Motherwear model Vida talks about her breastfeeding experience.

A few months ago I had the pleasure of meeting Vida, her son, and her husband at the photo shoot for Motherwear's winter catalog.  She agreed to share her breastfeeding story here.

What has your breastfeeding experience been like?

Great!  I can't imagine it any other way.

What's your favorite thing about nursing? 

My favorite thing about breastfeeding is the health benefits.  My baby is so healthy and big and I love knowing that I am giving him custom-made milk for exactly what he needs.  I also love that the baby weight is coming off faster because of breastfeeding.

How do you make breastfeeding work given your work schedule?

I am lucky that I can stay home with him while he is so young, so I don't have to plan around a work schedule yet.  But if I need to go take a yoga class or if I have to go somewhere for a couple of hours I pump a couple of bottles and refrigerate them, and my husband warms them up in a sterile bottle when he needs them.  I keep them in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.  This is great - to have a little freedom while still giving your baby what they need.

Where have you gotten support and help with breastfeeding?

My husband and I attended a breastfeeding class while I was pregnant.  There, a board certified lactation consultant taught us all of the medical benefits of breastfeeding, and proper latch-on positions.  Then after I gave birth another lactation consultant came to my hospital room to see how I was doing.  This was really helpful because it was with my baby so she told me exactly what I could do.  Then a few days later at home, my nipples were extremely sore and I was so engorged because my milk supply came in.

So I called a "warm line" at my hospital and a lactation consultant called me back to answer my questions.  She coached me over the phone on how to get my baby latched on properly and my nipple soreness went away immediately!  I also bought La Leche League's book The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.  I needed some advice in the beginning.

Is there any advice you could give other nursing moms based on your experience?

Those first few weeks are a learning experience for you and your baby.  You both have to learn what to do.  It has been 12 weeks with me and I feel like I've been doing it all my life.  I am working on public breastfeeding now under a blanket for privacy.  It's tricky but we are getting used to it.  I also recommend co-sleeping with your baby because you sleep so much better and nursing laying down is the best and easiest way to get them back to sleep.  There is nothing sweeter than waking up next to your baby!

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