Your Breastfeeding Q’s: Part 2

Posted: February 1, 2011 at 12:52 pm

I started the day off right with my current oats combo obsession. It’s basic but tastes insanely good. White Chocolate Wonderful PB and sliced strawberries. Those two make for a heavenly combination.

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Now, to finish answering all those questions you all sent my way. Here we go!

I’d love some info on what you can/can’t and should/shouldn’t eat while breastfeeding. I’ve heard mixed opinions on alcohol?
General recommendations include not to eat too much dairy, soy, beans, cruciferous veggies, spicy foods, caffeine, etc while breastfeeding because it could upset the baby’s tummy. Some children are more sensitive than others. I always eat normally then cut back on anything in particular I notice upset’s my baby. And the alcohol? I personally have no problem having a small glass, timed not too close to when he will eat again. I only do this very occasionally.

How long you plan to do it?
When it boils down to it…I breastfeed as long as I am not fighting my body to do so. I stopped at 7.5 months with Makenzie because I could not keep up my supply to her needs. It became a daily battle of Fenugreek pills for milk support, pumping extra, her always being hungry, and me always frustrated and upset. I make an effort to feed as long as possible, but if its not going smoothly for an extended time, I don’t feel bad for stopping. I don’t want breastfeeding to become a battle or something I resent. I don’t believe that is healthy for myself or my child.

What do you think if someone is unable to breastfeed?
It happens. I have had at least a few friends honestly unable to breastfeed and I fully support them every step of the way. Do I think breastfeeding is the optimal way to feed a child? Yes. Do I think mothers should try to breastfeed? Yes. Do I think mothers aren’t adequately caring for their children if they don’t breastfeed? No!!!

Some children don’t latch well. Sometimes issues can exist with production. Sometimes pumping doesn’t work and its the mother’s only option. I would hope someone would give a solid effort to breastfeeding, but if things are too difficult for one reason or another, there is absolutely no shame in stopping. As I said above, it should not become something of resentment and extreme struggle. Every mother knows what works best for her and her child. Those decisions should be accepted without judgment from others.

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cute baby B photo to break up all the text…

My son stopped nursing after his first “taste” of the bottle. Is there any way you can increase your milk supply using the pump?
Whenever I have had to increase my supply I did a few things: Ate lots of oatmeal. Drank lots of water. Took Fenugreek, which is an herbal supplement and it works. Pumped a little longer or an extra session. And lactation cookies are always helpful. And delicious. Please note: I did this to increase my supply for nursing and I’m not sure on exclusively pumping. I would always speak with a consultant over personal challenges with feeding.

A friend told me she isn't breastfeeding so that other people can bond with her daughter. Does breastfeeding inhibit others bonding with the child?!
No! It does not. Holding, cuddling, singing, playing, rocking, changing diapers, and the many other things you do with an infant all are part of bonding. Yes, a special bond happens with nursing, but it does not limit a bond with anyone else who interacts with the child either.

Do you honestly ever get shy when you're nursing? Like when you have company or are out in public (or do you avoid those situations or go to another room?) I want to know etiquette of when/where it is okay to bfeed!
I will nurse anywhere…but you all probably know I am not the most shy person out there.  believe that you can nurse anywhere and in front of anyone as long as it is done discreetly. Family? They should understand what you’re doing and not be weirded out. Friends? Same thing. In public? You’re never going to see these people again so who cares what they think!

I do try to use a nursing wrap or blanket to cover up in front of others. I also will try to pick a more private space, like a seat in the corner of the room instead of smack in the middle of the couch and my friends. I will “warn” people that I need to feed my child. I have gotten really good at keeping all things hidden while doing so. There are times I will go to my car or another place that is completely private.  IE choosing to nurse in the car versus in a fast food joint when on the road traveling…or going to the nursing room at church versus whipping out the boob mid-service.

Question of the Day – What is your favorite type of nut butter? Who would you have the hardest time nursing in front of?

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42 Comments to “Your Breastfeeding Q’s: Part 2”
  1. Really great questions and answers–thanks for sharing your learnings!

  2. That combo is a great idea!
    My favorite nut butter is probably classic PB, and I’d have the hardest time nursing in front of my dad:)

  3. Thanks for your honest and real answers Tina. Breastfeeding seems to make so many people uncomfortable when it is one of the most natural things in the world.

    Also thank you for saying that it does not work or come easily for all women. I have tried EVERYTHING to increase my supply from herbs to pumping to prescription medication, and I still have to supplement with formula. Sometimes, it doesn’t work 100%, but all we can do is our best. What matters most is that we have happy, healthy, and thriving babies, and looks like little baby B is just that! Love his hair. 🙂

  4. Tina says:

    I love how honest and open you are!!

  5. hahaha i dare you to whip out the boob mid service!! still laughing out loud hahahahaa
    fave nut butter is raw almond 🙂 but when desperate times call for desperate measures (akaPMS) i whip out the Justin’s chocolate almond butter, or any chocolate almond/peanut butter

  6. My favorite nut butter is almond but I’ve been wanting to try cashew butter for the longest time!

  7. Favorite nut butter is cashew butter, but it is a treat. I never nursed in front of strangers. I always went into a private place.

  8. This is another great post, Tina. I was always very shy with breastfeeding in front of other people. I usually left the room if I was at home and other people were over. I never, ever did it in public, except an airplane, where, of course, I had no choice. I want to try to be more comfortable with it with my next, though. I know it isn’t a big deal, but for some reason I always felt weird about it. I need to get past that.

    My favorite nut butter is the classic peanut butter, but I’ve never met a nut butter I didn’t like!

  9. Thanks for the post! Very informative and honest.

  10. I don’t discriminate against any nut butters- I love them all! I’ve recently started adding chocolate chips or white chocolate chips to the Vita-mix with the nuts- which is amazing!

    And someday when I have children, I think it will be most awkward to breast feed in front of my in-laws…guess we’ll ust have to wait and see how it goes.

  11. Love these posts – mainly because I’m super nosy and want to know everything about children/pregnancy/breastfeeding before I actually have to do it!!

  12. I love your attitude about breastfeeding in public! Hope I can be the same way when i have kids someday.

    My new favorite nut butter is Sunflower Seed!! I guess that’s technically a seed butter, but it is sooo delicious.

  13. Awesome post! I agree with all of your answers, 100%.

    I was REALLY shy breastfeeding my first in front of anyone. I would go into a seperate room and not do it in public. Made it really stressful for me and not fun to go anywhere bc I was always off nursing. I decided with the second I would get a sling and cover it up and do it anywhere. I never got any weird stares or comments. You couldn’t even tell I was nursing.

  14. Marie says:

    I had the hardest time, breastfeeding in front of my Dad! It was just weird, he was super uncomfortable and would leave the room whenever I would start. Luckily I had a cover but he was still really uncomfortable.

  15. Haha, “whipping out the boob mid-service.”

    My favorite type of nut butter is Costco Kirkland brand peanut butter–I eat a jar every week or two. When I need a change, I switch to Skippy Natural or TJ’s Crunchy Almond Butter with Flaxseeds.

  16. Jess says:

    Um, how have I *not* heard of white chocolate nut butter??? That sounds ridiculously yummy. I must have it! Where do you buy it? And PS. You seriously make breastfeeding seem so much more approachable! Not that I’m having kids anytime soon but just reading this puts me at ease. Thank you!

  17. marcia says:

    Nut butters!! I can’t choose….. really. I like them all. I love almond butter and cashew butter as well as peanut butter- yummy in my tummy!!
    I was embarrassed nursing in front of my dad and brother! I usually had my back towards them in the rocking chair though.

  18. Erica says:

    More good stuff! Love reading this 🙂 Favorite kind of nut butter…I have a few- TJs unsalted raw almond butter, naturally more PB & Justin’s maple AB. Deliciousness

  19. I love justin’s chocolate hazelnut butter!!!! So amazing 🙂

  20. Angela says:

    My fave nut butter is Maranatha crunchy PB, but PB&Co Cinnamon Raisin Swirl is a very, very close second!

  21. Great posts on breastfeeding Tina. I have not been uncomfortable nursing either one of my kids in front of anyone. I think it makes my mother in law uncomfortable because she tends to leave the room when I start even though I do it very discretely and you see nothing.

  22. I feel like it would be awkward to nurse in front of my dad, ha! But, he’s been through it with my sister the last year, so I guess it’s no big deal.

    I hate it when people act like mothers who choose not to breastfeed for very long are the spawn of the devil. People can be so judgmental!!!

  23. Skippy Natural Peanut Butter or Dark Chocolate Dreams PB from PB & Co. 🙂 I think it would make me uncomfortable in front of people, but since I’m not a mother, I guess I won’t know until it happens! Pumping at work has me a little scared though they did just put in a Mother’s Room at work to accommodate all the mothers we have now. But everyone knows the room and they know what you are going there to do. But I guess you do what needs to be done for your child and to heck with everyone else! I’ve also heard from a friend who is in daycare that it annoys the workers if you bring your breast milk to feed the baby. Should I care when the time comes? Do my own thing or think about it?

  24. Heather I. says:

    Honey roasted peanut butter from those make it yourself grinders, yums!
    Love your bfing posts! You said you stopped at 7.5 months with your first. Mine is that age now, and I’m desperately trying to get her to take a bottle. How did that go for you? Tried it with breastmilk, formula, even water which she loves in a sippy. I’d appreciate ANY tips!

    • Tina says:

      We didn’t have much problem because she had been taking an occasional bottle since 1 month old. I went ahead and got her used to it early on so we could go out and have someone watch her. Then, we just gradually increased the number she took. I wish I had tips!!!

  25. Stephanie says:

    I can NOT choose just one nut butter…I love them all. (and have the stash to prove it!)

    I wasn’t too concerned about breastfeeding anywhere. Exactly for the reasons you posted about!

  26. Thanks so much, Tina, for sharing all these details and personal accounts. There really is SO much information that people just don’t tell you about topics like these.

    My favorite kind of nut butter is a toss up between good old fashioned natural chunky pb (like Teddie’s) and then dark chocolate dreams and cinnamon raisin from pb&co. I have yet to try the white chocolate wonderful!

  27. Amanda says:

    Great q/a session! I nursed both my boys, and feel much like you do in the whole great “breast vs. bottle” debate. Should you try? Sure! Are you a bad parent if you don’t? NO!!

    Favorite nut butter? You already named it — White Chocolate Wonderful. I have to battle it out with my eight-year-old so I can get a spoonful of it even. As for who I’d have trouble nursing in front of… I can’t think of anyone. Probably my little brother, but that’s more because it skeeves him out than anything and I do try not to make folks uncomfortable 🙂

  28. i love this series! thank you for sharing your experiences!

    i LOOOOVE nutella – a chocolate hazelnut butter counts, right?!?

  29. so i just sent this to my pregnant BFF. i’m sure she’s going to tease me now. 🙂

  30. I love almond butter and peanut butter – but it has to be traditional, crunchy PB; I think organic or natural PB is nasty!

  31. Thanks for this post – I am due with our second in April and the refresher was nice. I did have a hard time breastfeeding with our son. I only made is 3 months, all the while having to supplement with a little formula, I just could never produce enough for him. I am going to try your tips for this one, I hope they help!

  32. trailmomma says:

    First time commenter . . .

    I second the KIRKLAND Natural Peanut Butter or the Jiff Natural stuff.

    I nursed my first daughter for 9 months (pumping at work only) but then was required to stop because we had to guage her liquid in-take. So I pumped exclusively from that point on until her 1st birthday. I pumped anywhere from 7 to 9 times a day. Ugh but i did it with pride because I knew my milk is what she needed.

    Fenugreek became my best friend along with LOTS AND LOTS of water and calories. It was a pain but definitely doable if you have a supportive partner.

    Now pregnant with #2 I don’t know what the plan will be until this little gets here and helps me along. 🙂

  33. You are so right, the white chocolate PB and strawberry combo is delightful! My favorite is the Mighty Maple!

    My sister was the master of nursing discreetly… we’d be having a conversation and all of a sudden I would realize she was nursing and had been for a while! 🙂 I too am not very shy, so I don’t think I’ll have much of an issue if/when that day comes for me.

  34. Again, thank you so much for sharing this information!

    I think I would have a hard time nursing in front of my co-workers, although I doubt that would ever happen anyway. But you never know!

  35. Kelly says:

    Currently I am loving walnut butter. So good!!!

    Another great and important post!!! I love all this information!

  36. I’ve tried different nut butters, but I’m a little embarrassed to say that good ol’ fashioned peanut butter is my true love 🙂

  37. Love this post…as always with the Q+A type posts having to do with pregnancy/having babies!

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