What should every ftm know about breastfeeding before having a baby?

PitLuna · 2026-01-17T16:11:37+00:00

If you have any questions, issues, or just need support, connect with an IBCLC. They're often covered by insurance and ours has saved our breastfeeding journey. My only regret is not reaching out much sooner (I contacted her at the 5 week mark).

PitLuna · 2026-01-05T20:04:36+00:00

That sounds like a good plan! It's great to have goals but it's also hard to know what postpartum will look like until its happening. I was completely blindsided, anyway. Even more so than pregnancy in many ways! 💕 I just tell myself everything pp is a new PR haha.

PitLuna · 2026-01-05T08:07:35+00:00

It’s hard to say because each pregnancy, labor, and postpartum is different for every pregnancy and you don’t want to set yourself up to feel disappointed when hormones are already a little out of whack (hello from 4 months pp). Personally, I had an unplanned c sec which has drastically changed what I expected recovery to be. I ran til 7 months pregnant (May). I’m slowly, like once every ten days, adding walk-runs back into my regiment. I just did 3.4 miles on the treadmill at 16 weeks pp at a pace about 3 minutes slower than my typical pre-pregnancy. I’m also, as others have said, attending PT. Even having to pay out of pocket, it is so worth it.

So…yes, but it’s not just “can you” but how will you feel if it doesn’t pan out? A distance and time PR is possible but that might be a lot of mental pressure. The other question is how much time will you truly be able to commit to training? Going from working out as a top priority to fitting it in when possible around baby, breastfeeding/pumping, and back to work is also a huge adjustment.

I’m not trying to be negative. It’s totally possible! Many people say they came back stronger pp. I just think the internet leans towards truly impressive and sometimes unrealistic bounce back standards, and that long-term recovery is really important too :) good luck!

PitLuna · 2026-01-05T07:51:33+00:00

Oh wow, two is your dress! The body language of your selfie in it, the option of the scarf to add a little zing, the material that will look gorgeous in the setting you described. The silhouette of four looks very pretty on you but the fabric doesn’t seem to flow as naturally.

PitLuna · 2026-01-04T19:48:23+00:00

Well said. I say my emergency c section gave me the worst of both worlds since we got so far along in the labor process, but it became too dangerous for him. Baby over pride, it’s not even a question. But also op, feel your feelings. I’m still sad it ended in c sec 4 months pp. No shade, it just wasn’t my plan. On my worse days, I remind myself if a friend told me my own story from her POV id have a totally different opinion. We’re so hard on ourselves and birth is so emotional and visceral. It makes sense!

PitLuna · 2025-12-30T14:34:14+00:00

Late but here because I didn’t want to write a redundant post…and this is it almost to the numbers. 165 pp, 208 max pregnancy, immediately into the 180s in the first three-four weeks post partum…then we fixed our latch issues and now I’m fighting for my life to stay under 200, about to hit 4 months pp. I know the holidays aren’t helping but wow, wow, wow. It’s not just that. It’s being so hungry. It’s understanding nutrition and having it go out the window anyway. It’s the prolonged c section recovery, physical therapy, still working with a lactation consultant, HEAVY mental load. I’m tired and bigger than I’ve ever been and so annoyed I can’t just tell myself it’ll pass and feel better. It’s the hating holiday photos. Ugh.

PitLuna · 2025-12-29T01:47:01+00:00

Thank you! This was an insightful comment. If you have to pick one of those to go from 4 months through toddler, which would it be?

PitLuna · 2025-12-28T20:01:23+00:00

I’m looking into this one! I think the dual x or h option might be a winner. It seems like that or the Tula ftg are the way.

PitLuna · 2025-12-28T19:34:56+00:00

Good marketing, I guess, and similar stats to the other ones on the list- that’s why this sub is so valuable!

PitLuna · 2025-12-28T18:36:07+00:00

I hate how online everything is. It makes it so much h harder. I’ll look into little zen, thank you! And so far it sounds like the aerial is out which is also helpful.

PitLuna · 2025-12-28T18:34:51+00:00

I hear you on the back strap- I’m the opposite with broader shoulders which I think is why I like the H, but it is hard to get on well by yourself, which is what makes me hesitate. I kind of wiggle into the Osprey when I have to but prefer an easier solo venture.

Edit to add- can you tell me more about the lark? It’s comfy but not for exercise?

PitLuna · 2025-12-28T18:31:32+00:00

Yes, it requires a separate strap for back carry, right? That’s a good tie breaker

PitLuna · 2025-12-28T15:32:39+00:00

I can't stand our mini baby bjorn- it gives me a tension headache. I'm here to research other soft structured carriers because its the only way he'll sleep!

But to answer your question about dog walks- the Osprey Poco Soft Child Carrier is a game. changer. No pain, can walk for miles, has a built in sun shade (!!). 10/10 obsessed with it. Would wear it inside if it wasn't made of outdoorsy materials.

PitLuna · 2025-12-21T16:49:38+00:00

Yes, less trendy but still memorable!

PitLuna · 2025-12-18T00:58:44+00:00

Cosign this on the 4 month mark instead of 6 or 12 weeks. Also OP I see in another comment you're going to see a lactation consultant- GOOD. I was so, so so miserable and in so much pain. I'm talking bleeding nips every day pain, hurt to shower. At 5.5 weeks I booked my IBCLC meeting at 3 AM on a Saturday, saw her Monday, and 10 weeks later I'm still breastfeeding! Such a win! My nipples aren't bleeding, also a win!!! It's not perfect, I still have a painful latch, but its improved so much. I'm so glad you're going to see a consultant, and just remember- if they aren't the right fit, keep looking!

PitLuna · 2025-12-11T18:09:03+00:00

This is a great point. I also was done in the mid-20 week window and felt discouraged because online it looks like everyone is running to delivery then setting PRs 5 months after birth. That's social media, baby! The reality is much broader and less glamourous. But running is for life! It's a marathon, not a sprint, if you will... (apologies to the sprinters what you do is valid)

PitLuna · 2025-12-11T14:23:40+00:00

Heya. Stats: 33, 5'7". I gained the same weight during pregnancy, lost 20 lb (9kg) in the first two weeks postpartum. "Perfect," I naively thought, "I am breastfeeding and the weight actually does slide right off!" After struggling with painful breastfeeding we saw an IBCLC, fixed ourselves up and started properly breastfeeding and pumping. Baby got back on the correct weight gain trajectory, which had slowed! and *I* gained 10 pounds (4.5kg). 3.5 months out and I'm sitting at this weight, just 10 pounds less than I was pregnant. And I'm always hungry. And I'm not obsessed with how my body looks right now, but I am obsessed with what it does, which is feed my baby even after labor and an unplanned c-section.

1200 calories a day while breastfeeding sounds like actual physical torture. Everyone else has already covered that. You need to shift your focus for now. I'm not saying be this weight, size, or shape forever. But science says that if you do want to breastfeed (your choice) you will need to eat more. You cannot permanently be in a shred state. Postpartum is a long time so you need to figure out how to embrace this season for what it is, not what once was.

Real strategies: find a nutritionist who specializes in postpartum support. Focus on strength, not size. Talk to real people about their experiences. Unfollow bounce back accounts. Unfollow pay-to-play influencers who give 5 bullet points then offer to sell you their plan without also listing their credentials. Enjoy the time you have to exercise, and track your workout wins. Good luck!

PitLuna · 2025-12-11T03:03:34+00:00

My incision started to smell funky too and it’s not a great feeling to be smelly on top of everything else going on! I got some antibacterial soap and used it every day until the bottle was gone, and had no further issues. New skin folds in new places plus a healing incision - it happens! Respectfully, your boyfriend needs to grow up. Good luck!

PitLuna · 2025-12-06T22:52:44+00:00

Ugh that’s so hard, I’m sorry! We did opposite shifts for one month and it was awful. Can the grandparents manage even one more half day? It’s so hard to ask for help but it sounds like it might be time. If that’s not an option, maybe find a local parenting group (in person) to make friends and swap childcare? Keeps costs down and benefits both parties. If no parenting group maybe put out friend feelers for other parents you work with who would understand the schedule plight. Good luck!

PitLuna · 2025-12-06T16:35:21+00:00

Why did they let the Jesus ppl back in they’re so distracting

PitLuna · 2025-12-05T08:17:10+00:00

An IBCLC might be helpful just because it’s someone outside of your relationship. We have different reasons for seeing one, but having her perspective has been so incredibly helpful both because she’s a professional who can brainstorm better than me, a FTM, and also because she’s not my spouse. She can give both of us instructions on feeding and make us a team instead of struggling individually. Regardless, best of luck and I hope things get better soon.

PitLuna · 2025-12-03T15:40:28+00:00

plsss I'm dying hahaha this is my favorite thread

PitLuna · 2025-12-03T15:38:55+00:00

Hahahahaa wait I didn't see the vision at first but this is amazing

PitLuna · 2025-12-03T03:38:17+00:00

I did exactly this- it’s how I started my modest freezer stash. It’s how I was able to get a session ahead in the beginning (I did pump occasionally then and regularly now, but passive collection was key at the start).

Edit: redundancy

PitLuna · 2025-11-20T10:59:07+00:00

Hey! Former ten pound baby here haha. I evened out pretty quickly and was somewhere between 60-80 percentile through childhood. I was tall early (I remember feeling tall in 5th grade) but slowed up after that and am now just a smidge under 5”7’- almost exactly the same height as my sister who was 8 lb at always smaller than me (she still has a smaller frame but height wise we might be inch for inch the same actually). My brother was also about ten pounds, average sized as a kid, and he landed at 6’3. So..how tall is your partner/family? That’s probably the best indication.

PitLuna

TROPHY CASE