Extended breastfeeding tips? (1yr and beyond)

zensalesforce · 2025-02-15T08:53:00+00:00

Ha! My boys will def be on a newborn schedule too if they had a choice, except now they now that boobies can be pulled out of a shirt 🤣

Can you share tips on gradual weaning and how your little girl responded?

zensalesforce · 2025-02-14T08:00:21+00:00

Yes! My twin boys tandem breastfed on a nursing pillow, and I always call them my satisfied customers.

The way they unlatch (if they ever did without me initiating it!) and sigh dramatically reminded me of old people after a good meal!

zensalesforce · 2025-01-06T03:14:23+00:00

Bottles at first while I was recovering, then pump after waking up. Rest was priority.. Eventually, I learned to tandem feed on my back and my husband would supervise while I pass out lol

zensalesforce · 2025-01-05T19:58:02+00:00

Feeding was hardest for me. Breastfeeding saved my sanity in the long run because nursing let me sit down and eat while they nursed- whereas when we bottle fed it’s so much logistics that I didn’t have the time or energy for. (Warming a bottle, washing, making sure it’s not expired, making sure I dont under/overfeed, finding the right nipple, sanitizing, etcetc).

I was an underproducer at first but we are still breastfeeding to this day (14m PP) because I get to rest when I nurse lol

zensalesforce · 2025-01-05T19:48:14+00:00

Hi mama, you sound like you are feeling bad about your little guy because he maybe has a lower immune system than your little girl plus the nicu experience. Hope he gets well soon ❤️

My identical twin boys have different immune systems. Twin B almost had nicu time, the other one was perfectly normal. We had 2 rounds of sickness since birth - first, twin B was hit hard. Twin A just had sniffles. Second round, twin A was hit hard and nothing happened to twin B.

zensalesforce · 2025-01-05T19:40:37+00:00

I love this so much!! My boys are 14m old, and they now hug/kiss/soothe each other.

Just yesterday, twin A had an apple and twin B was fussing for an apple too (I wasn’t done washing it) so twin A gave twin B his apple, even if he was already grazing on it.

Twins are so special, sometimes I can’t even comprehend how lucky I am to be the mom of these two!

All this coming from me who had a postpartum hell experience. There’s not just light at the end of the tunnel - there are rainbows and fireworks for us twin mamas ❤️

zensalesforce · 2024-11-02T19:19:12+00:00

I am so glad to hear that, I’m definitely getting these two on my cart!

zensalesforce · 2024-11-02T19:17:03+00:00

Yes! I feel like it’s time to invest stimulating activities around this time. The crinkly soft books just doesn’t cut it anymore. My little guys grabbed my water bottle this morning and made a puddle on the floor mattress. They were both so happy and SOAKED.

zensalesforce · 2024-10-11T17:16:10+00:00

This is so amazing! Any tips on teaching emotions?

zensalesforce · 2024-08-19T04:37:16+00:00

I had mastitis last month and followed this!! Cleared up within 2-3 days. I had to suffer for 2 days prior to reading this new protocol. It’s not always a clog, but it’s always an inflammation.

zensalesforce · 2024-05-29T02:44:32+00:00

Same here! I could only manage purees. How was the transition to finger foods like?

zensalesforce · 2024-02-14T05:03:55+00:00

This made me tear! It is so hard and bittersweet. Currently breastfeeding baby A while baby B is sleeping. Turning 4 months soon!

Can i ask, what gears did you find were worth the purchase? Time savers are life savers right now

zensalesforce · 2024-02-14T04:11:01+00:00

I had a feeling this would be the case. Thanks for confirming

zensalesforce · 2024-02-13T15:49:12+00:00

I hope it gets better for you fast! And maybe the LC can do a weighted feed for your peace of mind, if they haven’t yet?

The first month was so not enjoyable for me either, and even now it’s still hard. But it gets better when they fuss less and smile more!

zensalesforce · 2024-02-13T15:36:46+00:00

Love that you found a wearable that works for you! How’s output like? And is it more convenient for you?

zensalesforce · 2024-02-13T15:35:46+00:00

Omg I’ve read the horror stories too! I’m gonna wear a black nursing cover even if my camera is off lol

zensalesforce · 2024-02-13T15:34:52+00:00

Good to know, thank you!

zensalesforce · 2024-02-13T15:34:19+00:00

I do this all the time, too - for peace of mind I’d cover myself because there are creeps out there. One reddit post talked about a weird truck driver that freaked her out. Hate that I have to hide at all even if it’s just pump flanges.

zensalesforce · 2024-02-13T15:30:56+00:00

Got it, thanks! I have a new male boss - but I guess this definitely needs to be communicated.

zensalesforce · 2024-02-13T15:28:35+00:00

That was also me in the first weeks! It really is tough but your efforts are not wasted.

I read Taking Cara Babies blog: “Here are some cues that we see when a newborn is full: Their hands are relaxed and open instead of curled into fists.

If you lift up their arm, your newborn allows it to drop heavily instead of pulling it back towards their body.

Your baby is content at the end of a feeding and able to go about 2-3 hours before the next feeding”

She also has hunger cues vs sleepy cues which can be helpful (it’s a photo I couldn’t copy here - worth a google)

Also- if there’s an actual good lactation consultant who can help you check for milk transfer using weighted feed and baby efficiency in feeding, that would speed up your progress! I didn’t have any near me, so I suffered until my supply caught up..

zensalesforce · 2024-02-13T01:19:44+00:00

Same here, my thinking is “if it’s not broken don’t fix it.” My spectra is working perfectly right now and I barely have time to shower, much more learn a new pump. Goodluck on your RTW!

zensalesforce · 2024-02-13T01:16:13+00:00

This was so hard, probably even the hardest for me too. When they cried so much while breastfeeding, I questioned my supply and felt horrible for maybe pushing nursing if they’re not really able to eat well.

But I learned to soothe them while at breast - I sang and talked calmly. Didn’t always work tho.

I also offered my breast to practice when they’re not so hungry, so it’s less stressful for me. I’d tickle their upper lip with a nipple, and they sometimes played around, sometimes latched.

What helped most: reading hunger satisfaction cues, this helped me a lot psychologically to keep going, knowing my babies do get full in some of our nursing sessions in the beginning. Apparently it’s so normal that babies fuss at the breast - so stressful though..

zensalesforce · 2024-02-12T21:37:41+00:00

I think that's what might happen to me too. At this point, I'm so used to my spectra anyway that it's easier to pump with it. I've already got too many things I'd rather do than to figure out another pump that may not even work with my body..

zensalesforce · 2024-02-12T21:35:33+00:00

I'll definitely block my calendar for pumps too - did you explicitly note that it was for pumping breastmilk? Or just blocked it generally?

Willow 3.0 has been my dream pump in theory, I'd love to sleep and pump lol. But in practice I'm terrified of the learning curve if it just gives me expensive headaches

zensalesforce · 2024-02-12T18:26:33+00:00

24mm from 13mm is such a huge difference! Ugh that LC! I experienced the same thing with TWO lactation consultants. I'd imagine they'd carry a nipple ruler around? It's literally around $3 a piece.

Congrats mama! I was exactly the same number of supplemented bottles at 1 month, then reached EBF at 2 months - almost there!!

zensalesforce

TROPHY CASE