I decided to breastfeed for the same reasons many moms decide: I’ve read that it is better for the baby, good for the mom, and great for the wallet.

I’m not going to lie– a large portion of it was in hopes that I would lose any baby weight I gained. I’ve had weight problems for years and I’d heard that women lose a ton of weight while breastfeeding. By the by… for me that rumor was true. I just didn’t realize that after I stopped breastfeeding I’d gain weight so quickly. Bugger.

While I have read everywhere that “breast is best” I was never entirely convinced that it was the only option that would benefit my child. I was a formula baby and (not bragging) I have a high IQ, was a healthy child (my adult health issues are mostly due to poor eating/drinking decisions), and NO ALLERGIES! Do I feel that it is natural and that we were made this way? Yes. Do I feel like it is the only responsible option for a woman? NO. In retrospect I’ve come to realize that a lot of a woman’s mental state in those first few months are very important to the baby. I’m not saying give up if breast feeding is hard. I’m saying, if you end up choosing to do something else because you feel like it is best for your mental/physical well-being, then THAT is what is best for you and your babe. I’m not a doctor. I’m a mom.

Breastfeeding is SO much cheaper than formula. As much as we tried to prepare for the costs of a baby, we were no where near ready. Being able to feed my child whenever he needed it, no matter the circumstances, was important for me.

2. What was your biggest challenge with breast feeding?

Looking back I realize that I had it fairly easy while breastfeeding. At the time I felt like my world was ending. But, it was heaps better than some of the problems people are faced with! I didn’t experience cracked nipples or extreme pain. Here are some of the problems (and solutions) we did experience though:

— The beginning was rough for us. I couldn’t get a hold that would great for me and my son. The nurses at our hospital were all trained in the area and helped me a ton those first two days. They helped him get a latch. At the hospital we found out that my son has a bit of a high palette so his latch was pretty painful for me. I had blisters that first day, but they were gone the next day and we had the latch down by the time we left the hospital.

— We made it through our entire hospital visit without the use of a pacifier. I had read that it is better for latch if your baby doesn’t use one. After about two hours of screaming at home we caved and found the pacifier sent home from the hospital. Even though he did end up using pacifiers for a bit during his babyhood… X liked to suck on our fingers when he needed soothed.

—The day we got home from the hospital feedings went fine. That night and next day however was horrible. It was like we had forgotten everything! I couldn’t feed my son and he was SO upset. My hormones were ALL over the place. It was a bad situation.

I remember going into the doctor’s office and meeting my lactation consultant. I was there for a different appointment and she just recognized our name as one of her future appointments and wanted to say hi. As soon as she said who she was I started bawling in the middle of the doctor’s office waiting room.

“I need you SO bad!!” I bawled.

She calmed me down and explained that she was booked for the day, but would let me doctor know I needed a little help. The pediatrician helped my son and I relearn the latch and begin doing the “football” hold. It was a lifesaver. I will always feel thankful for those two women.

A week later, when I met with the lactation consultant, my son and I had breastfeeding down and he had gained 4 oz!

— My son screamed solidly for two months. If he wasn’t eating or sleeping he was screaming. And, sometimes, he was screaming while eating or sleeping. I brought him to the pediatrician so many times.  We tried EVERYTHING. Finally, I had to take out all dairy from my diet and my son was put on antacids for reflux. After three weeks of no dairy and antacids it was like we had a different baby. He was happy, more relaxed.

3. What was your greatest breast feeding moment?

Ahh… so many! I loved the way my son rested his face on his hand when he ate. I loved when he looked up into my eyes with such love.

Some of my greatest moments were so simple and sweet.

However… I am super proud that I could breastfeed while walking (not something I did often, but at times needed to do) and in the bath!

My mom nursed all three of her kids, so it was something I was comfortable with and just assumed I would do. It wasn’t until I started reading more about the incredible benefits – both for mom and baby – of breast milk that I was totally sold. When I found out I was having twins, I was even more resolved to make it work!

We’ve had a lions share of challenges, actually. First, there is the assumption by many that women can’t produce enough for two babies, which couldn’t be further from the truth, but it does take a lot of awareness and dedication to protecting your milk supply when there is more than one. As soon as they were born I started pumping around the clock! I also became a little obsessed with milk-making foods, but the great product of that obsession was my e-Book, so now I get to share what I’ve learned with all the other mamas out there. Oh, and we relied on nipple shields for almost 5 months – messy and inconvenient, but one day they just decided they were done using them without me having to “wean” them, so that was good!

Second, we found out that the girls both had tongue and lip ties after 10 months of uncomfortable nursing. It was pretty painful, and I knew something was wrong, but it wasn’t until I saw the 4th lactation consultant that she confirmed that there was a problem. Once it was fixed, it felt so much better. But I was so upset that we had gone that long, even when I explicitly asked the LC’s about it.

Third, just the nature of twins means somebody always needs something, and that includes nursing. For the first three months of their lives, I don’t think I got up more than to eat and go to the bathroom. Otherwise, it was all nursing all the time. It was and still is a little exhausting, but they grow up so fast and now those early milk-soaked days are a little bittersweet.

My greatest moment was when we came home from the NICU and I decided that we would throw the schedules out the window and go strictly on-demand. In the hospital, they tried to scare me into supplementing with formula, and that I wasn’t making enough. But I knew that I could, and I knew that is what they needed. We never looked back, and it’s been so amazing, despite the many times when I wanted to throw in the towel and give up. Then, every week that we made it after that was my greatest moment. And, 15 months later, it still is such a great moment when I look back on how far we’ve come.

The girls were fortunate enough to have donor breast milk in the NICU, which I am so, so thankful for. They had a little supplemental formula added to my breast milk the days or two before they came home, but I stopped that immediately after they were discharged. If I was going to give my body the chance to make enough and meet the demand, I really could not afford to supplement at all. Luckily, it paid off and my body made more than enough milk for the two of them.

My girls were late to the solids game. They weren’t interested until around 9 months. I would give them a little bit of a soft-boiled egg yolk and coconut oil before that, or some mashed avocado and banana, but they didn’t want vegetables. I was worried at first, but everything that I read said not to rush them, and when they were ready, they would certainly let me know. Now they’re really into food, but for some reason, are still really into nursing, too. I thought they’d nurse less as they ate more, but that hasn’t happened!

My goal was simple: as long as I had milk, we would nurse. What that means for when we’ll stop, I’m still not sure!

We’ve weaned through a night feeding, so they’re now sleeping after a 10pm feeding until around 6am. It’s been gloriously needed, because before that they were waking up every 3-4 hours. I’m still not sure how or when we’ll wean, I just can’t bring myself to think about it or make a plan!

My biggest tip is that when you think you can’t go on, just go one more day. Then, that one more day turns into a week, and into a month, and pretty soon you’ve hit a year. You will not be sorry, and will be so proud of yourself! Honestly, almost every single mama I’ve talked to that stopped early wishes she hadn’t. It’s hard when you’re in the throes of sleep deprivation and you just want your life back, but when you come through it, it’s an absolutely amazing experience.

Oh, and seek help out as soon as you think something isn’t right, don’t wait! Find a lactation consultant that you like, and see more than one. They all have something different to offer. They have been a lifesaver for me and I don’t think I would have made it this far without their help.

My last piece of advice is to eat well and often, and as clean as you can with lots of good fats. No dieting! 🙂

Thank you so much to Megan for sharing her breastfeeding experience and being part of the “experience of breast feeding” post series! Please leave Megan your love in the comments section! And, don’t forget to come back later today for a chance to win Megan’s ebook, “More Milk Naturally.”

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