Everyone who discusses breastfeeding tells about the sore nipples and says to just stick with it because it gets better. That’s the standard info we seem to find all over. I told you about my adventures in breastfeeding, and how I now love breastfeeding. Before starting I read a lot about the process, and spoke to moms who had breastfed their children for various length and despite all my research I feel like there was so much left unsaid.
Here are a few things “they” don’t tell you about breastfeeding:
You will be starving and thirsty. All. the. time. – I thought my third trimester appetite was a beast, but it’s nothing compared to my breastfeeding appetite. I can eat full meals one right after another. And I do. As for the thirst…it’s unquenchable. I’m getting my money’s worth from my overworked Brita filter these days.
That whole “you drop weight quick” is a lie – As I write this I’m looking down at a pot belly, after 2 months of exclusively breastfeeding. I look the same as I did a week after giving birth despite breastfeeding on demand. (maybe this is because of my insatiable appetite) Mom’s shouldn’t rely on breastfeeding to take the weight off.
You’ll grow to love it despite the pain – Everyone mentions the nipple pain, but doesn’t explain how awesome breastfeeding becomes after the initial aches. It took about 4 weeks of cracked, raw and tender nipples before things eased up for me. And after this, breastfeeding became a joy to do.
You’ll spend most of your life doing it – Seriously, you can start to feel like breastfeeding is all you do. Especially if you’re feeding on demand instead of on a strict time schedule. You may start to cringe when you notice your baby rooting….45 minutes after you finished his last nursing session. It’s endless.
You’ll be treated like a pariah in public – I’ve never received dirtier looks than when I was in K-Mart nursing my baby boy in public for the first time. And he was under a cover. And I was in a corner! Some women looked at me with simpathy and “aww”ed at me. But the men either looked at me like I was gross or like they were embarrassed to be caught looking at me doing something so “private.”
You’ll catch titty attacks – That’s so not a technical term. It’s the word my husband used to describe my “let down” of milk before I start lactating and leaking. Some women don’t feel their letdowns, and for some women it’s a subtle feeling. For me…it hurts! (The first time it happened I was convinced I had mastitis or something)
Your leaking is irrational – After the letdown usually comes a bit of leaking. For some women it happens when your baby cries, or when it’s time to nurse. For some women, like me, it happens randomly with no rhyme or reason. Wearing nipple pads is a must.
Your baby can “regress” – Rohan was a champion nurser for a good 6 weeks and then suddenly decided to act brand new! He started taking just the tip of my nipple in his mouth (which leads to soreness) and I’d have to readjust him a few times before he’d latch on properly. I googled and apparently that happens to some babies around this time, and again around teething time.
What are some things you discovered about breastfeeding that nobody ever told you?
Happy Breastfeeding Awareness Month!
Everyone’s body is different. I actually lost TOO much weight and I’m still trying to gain some of it back.
My let down was usually a sign of relief because my breasts would be so sore and allowing them to just drain without having to touch them was a relief for me.
I’ve dealt with the pain and the soreness but I swear, it’s all worth it. I breastfed my daughter and my son and I felt powerful. The little being depended on me not only for care and love, but for nutrients and food that only I could provide. No one told me that I would feel like a superhero. (:
Also, for soreness, cracks, and pain, you can rub a little of your breast milk on your nipples to heal them. Worked for me. Just another perk and benefit of breast milk.
Carla recently posted..The Mommy Graduate.
YES! Using breastmilk on my nips is a godsend. I think I like doing that better than using the nipple cream.
You ARE a superhero! 
All moms are. (well except those crazy ones you see on the news)
Breastmilk really is magical.
I also lost too much weight. I did not have a ravenous appetite so I was constantly trying to eat enough to catch up with the nutrients I was losing. It was a struggle
I also had a pot belly for a good while after the birth (very skinny with a pot belly). It took a number of months but it went away. And I definitely remember feeding around the clock. It was both gratifying and tiring. Now I have a toddler running around and I wonder where the time went.
Dani, I am so enjoying yousharing your BF adventures. I am a mother of a 5 month old son and I can soooo relate. I like Carla and yourself, feel like a super hero and as my little one just grows and thrives I am so reassured.
re: pt #1-2: Unexpectedly, I found my food cravings worse after his birth than during the pregnancy… I felt so out of control, but things are now alot better.
re: pt#3-5 (and your abandonment article): Baby boy can start to feel a little like a ball and chain, but it is indeed a labor of love. Since month 3 I have been pumping 3X a day at work. So he’s running things when I am home and away from home, lol. With that said, I hope you’ve made plans for pumping and storing during the conference (and perhaps plans for flying with milk)!
re “titty attacks” lol: The pain will lessen… at least it did in my experience.
All and all, it gets better! Keep up the good work & your voice is soooo appreciated!
Omg!! My letdown hurts! I thought I was the only one. I push on,them until,the feeling is gone, everyone thinks im being ”extra”…,Thank you for making,me feel normal.
Yeah I didn’t lose weight either I actually lost more weight with my firsborn and I didn’t even breastfeed him. I am glad you are still at it though.
Kita recently posted..Semi Wordless Wednesday
I don’t know why they keep talking about breastfeeding and the amazing weight loss it provides. Beyonce didn’t make it no better…
I seriously lol’d at titty attacks and pot belly!
Thanks for giving everyone the real deal on breast feeding.
This Cookn Mom recently posted..The Forehead Kiss
im learning so much…keep them coming Dani! i don’t know why people are still shocked that mothers breastfeed (when in public in a corner while the baby is covered..seriously get over it people)
I think for me I heard more negative things about breastfeeding than positive. I had some of my family telling me that I was going to be tied down, it was going to hurt, my kids wouldn’t get enough milk, etc. I’m very thankful that I ignored them and moved forward with breastfeeding. It’s been very rewarding for me and my kids!
YUMMommy recently posted..A Night At The Movies: Part 1
Well, here’s one thing no one tells you: during growth spurts some babies go through something called marathon nursing sessions—aka cluster nursing. Your child will be nursing more often and for a longer period of time when they are about to go through a growth spurt.
During this time, I just sat back and went with the flow.
KalleyC recently posted..Another Potty Training Update
I was exclusive for 6 months and only lost weight the first 2 weeks. Now, I’m on a serious weight loss quest! (My daughter is now 7 months old!)
I didn’t realize how much I’d enjoy it. No one told me that. ha! In fact, I’m still nursing. Princess will be 2 on the 17th, and she’s already gotten an her 30 day notice. I’m so happy I nursed this long. I’ve found it so rewarding for her and me. It did hurt in the beginnng, but that went away. I used to leak too. But after she began eating solids, that slowly went away too. My boobies no longer feel their going to explode. I’m glad your enjoying it. It seems like your beautiful baby boy is too!