{Mommy Monday} Breastfeeding, the struggle is real!

I knew that when I got pregnant I was going to exclusively breastfeed. At least for a whole year. I breastfed Riley but because of slow weight gain they suggested I supplement formula. Being a young mom at the time I didn't question it and just have her the bottle. Then I got my wisdom teeth pulled and miscommunication with medication I couldn't breastfeed. She didn't want it anymore. I only got 5-6 months out of it. I even tried pills and tea to help me get my "milk" groove back. Nothing worked I was done. So I swore this time around it would be nothing but the boob juice. While there is nothing wrong with formula I am just a firm believer in the idea of "breast is best". I don't have the best health at all. My allergies turn into full blown colds that lasts for weeks. I am no

 stranger to an emergency room either. I want my kids to have the best they possibly can so I vote for boobies all the way. 

In the beginning I was on a roll he was gaining lots of weight and was good to go. I got permission at his two month check up to go a little longer between feelings. He went a little bit longer than every three hours. Sometimes as long as seven hours at night. I was grateful for the sleep for sure. If you know me you know I love me some sleep! Then he started spitting up... Like a LOT! After every feeding like everywhere and so much of it. I was told it was cause he was getting too much milk. So I backed off and started giving him one at a time at each feeding. 

Fast forward to his four month check up this last week. He had lost weight! He went from 9.6lb in February to 9.2 in a matter of two months. Let's just say I felt like a failure. One of the worst feelings is not being able to give your child what they need. It can be extremely frustrating and emotional. The dr again suggests supplementing formula. So I went out and bought some after our appointment. I  brought it home and wanted to cry. Here I was again not being able to give my child what they needed. So I stopped and practically slapped some sense into myself and texted another breastfeeding mom who gave me some tips. I decided to listen to my instincts and not what the dr said and here we are a week later extremely exhausted but gaining weight luckily. We immediately started nursing every 1-2 hours even at night. We are running a marathon and I'm surprised I am can even stand up straight. There have been moments at night where I can't even open my eyes. I've wanted to give up so bad. I've wanted to just give in and give him a bottle and get some rest. I just keep reminding myself to take one day at a time. One feeding at a time.

Breastfeeding is a hard job but so worth it. I'm really pushing through and trying to make it eight more months without formula. It's definitely a day by day experience. Some days are hard some days are slightly harder and some days are a breeze. Usually the days where I can sit on the couch all day and be a breastfeeding slave. But we are making it work. We are a mommy-baby team. I believe we can make it to the other side!


I've also been looking into lots of breastfeeding super foods.

Oatmeal
Leafy greens
Nuts {not so much, but I'm trying}
I even looked into lactation cookie recipes. Cause I mean come on who doesn't love a good cookie!
Any other ideas you can send my way feel free to leave a comment!