Welcome to the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog!

Welcome to the inaugural posting of the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog!  I'm Tanya Lieberman, a lactation consultant living and working in Western Massachusetts, where Motherwear is based. 

I'm thrilled to be hosting this blog and to be associated with Motherwear, a company devoted to supporting breastfeeding mothers. 

I love working with new mothers and am also a relatively new one, myself.  I nursed my son, now three and a half, into toddlerhood, returned to work and pumped for a year, and frequently nursed in public, including perched on a gigantic pallet of toilet paper at Costco.

This blog will bring you news and information about breastfeeding, as well as my own thoughts about breastfeeding and working with new mothers.  More importantly, it is a forum for you to share your stories and experience a sense of community with other breastfeeding mothers.

I once asked my mother, who nursed me in the early 1970's, why she had breastfed.  Those years marked the low point for breastfeeding in the U.S., with only 20% of mothers giving it a try.  She said that she did it because her friends had.  She also said that ponchos were popular at the time, allowing new mothers to gather in the park and nurse under their little tents. 

A lot has changed since the days of ponchos in the park, but now just as then, having support from other women is what makes breastfeeding work.  Just like my mother's friends, who supported her choice to breastfeed, I hope that this blog will be a source of support and community for you.

So relax, get settled with your nursing pillow, and enjoy!

- Tanya

A quick note about what this blog is and isn't:

This blog is:

• A source of news and information about breastfeeding
• A place to support other mothers and be supported
• A place to share your experience breastfeeding your baby

This blog is not:

• A source of medical advice.  For breastfeeding help, please see your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant.  There are also some useful links on this page.
• A forum for rude, abusive, or otherwise inappropriate comments directed at anyone.  Please see our Terms of Use for more detail on acceptable comments.

Comments

[srakmom]

Hi Everyone,

I am a mother of 5 and have nursed for 8 years straight!! I used to be a La Leche League leader however, when I added homeschooling to my plate then, I had less time. If any of you need help with breastfeeding I would be glad to help!
God Bless,
Sandi

[Abi]

I am excited for the wealth of informative facts and fun stories to share with others! I am a 24 year old stay at home mom to a beautiful and very active 17 month old little man!!

[Charlotte's mama]

What a great idea, to have this kind of blog! I am a happy, stay at home mama of three-- I have two in my arms, and one in my heart who we lost at birth. I absolutely love nursing and I think part of this comes from the fact that I was unable to nurse my first baby. I wanted to care for her so desparately and I couldn't. It has seemed like such a royal privilege to nurse my next two babies. I recently weaned my older son at almost two in preparation for his sister's birth. It went much more smoothly than I expected. Now he occasionally wants to try a taste, but he doesn't like it anymore.
I am about to e-mail a letter to the editor of Parenting magazine. They have an article entitled, "7 Sure ways to keep your child healthy" and in the picture a small child is lying on her back with a bottle in her mouth. It infuriated me that not only was breastfeeding not mentioned as a way to keep your child healthy, but they are actually endorsing just the opposite. Argh! No wonder people in this country head for the formula!
Bye for now!

[Mira]

WOW! Is it possible I'm the first to post a comment on this blog?! Or am I just not looking in the right spot....
I am due this Nov. 13th and fully anticipate breastfeeding. I look forward to participating and learning all I can from this blog! Thank You!

[AidensMom]

Hello to all breastfeeding moms. I have a 5.5 month old, I work full time, and he is 100% mother's milk fed. Though pumping at work 3 times a day is not my favorite activity I do it for the love of my son and I feel it is worth it. So to working mothers-to-be: It can be done!
I think this blog is a great idea. I would love to hear the trials and solutions of other working breastfeeding moms.
Cheers to all women who are giving their most precious prize the best start possible.

[Kassandra]

Thank you so much for starting this blog! I am a 4th time Breastfeeding mom, currently nursing my 9 1/2 month old baby girl! If it weren't for Motherwear I wouldn't be the Nursing Advocate that I am!
So, thank you Mothewear!

[new mommy]

question: about how much should a 3 month old be eating per feeding?

(I know it probably depends on how often they nurse, ect... I'm just talking a rough ballpark in ounces)

[Saguaro254]

I'd like to say that I am happy to see this blog. Having nursed my son now all 4 months of his life, it's nice to find support so accessible.

Now my observation... I'd like to see more shops and stores provide chairs or sitting areas as I don't like to nurse standing! Any ideas?

[macadsa]

Thank you so much for starting a supportive website with information from an experienced mother. As a full-time working, pumping, breast-feeding mother I know that I need all the help I can get. I will spread the word.

[Jen]

Hi, I also nursed my little guy until he was 18 months old and he is now almost 3. I just had my daughter 8 weeks ago and nursing the second time around is completely different! My daughter has trouble holding her tongue in the right place while sucking and therefore gulps a lot of air while she is nursing (she breaks the suction repeatedly). I have tried everything to correct it, but I think it might be something she will have to grow out of. Any info you may have on this type of problem would be appreciated! It is kind of sad for me because I enjoyed nursing my son so much, but now nursing is usually frustrating. My daughter hardly ever falls asleep while nursing because it is just not a relaxing experience for her. She gets so uncomfortable from all the air she swallows.

I think this blog is a great idea! I look forward to reading more.

[Sommer'sBlessings]

I am so excited this blog is here! I am a mother of two with one more on the way. I tried breastfeeding with my first two and found myself overwhelmed and unable to continue. I think this came from not having the proper support.
I am determined to breastfeed this little sweetie for as long as I can.
Thanks for setting this up!

[MamaPierce]

I'm a 32 year old mom with a handsome 7 month old boy. I, too, am working outside of the home and pumping. My favorite tip to share allows for hands-free pumping! Slip a rubber band through your nursing bra "eye", drop the cup, position the shield then hook the rubber band to the bra hook. Your bra cups help hold the pump in place. My pumping times are the only breaks I get at work so I relax, snack and flip thru pictures of my little cutie! My coworkers are jealous of my pumping time!

[Raquel Bowman]

I am a very happy part-time (in the workplace away from home), breastfeeding new mom of a 7 month old baby girl. I pump only once during my 9 hour work day, 3 days a week. I truly believe I have the best of both worlds. I love being a new mom and breastfeeding! It's the best thing I can do for her and for me. We all know the benefits to her, but I also get some downtime and it keeps me thin. I'm thinner now than I was before I got pregnant, and back to my weight when I first met my husband. So, when people ask how I got and stay so thin I happily tell them that I owe it all to breastfeeding. I hope it's this way with all our kids. We plan on having 3 or 4. I was determined to learn the right way the first time so it will be easier in the longrun. I suggest everyone do the same to make it as easy as possible. Get your spouse or significant other involved in the beginning, have an open mind, and be determined. Every bit of support and knowledge helps. However, every child is different. All we can do is try our best and continue to spread the word. This blog is one way to help women - thanks!

[faith]

Hello Everyone!
Wow this is a great idea! I am the mother of 9 1/2 month exclusively breastfed Ava! She had very bad colic her first 3 months and I think nursing was one of the only things that quieted her down. I have grown to love nursing and look forward to nursing future children. I do have a question. I read often of mothers who nurse until their next baby. My husband and I are looking forward to trying to have another, but I have not yet began menstrating again. I have read that regular nursing can be used as a form of birth control, however I am down to 4 times a day with solid food and still no period. I would like to continue nursing Ava for at least another 6 months (1 1/2 yrs totatl) Any thoughts?

[tinoch]

Hi yall. I am also cranky about not having places in public to breast feed. I usually end up in a dressing room or in my car because I absolutely refuse to go to the bathroom to nurse. You just don't eat where you ****.
I am excited to try out my new motherwear clothes because I just found this website. Good Luck to all.

[JenKa]

I'm a 34-year-old mom with a 3-year-old boy and another boy on the way due 11/16. I was only able to breastfeed my oldest for 6 months before my milk ran out or dried up. That added to the frustration of being a new mom and although he thrived on formula, I still wish I could have nursed him longer.

I'm looking forward to my second son's birth and am hoping to be a bit more successful in nursing him. So I am excited about this new blog and hope to find some helpful support and friendly advice from everyone here!

[Camille]

This is a great blog! I am a nursing mother of a 4 1/2 month old baby girl. I love nursing. I know I am giving my baby the best gift in life and I wouldn't have it any other way! Having support is a must if not you can feel a little alone when it comes to issues. Thanks for this blog!

[Melting Mama]

Thanks for this blog... I'm currently 35 weeks pregnant with our fourth child, planning on exclusively nursing until solids, like I did with my last child. She nursed until age three, and boy did I live in those Motherwear tee shirts.

-Beth
www.meltingmama.typepad.com

[4boys4us]

Hi everyone! I am excited to see Motherwear do a blog. I have never been into blogs, but a breastfeeding one is AWESOME! I only buy my nursing clothes from Motherwear. I have A LOT of nursing tops, but I feel like if it enables me to nurse confidently in public, it's worth it!

I am a mother of 4 boys; ages 6 mo., almost 3, 5 and 7 yrs old. With only one child in school, I am busy! But at least my life is simpler since I breastfeed.

I was so inspired by my breastfeeding experiences that I took my lactation education coursework after my 2nd son. I am a plethora of information, and feel passionately about this important aspect of raising a baby. I will be here often I am sure!

Congratulations Motherwear on your newest endeavor for supporting breastfeeding moms. Sometimes us stay at home moms feel alone, but now we don't have to!

Heather Haas

[Three Boys Mom]

This is a great idea! Does anyone have a suggestion for what to do with my very gassy 2 month old? I have already cut out dairy, nuts, and eat very little wheat - all to no avail. This week I'm cutting out soy, but don't know what else I can do if that doesn't work. Thanks.

[capitolmoms]

I think that this is an awesome resource!

[Chelle]

Hey everyone!
I'm a first time mom of a beautiful 3 month old girl named Chloe. I am having trouble with the breastfeeding and would love to continue but I'm only getting an ounce if that of breastmilk. She has been bottlefed since the beginning at alternate times. Then she was eating alot and breasts weren't enough so it was breasts first and topped off with a bottle. So now out of her 7 ounces, an ounce is breastmilk. I know stress helps to reduce it and I've had my share this month with going back to work and trying to get a morgage for a house. But if anyone has any ideas on how I can possibly get my milk supply up let me know. Or is it too late? I figure any amount is still beneficial but it's frustrating that after 20 minutes (10 minutes on each breast) all I get is an ounce. Help!!!

[LaylaNSethsMomma]

Hi ya'll! My name is Katy, I'm a mother of three children. My oldest is my daughter, she is almost 4, my second is an angel, and my 3rd is my son. My daughter just started preschool. She was BF til she was 18 months and I BF my son. I plan to BF til he is ready to wean. That's what I did with my daughter. Congratulations Motherwear on this blog. I think its a great idea!

[AidensMom32]

Hello all- especially to the other "Aidensmom"! I am a full time 5th grade teacher with a 6 month old angel in baby boy pants. I am astounded at how few women at work with me are nursing! Last year there were several of us pregnant and I expected to come back to a school full of pumping moms. I am the only one left out of 5. I am glad this blog has begun because I'm not stopping nursing and it will be good to hear from others who are supportive. Thanks!

[Dawn]

Hi! I am new mom of an 11 month old girl. I have breastfed her since birth. I went back to work full time after my 6 week maternity leave & pumped 2 or 3 times a day. Since she has gotten her 4th tooth I have just been pumping & giving her a bottle because her fourth tooth started cutting my nipple. It hurt so bad it brought tears to my eyes. I plan to continue this until she is one year. I have enjoyed our time of breastfeeding and I know it is the best thing I could do for her!! Thanks to all and good luck to those just starting!

[Hannah's mommy]

Thank goodness for this blog. Nursing mommies need all the support they can get. I've been nursing my now one-year-old since birth, but now down to a couple times a day. I was a working/pumping/nursing mom for 5 months after returning to work when FLMA ran out, but decided to be a SAHM. Finding time to pump at work (3x a day) was the easy part - leaving Hannah at daycare was tough. Nursing in public was a challenge until I discovered Motherwear. Their clothes are so much more "nursing-friendly" than other nursing outfits. Great discreet designs.
Since I've had my daughter and was able to successfully BF her, I encourage and support my friends to do the same. I have a new found respect for all nursing mommies - working or Stay-at-home, pumping or straight from the breast. And kudos for those who extend nursing into toddlerhood. Nursing Mommies UNITE!

[SuperMom]

I am 25 years old, and I have a 4 1/2 month girl. And I have been breastfeeding since day 1. But I have some questions. One...the baby tends to like only sucking on the nipple and not the whole areola, I've tried to get her to get the whole areola but she just get off and get on the nipple again (tip). I guess I let it go to far that now shes used to the tip only. Two....when I pump I only get about 2 onces, and that is one each breast... sometimes I get more milk out, but that only happens when either she sleeps for a long time (that doesn't happen very often...unless at night) or I gave her a bottle (breast milk). What can I do to get more milk, since I would like to go back to work and have a supply ready. I have other question, but let do this two at a time LOL :) I would like love it if you girls help me out. Thankssssss !!!!

[Jaclin]

I am so excited to see such a wonderful support for breastfeeding mothers, myself included. I fully believe in nursing, and fight for it every step of the way. Both of my boys were born early 35 and 37 weeks, so I knew I definitely wanted to nurse. Little did I know how it just doesn't come so easily, as they both had recessed chins which can make it more difficult to latch, and both have food sensitivites, which meant a drastic change in diet for me. My 7 year old nursed for 2 years, and I'm still nursing my almost 9 month old. It can be done, with some perserverance and a good lactation consultant. Our babies deserve nothing but the BEST!!

[Lynnski]

How wonderful to have this space! Motherwear--the store--was my touchstone throughout early parenthood. With this new enterprise, Motherwear--the blog--can help support and network uncountably more nursing moms and families. Here's to it!

I'm a working mom, and nursed my daughter for more than 3.5 years. I had terrible trouble at the beginning, but persevered. Ultimately I found that the intimacy and communication engendered by "extended nursing" was one of the greatest benefits of all.

One hint: I found a wonderful support in my local library. I asked the children's librarian if she could help me find a friendly place to nurse my daughter during the workday (my husband brought her to me mid-day, but my workplace was very nursing-unfriendly). The children's librarian turned out to be an avid ally; she invited me to nurse in her office any time I wanted, and provided a quiet space, a comfortable chair, and a glass of water. She taught me that there is support all around us if we are positive, proud of breastfeeding, and ask for the help we need to give our children what they deserve.

[Angela]

Hi, I am a mom of 5. One stepson, a nine year old boy 19 month old twin boys and a five month old daughter who I am exclusively breastfeeding. She is the only one I have succesfully nursed and it is wonderful! I hope this blog will encourage mothers everywhere to breastfeed. It's the best thing for our children!

[proudnursinmama]

Love this blog....Love nursing....nursing my third child who is 9 months. I have been either nursing or pregnant for 6 years straight. My first I nursed thru 22 months when she weaned herself. I delivered her brother 2 months later. I nursed my son until he was 28 months and I delivered my 3rd, daughter, 5 months later.
For the person commenting on stores not having a place to sit and nurse....I often nursed my babies in the fitting rooms in several stores. Though you sometimes get stuck and have to do it in a bathroom....why would you want to sit on a filthy chair in a public restroom and nurse? Would you eat in there? The general population does not understand nor do they cater to the nursing population. How sad.

I recently was issued a jury duty notice and am pleased to report I was granted an excusal on the basis that I am nursing my 9 month old!! Yippee...we've come a long way!

[BrookeD]

I never imagined what an amazing experience nursing would be! I am exclusively breastfeeding my eight month old baby boy, and I don't plan on stopping for awhile. Breastfeeding was such a technical process at first, but now it is so easy! I can feed my son anytime, anywhere, in any position! A supply of nursing clothes definitely helps!

[misha]

I'm nursing my nearly 5month old right now (literally) and struggled through the early (6-8wk) period for both her and her older brother (now 3, self-weaned at 16months). Keep at it is the best thing to say to a new nursing mom. It DOES get better. I had supply issues with both, due to (1st one) weak sucking & (2nd) incorrect latch- and a determination to keep it. My 1st ended up having a couple of supplemental bottles (2 oz)/day (I started by using the supplemental nurser at the breast) the whole first year, but with this one I managed to stop after 2 months.

What has really helped is trained support, using a hospital-grade pump to increase supply (and now for bottles if I need to go out), and KNOWING that no matter what, trying (even if unsuccessfully- that acceptance from my midwife REALLY helped at the 6wk post-partum appointment) was the best thing I could do as a mother.

[Sarah C]

I am so happy to see all the breastfeeding moms out there! Most of my fellow co-workers were so negative to me about pumping at work I had to go to my manager and human resources. Surprisingly they were VERY supportive. The people I work with still aren't nice (and I only work 1 day per week), but at least I have management on my side. So if you are having pumping issues at work, I encourage you to talk to someone about it.

[JerseyGirlMommy]

Hi, everyone.

My daughter is 21 months and still nursing three times a day.
Needless to say, breastfeeding has been a wonderful experience for both of us, and I'm in no rush to stop.

I think everyone I know (except my husband, who is v. supportive) thinks I'm either crazy or heroic, or both.

I'd love to hear from other moms who've breastfed their babies well into toddlerhood. I plan on letting my daughter wean herself, but wondering how that happens.

Will I be nursing a kindergartener, as some of my friends fear? : )

Also, I'd be happy to share my perspective with anyone who needs it. Here's some background:

After I exhausted my FMLA, I went back to work full-time and pumped, while my husband took a month of FMLA. Then, I went to part-time, working two days a week, and continued pumping until my baby was about a year old. (By then, she refused to take a bottle of breast milk, preferring the breast itself, so there was no point in pumping).
I thought she was beginning to wean, but then she caught her first virus/cold at 15 months (great immune system, thanks to breastfeeding!) and, for two days, breast milk was the only food she could keep down. That increased her interest in nursing -- she was back to eight times a day! -- until we vacationed with friends in August, and she scaled back to thrice a day, the current pattern.

Oh -- this is my first baby. I was 38+ when she was born, and I'm now 40. (Egads...).

[Zoe]

Hi everyone,

I've been nursing my baby, Marlo, since he was born, 4 months ago. I live in Mexico where the lactation consultants are few and far between.

Fortunately, Tanya has been a friend of mine for many years so, when the questions and doubts began (day one!) I knew who to call. She has been an incredible source of information and encouragement during these past months. She is tremendously supportive, knowledgeable and positive. She's made this whole new adventure seem a lot more manageable.

I particularly love when she reminds me that I am "growing" my baby. It helps put all the doubt and fatigue in perspective. My boy is a healthy, chubby little fellow. And my milk's made him that way.

I've been so grateful to have Tanya a phone call or email away. And now I'm so happy that many many more women can enjoy her support and learn from her wisdom. A blog written by Tanya about breast feeding is a true gift. I look forward to reading every installment!

[Emma]

Hi guys;

Isn't it incredible that we can grow an entire human being, as well as make all the food it needs just with our own bodies?

I'm a mom of three and currently nursing my 6 week old. I nursed my first until 2 1/2, but the stress of trying to work and pump (plus some ill-advised supplementation) put paid to nursing my second much past 8 months (that and the biting). I'll be nursing my newborn for as long as she wants it - it is our special time when I can put aside everything else and concentrate on her.

Some of you had questions regarding the amount you could pump. I could never pump very much (4 oz tops), whereas my friend could get 16 oz at a time. Babies will get more directly from the breast than a pump can, so if your child is growing adequately, you are making enough milk. The best way to increase your supply is to nurse (or pump) more often, and not to supplement with formula. We should have faith that our bodies are miraculous and that WE CAN DO THIS! I found the La Leche League a wonderful source of support and excellent knowledge. I feel that if the group I'd attended the first time around had still been going when I had my son, I'd have overcome the obstacles I faced with him. Hopefully, the third time will be a charm as I'm so much less stressed by everything (except for weekends alone with three kids, but that's another story...)

Best of luck out there.

[SAM]

Does anyone have advice? I am a mother of 2 and nursing my second son now who is 3 months. He is a strong sucker, but detaches himself very frequently. I am experiencing quite a bit of nipple pain while he eats and residule breast pain after. I did not have this problem with my first son, but he was not a good eater. I am back to work and pumping during the day and nursing at night. Is there anything I can do to help with the pain. I think that he may not be taking enough of the nipple in his mouth, but I have not been able to correct the problem. Thank you.

[Mindy]

It's so wonderful to hear all the stories! I have 3 little cuties, boy 5 yrs., girl 3 yrs., and boy 5 months. I nursed all three. My girl was the hardest because we have found out later that she has severe acid reflux and a genetic mutation that has caused global problems for her. She will be entering a special ed preschool and responds well to therapy. Anyway, my last little guy is the best nurser of them all! He loves to nurse and I love nursing him!
I wanted to comment to some of the moms out there that have written about not producing enough milk, try to drink more water. Usually the amount of water you drink directly affects how much milk you produce. Also a book that was extremly helpful to me when I had nursing questions was the "Nursing Mothers Companion".
Hope this helps!

[Momof2inOhio]

Great site! Currently nursing 4 month old son and pumping at work, nursed first child until 2 years 2 months (second trimester of pregnancy). Quite different experiences, many due to experience, maybe due to differences in the children, both fulfilling and strongly encourage first-timers to tough out the pain you may feel (which felt like being tweeked with clothespins with every let-down until the first was about 4 months, painless with the second) and to encourage working moms to pump, pump, pump! Being able to nurse at night helped me reconnect with the first despite 10-14 hour workdays and "attachment" parenting methods can work even if you can't be around that much in the beginning.
Also, I'd like to pass on that I think frequent pumping may help increase milk supply. I pumped at work for the first starting at 7 weeks every 3 hours and that worked great. For the second, I work 1 week out of 3 so I only pump that week and it helps increase my production as he goes longer between feeds during the 2 weeks I'm home it seems like I produce less especially by late afternoon/evening. Also, first baby seemed really colickly and I eliminated almost EVERYTHING from my diet. In retrospect, she fed about every 2-3 hours and I think she was getting too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk, the foremilk is more milk sugar-rich (which is a problem for those of us lactose intolerant) rather than the hindmilk being more fat-rich (which keeps baby fuller longer). With the second baby, I tried to not feed him at the first fuss and gradually increased the time between feedings and he did much, much better, but maybe he would've done OK anyway.
Finally, I was able to nurse the first immediately after birth and she had some trouble learning, but was separated from the second for 5 hours after birth, yet he latched on and never had one second of difficulty...go figure, everyone is unique!
p.s. Motherwear designs have never let me down, especially for public nursing-even the swimsuits!!!

[workingmama]

I am heading back to work in two weeks and trying to wean my son to bottles and to get him to sleep through the night. He will take a bottle only as a last resort, but at least he will take it. My greater concern is that he has not slept for more than 3 hours straight and he's almost 10 weeks old. Is there anything I can do to help him learn to sleep for longer blocks at night?

[Genevieve]

Hello!

I am the mother of a 13 month old daughter (who was breastfed for 6 months) and expecting a son in November.

I come from Canada, and found that all shopping centers in my region had nice areas for mother to breastfeed. Mostly they were located in a customer service area (where you could rent strollers, etc.) or they were located near the bathrooms, but in a separate room (which usually were very nice).

I am now living in USA and I am wondering where will I breastfeed my son. I see that most places do not even have changing tables in bathrooms, even less a special area for mother to nurse!

I am under the impression that nursing will be more challenging here because less accepted. I do hope that I will find ways to make it enjoyable anyways if I need to nurse in public.

Looking forward to read all the comments/issues/solutions on breastfeeding in this new blog!

[Heather]

I miss the store in town so I can try on the bras. I've found the nursing shirts are too short for those of us with longer torsos (not that I'm hideously proportioned) so that my midrif gets exposed very easily. It'd be nice if the shirts were a little more fitted too to show off our new shapely figures!

[Mandie]

I am the mother of a beautiful 6 1/2 month old girl. She is my first and I really enjoy breastfeeding. I feel it has created a wonderful bond between us. I will say the first month of near constant nursing was rough but once we both got used to it, it was wonderful. I went back to work part time and I pump 3 times a day when I'm working. We started adding baby food to her diet at about 5 1/2 months old and now she is eating two solid meals a day in addition to breastfeeding and it's been really nice to let daddy have some meal times!

I also hope that breastfeeding in public will become a more accepted practice. I recently discoved that my local mall has a seperate family "room" with a TV for older kids and private curtained areas for nursing moms and a family restroom stall. It's great! I wish more places would offer these areas.

I have a question for all of those moms who've nursed past the first birthday, how often would you offer the breast as a meal? And, how long did you nurse for?

[Sarah]

I am the mother of two a daughter who is 4 1/2 and a 15 month old boy. Both were and are breast fed. My daughter nursed until she was 19 months old, and I needed to have my gall bladder removed. While I was in the hospital she had no problems with not nursing and did not look for it when I got home. My son still nurses, just once or twice a day and at night. I will probally continue to nurse him until he weans himself.

Reading some of the other comments I wanted to reply to some of them. I have never been shy about nursing in public. Nursing tops are great, but I also bought cheap camiole tops at Walmart and wear them tucked in under regular shirts and stretch the top down along with my bra flap. They are longer, so easy to tuck in. I think as long as not too much skin is showing a nursing baby does not look much more different than a baby just being held by his mom. Coming from a family of nursing moms I was brought up around it. My aunt liked shoe departments in stores becuase they usually have chairs. I find booths at restraunts easy places to nurse.

As for baby's not sleeping for more than a few hours at a stretch, my daughter was three before she slept through the night and my son still wakes several times during the night. With my daughter I would sit in the rocking chair in her room when she woke during the night. My husband was overseas for most of my son's first year and I just brought him into bed with me. Much easier as eventually I was able to stay mostly asleep when he would want to nurse then go back to sleep.

For those moms worried about the amount of milk the baby is getting, frequent nursing will help build supply, as well as making sure you are drinking enough. One way to do this is have a glass of water on hand when nuring and drink then. As long as your baby has wet, and messy diapers and is gaining weight, they are getting enough milk. Neither of my children gained an ounce until they were a month old then both took off and have not slowed down. With my daughter I gave in to doctors pressure to supplement, but my Aunt who is a lactation consultant sent me a pump. Second time around the doctor trusted me that this just might be the norm for my children and let me just keep nursing. The first few months is seems like I spent all of my time nursing, but I have two beautiful healthy children.

[Leesa0210]

Hi all. I am 26 and have a 6 year old and a 5 month old. I didn't breastfeed w/ my first because I was told that it wasn't the thing to do. With my 2nd, I was determined. After recieving a lot of grief from everyone during and after my pregnancy, I am still exclusively breastfeeding. My child is a lot healthier than my 1st. I work full time, so I have to pump. Many thinks to the Ameda Purely Yours breast pump. I use the Adiri nursing bottles. They are shaped like a breast and my daughter has never had a problem taking them. She looks at you like you are crazy if you offer any other type of bottle. Breastfeeding is a pain when you are working full time and hard in the beginning to get started, but it's worth it. My daughter and I have a special bond that no one else has with her. Her father actually gets to spend more time with her than I do because of our work schedules, but when she sees me, her eyes light up because I have what she has been waiting for all day. I would like to say for anyone having problems, keep it up... It gets better. As for nursing shirts, I have on a Motherwear shirt right now, in the office. Its easier to pump wearing a nursing shirt!

[ShelleyRN]

Hi to all! And kudos to all who have breastfed their children, regardless of how long it lasted...It really is the best start we can give our children! And it can be far from the most easy & carefree experience, as I realized. However, as difficult as it was, it remains the most rewarding experience of my life, aside from bringing life in to the world.
I am the proud mommy to Brenna & Maya, 16 month old identical twin girls. They were born 6 weeks early, and because of their prematurity had to be taken right to the NICU for evaluation. I had a C-section, and instead of being brought to the NICU to see them, for some reason (???) I was brought right back to my room. I didn't get to see/hold my babies for about 13 hours after delivery. Although I had told nurses when I was admitted that my intention was to breastfeed, for some reason (?) they were given bottles that whole 1st day & then some. I didn't even try to nurse them until they were 2 days old (although I was pumping), and then had many obstacles...including flat nipples (nothing like a bottle nipple that they had gotten used to), and therefore, very fussy babies when they couldn't latch & the milk didn't instantly flow like a bottle...and therefore a very stressed out mom because of all of the above. I worked a lot with the lactation consultants, who were great!!! They started me using nipple shields, which really helped the problem of flat nipples. I would have to say I struggled for the 1st 6-8 weeks, before the 3 of us really got a handle on it. For the 1st 3-4 months, I pumped after every feeding because I had a low milk supply & was supplementing with formula. It was a very difficult time and I seemed to be crying all the time because I couldn't understand why something so natural, so basic...could be so difficult! But I was determined, more so than I realized.
By 9 weeks of age, we were breastfeeding pretty much exclusively, tandem for every feeding! It was so gratifying & rewarding to have reached that point. I returned to work part time when the girls were 19 weeks old. Pumping was certainly a chore at work (I am a nurse and finding time was difficult) and the fact that the most I could ever express was 4 oz. (the baby apparently gets more milk out than a pump) but I am so happy I put the effort into it. I, also, had a problem with low milk supply & my obstetrician prescribed a medication for me (Reglan) which really helped to increase my supply.
I took such an interest in breastfeeding & helping others with it, that now, in my job as a pediatric nurse, I help moms all the time and am actually attending a class in October to become a Certified Lactation Counselor...and who knows, maybe one day a Certified Lactation Consultant.
I happily nursed my girls until they were 13 months old (nipple shields and all), when they pretty much weaned themselves. As many obstacles as I faced, it, as I said before was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life & when I have another child, I will most definitely plan to nurse again!
It is so nice to have this blog & I plan to visit it regularly...and I agree with all that Motherwear nursing tops were the only things I wore...

[ejbmom]

To the working moms, thanks for the encouragement! I've been working since my daughter was 9 weeks old (she is now 15 weeks) Working and pumping - and being away from her for that long - is a struggle, especially when she sometimes poses a brief "nursing strike" at me when I get home or on the weekends. Those are a little tough on both of us but I refuse to give up...

To the mom struggling with the 10 week old that still only sleeps 3 hours, my girl turned a corner quick right when I went back to work and started sleeping 10 hours a night! The key was a bottle (w/ b-milk) or nursing her at around 10:30 or 11pm even though she is asleep, she still latches on and does the "dream feed" which really helps b/c you can actually function the next day at work :)

[SaraRN]

Sweet! What a sense of comraderie I get from seeing all the of the Full Time Working Pumping Moms. I am 26 and have a 21 month old and a 1 week old, both boys. I breastfed/pumped for my first 9 months until he self weaned (stinker!) I just love the Medela Pumping-Free kit too, and nothing beats the relaxation you get at work after pumping. I plan to have 3-4 kids and will return to work full time in mid November. I am a nurse so thankfully my wokr environment is very supportive of breastfeeding. My 1 week old nurses like a champ, what a relief compared to my fussy first.

[Danielle]

I am in complete agreement with Genevieve, most breastfeeding tops are too short and unshapely, even Motherwear. It's very frustrating to me because although I am very conscious about showing my now scarred middriff from a tramatic c-section, I do want to show off my nice thin shape breastfeeding has helped me to have. I would also like to see public places cater to bf mothers more. You all have some great advice and comments! This blog is great.