LACTATION STATION
This post is going to be all about breastfeeding, the good, the bad and things we should know - that we probably don’t! But I want to start it by saying this, FED IS BEST. Always and forever, whatever this looks like for you and your baby. Be it breast, bottle or formula, full tummies are all that matter. If you were unable to breastfeed, for whatever reason, please don’t let this post upset you. I think the pressure put on women to breastfeed can make it all the more challenging and I went into my pregnancy always saying I’d do whatever my body would allow and not push myself if it didn’t work.
In saying that, it is wild how little we are taught about breastfeeding. It really is an incredible thing that our bodies do and it’s so detailed and yet we are just sort of left to fend for ourselves. There is so much I have learnt, six months into my feeding journey that I would of loved (and also needed) to know before baby was here.
Like did you know that when your baby is feeding, their saliva is absorbed through your areola and sends information to your brain as to what they need? So if your baby is sick or lacking a certain nutrient, your body will adjust your breastmilk to ensure they are getting exactly what they need. How freaking cool is that?! And did you know that it takes 25% of your body’s energy to produce breastmilk and yet our brains only use 20%? Or that a breastfeeding mother will spend more hours feeding her baby in its first year than a full time job?
So yeah, breastfeeding is pretty awesome. But it can take it’s toll if we don’t look after ourselves as well. A breastfeeding mother needs to be consuming between 2000 - 2500 calories per day, thats up to 1000 extra calories! And as we all know, food is medicine, so you should be aiming to eat as clean and nutrient dense as possible (the rainbow, eat it! Plants, increase them!). Food services such as The Golden Month provide nourishing meals that come ready prepared for those postpartum months. Even Youfoodz is a great way to have ready made meals in the fridge, I highly recommend stocking up each week in those first few months while you are adjusting to your new life. Being able to just open the fridge and heat up a meal that you know is good for you makes it so much easier.
It’s also really important to add in (or increase) your supplementation during your breastfeeding journey. Most breastfeeding woman need increased levels of vitamin D, iron, magnesium, vitamin C and omega 3 and 6. Ask your GP for a blood test after birth to see if you are low in anything. I know that throughout my pregnancy I was normal in all my levels but after birth I was low in Iron which can be super common.
A lot of woman struggle with sore and cracked nipples during this time as well. I have never experienced this personally but made sure to rub Rosehip oil on my belly and boobs every night whilst pregnant. I also use Gaia Nipple Balm every night after my shower which I think definitely helps. I’ve heard people say that tanning topless can help harden the skin around the nipple but I can’t vouch for that.
And lastly, gaining weight post pregnancy is TOTALLY normal. You only ever hear ‘the weight will fall off once you start feeding’ but the truth is usually it doesn’t. The hormonal changes after birth plus the extra calories mixed with the lack of movement can all affect how your body stores excess fat. My only advice is this - this too shall pass. Don’t get stuck in this ‘bounce back’ ideology. Your body has grown a human, birthed it and is now supplying it everything it needs. Give yourself grace, love and acceptance that this moment will pass (far too quickly) and you won’t be looking back on this time thinking about the soft belly or extra jiggle in your thighs.
Women, in all our shapes and sizes, are incredible superheroes and we need to be reminded of that every day. Make sure to find pockets of the day for yourself, ask for help, lean on those around you and make sure to be your own advocate!
