My Breastfeeding Journey At 6 Months

I’m going to start this by saying that my breastfeeding journey taught me that fed really is best! In the pre-natal class, they really try to tell you that as a woman, breastfeeding would be the most natural thing I’ve ever done. That my baby would latch on right away, but you know what, we are all different and it’s not all easy.

Women’s bodies are amazing. We are capable of growing, birthing, and feeding a brand new life (!!!) and I was on board for trying to do it all naturally if I can because I was made to do this—or so I thought.

I think doing either breastfeeding or formula is great, if a baby is fed, that’s all that matters! But giving birth to a baby during a global pandemic, I felt that giving my all to breastfeed Rowan as long as I can be beneficial for both of us. I’m proud to say I made it to just over six months and I plan on doing it for at least her first year. She is now eating solids, and we have a great rhythm going.

But let me tell you, those first few weeks were ROUGH. There were many, many times I felt like quitting. She didn’t latch on naturally, due to my already large boobs being ginormous and having flat nipples because of that. So we struggled at the hospital to getting home to now. I had a latch consultant stop by for, I’m not kidding, five minutes at the hospital. She was more worried about going for lunch than taking a look at my breasts and Rowan. I paged her again after that and she never showed up, oh well. She had shitty advice anyways, I got better tips from the internet and the amazing nurses at BC Women’s Hospital! Literally every nurse that showed up gave us great tips.

We started to breastfeed at the hospital, and it hurt like they all said it would. I had a rough first few days as my body tried to balance out hormones and recover from a C-section. I was shaky, hot, sweaty, mad, sad, and all-around swollen. At the end of our hospital stay, we were feeding Rowan from a syringe, I would pump and Curtis would use that to feed her. This went on for a few days since it was mostly colostrum and she was eating little.

From my midwife’s suggestion, I picked up nipple shields, which we still use, and yeah, they’re a pain to whip out every time, but she can easily latch and we both aren’t bothered. I heard the advice to just shove my nipples into her mouth, which seemed violent and she just freaked out more. I began to figure out the way she liked to be held while feeding, that she didn’t know if I was using a shield, just that she was getting what she needed.

There was a point too where she was really fussy, I kept getting clogged ducts and anxiety at about 3 months. So I went and saw a breastfeeding doctor who took a look at us and said I was doing an amazing job. I found out I was using the wrong nipple shield and immediately switched. And since then, only once have I had an issue. I stopped pumping so much to make extra bottles, I now limit that to doing after she’s asleep and pump once, maybe twice before bed. Not only to keep up my supply but to have milk on hand in the fridge or kept in the freezer just in case.

Lately, it’s been nice feeding her, I look down and she’s happy drinking my milk, she even looks at me and smiles. And when she’s not feeling the best, tired or needs comfort, we feed and that usually calms her down. Rowan is now six months old, eating solids 2-3 times a day and therefore I don’t feel as if I’m tied down to her. Some of my earlier anxiety was attributed to feeding around the clock those first two months. I’m very lucky that Rowan easily drinks from either breast or a bottle, she doesn’t mind either! Never an issue, I know people say they’ll get nipple confusion, she thankfully never did so Curtis or whoever are able to feed her from a bottle.

But to everyone who isn’t breastfeeding, you’re doing amazing! Remember, a fed baby is best! Not every baby is a fit for every breast. This is my journey and I wanted to share how it’s going thus far, which to be honest, not as picture-perfect as they all make it out to be.

Every mom out there is incredible. I’m proud of moms who breastfeed exclusively. I’m proud of moms who use formula. I’m proud of moms who do both. I’m proud of every mom who chooses to do the best thing for her baby and herself. The sisterhood of motherhood is incredible and I’m grateful to be a part of it and share my story.

Please don’t let anyone shame you about how you choose to feed your baby. You brought this child into the world, automatically you are an AMAZING mother.

A Few Breastfeeding Tips I’ve Found Out Along The Way

1. Always be drinking water

Being hydrated is the most important if breastfeeding, your supply definitely dips if you are not. I always keep a tumbler by my bedside and a glass by the couch. If you have a straw, even better since it’s hard to navigate drinking with no hands available haha.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

See a lactation consultant, ask your midwife, your healthcare provider, or even see a breastfeeding doctor. Even fellow mom friends can give advice! It’s not embarrassing to ask for help with breastfeeding or anything to do with motherhood, trust me, everyone has questions, even if it’s just to your mom.

3. Skin-to-skin is important

From day 1, we did skin to skin once a day. It helps your milk supply and bonding with your baby. I’ve used this to up my supply after it dips from not feeling great and it increased the next day. Plus who doesn’t want a little bit more baby snuggles? Skin-to-skin is good for all babies, whether they are breastfeeding or formula feeding. Oh and don’t forget to let your partner do it as well, also beneficial for them and baby to bond.

4. Grab a breastfeeding pillow or even a bed pillow

I use one each time at home, it’s comfortable for Rowan, plus helps out your arms and wrists. A bed pillow also does the trick, I use this now instead since she is longer at six months.

5. Invest in a good nursing bra (or three!)

Before Rowan arrived, I picked up a couple of bras from Bravado then after I stocked up after! Honestly, one of my better purchases because you want a comfortable bra, easy hook, support, and a variety of styles for being at home to going out.

You can see my monthly postpartum updates here.

Did you breastfeed? If so, how long did you breastfeed for?