My Breastfeeding and Pumping Story

I'm not sure about all of y'all but no one told me the extent of how painful it would be to start breastfeeding for the first time.

Prior to giving birth, I took the breastfeeding class that was provided by my hospital. I was being the overachiever! I typed down all the notes on my iPad and I even stayed after class to ask questions (blog post here). The reason why I was so determined on breast feeding was because 1. I wanted the best for my baby and 2. No one else I know was successful at breast feeding so I had no one to turn for advice. 

I was formula fed because my mother told me I was up every 30 minutes hungry AND her nipple basically fell off. The lactation consultant told me my mother wasn't nursing me correctly and it was really unfortunate how she didn't have much help (back then). Plus, my mother didn't know any English so she had no help, all alone in the US, desperate for sleep... So she formula fed my sister and I. We turned out fine, by the way :)

My daughter is officially 6 months old since Aug 21st and I successfully breast fed her this entire time. To be honest I didn't know I would be able to make it this far but I sure am proud of myself for sticking to it. 

I'm not going to go too far into detail because then this post would be REALLY long... The beginning was really hard. Especially being a FTM (first time mom) I couldn't grasp the reality of it all. I knew in my mind what the hunger ques were but good lord I was consumed with pain, exhaustion and ___ fill everything you could possibly feel distressed in blank. 

Breastfeeding takes dedication and endurance. Dedicate the wee hours of the night to breast feed then endure the pain of the latch (when baby puts their mouth on your nips then drink). I did not have a proper latch in the beginning. It kept changing. Thinking I was doing it correctly. My nipples have bled, sore to the touch of a towel, had Thrush, beginning stages of Mastitis, and blood bubbles? I've seen the lactation consultant a few times along with long phone calls. I cried. I screamed, loudly. I cursed. I wanted to give up so badly. SO BADLY. But I just couldn't! Even though I said, "I give up!!!" millions of times. And those millions of times my mother would tell me to not give up... Or that it's okay to give up now. It was so hard. And for two months it kept hurting. I found no relief. No joy in breast feeding. Only that it was a chore and I absolutely hated that. And yet, I couldn't throw in the towel. I've been through so much pain and for so long I just couldn't give up now! 

By 5 months (give or take) my daughter decided she didn't want the boob anymore. Honestly made me a bit sad but I've continued to give her breast milk by pumping.

Now, pumping really takes dedication because you have to set yourself a strict schedule or else you could lose your milk production (supply and demand). Luckily for me I had an oversupply so I have a small chest freezer stocked up with breast milk. Unfortunately, with an oversupply I kept on getting clogged ducts. I would get a clogged duct every week. Sometimes even twice a week. Regardless that I was pumping every three hours (I was dying of sleep). Then I discovered Lecithin (it's a vitamin)! Saved my life of pumping, literally. Take 3-4 times a day and I am clog free! I enjoy pumping a lot more than breast-feeding because this is what works for us. Though it is very time-consuming I am committed to do this for as long as I can. I've pumped in the car or in the bathroom while shopping at the mall. I've pumped with a cover on when my in-laws visited us. I have and will always do what I can to get a pump session in. Now (along with Lecithin) I pump every six hours and I still make enough for my daughter. My oversupply has gone down and it does feel nice to have soft boobs again, haha. I was getting so tired of feeling engorged every three hours!

What makes my supply go up? If I needed a boost (which I rarely do) I eat Mee-Yuk-Gook (Korean seaweed soup), Saigon Noodlehouse #3 beef pho and shrimp fried rice (in Wahiawa, Hawaii). If I eat any of those I wake up and pump 13 ounces (give or take). I know, it's pretty ridiculous. I honestly do not know how I've kept up with my milk supply but what I did in the beginning was put my hand to my chest and prayed to God. Every day.

My journey of breastfeeding and pumping has been challenging. Very challenging. But oh so worth it. Kinda. The pain, I'm telling you... It's not for the weak hearted. Your pain tolerance... Gotta push it through and then your nips will go numb/be stretched out. Then all is well :) My daughter is so strong. Hasn't gotten sick as of yet. Very aware of her surroundings. Is in the 86% percentile in weight. And it's all thanks to my breast milk that came from my body. It's crazy. A woman can grow another human being then nourish the baby. Truly is amazing what we women can do!

Here are some quick helpful (and random) links for all who are just starting out on breastfeeding:
ALL info I get about breastfeeding- Kellymom.com
Foremilk and Hindmilk- What does it mean? (http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/basics/foremilk-hindmilk/)
30 Different Ways to use Breastmilk- http://workathomemums.hubpages.com/hub/30-Different-Ways-To-Use-Breast-Milk-Medicinal-Cosmetic-Beauty-and-Consumption-Alternatives
Stop Arguing For NIP- http://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/badass-breastfeeder/stop-arguing-nip-normalize-love

If you have any tips or tricks that you'd like to share, please comment below!