Breastfeeding - take 2

It wouldn't be World Breastfeeding Week without coming down with the worst case of mastitis. Leave it to me.

Mastitis. Forceful letdown. Oversupply.

I am incredibly grateful that my body is ABLE to provide nutrients for my baby to grow. I am so happy that I get to experience the beautiful bond that breastfeeding creates. Alas, breastfeeding isn't all sunshine and rainbows. It takes work, but once you get the hang of it the lil ray of sunshine through all the obstacles is sooooo worth it. You're saving monies. You don't have to make bottles at 3 am when you don't even know what your name is. And there are so many benefits for immunity. And don't @ me with this. #fedisbest

This is my second go around with breastfeeding. I successfully breastfed my firstborn, Bentley, for 7 1/2 months. For the last 1 1/2 month, I had a full-time night shift job SO between pumping and not getting adequate sleep, my supply took a hit.

With this go around, I have nips of steel. I didn't get bleeding or cracked nipples this time. I was pleasantly surprised when I didn't have to bite a towel every time it was time to feed in the first couple weeks. However, I'm four months in and i've had mastitis FOUR times. Ouch.

Mastitis: Infection of the breast tissue resulting in pain, swelling, fever, warmth and redness.

I'm no expert, but i've been around the block twice now. So I'd like to share my tips, products, and remedies that I've used :)

**Some of these tips have been shared by other sweet mama's!

Tips for the first few weeks:

• Painful nips: use this nipple cream and put hot teabags on them after a feeding.

• Engorgement: cold compresses. THESE are the bomb.com and i will ALWAYS give these as baby showers gifts. You can also heat them up before pumping or feeding to encourage a let-down.

• STICK W/ IT. For the love of not breaking the bank, stick with it! Supplement if you need, but don't give it up. I say that lightly, because i know there are people that aren't able to breastfeed because of tongue-ties, baby not gaining, etc. But if you are capable, i recommend it. :)

Remedies for mastitis:

• Stand under a running shower hotter than hell and massage the infected boob with a fine-toothed comb towards the nipple.

• Take sunflower lecithin for clogged ducts. Click here for the ones I take.

• Aggressive massaging. I use a back massager. Vibrators, massagers, your baby daddy's fingers, whatever you have!

• Feed feed FEEEEED. Let that baby suck out that mastitis as much as possible, but don't neglect the other side. I will, sometimes, pump after to fully empty.

• consult your doc! Especially if it's not going away after a day or two. You may need medical advice or antibiotics.

Misc tips & favs:

• Get a manual pump for car rides or to take to relatives houses.

• These nursing bras are the besttttt!

• Cover up if you feel weirded out in public. But if you whip that tittie out with no shame, more power to ya! Here is the one I use.

• If I didn't use these boobie pads, i'd wake up in a puddle of milk every morning LOL. Not only do you save the earth, but you won't ever run out! The downside is, it forces you to actually do laundry.

#1 tip: Squirt someone with tittIE milk. Put it in ya baby's daddy's smoothie. Rock out some milk-stained shirts. You're a badass.

xoxo,