Want to know which breastfeeding supplies to get? Check out my breastfeeding essentials checklist, complete with everything new moms need for breastfeeding and pumping. There's a common mistake a lot of moms make with breastfeeding: we think it'll be the easiest thing ever. After all, women have done this forever, so it's fair to assume that: our babies will latch correctly the first time with no issues we'll breastfeed right on schedule we'll enjoy breastfeeding breastfeeding won't hurt I know I sure did. I had done my research on the correct latch and knew the differences … [Read more...]
When Does Breastfeeding Get Easier? Top Tips to Ease the Pain
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 asking myself, how long is breastfeeding going to hurt? 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...]
How to Qualify for a Free Breast Pump
Interested in receiving breast pump insurance coverage, but overwhelmed with all the steps? Learn one simple way to take the stress out of the process. This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Aeroflow Breast Pumps. All opinions are 100% mine. Understanding insurance had never been my strong point. It didn't matter what kind—health, auto, life—I was one of those people who barely understood what a "deductible" was. And truthfully, I was overwhelmed and even scared that I was doing something wrong, or missing a crucial piece of the picture. Maybe you can relate. Maybe you … [Read more...]
6 Easy Steps to Weaning Night Feedings
Learn the 6 steps to weaning night feedings! 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. Waking up multiple times a night, with feeding as the only way to soothe your baby back to sleep, takes a toll on any parent. Those were the times when I'd wake up, delirious from the little sleep I managed to get. I'd yell at my husband or start hating my predicament. On good days, I'd find … [Read more...]
9 Unique Tricks to Increase Your Milk Supply
Are you barely pumping enough breastmilk for your baby and struggling with low milk supply? Learn how to increase your milk supply with these 9 unique tricks! 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 around 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 … [Read more...]
Tandem Breastfeeding: How to Breastfeed Twins
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, I instead felt awkward and inexperienced. How was I supposed to support each of their floppy heads? What do I do when I need to burp them? And the pillows were just not cutting it—my arms felt sore from holding the babies. And while I breastfed … [Read more...]
Lansinoh SmartPump Review and Giveaway: How One Mom Keeps Her Milk Supply Up
Interested in pumping to keep your milk supply up? Read the Lansinoh SmartPump review to see if this one's right for you. This is a sponsored Lansinoh SmartPump review and interview written by me on behalf of Lansinoh Laboratories. All opinions are 100% mine. There's no denying that pumping plays a key role in breastfeeding. Before I left the hospital, the nurses encouraged me to pump from day one to encourage milk supply. Once I was home, I pumped so others could feed the babies as well. I was also able to get a break from nursing. And if you have a low supply, pumping is a fantastic way … [Read more...]
Why You Shouldn’t Feel Guilty for Pumping at Work
Do you feel guilty for pumping many times at the office? It's easy to feel self-conscious, but here's why you shouldn't feel guilty for pumping at work. It had been a few days since going back to work and it still felt like all eyes were on me. I felt the pumping stigma. You know, the feeling that keeps you from asking for a private room to pump. The guilt when you leave your desk three to four times a day. Dashing into the pumping room hoping no one saw you enter. I've even heard some moms who've resorted to pumping in the car. Why the guilt? I worried that once people knew I was … [Read more...]