Whew. Month four is out the door. And as, usual, in full disclosure, there were, quite honestly, days I thought I wouldn’t see the end of September. It was a doozy. Jonah continued his tummy troubs, Barrett had some true toddler times and Adam traveled three times for work. So the fact that we made it through {note to new moms: you almost always make it through}, well, that was an accomplishment in and of itself.
Around the beginning of month three, I started to feel more in control of this new normal that we are living at the Brehm house. I started to feel less tired (notsomuch less exhausted) and started to get back into the swing of things. So now that I feel like we’re even further out of the weeds, I wanted to revisit a few topics and numero uno on that list, breastfeeding.
I felt like I should revisit the topic of breastfeeding for all those moms/would-be-moms/want-to-be moms who are grappling with the topic. I want to make sure I keep you abreast of all the pertinent information … because in case you missed the other million and two times I stated it, breastfeeding is a whole bundle of work and I don’t at all feel like a boob for admitting it.
People will tell you that the first 6 weeks are the most difficult when taking a little one to the teat. While I will admit, the first 6 weeks are a hot mess of milky breast, I would add that really, with the first 12 weeks there can be quite the learning curve. And I think this is important to know…it’s sort of like how people assume colic lasts three months and then you’re 3 and a half months in and are wallowing in self-doubt as your wee little wailer croons on … babies are just not that cut and dry. And breastfeeding is no exception. It wasn’t until 12 weeks in that I peaced out the pumping entirely, had a latch on mr. lefty and could get used to feeding in public again without shweating out my shirt. It was around that same time that my entire world ceased of smelling like I’d spritzed a generous dosage of eau de boob and my knockers quit leaking every time I heard my babe bawling.
Jonah continues to belly up to the boob about 6-8 times a day although lately, it’s been on the higher side as he’s recently decided that nighttime feedings are worth the fuss. Some different issues I’ve encountered with my tap this time around have been overactive letdown {which I’m thinking may make Jonah really good at kegstands some day}, foremilk/hindmilk imbalance {think more skim and not enough 2%}, the whole MSPI mess, and now, feeling like my supply is taking a dip. Because of my overactive letdown and the foremilk/hindmilk imbalance, Mr. Jonah visits one side per session and because of his gassy gut, we’ve learned it’s imperative that if he screams through a feeding, he must get a good burp in order for screaming to cease. On the flipside, Jonah must have inherited his daddy’s chugging abilities as little J can drain my ducts in around 7 minutes flat so Barrett is no longer neglected for nearly an hour when Jonah needs the nipple.
Don’t take my aforementioned mammary morsels as notes that I think you should ditch the whole sitch…there are some major benefits to giving the babe the boob. First and foremost, I think the immunity that breastmilk brings is second to none and with a snotty, germy big brother around, Jonah can use all the feel-good antibodies mama’s milk has to offer. Second, I rarely have to spend time washing bottles because I carry my cartons everywhere I go. And of course, there’s less wait to shed the weight when you are feeding a whole person with your pair.
There are still moments when I think about formula and have daydreams of the fuss-free days it could bring… Jonah and Barrett, skipping through a field of flowers, holding hands and being happy as can be… but then I think about the 4 months I’ve already put in. The groundwork we laid from day 7 working with MilkWorks. The things I can buy with the money I’d be spending on {the recommended really freakin’ spendy specialized Elecare} formula. And then I figure, I might as well milk this time around for all it’s worth. And while some scream-filled feedings make it seem udderly utterly impossible to be the breast best set of milk jugs for my little man, I figure that this too shall pass {note to new moms: it almost always passes} and I will come out stronger on the other side.
Ultimately, each momma has to decide what she wants to do with her mammaries. And while I have chosen to let our little guys guzzle directly from the faucet, there’s no telling what the future may bring. But for now…that’s the breast of the story.
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