Breastfeeding Archives | Sleeping Should Be Easy

Breastfeeding Secrets Every Mom Should Know

Jul 07, 2020

Want to make breastfeeding successful? Whether you're first time mom or a veteran, here are breastfeeding secrets that just might surprise you. I never would've thought breastfeeding would be hard—not once. But there I was, pulled between wanting to breastfeed and ready to call it quits. My nipples were cracked and blistered, I felt immobilized from the multiple feedings, and I could never seem to satisfy his hungry cries. I learned only later that many of us face these challenges. They're enough to make us question our ability to provide for your babies, or even whether we're doing … [Read more...]

When Does Breastfeeding Get Easier? Top Tips to Ease the Pain

Breastfeeding

Jun 11, 2020

When does breastfeeding get easier? Don't give up just yet! Learn effective ways to make breastfeeding feel less painful and stop hurting. I knew breastfeeding might hurt, but not this bad. Even after a few days of discomfort, feeding my baby hadn't gotten easier at all. I couldn't take the pain anymore and kept thinking, when does breastfeeding stop hurting? The nurses and consultants assured me my latch was great, which only made me wonder why I was in pain. It hurt so bad I almost wanted to give up—in fact, I'd hop online each day and remind myself of the benefits of … [Read more...]

6 Steps to Wean Night Feedings

Breastfeeding

May 16, 2020

Learn how to handle night weaning with these 6 steps! You CAN help your baby stop waking up in the middle of the night and eat during the day instead. Night times were the worst. Even though I was sleep deprived both day and night, something about waking up when I was supposed to be asleep made those evenings hard. Those were the times when I'd wake up, delirious from the little sleep I managed to get. On good days, I'd find movies and shows on my phone to watch while I nursed (it's how I watched The Tudors and Call the Midwife). On not-so-good ones, I'd vent to my husband or start … [Read more...]

9 Unique Tricks to Increase Your Milk Supply

Breastfeeding

May 14, 2020

Are you barely producing enough breast milk for your baby? Learn how to increase your milk supply with these tips—they actually work! I couldn't believe what I saw. I was browsing through a parenting board when I clicked on a fellow mom's post about breastfeeding. Whereas many moms struggle with producing enough, she was asking for advice on what to do with her stash of extra breast milk. Except "extra" doesn't exactly cut it. She posted a photo of bags and bags of frozen breast milk, overflowing her already packed freezer. Meanwhile, I was barely pumping enough at work to last … [Read more...]

Scared to Breastfeed? 7 Reasons That Will Tame Your Fear

Breastfeeding

Apr 29, 2020

If you're pregnant and scared about breastfeeding, you're not alone. Many moms are scared to breastfeed. Learn the 7 reasons that will tame your fear. For many soon-to-be moms, the thought of breastfeeding not only draws anxiety and worry, but outright fear of the unknown. Will it hurt? What if my breasts keep leaking? Will breastfeeding be hard? How do I nurse in public? And will it feel... weird? You don't understand how other moms can't wait to nurse, or how they see breastfeeding as a time to bond with the baby. All you have on your mind are the nagging fears and questions … [Read more...]

How to Breastfeed Twins: A Step-by-Step Guide

Breastfeeding

Apr 22, 2020

As if breastfeeding wasn't challenging enough, now you're dealing with two! Learn how to breastfeed twins with these tips. The lactation consultant entered my hospital room. "Let's practice tandem feeding," she proposed. We propped a few pillows under my arms, and she handed each baby to me. As natural and easy as I hoped it would be (especially having done the same with my eldest), I instead felt awkward and inexperienced with two babies. How was I supposed to support each of their floppy heads? I wondered. What do I do when I need to burp them? Am I supposed to switch sides, or … [Read more...]

9 Tips on Staying Motivated to Breastfeed

Breastfeeding

Apr 14, 2020

Breastfeeding can take you by surprise and even discourage you from continuing. Here are 9 tips to keep in mind for breastfeeding motivation. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase. For the first months of breastfeeding, I felt like a cow, and it had nothing to do with my post-pregnancy body. If I wasn't breastfeeding, I was pumping. I didn't realize how often babies need to eat, or how long each feeding session would take. At family parties, I was either draped with a shawl cover or … [Read more...]

Why Dads Should Wake Up for Night Feeds

Breastfeeding

Feb 02, 2020

Wondering whether dads should help with the baby, even if he works and you stay at home? See 3 compelling reasons why dads should wake up for night feeds. The middle of the night wake ups were the worst. The constant crying, the inability to soothe the baby back to sleep, scrambling to zip those pajamas, all while the baby was shrieking. Add to that several more minutes of breastfeeding and burping—it's enough to dread those wails and cries that jolt you awake at night. Sleep deprivation during the newborn months, already the challenge that it is, brought out the worst in me during … [Read more...]

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