I’m hoping I got to a lot of your questions! I tried to be as real and honest as I could be and share what works for me. I am by no means an expert. This is simply what has worked for me and my family. I have loved nursing each one of the babies and the bond it has given us. It’s not always the easiest or most convenient but it means so much to me and is so important to me it makes it all worthwhile. I have structured this post as a question answer. Please let me know if you need anything else. I have also linked every product I  love below!

 

Nursing + Pumping Must Haves

Favorite Clothing

Nursing Questions Answered

How did you stop nursing? Did you find it hard emotionally when that time came? 

• I stopped nursing around 12-13 months and slowly mixed half breastmilk with half whole milk. A lot of the breastmilk I used to mix was that of what I froze from the months prior. By then my babies weren’t nursing as much or at all so to stop I  would slowly pump out as little as possible until you slowly stop producing. Yes. It was so hard my with my first. I felt guilty, torn, and like I was breaking a connection with him. But honestly that didn’t last too long and I felt ok with those emotions and embraced them for a little bit then let them go. They don’t last too long.

When do I    introduce a bottle? 

• I    introduce a bottle of breastmilk at least within the first 2 weeks because my husband likes to feed as well. I    have used the Tommee Tippee bottles for all my kids and without fail they have all taken them easily and breastfed as normal.

When do you start pumping to build a stash? 

• I start around day 4-5 of my milk coming in. It will still be really yellow from the colostrum which is great. But this is a time your milk will probably be coming in faster than the baby is eating so why not pump it out and store it up.

What are your favorite pumping products? 

• I love Medela! I know it is pricer, but it has been great and lasted for each baby and still going strong. It’s also really easy to clean and get replacement parts for.

Tips for nursing in public? 

• I’m actually not huge on me nursing in public. Notice I say me. I could care less or even notice if someone else is nursing but for me, I’m a little more private and like to nurse a little more discreetly. Often if we are out and about and I    know my baby needs to eat I    will nurse them comfortably in the car before we go in or make sure I    have a bottle ready to go. If you’re comfortable nursing in public I    do love the plain rough coverups they sell

How do you schedule outings around the baby’s nursing schedule?

• I’m way more apt to schedule around my baby’s napping schedule than I am their nursing schedule. This is where pumping comes in. There are a few times I go anywhere without a pumped bottle ready to go just in case.

Favorite nursing bra?

• I     don’t have 1 favorite and actually change them up depending if I’m going out or staying home. For going out I    like a more form fitting one like this one. For staying home I like a more comfortable one like this one.

How do you keep up your supply? 

• Consistently nursing and pumping keep my supply up. It lets my body know I need the milk and will continue to produce. Keep in mind if you’re trying to get milk right away aka that day it won’t happen. It takes 2-3 days for your body to ramp up your supply. So if your baby is going through a growth spurt don’t fret. Just keep doing the best you can and hold out for a couple of days – it will come. Also, I love Mother’s Milk Tea + Fenugreek to boost your supply! Same thing it takes a day or 2 to start working so be patient and plan ahead. For example, if I’m going out of town without the baby and need to have milk stocked up I    will start on the Tea + Fenugreek 2 weeks ahead of when I’m leaving to start getting more milk and pumping more often to save it.

Favorite nursing must haves? 

• A good nipple cream, comfy clothes, burp cloth, a cozy blanket.

When do you pump? 

• I pump after a good feeding usually in the morning when I know he isn’t going to be hungry for a while. The reason for the morning is also because I’m usually a little more engorged then and it helps to get it out.

What has been the most difficult part of nursing?

• I remember with my first I was so lost when it came to nursing and would call one of my best friends almost every day crying to her telling her I wasn’t sure if I could do it anymore. She would talk me through it and tell me to keep going. I  LOVED her encouragement and really needed it. The most difficult part was the pain, not knowing how much milk he was getting, and how tried I was. It got better. I  started to count the months. Saying to myself, if I can get to the end of the month I will be proud of myself. Then it finally got to a year and I was ready to make the switch.

What do you do for a schedule? 

• I’m a little more of a nurse on demand person especially when they are so young. But in the back of my mind I  remember how long the last feeding was and try to keep track. As far as scheduling to go out I  just calculate in my head how much time it will take for everything that has to happen before we leave the house example: feed the big kids, get them dressed, get myself ready, clean up around the house quickly, feed the baby, get the baby dressed, and put what we need in the car. I    try to keep as organized as possible to help me.

How do you get baby full if they keep falling asleep while nursing? 

• Yes! I hear you! Ok, this sounds bad but you have to make your baby a little uncomfortable. For example, maybe don’t have them wrapped up in blankets so they get a little breeze and I always tickle their back or chin.

Favorite breast feeding position? 

• Normal holding them horizontally against you.

Do you pump in addition to breast feeding? 

• Yes, I do both.

Suggestions for working mommas when they do back to work but are still pumping. 

• One of my good friends is in this position. I suggest using the Mother’s Milk Tea + Fenugreek if you need to up your supply. But I also have any amazing pump for on the go right here. I used it in Paris when Trev + I went for 9 days and Mason was 6 months. We left him with enough milk with my mom but I still wanted to continue to nurse when I    got back so I  took this pump with me on our trip and would pump walking the streets under my shirt, on the trains, pretty much anywhere! It was so easy and I recommend it to all my pumping friends! It’s not too loud and easily fits under clothing.

Are you strictly breast milk, or do you use formula? 

• Strictly breast milk. It has helped my kids so much and I swear helps them not to get as sick when they are little.

Do you have issues with engorgement? If so, how do you push through that? 

• Yes, totally normal. I’m always making sure to massage it out! This is also a perfect opportunity to pump if your baby isn’t going to eat anytime soon.

How do you get past the pain after the first couple of weeks? 

• Oh, it can be so painful sometimes. It gets better! My first baby, I was almost in tears of the pain but it passed about 2-3 weeks in. Not to mention the cramps that come with breastfeeding. This time nursing has actually been more painful than the first but has gotten easier in 2 weeks. The first weeks of pain + cramps though were killing me. I    could barely talk. Something that helped me a lot was nipple cream after he nurses. This one is my favorite.

How do you increase your supply? 

• I love Mother’s Milk Tea + Fenugreek to boost your supply! Also, pump more often after your nursing your baby to let your body know you need more milk.

What’s your favorite thing to get done while nursing? 

• Bond with my baby. I rarely have my phone with me when I’m nursing or anything else. It’s important for me to take that time to the body with my baby and relax. I get so busy throughout the day I cherish the time I get to sit down and nurse. It’s my time to cuddle with the baby, my big kids usually read his books, and we just relax. It’s the best excuse to slow down.

Did it hurt when you started? 

• My first baby, I was almost in tears of the pain but it passed about 2-3 weeks in. Not to mention the cramps that come with breastfeeding. This time nursing has actually been more painful than the first but has gotten easier in 2 weeks. The first weeks of pain + cramps though were killing me. I could barely talk. Something that helped me a lot was nipple cream after he nurses. This one is my favorite.

Does it get easier with each baby? 

• Nursing gets easier with each baby as far as knowing what you’re doing. But the pain is the same although it passes quicker.

How to keep up supply when the baby sleeps through the night? 

• Make sure to pump after your morning feeding or/and at night after your last feeding. This will let your body know you need the milk and want more.

What is your favorite nursing clothing? 

• I  have linked a ton of my go-tos and favorite below!

 

Nursing + Pumping Must Haves

Favorite Clothing