The Challenges of Breastfeeding | Mami Got This

Breastfeeding can come natural and easy to many moms but not so much for others and it’s about time we talk about it. In this episode of Mami Got This,  our five amazing moms,  open up about their journeys when breastfeeding their kids. As Zoila Darton states “Feed is best“. So if you don’t produce enough milk for whatever reason, there is no shame on using formula.

For Andrea Amatte, the breastfeeding journey has been very different for each of their kids, but in one occasion she recalls “llegue a dar el pecho sangrando“.  And I feel that. We are told that breastmilk is the absolute best so as moms, we are willing to do whatever it takes to do what’s best for our babies. The problem is sometimes that is detrimental for the mom’s own health. Ana Vega had that very clear “After 2 months I stopped because I wasn’t doing well and I knew that was going to affect the relationship with my son”.

For Isela and Shruthi the journey wasn’t a walk in the park, but wasn’t extremely painful either. But it really is a marathon. Especially the first months where babies need to be fed every 2 hours. Zoila acknowledges she was lucky enough to have a husband who will make sure she was drinking enough water, preparing her oats and all those “milk producing” foods. But that is not a reality for many other moms out there. So here are some tips for new moms:

1. Ask the hospital where you give birth to have a lactation consultant stopping by. If baby and you learn how to latch from the get go, you have 60% of the battle win.
2. As Darton said very well, fed is best. So if you are not producing enough milk, you feel the baby is hungry, make sure you supplement with formula.
3. Ask for help at home. You will most likely be 24/7 taking care of the baby, you need someone who takes care of you!
4. And finally, this should be an enjoyable journey. If it feels more like a torture, then is not worth it. Try pumping, and if that doesn’t work either, you are no a bad mom for giving your baby formula.

Check the second episode to know more!