While I was pregnant one thing I knew for certain was that I wanted to breastfeed- but , like many other women I’ve spoken to – was afraid I wouldn’t be able to produce enough milk. Why is this such a common fear ?
Recently, I read about an act to curb aggressive campaigns on behalf of companies that produce baby formula. In some of these campaigns I could hear the words of my own – well-meaning grandmother. Who has claimed -since the beginning-that breast milk has no real substance – not like formula.
The lost wisdom of our ancestors-having been replaced by generations of formula feeding may also be to blame for our perceived inadequacies.
Fortunately , I have a few friends who exclusively breastfed and – by example, was another assurance that I could too. One of these friends recommended a book which I listened to during my pregnancy. Ina May’s guide to breastfeeding by Ina May Gaskin.
I remember learning about colostrum and marveling at the precision of nature. For those unfamiliar – colostrum is the first milk produced by the mother.
It is nutrient dense with a high fat content – rich in vitamins , minerals and antibodies to help build a newborns immune system.
It also acts as a laxative to clear out the meconium – babys first poop -and coats the intensities to prevent the absorption of harmful bacteria.
I also learned that it comes out sparingly – that a little goes a long way so , I didn’t entirely panic when baby seemed hungry and dissatisfied in those first couple days of life . Soon the milk would come in. In the meantime – the colostrum was working out all the built up waste accumulated during pregnancy.
There’s another source of misinformation in there – believing formula satisfies for longer. Formula is just harder to digest than breastmilk . Hence – some babies do, in-fact- sleep for longer stretches with formula – but not because it’s necessarily better for them.
Despite being healthy – eating a nutritionally rich and balanced diet, I still had my doubts about my ability to produce milk. After all -both my mother and grandmother resorted to using formula.
So I bought supplements packed with fennel, anise , fenugreek , alfalfa, marshmallow root -as well as , teas -in order to further increase my milk supply. Ultimately, was producing too much milk. My breast were engorged – uncomfortably so – most of the time . And – I would perpetually leak from just one breast.
Despite this – there were moments where my son would be inconsolable and I’d think , maybe I’ve -suddenly -stopped producing milk.
I know – some of the madness was due to postpartum depression and the general feelings of inadequacy that come along with it.
With time – I began to feel better. I watched my son grow healthy and strong . Those initial fears , doubts and insecurities all vanished.
Now I see how useful it is was to familiarize myself with as much of the – well , everything – concerning breastfeeding. From the immediate benifits to long ranging ones – breastfeeding can even help reduce the risk of breast cancer in women later on …!
How the first couple of weeks of breastfeeding will establish one’s milk supply so – if we supplement with formula it’ll decrease the demand and -therefore ,our production.
Without having the generational wisdom of breastfeeding within my family – I would’ve been completely lost. Yet – I was still able to draw from countless other women and their experiences . May be one of the reasons I’m still breastfeeding today .
In the wonderful world of breastfeeding Part 2- well cover food intolerances , allergies and the interconnected nature of breastfeeding entitled – what’s good for me is good for you
