Well Miss Lennyn is now 2 months old and we’ve had some time to get to know each other and get used to each other. Honestly, I was scared that she would come and I wouldn’t be ready for her. That she would get here and my heart wouldn’t love her like it did Laikyns. Was I ever wrong. The second she was delivered, I loved and my heart grew. God knows what He’s doing giving us more than one child and I just pray His will and that we are able to have more! There is no bigger blessing than a child!
After the struggles and problems we had with Laikyn in the beginning, I had prayed for another baby. A baby that we got to enjoy from the beginning. A baby that I got to nurse with no issues. A baby that fit perfectly into our family, and I’m so thankful that God answered those prayers for us! Lennyn is the perfect addition and we’ve had the most normal and easy experience with her!
Lennyn came (surprise vbac) and immediately latched after some skin to skin in the delivery room. Happy tears streamed down my face! My husband commented on how easy that seemed and I just couldn’t help but praise God right then and there for answering prayers. Half the battle of being successful at breastfeeding is getting the baby to latch and nurse.
Soon after that, I noticed that Lennyn had a tongue tie like Laikyn did. I talked with her pediatrician and we decided to just watch it. She kept nursing on demand and everything kept going great. I did have some nipple pain from the tongue tie, so we had decided to get it clipped in the office. Her lip wasn’t as tied as laikyns so we left it alone. Lennyn had her tongue clipped at 10 days old but had gained a lb so everything was looking good!
The struggles that I had with Laikyn weren’t there. I had more than enough milk (actually enough to feed like 5 babies), no pain and no tears while nursing! All of the anxiety and fear of it happening the same way was over. I felt like a weighty was lifted and it was just going to be easy!
It has been so far, 2 months in and we are still exclusively nursing and I’ve stored over 400 oz to either use or donate to someone who needs it! I feel so proud for us, but also feel so blessed. I come back to the verse Matthew 6:32-33 (which is one of my favorites) “…your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all things will be given to you.” I couldn’t be more thankful for an easy time with Lennyn and such a healing experience.
When asked what I’ve done differently this time around, I feel like I’m more relaxed. I am less anxious about how it feels and if I have enough milk. I’ve trusted my body and trusted God. This is so much of being successful, in my opinion!
I had some sweet girls on Instagram ask some questions so I am going to answer them here:
Q: Any tips for c-section nursing?
A: The best thing for nursing with a c section is the boppy! It’s so helpful with any kind of delivery, actually. The football hold will help the baby not lay on your incision also. Also, request skin to skin right away after the baby is delivered so you can get that time. It’s crucial in nursing!
Q: Nursing in public has been a struggle for me…
A: Nursing can be an intimate time of bonding between you and your baby. You may not want to nurse in public, but if you do, I’ve found that covers like the Cover Me Poncho are helpful for keeping it modest but also giving your baby what he or she needs even when on the go! I nurse in public all of the time and like to cover with these because Lennyn can breathe and it still keeps me covered. I think it’s totally personal preference though.
Q: How is nursing while teething?
A: I nursed Laikyn until 14 months so I nursed her through all of her teeth except 2 year molars. We didn’t have any issues, in fact, it helped soothe her. I got bit once or twice but it never happened again or became a problem. You shouldn’t feel their teeth while they nurse anyway!
Q: Would you say it’s best to follow a strict schedule of nursing or feed when baby shows signs of hunger?
A: I am pretty scheduled when it comes to my babies, but feeding is not one of those things that you can schedule. You have to be flexible and feed them when they show cues. I feed on demand, but really Lennyn eats pretty much on a 3-3.5 hour schedule. Sometimes she’s hungry before and sometimes she sleeps through the feeding and goes 4 hours. Definitely just watch your baby and feed them when they are hungry! Baby’s also go through growth spurts and cluster feed, you can’t try to schedule feedings then! Just get ready to binge watch Netflix, get some snacks ready and be prepared to be glued to the chair with the baby attached at.all.times. Haha!
Q: Any tips on weaning?
A: The way I did it with Laikyn was followed the guidelines of Sleep Easy Solution. I would cut out a feeding every 2-3 weeks until we only had one feeding left. I went on a trip to Jamaica and didn’t feel like I needed to pump for her while I was gone and came back and we didn’t nurse anymore. It was pretty easy! I would be engorged the first few days of a cut feeding, but it went away soon and it was fairly easy! We replaced the feeding with real food and/or whole milk. I weaned her at 14 months. Whole milk isn’t recommended until 12 months, but definitely talk with your pediatrician about the best options for you!
Q: When your baby sleeps through the night, are you miserably full and engorged? Do you wake up to pump in the middle of the night?
A: The first week or so she started sttn, it was in pain (and shocked haha) so I would wake up and either hand express or pump off a little just to relieve the engorgement. Now, my body has regulated to what she needs and I’m usually just super full of a morning. That’s when I pump and store extra milk for the freezer after she eats. I usually have anywhere from 4 to 8 extra ounces after she eats.
Honestly, the best advice I can give to be successful is have a good support system. Have someone around who you can ask questions or share problems. I have several Facebook groups that are helpful. I have friends and family supporting me and helping me make my goals! Visit with a lactation consultant if you are having any issues and don’t be afraid to ask questions! Breastfeeding is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to learn to do. It is a natural thing, but it’s the hardest and most natural thing you’ll ever do.
I’m so happy that we have some experience this time and it’s made life easier! I’ll be sharing my review on the Spectra S1 pump soon. It’s truly amazing! For now, head to my Instagram feed for a chance to win a Cover Me Ponchos nursing cover!!
And if I can ever do anything to help you be successful with nursing, please ask! I am NO expert, but I have been through a lot and can tell what works for us and what didn’t! You mamas out there are rock stars whether you nurse, pump, bottle feed or formula feed! Being a mom is hard, but if we all lift each other up and encourage one another, it will make this motherhood world a better place!
Everything we do for our sweet babies is all worth it.
