What you don't know about your breast pump actually can hurt you..... literally.

​It can hurt your nipples, and your milk supply. So knowing how to use your pump properly, and having a pump that fits is the difference between being successful with pumping and struggling to keep up supply, or worse (and we've seen it often) causing damage to your nipples.

When you're struggling with pumping and maintaining your milk supply with your pump, don't be hard on yourself, it's likely not you, momma. The first place you should be looking is the equipment you're using, and how you're using it. It's almost never something wrong with us, and instead improper pump usage or malfunction.

​So if you're not sure if it fits, pumping is uncomfortable for you, or your output is not what it should be, you can get support to figure it out. 

How much time have you spent thinking about your birth? If you're like most first time moms, I bet it's alot! You want to know exactly what to expect, and that makes complete sense- you've never done this before. You've taken the birth class, you're preparing for labor and practicing your pain management techniques... All of this is good, really important stuff, BUT- you're missing one really important piece. ​

One of our new segments on the blog is the Successful Breastfeeding Story Series, and the journeys we are capturing are absolutely blowing me away! This one is no exception.

This episode of the Successful Breastfeeding Podcast I had the honor of chatting with Gopika. She is a single mom, which is no easy feat (I've been there too!) and she is raising a beautiful daughter with some unique challenges.

Exhausted?? Us too! So is our Successful Breastfeeding Community. When I shared the news that I was going to be tackling the topic of how to get a baby to sleep through the night our group jumped on board, and asked ALL THE QUESTIONS.  (Join us here btw.)

So.... When we stumbled across Elizabeth Bine Sleep Consultant, I knew I had to record a podcast with her, and sneak away with a load of her golden nuggets of wisdom. And oh boy did I!!!

Elizabeth has solutions to help you get your breastfed baby to sleep through the night, and do so without loosing your sanity or letting your baby cry it out. ​This is probably one of the most valuable collaborations we have ever done!

In this episode we cover....
*How to get more sleep without weaning.
*Tips for transitioning from cosleeping to independent sleep.
*When can we expect a baby to sleep through the night.
*How can we get baby to sleep without a Rock N' Sleeper after the recall?
And a whole lot more!

I HATE pumping. Hate it. I don't think I have ever met a soul who loves it. (If you're out there.... raise your hand!)

At 4 weeks postpartum, I started pumping once a day using my Advance Double Electric from Medela for “practice bottle” milk, bath/skincare milk, and I’d freeze anything I didn’t end up using. I only pump for 10 minutes (because I hate pumping) and always during my son’s morning nap, which was 1-2 hours after he nursed last.

When I heard about the new PersonalFit Flex Breast Shields by Medela I had to try them. According to their marketing campaigns these new shields to increase comfort and get more milk faster. (Sounds great Medeala! I would love to pump less often and more comfortably.) Their claim is you'll pump 11.8% more milk and have a faster milk ejection than the traditional shields that come with the pumps. The shields are also made to be compatible with any Medela breast pump.

But does it really work?? I am always skeptical when it comes to anything marketed to breastfeeding moms. So I got a set, and decided to try! In this post I go over differences I noticed between both models, things I liked and didn’t like, and how much milk I got using each. 

Those first weeks of breastfeeding are the hardest. 100%. 
The first weeks of breastfeeding twins.... that's a whole other journey in itself. Thankfully I connected with Julie who shared with me her best advice, and resources for breastfeeding twins. You won't want to miss what she has to say!

Until recently, we did not have many resources for twin moms, and thanks to Julie Gordon  (badass twin breastfeeding, tandem baby wearing, BREECH twin natural birthing, magical unicorn momma.... seriously you have to listen to the podcast below to hear her incredible story!)... We now have a whole lot of resources.... and an expanded love for twin breastfeeding moms. 

Scroll below to not only hear her story, receive her advice, but also check out the resources she has to share!

At her first pediatrician appointment after the birth of her son the doctores were shocked that she looked so well rested when she had a three day old..... But wait??? Well rested with a newborn?? That's not a thing..... Is it?

 Enjoy the sleep now while you can because when your baby comes you'll never sleep again! That's what you hear, right? Everyone likes to talk about how sleep deprived you're going to be with a newborn. And alternatively, those same people then turn around and want to know if your baby is sleeping through the night, then silently judge you if your answer is no. 

Well.... guess what??? Babies are NOT supposed to sleep through the night BUT there are absolutely some things breastfeeding mommas can do to make night time a whole lot easier! "I asked my husband what the most surprising thing about having a baby has been for him, or the thing he didn't expect. He said sleep, hands down. Everyone said he'd be sleep deprived and miserable with a new baby and he's not." - Allison Alexander.

Click below to listen to the podcast episode all about how YOU can get MORE SLEEP!

Today I had the opportunity to interview Celeste Kraft, an experienced breastfeeding momma of four, and now grandma who supports her own daughter-in-love, as she calls her. Celeste shares with me her own unexpected breastfeeding journey, how her journey has influenced the support she offers her daughter, and shares her best piece of advice she has for new breastfeeding moms. And WOW what she had to say was so powerful. Her words of wisdom gave me chills! Click below to take a listen to the interview, and hear what she has to say. Be sure to check out the pictures she shared with us as well!

OMG. Breakfast is a struggle for me. I need something quick because mornings are nuts. I've got kids to get to school, a baby to feed, and there's not time for me to eat before we run out the door. (My body and blood sugar hates this though.)

For me, this is the perfect on the go breakfast. Fast. Easy. Delicious. Satiating. And keeps my energy levels up, which is soooo important when you're a breastfeeding momma. Also, I make it in advance so it's ready to go. No morning prep. It takes me about five miutes, once a week, to whip this meal together. 

​So.... Onto the recipe!