Would love some tips from moms that have successfully breast fed their children for 6 months to 1…

@mamax3bear18 I breastfed my first until 20 months. He used to drink it from a cup when I would pump after his brother was born he was 2 (still 2) but I'm pregnant again so I can't pump right now. I'm currently breastfeeding my 7 month old while 14 weeks pregnant. And am going to tandem nurse. What kind of tips would you like?

@skyy12221 That's incredible! Kuddos to you momma :D I produced so much in the first week home from the hospital with both babies that I never thought lack of breast milk would be an issue. I'm not sure I was eating enough or the right things however bc both of my previous babies started feeding every 1-2 hours and didn't sleep as well unless I supplemented with formula. It was also exhausting! If they would sleep my engorged breasts woke me up & I dreaded pumping or waking my babes bc of how tired I was and after a few weeks I was mostly pumping a couple times a day and supplementing with formula. I had to go back to work 1 month after my daughter was born so that hindered our process as well. I'm a stay at home mom now and so determined to share this experience with this little one for as long as possible! I was given and utilized a nipple shield with both babies for better latching so I'd assume that will be something I will need this time around. How often did you eat and have you found foods that baby seemed to prefer over others or that helped you produce more milk? I've also been self conscious about losing my baby weight in the past so mentally that is a hurdle for me I know..Going to do everything I can to fight through that mentality and focus more on baby's needs..!

@mamax3bear18 thank you! Well its normal for babies to eat every 1-2 hours. There's no need to supplement with formula. I know cluster feeding can be exhausting but you gotta push through. Babies eat so often because one their tummy's are very very small at birth smaller than a cherry so it fills them up for 1-2 even 3 hours before needing to eat again. Your milk supply will regulate between 6-8 weeks after birth. During growth spurts babies tend to eat a lot to help them grow. If they sleep through a feeding no need to wake them if you get engorged you can hand express instead of pumping to take some pressure off and feed when they wake up or hand express completely if you want. You don't necessarily need a nipple shield unless baby needs help latching but even then its not always necessary. Personally I've never used one and my second had latching issues but I corrected it.

After my first baby after I came home from the hospital I didn't eat anything for 3 weeks I lost my appetite I had to force myself to eat crackers but I would drink water all day every day. After 3 weeks it would take me 2-3 days to eat one meal. It took 6 months to eat 3 meals a day again. Doctors were surprised I was making milk since I wasn't eating and was surprised my son was thriving he was 20lbs at 4 months 😂 this was not normal and I don't know what caused it. If this ever happens to you call your doctor after a few days not 3 weeks. I brought this up after I delivered my second son before I left the hospital and that's what they told me to do luckily that didn't happen again. When my oldest was 7 months I found a LC at my Wic office and me and my son were her first client(s) that made it to a year of breastfeeding. I then got pregnant with my second son and she was my doula she put me in labor and my water broke a few hours later 😂😂 she helped me with my son and his latching issues me and him were her first doula client(s). She is my doula for this baby and still my personal LC. She is like a sister to me and auntie to my kids she's done everything for us and we're really close now. Since then she's stopped working at Wic and has her own LC business. I was her first client and I promote her and her business a lot. So Lactation consultants really help as well. They have them in the hospitals too after you deliver.

Foods that help my milk. I naturally eat healthy but oats like oatmeal or lactation cookies help I also include veggies, meats, chia seeds, avocados, fruits, tons of water! All I drink is water with juice tea and soda occasionally along with cake and ice cream lol I'm not a super health freak but I naturally eat healthy. I take prenatals even when I'm not pregnant that helps too. Pretty much anything is ok as for foods it all helps baby grow once your milk is regulated you don't need to really boost your supply baby will maintain it. Oh I forgot try not to pump withing the first few weeks unless you want an oversupply or want to make a freezer stash but that will also make you engorged quicker cause pumping will tell your body you have to make milk for twins when really you only have one baby.

As for losing weight breastfeeding helps a whole lot after my first I lost all my baby weight (49lbs) in 5 months I lost (20lbs) after my second but got pregnant again. After this one no more for a few years so I'd like to go down to a lot of pounds since I don't know how much I'll gain with this one but hopefully I'll get in the 140s of not 130s after this one. It takes time to lose the weight even when breastfeeding but breastfeeding quickens the process. Omg sorry for the long response but I wanted to help as much as possible.

Don't apologize girl you've been such a huge help! That lactation consultant of yours sounds like an angel! At my last dr appointment the nurse gave me the number for a prenatal breast feeding class I can go to at the hospital before baby comes. Seems like it'll be a great idea to go and have the opportunity to meet the lactation consultant ahead of time. Thanks again! Oh & I noticed on your page that your boys due dates were a day apart & my daughter's due date was Nov 2nd (born Oct 19th) & this baby is due Nov 3rd..Can't believe they have a chance of being bday buddies :)

@mamax3bear18 you're welcome! And that class does sound like a good idea! I also go to breastfeeding support groups at the Wic office once a month and my LC has one once a month as well. I'm going right now she has a morning and night one.

And most definitely! They might be real close or bday buddies! I love that my kids aren't bday twins so they each have their own day cause they're gonna have to share parties lol