One Year of Breastfeeding...

Wednesday I can officially say that I have breastfed Asher for one year.... And I'm proud to say that. Today I was thinking back to the breastfeeding thoughts that went through my noodle before I had him, our first months of breast feeding, and our future of breastfeeding.. I can remember being so worried about being able to nurse Asher and now I look at how far we have come and how good we are at it...

I mean we did have our ups and downs... having to use a nursing shield for the first few months and I wasn't the greatest when it came to pumping, but overall it's been so wonderful! Nursing is seriously one of the best things you can do as a mama and it's super affordable. I managed to save $1100.00 this past year by breastfeeding! I should reward myself ;)... 

Now that I have made it to a year I'm wondering when to start weaning Asher... When did you wean your little? Did you let them self wean? Thursday we go to the doctor so I will be asking her about nursing past the first year!

Here my nursing must haves from this past year... 

1. Zoe Organics Nipple Balm - Chapped nips are the worst things ever! This balm is hands down my favorite! 

2. Boppy - Great for nursing during the younger months

3. Nursing Bras - A MUST, Target and H&M have great affordable nursing bras! 

4. Medela Pump

5. Nursing Cover

6. Nursing Contact Shield - Not a must have for all mamas but these helped me be able to nurse during first few months! 

What are some of your nursing must haves? Also the Instagram Hop is live! Link up and meet some new friends! 

Breastfeeding...

So I've been meaning to write this post for some time now and just couldn't get the words together to write it nor did I feel like I was quite experienced enough... But today since Asher is now 6 months old (and I hit one of my breastfeeding goals) I feel like I can finally express my feelings on breastfeeding. 

First off breastfeeding is unlike anything I imagined it would be. When I was in the hospital Asher would not latch on properly... My milk came in probably less than 24 hours after I delivered and I was so engorged that the poor kid couldn't latch very well. Prior to delivery a few friends of mine had told me that they had latching issues and used a little device called a nipple shield that did wonders. I packed some in my hospital bag for a just in case basis and also because the hospital did not provide them. After working and trying and working to get Asher to latch, I just wasn't having any luck and he was becoming very hungry at this point. I had told my nurse that I had packed them and she suggested that we give them a try... and voilà! Asher latched on like a pro and I used that shield until he was almost three months old. 

The downside to having to use a shield is that the device is clear and easy to lose. I can't tell you how many times I misplaced that stupid thing. The other bad thing about a shield is that you are forever washing and sanitizing it and it's a pain when you leave the house without it. The days I forgot my shield at the house were not fun days. When Asher was around three months old I finally decided it was time to break him of the shield... One day I just happen to try to nurse him without it and what-do-ya-know.... It was like he never needed to use it in the first place. Since then we have been shield free!
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One of the main reason I chose to breastfeed was because it is extremely affordable and 100% organic. I mean the only expenses you really have are a pump, bottles, milk bags (if you decided to pump), lanolin cream, nursings bras, and breast pads. One thing I realized that no one really warned me about was how much work breastfeeding really is. If I don't eat 1500+ calories a day or drink enough fluids, I notice a drop in my supply and sometimes Im so busy throughout the day I will completely forget a meal or forget to drink enough water. I had to make a schedule for myself so I could make sure I was getting the proper amount of food and fluids that I needed throughout the day. A breastfed baby usually wants to eat every 2-3 hours as well. When Asher was 4 months old he finally started stretching his feedings (4-5hours) so I am now able to do a little more throughout the day.

Photo by: Kristi James Photography 

Breastfeeding Tips:

• Breastfeeding is not for everyone, but I think any new mom should at least give it a shot.
• Every mama/baby is different. Try not to compare yourself or your baby to other mamas or babies.
• If you are comfortable with pumping, pump a bottle here and there to let your husband/significant other join in. 
• Just because you baby is breastfed doesn't mean they will be a chubby baby... People tell me all the time Asher is small for being a breastfed baby. Every baby is proportioned differently and as long as your baby is gaining the appropriate amount of weight, your baby is fine. 
• Don't be ashamed if you have to use a shield! I had to stop reading a few breastfeeding pages on Facebook because they made me feel terrible about having to use a shield. I never had a problem with them hurting my supply as well.
• Nursing bras are a MUST! 
• If you really want to breastfeed set goals for yourself! The first 3 months were the hardest for me, but after that it's really been a breeze! 

What are some tips you have for breastfeeding? Im still learning so I would love to hear them! My next goal is a year!

Hope everyone is having a Happy Thursday!