because with 3 kids, the youngest being 1.5, time for baking is hard to come by. When I discovered this protein powder I had to share it! It’s made with milk boosting ingredients and designed to help breastfeeding moms lose weight while keeping up supply. It makes a super healthy, super easy snack for us breastfeeding mommas- you can check it out HERE.

Other foods that can help are:

Courtesy of Mom of 11 Kids

I used this tea after my first daughter was born and actually had to stop drinking it because I was producing too much milk! It has fenugreek and blessed thistle herb which are all helpful in boosting milk supply.

Supplementing with lactation boosting herbs may work better than tea as they are a lot more potent. This supplement contains fenugreek, blessed milk thistle and fennel for boosting milk supply.

Unfortunately, not all the recipes are certified vegan. If you are vegan, there is an asterisk next to the recipes that will need one or two minor substitutions. 

OVERNIGHT BROWNIE BATTER CHOCOLATE CHIP OATS

Get the recipe here

Oats are a great way to boost your milk supply and they keep you feeling full and satiated! Perfect for a breastfeeding momma.

DATE & OAT LACTATION ENERGY BITES

Get the recipe here

Perfect for a super quick and healthy snack, these vegan lactation energy bites are perfect for when you need a sweet, protein packed pick-me-up.

RELATED: How To Lose Weight While Breastfeeding (without losing your milk supply)

CARROT CAKE LACTATION BREAKFAST COOKIES*

Get the recipe here

These breakfast cookies do call for an egg. If you haven’t tried making a flax egg yet, get the instructions here. I still had to include this recipe cause they are so dang good! Just replace the egg with a flax one and you are on your way to vegan lactation cookie heaven!

RELATED: No Fluff Breastfeeding Must Haves

HEALTHY VEGAN LACTATION COOKIES

Get the recipe here

These cookies are bursting with the added omega-3’s from the chia and flax. The oats and brewers yeast truly make this a great lactation recipe. Eat up and don’t feel guilty!

SALTED CHOCOLATE ALMOND VEGAN LACTATION COOKIES

Get the recipe here

This recipe is a bit more on the indulgent side, but that is totally necessary when you are in the throes of breastfeeding. It’s hard work and you deserve a delicious vegan treat sometimes 🙂

VEGAN PEANUT BUTTER LACTATION COOKIES

Get the recipe here

These peanut butter lactation cookies can be made gluten free and are baked in 10 minutes. They are low sugar and vegan!

RELATED: VEGAN SNACKS FOR BREASTFEEDING MOMS 

 

VEGAN LACTATION COOKIES

Get the recipe here

These cookies hit the trifecta of lactation ingredients with oats, milled flaxseed and brewers yeast! Done in 12 minutes, they are absolute perfection.

RELATED: HOW TO BREASTFEED (TIPS FOR FIRST TIME MOMS)

VEGAN CHOCOLATE BANANA LACTATION COOKIE BARS

Get the recipe here

Cookie bars that are somewhat healthy (even if they don’t taste that way) and boost milk supply for breastfeeding mommas? Yep, dreams really do come true!

VEGAN APPLESAUCE OATMEAL LACTATION MUFFINS

Get the recipe here

These muffins are naturally sweetened and can be made with simple pantry ingredients. They come together quickly and taste amazing!

RELATED: DO YOU NEED A BREAST PUMP WHILE BREASTFEEDING?

NO BAKE PEANUT BUTTER OAT LACTATION COOKIES*

Get the recipe here

These cookies don’t require an oven! The recipe does call for honey, please swap with agave syrup or brown rice syrup to make them completely vegan.

HOMEMADE VEGAN LACTATION BARS

Get the recipe here

These bars from The Conscientious Eater are healthy and jam packed with lactation goodness. They do contain tahini and if you like that, great. If not, sub with almond butter!

PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE NO-BAKE LACTATION BALLS*

Get the recipe here

These no bake peanut butter balls from Love Jenny Blog are so easy and tasty! Sub out the honey in this recipe with agave to make it vegan!

DARK CHOCOLATE ALMOND BUTTER LACTATION BARS*

Get the recipe here

These bars from The Cocina Monologues include all three milk boosting ingredients (oats, flaxseed, brewer’s yeast) but aren’t quite vegan. Sub out the honey for agave and the egg for a flax egg for vegan perfection!

CARROT CAKE VEGAN LACTATION SMOOTHIE

Get the recipe here

Dessert in smoothie form! Healthy, tasty and hydrating for nursing mommas. With all three lactation ingredients and fully vegan, you can’t go wrong with this Carrot Cake Smoothie from Abbey’s Kitchen.

VEGAN LACTATION SMOOTHIE

Get the recipe here

This recipe from The Friendly Fig is peanut buttery, chocolatey, cruelty free and milk boosting goodness! Enjoy momma, you deserve this ❤

RELATED: How To Boost Your Milk Supply (quickly!)

Did you try any of the lactation boosting recipes listed above? Any milk boosting tips you’d like to give new moms? Mention those in the comments!

More Breastfeeding Articles You May Like:

• Breastfeeding Essentials For New Mommas
• How To Drop Weight Without Dropping Milk Supply
• Postpartum Recovery Checklist

VEGAN LACTATION RECIPES