Breastfeeding tips from a nursing MOM

Breastfeeding can be daunting, especially since no one ever prepares you for the roadblocks that show up from feeding or not feeding.  I've breastfed all my babies (my first well beyond 1 year) and I was sure surprised to see how easy it got as it progressed.  Beware though, I believe the first 3-4 weeks are the hardest, it's a test of your will.  I've read so many articles and tips, talked to multiple lactation consultants, and have had my husband back me up 100%. Here are some tips so you can hang in there while you work things out to provide the very best for your special little angel(s).

FIGURE A

1. It helps to talk to your baby and make eye contact as you nurse, this stimulates your brain and sends your glands a message to produce more milk and make your letdown flow easier.
2. In the beginning, you'll feel like you don't make enough milk. This could be that your baby hasn't learned to productively suck well yet or you're engorged (painfully full). It takes time (about a month) so don't reach for the formula or bottle just yet. If you're engorged, try gently pressing with your finger tips around your nipple for 10-second presses as flower petals (figure A) to soften your nipple to make it easier to feed from.
3. A good latch is when your baby's mouth is open wide, chin gently massaging your breast underneath, and tip of your nipple way past the front of your baby's tongue inside.  THIS is what makes your milk letdown be better and leads to you producing what your baby needs.
4. Breastfeeding your baby is time-consuming, it's part of being a nursing mom. Don't feel that it will tie you down, instead feel the bond you're building that is irreplaceable. 
5. When you start feeling pain (like dozens of paper cuts on your nipples), then soothe with simple things like lanolin, Olive Oil, your own milk rubbed on, and sleeping topless...yes, this works wonders! Just cover your volumptious beauties with small towels and sleep on your back. The towels will air-dry fast while gravity will help your milk not leak out like if you sleep on your side or sleep on your tummy (which can lead to painful infections from the pressure).
6. Don't get into a diet just yet! If you eat a restricted diet to get back into shape or take pills or "diet" smoothies, then you're robbing your baby's milk from good fat he/she needs. Many moms experience disappointment when their babies aren't gaining enough weight as they grow, but they are more focused in what they eat to stay thin. Guess what? YOU eat less, then so will baby. Your milk will have all the minerals and nutrients your baby will ever need, but the quality of it will depend on you eating right, resulting in a fuller baby quicker. Wait until baby starts solids to get on a diet. No one is rushing you, and if they do, what's more important: baby or someone's harsh opinion?
7. Whatever you do, don't supplement with formula to provide "more." If you allow your body to produce for small meals, then it won't magically produce bigger meals in time. In fact, you might end up drying up by 3 months (a very common mistake in moms).
8. Your mind being determined is key! When you start to get fear every time your baby has to latch on because of the pain you may start to feel, then just push through it. I used to chant, "Push through it, it's worth it" and chewed on ice. The ice lowered my upper chest temperature and lessened the pain (it's about the sensory receptors here being kinda numbed.)
9. Try pumping to produce more if your body is lagging in milk production. These foods and herbs help production increase: oatmeal, red and orange veggies, barley in porridge, fenugreek (herb), and fennel seed (herb). If you're like me, a heavy producer, then massaging between meals helps alleviate engorgement and placing cool cabbage leaves (just ONCE a day) in your bra will slow production (3 times a day will dry you up!).
10. Feed ON DEMAND AND ON SCHEDULE...don't get it? This means to feed when baby shows signs of hunger and to never let baby go unfed for more than 3 hours as well. Feeding on demand works perfectly while at home, but when you're out and about, your baby will get too stimulated by his/ her surroundings and may slide on to skipping a meal even. Keep an eye on that because once you start to skip meals or prolong break times, your body will then think it needs to produce less since baby isn't eating like before.
11. It may take up to 2 days for your body to readjust as your baby grows from time to time and feeding demands change. So give it time as baby grows.
12. If your baby sleeps through most of the night, you might be engorged by morning and baby won't eat everything you have in one feeding.  This is the best time to pump, before they wake up, and store in the freezer for future dates with the husband or doctor visits. You'll be surprised at how much milk you'll accumulate.
13. You relaxing and your comfort level helps in your willingness to keep going too so: sit up and use a pillow under baby if feeding upright, lay down and get comfy before feeding, or close your eyes if you're tired. Avoid bad posture and back pain. Avoid feeding baby if you're too emotionally stressed (crying, super angry, etc), it can lead to acid in your milk for baby = more spit up.
14. Baby will never "empty" you.  Our womanly bodies are a beautiful thing, and were made to feed and nurture babies, so even when you feel like your empty when baby seems to be hungry still, just switch sides and feed until he/she is full. THIS is how you make your body produce more. THIS is how you show your determination to be a nursing mom to a healthy breastfed baby.
15. If you do get a breast infection, my advice is to push through the pain, unless your baby has thrush, then go to a doctor.  I've had breast infections with my babies and I freaked out with my first and they gave me antibiotics to help, which still took days. With my second, I simply fed less from that side, and when I was sitting I placed diapers with warm water inside on my breast. The diaper's warmth alleviated my pain and soaked up milk that would run out. Easier than going to the doc's, getting a prescription  and taking pills.
16. Get support. If you live with your significant other, ask them for support and to let you relax while you feed. My husband is an angel during these times, propped up my pillows, brought me water and ice, wakes up to get baby at night crying, and often gets the baby as soon as I'm done feeding and bonding to help me relax. You'll need help since nursing does take energy from you (burns about 500 calories per feeding), you'll maybe feel weak, tired and overwhelmed...it's completely normal, but you still need special attention too ;-).
17. You're still eating for 2 as long as you're breastfeeding, so drink plenty of water and avoid the urges to snack o anything. I've eliminated sweet snacks and salty snacks at home to force my cravings to resort to fruits, small veggies (like baby carrots), and water. This happens because your body is still sharing what you consume with 2 bodies. 

So, that's it! You'll be happy you breastfed your child once they begin to grow and learn. You'll also not spend of tons of money on baby bottles, formula, proper water for formula, and time in preparing bottles at home or while out and about. Here's some quick facts too about breastfeeding benefits:

Finally here!

I am proud to announce the birth of my little girl, Lilybelle Elena Hernandez.  Born on a Sunday, July 1st, 2012 at 2:31pm. Weighed 7lbs 11 1/2 oz, measured 20 inches long.

Small details about her labor process:
-2 days with contractions

-Water leaked while walking to the car then rode to the hospital

-I withstood more pain than I thought, reached 1 minute contractions without feeling like dying, but was persuaded to get the epidural (I really wanted to try, but people were freaking me out)

-After epidural, body relaxed and contractions subsided to 4 minutes apart. 10 hours of epidural later, I was dilated to 10cm. Read about it's effects HERE.
-15 hours total at the Kaiser Permanente hospital to deliver. The staff was wonderful! Had my mom with me as my husband slept, my son stayed with family.

-30 minutes pushing time, no cut nor tearing "down there."  The relaxation breathing techniques REALLY worked to relax my body. Easy to find on YouTube or click HERE.

-Lilybelle breastfed like a champ within 10 minutes from arriving, and big bro finally came to see her 2 hours later...told her he loved her a lot (still tells her that daily).

So that was the short of it all. I want to keep blogging really soon, but I need to focus on the baby, which is very demanding since she only breastfeeds...resulting in 14 feeds per day (through the night included). That's besides taking care of my toddler, feeding the family, cleaning, etc.  So you can imagine it can get super busy. I'll be writing soon about what nursing on demand is compared to scheduled nursing, tips, and sacrifices that come along with it to give your baby the best possible from birth.

See her newborn photo shoot at MariaElenaPhotography.com

So happy to be a new mommy all over again 

Taking it slow

This past half year has certainly been a very eventful part of our little family's life.  Let me list some highlights in the past months that we experienced:

January...We find out I'm pregnant...surprise! 17 weeks already with an IUD.
February..."It's a girl!" and my husband gets a call from California for a new job.
March...We leave Utah and I leave behind a wonderful group of Young Women (that I still pray for every night :'-/ ), but I had complete faith in our new journey in California.
April...Hubby's Birthday and we move out yet again into a new apartment. Got anemia again and IUD causes delicate pregnancy. New calling again in Young Women's organization.
May...Most painful month, couldn't even sit. Put on bed rest until I deliver. IUD falls out at end of month, which Doc totally reprimands me for because I removed it myself (totally dangerous, but I felt it almost out, so I went for it. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS, very PAINFUL and RISKY!).
June...1 month left til delivery! Most challenging month as I struggle to keep energized and start really bad contractions. Doc tells me she'd like to induce delivery after 35 weeks due to size and circumstances.

Well, we have had our ups and challenges, but it's been quite memorable and full of joyful news because we're expanding our family.  I've decided to let our little girl decide when she's ready to come to this world and not induce like recommended.  I've also decided to get a midwife this time for delivery and I'll be attempting to go as far as possible without any pain medication.  I want to try natural delivery and have been learning relaxation techniques of all sorts in the meantime.  Although delivering naturally is somewhat scary, I know it's possible and hope to have the strength when the time comes.

So, because of everything still going on and me needing more rest, I won't be able to blog as much as I wish I could.  I wish I could share so much more and do more, but as a mom I gotta learn to prioritize and manage my time appropriately.  I will sorely miss blogging while my boy naps and creating posts that helped inspire me to be better too.  I won't be gone for too long though.

Hasta luego!

Little Muffin (IUD and Pregnancy)

For the past 2 years, I have suffered an array of physical pains and health issues all resulting mainly from an IUD I have been using for contraceptive.  First, it fell out 3 weeks after being placed in and was replaced with a new one that made me have extremely heavy and painful menstrual cycles every month thereafter, though everyone has different side effects.  The doctor recommended taking 6 Motrin tablets during my cycle days to minimize the amount of blood clots and release...which worked! I unfortunately developed anemia (1 1/2 yrs later) because of the constant loss of iron from the bleeding, changing a super tampon AND a maxi pad every 2-3 hours for 5 straight days.  I was still breast feeding my child and that also drained me of even more energy.  I then had an "ulcer attack" in which I experienced chills, fever, excruciating and gut-wrenching stomach pain and upper left shoulder blade sharp pain about 2 years and 1 month from having an IUD. It was caused due to the constant ibuprofen I was placing in my system and resulted in me also having a stomach bacterial infection that needed to be treated by a combined therapy treatment medication, which made me begin to ween my boy from breastmilk at night.  Around this same time I had my last menstrual cycle recorded as well.  I've had stress, exhaustion, pains, nausea, dizziness, aches, nipple chaffing, joint pains, deficiencies, and even felt my left ovary swollen for some time and would try to massage the pain away.  The doctors kept saying it was just all normal and kept handing me prescriptions,though I would relieve my own pains with teas and a healthy diet.  About 2 years and 3 months into my IUD (Paraguard) I stopped breastfeeding completely, and began to feel strange, getting baby fever and telling my husband I felt pregnant every week.  I took 3 at-home pregnancy tests, all negtive, so we would laugh it off, but as a woman you still have a funny gut feeling something's inside you.  Andrew would sometimes rub my tummy and say, "baby!" and I would explain that yeah he used to be in there a while ago, but he would just hug my waist and rest his head there.

Well, 2 years and 7 months after having the IUD, I had had enough! The constant pains, the nausea, the lightheaded days, weight fluctuations, etc... it was too much.  I scheduled an appointment with a doctor to talk about how I could end this all.  I wanted to get better!  If I had a stone or whatever else in me causing the bloating, aches and lack of menstruation, then I wanted an answer...no more diagnosis and probabilities.  I demanded an ultrasound and more blood work today and as the doctor walked me into the ultrasound room, saying he knew it was my gall bladder and saying he'll take a look at how my IUD was placed too.... he saw a baby!  That's right, there was a baby about 16-17 weeks old inside of me!  I'm not gonna lie, I cried.  I was in shock.  Not because I didn't want a baby (which I've been begging my husband to agree to plan with me already and secretly praying for too), but because it was nearly impossible.  I knew the risks, was it alive? If it was, would it grow to be a full grown baby?

The doctor searched for my IUD, which I had recently felt inside, and it was safely tucked away in my cervix, leaving the uterus and baby inside of it unharmed.  I sighed with great relief when I saw that baby jump and kick...it was right near the ovary I have been massaging when I felt pains...I cried more.  I asked how healthy it looked through tears and he began to take measurements and was exited and surprised himself saying he'd never had a patient walk in with an IUD inside and this far along in a pregnancy..."it's one in a million!" he said and smiled big, "it's looking healthy!"

The rest as they say is history, funny how both my pregnancies have been a shock and though I like to plan almost every detail in my life, the surprise of having a baby come to us is just great.  I'm grateful!  I love this baby already and I only wish I would've known earlier to nourish it more properly, but so far it's healthy...it's safe...it's growing...and I love him/her with every part of me.  I don't care about going through more pain at the moment....I just want baby to be healthy!   I want everyone to know I am having a new family member come in a really big way, by beating the odds, by prayer, and by only divine power.

NOTE TO BABY:  Ok, little one, though I've missed 16 weeks of your journey, I know now and I'm gonna do my best :-)  I hope you read this some day and feel special in every way because you are one of life's biggest blessings ♥

Baby Photo Shoot Tips and styles

Baby Photo Shoot Tips

Newborn Sessions
The very best time to photograph a newborn is during their first 2 weeks of life (the earlier the better!) Call me as soon as your little one arrives to schedule your session. We can still get great photos with an “older” newborn, just prepare to be patient and do fewer poses and setups.

Newborns photograph best when naked. I have a few props, baskets, and accessories, but do take out anything you like hat is unique for the baby unless, even something special to you. Also, if Mom and Dad want to be in any pictures, please wear or keep handy a long-sleeved black shirt. Please note: This session does not include family pictures with additional children.

Plan on feeding your baby before and possibly several times during the session. If bottle feeding, don’t forget lots of formula.  Pacifiers can also be VERY helpful during a session, so please keep one close if possible. Also, when I photograph newborns, your house must be kept very warm, so dress accordingly. Your newborn session will last at most 3 hours in order to feed and prepare your baby during the whole shoot.  Don't stress out, be calm so your baby can be calm too.  Also, I prefer taking care of everything on my own so you can get a break as well.

Children and Babies
Between 7 to 9 months old is the perfect age for your baby’s second photo session!  Older babies photograph best when they can sit up well on their own, but not yet crawl or walk. I often tell parents that the most challenging session is with a child who is mobile, but not yet bribable!  Don’t let that scare you away from a session at the milestone age of one though, (just wear loose clothing and be prepared for a workout)!

For babies and children, bring one or two outfit changes, but avoid solid white, busy patterns, and logos. Feel free to bring along cute hats, bows, petti-coats, tutus, flowers and other accessories. If your child is sick, please call to reschedule.