Well, I've survived my first 13 days of being a new mom (barely)! Let me just say...being a mom is NOT easy! This is real talk, no fake talk here. I've definitely had a couple of days of the "postpartum blues." People did NOT prepare me for how hard breastfeeding was going to be. I was super prepared for my labor and birth, but I was totally not prepared for breastfeeding or having a baby with reflux. I seriously thought breastfeeding was going to be a walk in the park. I mean how hard can something so simple be? VERY hard. Oh my word, I never cried during my 100% medicine-free birth, but the second day of breastfeeding, I was sobbing like a baby. It feels like needles and knives slicing my nipples to shreds (sorry for the visual, told you, real talk!) And yes, I've had 4 different lactation consultants help me, and they all said he was latching on correctly...it just hurts me. I still have to grit my teeth when he latches on and its been almost 2 weeks. Sore, bleeding, cracked nipples are NO joke. Let's just say, if I didn't know how great breast milk was for my baby, I would definitely quit. A couple of nights ago, I just sat there in the dark with my baby boy eating away, me sobbing, thinking, "I HATE BREASTFEEDING!" But, it is slowly, but surely getting better! There is hope! But, I totally understand why very few people actually breastfeed for the recommended year. Hopefully, I can make it!
Another postpartum hurdle is my after baby body. I can't wait until I can start walking and exercising again, because this 5-month pregnant looking belly is NOT cute. I still have 20 lbs. to lose, which is a tad depressing, I really thought I would lose a lot more right after birth, but I guess losing 20 lbs in 2 weeks is pretty good. I have found a temporary solution I thought I would share with you ladies who are about to be new mommies or those who are struggling to dress their postpartum body. Two words = belly binder! My sister in law swears by belly binders. She says they help you get your flat belly back faster. I finally just got one the other day, and it definitely makes me look less pregnant in clothes! :) Here's some pictures with my belly binder on.
Necklace: Rue 21
Flip flops: JCrew
Lauren u look fabulous!! Absolutely gorgeous. I had post partum psychosis so I totally understand the pasta rum blues!
ReplyDeleteNursing is pretty much the pits for the first few weeks.. then (hopefully, I know not true for everyone) so easy for (most of) the rest of the time that you can't imagine how much of a pain it would be to wash bottles.. Wish I'd known about belly binders after my pregnancies, especially my first!
ReplyDeletelanolin a nursing mom's best friend it really helped me!
ReplyDeleteI went through the same thing as you. I was prepared for labor, but I thought breastfeeding would be a breeze. Boy did I have a rude awakening. Then after I had my second son i talked with 3 lactation consultants and he was latching properly but he nursed so ruff I had cracked and bleeding nipples. I cried many times bc I wanted what was best for him. The lactation consultant had me pump and bottle feed for about a week and then use a nipple shield for about another 3 weeks. It was hard, but with a lot of prayer and support, I made it through. :)
ReplyDeleteThey say if you keep nursing you lose your baby weight...I've not experience this stage of life, lol but you can do it!
ReplyDeleteLanolin cream will really help with the soreness! Before you have another baby, use the lanolin a few weeks before you are due to help get ready for nursing, and you won't get any soreness at all! :)
ReplyDeleteBreastfeeding is Hard! I hope you can stick it out sounds like its getting better for you. You look amazing! Remember it took nine months to put on that weight. Relax exercise when its time and you will be fine.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had my daughter five years ago she was born tongue tied which was fixed when she was just a few days old. The lactation consultant recommended something called a nipple shield which was a life saver! Not sure if they still make them but they were available at Target and at Babies R Us. It is worth it and you're doing a great job!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work momma! It took 3 weeks (with my amazing husband holding me as I sobbed through the pain) for breastfeeding to become the wonderful, natural experience I had imagined. I'm a mother baby nurse with 3 kiddos and it seems to take this much time (each time) to adjust. Every woman has a different experience (my sister has never had nipple pain) so please know that this can be normal (especially if you've had a LC check positioning) . Having a strong support system is a huge help!!! I hope things become much easier for you in the days ahead! 16 months later he's still nursing well! <3
ReplyDeleteI went through the same thing with my first. The pain and the bleeding nipples lasted for six weeks. Instead of going through all of that, I wish I would have tried nipple shields. I used them for my second and third for the first week or so and didn't have any problems.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and the outfit you picked looked great!!! I really know what you mean about breastfeeding the postpartum blues. My son did not latch on correctly and tried and tried. He just was not taking it. Then postpartum depression came and the doctor put me on meds so breastfeeding was at a hault. I was depressed that I didn't have med free labor, depressed I was not breastfeeding, depressed because I was depressed. I am slowly getting through this. It's hard but with prayer, God's word, and great support, it does get better.
ReplyDeleteMy Mother told me many times..."It hurts if you do, it hurts if you don't (until your milk dries up if you stop soon). So, I am a little nervous about it, but I know it will be the best thing for our children (as long as I stay healthy). My mom SWEARS by nip shields and gives them to every new mom because my older brother was born with a tooth...ouch! I have heard a LOT of very good things about belly bands, and I will be getting one. I will pray that nursing gets easier for you and that God will give you extra strength until it does. Just remember that God only gives us what we can bear, and only He Knows how long we can bear it. You are a WONDERFUL Mother w/a beautiful family!!!
ReplyDeleteLauren, I think you look great! As far as the breastfeeding pain.....I go through the same thing the first month of breastfeeding my babies. One lactation consultant told me fair-skinned people's skin is more sensitive and have a harder time toughening. IT DOES GET BETTER! I promise. If it doesn't go away after a month maybe ask a dr. if you might have Thrush. I always get thrush while nursing. I definately recommend getting a nursing shield and using it every other feeding. That allows some relief and allows you to heal a bit! You will eventually like breastfeeding!;-)
ReplyDeleteYou are beautiful and look so healthy! That baby, gorgeous! Yes, hang in there. Breastfeeding is so hard!! If you have made it this far with pain, you are going to make it. I, too, had so many nights crying, some of it how hard nursing was and how hard just being a mom and the constant demands by the baby. It does get better and remember, this, too, will pass. Are you going to a breastfeeding group? that helped me immensely. God bless!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your beautiful baby. I feel your pain about breastfeeding. I was miserable with our first but went on to nurse 7 children with no formula. You can do it!! And don't worry about your extra weight. You need that to make milk. It will come off slowly but surely and you'll soon have your pre-baby figure back. Just buy some cute clothes in a bigger size or wear the ones you wore when you were first pregnant. You'll soon be a skinny/minny again. I'm almost the same size I was before I had all our kids. Nursing is the best way to get your weight and waist down. God bless.
ReplyDeleteOh man - the post partum experience - what a whirlwind of life. I just had my second a couple of months ago and cried more in the two weeks after he was born than ever in my life. Raging hormones will likely die down, so there's a light at the end of that tunnel. And the breastfeeding gets much easier too. Eventually you'll just feel nothing. But the balms definitely helped me when I had those same symptoms - they made such a difference.
ReplyDeleteAnd the post baby body - oh man. I can relate too - but again, that goes away with time, especially if you're breastfeeding. I prepared myself for that with the mantra "what took 9 months to gain takes 9 months to lose" and I found that to be pretty true with my first. We'll see how this second one shakes out.
Good luck with the new baby - so cute! And good luck getting some sleep. :)
Today I was listening to revive our hearts podcast (Nancy Leigh Demoss ministry) and a book author Erin Davis is having a series about motherhood and her own testimony Today she was sharing about how she went through post partum depression after having her second child. She wrote a book about motherhood and she has three toddler boys (voice of experience)I truly recommend you to listen today's podcast it will truly bless you! Here's the link:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/revive-our-hearts/motherhood-and-community-1/
I know it's not coincidence that I listen to this message and then read your blog post. God bless you.
Hello there!
ReplyDeleteIs it possible you might be nursing too often? That could result in soreness for you and seeming reflux symptoms for him. Could you try nursing only ever 2.5-3 hours? And often babies only take one side per feed and can be done after 5 mins. Dont force to eat. Baby knows when he is hungry. Keep Baby upright for a while after nursing and burp hard enough to get out those bubbles.
Love your dress and red floral necklace! You look great!
ReplyDeleteCheers
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Hey Lauren!
ReplyDeleteSo excited on you and the new baby! I have been following your blog for about a year but I haven't been able to comment because of computer issues. I'm so excited to finally be able to send you a message saying how encouraging your blog has been to me. It is really amazing to see others who have a desire to live for the Lord, too.
God bless!!
You look beautiful! I've had 6 babies and have had nursing struggles with most of them to some extent. Only because I was super stubborn, knew it was best for my baby, and didn't want to pay for formula were the only things that kept me going. Unless there is a problem like tongue tie or a palette issue, I can almost promise that it will get better. If you have a pump it might help to pump a little before the baby latches. Also, my midwife suggested vit E oil for healing the nipple. I also promise that the weight will come off! Just remember it took 9 months to put it on, so give yourself some grace when it comes to taking it off. Enjoy that baby :-)
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