Don't Judge a Book By its Cover

I haven't been shy about talking about breastfeeding on this blog.

Disclaimer: This post is entirely about just that, so continue reading at your own risk. :)

I'm fairly confident this information will help someone, so that is the sole reason for this post.

Before our sweet boy entered this world, I had mixed emotions about breastfeeding. I knew I wanted to nurse my child, I just didn't know one, if I would produce enough, two, if I would be successful, and three, how long I would last before throwing in the towel.

I heard things like,

"It's so painful."
"Your nipples will crack and bleed."
"Just get through the first two weeks."
"Formula fed babies sleep better."

Everything I heard seemed negative. All this amongst other mentionings of engorgement, mastitis and a hassle. One friend did make a positive mention of "a bond you develop."

via Pinterest

I didn't know what to think. Or what to expect.

I was definitely scared. And apprehensive about being successful. The class I took at Shawnee Mission Med helped, but all the "what-ifs" and negatives continued to flood my mind.

My guess would be that most first-time moms have these feelings about breastfeeding, but maybe not.

So, Carson was born and I started breastfeeding. Getting him to latch in the hospital was a challenge. And by challenge, I mean we experienced some intense crying fits where he was frustrated, I was frustrated, even Brian was frustrated. It took motivation to not quit.

He was a big boy, so he demanded more:). Thank God for the lactation consultants and their guidance. We had to supplement formula through a feeding tube until my milk really came in, faking him out and making him think there was more flowing from the source. This was a life saver.

Once my milk came in, we stopped the tube feeding and it became much easier. Big boy learned to latch and I started to enjoy feeding time with him.

We spent hours and hours together. There were no cracked or bleeding nipples. Not much pain. We developed the bond that a friend had referred to. He started sleeping through the night at 6 weeks. I had found a new respect for breastfeeding.

Today, I'm three and a half months in and I can't say enough positive things about it. To be honest, I thought I would have quit by now, but I have this unexplainable drive to keep on going.

Now, I'll be the first to say, I know it doesn't work for everyone, and everyone has a different experience. Mine just happened to really surprise me.

When people used to ask, "Are you going to breastfeed?" I would answer, "Yeah, I'm going to try,"" but there was never any real determination behind my response.

I wish I would have heard more positive things about it and then I might not have been so apprehensive or somewhat negative to begin with.

Don't get me wrong, there's pros and cons.

It's extremely good for your baby. Not saying formula isn't, but breast milk is the best choice if possible.

It's economical. As in, 'I'll-take-the-added-hassle-any-day' economical. Have you seen how much formula costs? It's crazy bananas!

And it truly does create a bonding moment for you and your baby. It it our time together, just the two of us, that nobody else can share (at least right now). Bottle feeding can do the same, but I think you tend to rely on help once you make the complete switch (I know I will!).

It can create a hassle at times, especially when it's time to go back to work. My deadline driven job definitely doesn't make it easy, but it's nothing unmanageable. Bottle feeding requires the same amount of time, it's just easier to feed in public or when you're on the go.

My goal is six months. I would be ecstatic if I continued for eight or nine, but I think that's a stretch for me.

I have experienced said "engorgement" a few times aka clogged milk ducts, but it's nothing to really fuss about. I wouldn't suggest trying to work out while you have it.

While I was on leave, I ambitiously tried to succeed at a P90x video during an engorgement outbreak. I cursed every single time I had to do "X time" or Tony said "Get em up!" Damn plyometrics.

Ok, now on to the more exciting part of this post.

You know the hands-free bras they sell in stores to make pumping easy?

Pretty freakin' cool invention, right? I think so! It's such a pain to hold the contraptions.

I went without one for the first month because I couldn't bring myself to spend $40 not knowing if I would stick with this breastfeeding stuff. After about a month, I decided I needed something to hold these things onto my ta-tas.

A friend of mine told me that she heard of people making their own out of a sports bra.

In comes the DIY and frugal side of me, rummaging through my dresser drawer to find an old sports bra.

Two simple hole cuts later, I ended up with this:

Looks weird, I know. But this isn't about fashion people. It's all about functionality. I was unsure if it would work, but to my surprise, works like a dream!

Hands Free and Lovin' It!! 

Note: You don't have to put your arms through the straps of the sports bra for it to work properly. I simply slip it on (straps down), so I can keep my dress clothes on.