This post was sponsored by Uber Appliance. All opinons are my own.
I sat on the floor in Target crying. Yes, crying. ON THE FLOOR IN TARGET! I’ll never forget one of the most laughable/horrific experiences of my life. Luke was 3 weeks old and I was determined to make breastfeeding work. I wasn’t well informed with my first born and breastfeeding didn’t work out. I was going to make it happen, but it was hard. Extremely hard! I was sore, in pain and in desperate need to find something to help me get some relief. Hence, sitting on the floor in Target crying when I couldn’t find what I was looking for.
I wanted so bad for it to work out and it did. I ended up pumping for days just to help but in doing so I racked up tons of breast milk. Something I wasn’t expecting, I was a stay at home mom and I wasn’t planning on pumping. God had other plans. Through breastfeeding Luke, while being a stay at home mom and Breastfeeding Ryan, while being a working mom I now feel I have some experience when it comes to breastfeeding to help keep all the other mothers from sitting on the floor in Target and crying your eyes out. (Because, you know, everyone does it. Right?)
One of the biggest tips I can give you would have to be WATER. Drink tons of water. I’ve heard it over and over again how mom’s just aren’t producing enough milk for their baby. To help with this it’s always best to drink tons of water. A gallon a day. Drink up, sit back and let the milk flow.
In order to help you achieve this daunting task of drinking water. (Yes, daunting.) Because let’s face it, not everyone can drink a gallon of water a day, much less more than 2 bottles. I suggest getting one of these Uber Appliance UB-CH1 Personal mini-fridge just for you. It can go in your room, at your office, by your desk, where ever you see fit.
Make sure to put it somewhere in sight. Maybe next to your sofa where you will be breastfeeding/pumping.
I’m not going to go into much detail on my last tip because let’s face it, not everyone knows everything, I’m not a know it all but I do love to help those who need it. This last tip is very simple. DON’T GIVE UP! For some people breastfeeding is hard, for some, it’s easy. Whatever issues you might have, trust me, in the long run it will all be worth it. Even if it makes you sit on the floor in Target crying.
So basically, drink tons of water and don’t give up. I could go on and on for days about breastfeeding, however, I’m going to leave here. Please by all means if you need help, or have any breastfeeding questions please email me. erica@ericaswalk.com.
Until next time,
P.S. How is your New Years going? I did my first workout yesterday and I’m more than ready to go back today. Join me! Get to the gym today, just one day and you will love it. Although I’m sore, I feel great. There’s just something about going to the gym.
P.S.S. Check out this awesome gym shirt I made… You can get yours here!
Funny, I have a story about sitting on the floor and crying at Target with my 3 week old! Mine was because I couldn’t figure out the Moby wrap. Now, three kids later, it’s funny. 🙂 I’ve breastfed all three of my kids, but I had to exclusively pump for the first 8 weeks with my middle baby because he had some lung issues. This little fridge would have been amazing to keep next to the bed so I didn’t have to get up and walk to the kitchen every time he woke up and needed a bottle at night!
Breastfeeding can be so hard, well done on persevering, sounds like that was your lowest point! The actual guidance on breastfeeding and fluids is to drink to thirst, and there’s actually proven link between fluid intake and milk production (more info here: http://kellymom.com/nutrition/mothers-diet/mom-calories-fluids/ ). Obviously hydration is very important for all of us, but drinking too much can potentially cause damage to your body so it’s important pay attention to that and satiety signals.