Holistic Tips for Breastfeeding (My Honest Experience) — the foundation blog

lactation consultant

First things first, I highly highly recommend at least meeting with a lactation consultant once — just think of it as a one-time investment that can completely alter your relationship with breastfeeding and how successful it is. I actually saw a lactation consultant multiple times before Miles even arrived because it was covered by my insurance, so I’d reach out to your insurance and see if they cover any lactation courses! It was all virtual and sooooo helpful.

I also met with a lactation consultant in the hospital and there are some tips she gave me during that time that I still think about every day when positioning Miles on the breast. Again, ONE VISIT can leave you with an insight that will help your breastfeeding forever!

Many parts of breastfeeding are intuitive and it may be easy and natural from the get-go, but there are definitely tips that everyone can learn that help with less pain, better positioning, and better latch. It can be so, so worth it to meet with them (they are the literal experts!).

They call it “liquid gold” for a reason, right??? EVERY ounce counts, and this little silicone cup allows you to effortlessly collect your breastmilk! You guys, I could not. live. without. this thing.

The MVP of my breastfeeding journey. This simple little gadget allows you to collect milk and passively “pump” your breast that you are not using to feed. 

My favorite aspect of it is that I will literally get OUNCES AND OUNCES of breastmilk from this and it doesn’t take any extra time or pumping sessions to collect!

I simply just throw it on whenever Miles feeds, and it has added up SO much. Not to mention, I don’t have to clean any tedious pumping parts. (We LOVE a time-efficient hack, yes???) So simple yet so impactful. OBSESSED. WITH. THIS. 

So although I love the Haakaa for collecting letdown, it does have some suction to it. So if you suffer from oversupply or you don’t want that extra suction, you can also get a milk catcher which is just a kind of plastic cup you put in your bra and excess milk can be collected more passively (no “suction” pressure like the haakaa). Another great option if you don’t want to promote more milk supply, but want to collect your letdown

For my pump I did the Elvie Stride. I am obsessed with this pump. If you’re someone who doesn’t want to be tethered to a wall or outlet, this pump is great. You can literally just put it in your bra, wear it, walk around, it’s totally hands free and it’s really worked great for me. I’ll use this to pump while I clean, pump in the car, working, etc. This is so discreet, it literally just looks like you have a bigger chest than normal. It’s kind of shaped like a breast so it seamlessly fits into your bra and collects milk while you can walk around. Total game changer!!

That said, it is the ONLY pump i’ve ever used. Some people say they don’t get as much milk out with the Elvie Stride as they do a more traditional pump, but I can’t speak to that. Personally, I have pretty solid output each time I pump — but I don’t know if it’d be even better with a different model!

NOURISH yourself

If you want to fuel your babe, you gotta fuel yourself first, mama! This means eating enough, listening to hunger cues, having “complete’ meals and snacks (protein, fiber, healthy fat), and FUELING your body with beautiful, nourishing ingredients! For me, it’s really motivating to think of the fact that whatever I eat, baby kind of eats (in a way), and I only want the best, most nourishing milk for my little guy! You may find you need to eat more, have larger portions, eat different food groups, etc. I personally noted that my body is craving a lot of healthy fats (breastmilk is fat-dominant) and a few more complex carbs while nursing. On days where I maybe don’t eat enough (on accident, not intentionally), I notice less milk output. Fueling yourself TRULY makes such a difference and eating enough is huge for 1) your recovery 2) making enough milk and 3) feeling NOURISHED in these postpartum days. Don’t overcomplicate it — but just look for quality ingredients, follow your hunger cues, and have maybe a few more snacks/larger portions than you’re used to. You’ve got this, mama!

Oh my gosh. Oats are shown to help with milk supply, so the way I’ve been getting it in is with Heavenly Hunks, these delicious chocolate chip oatmeal bites. While I had every intention of making my own oatmeal bites, just the reality of postpartum is that I don’t have the time or energy to be home-making oatmeal energy bites every day. These are so amazing — they’re from Amazon and I order a few bags at a time and eat a few per day and I’ve had really good milk supply. 

You all know I am the hydration queen, and this little electrolyte packet is my savior every. single. morning. Think of it like a clean-ingredient Powerade! Hydration is always so important to me, but even MORE SO with breastfeeding. With nursing, it honestly feels challenging to keep up with hydration needs.

However, this lil packet of electrolytes (without added sugar) helps my hydration during these postpartum days. I can *truly* notice a difference in my urine color, energy, annnnd the AMOUNT of breast milk produced on the days I happened to skip taking this. For me, staying properly hydrated has been SO impactful for my milk production.

continuing your prenatal & replenishing your nutrient stores!

Okay, going off of our discussion on fueling yourself— we also need to talk about REPLENISHING yourself.

Because, mama— you DID IT. You gave birth. Your baby is here. and you may think it’s time to throw that prenatal bottle into the trash… but hold tight!

Because your body STILL needs support. Arguably, more than ever. Especially if you’re breastfeeding.

Your body is recovering from both pregnancy and labor, depleted of nutrients (from both pregnancy and breastfeeding), and needs a bit of help to help replenish your vitamins, minerals, and nutrient status.

Which is exactly why I have been loving this packet of POST-natal vitamins, designed specifically for this unique stage. (affiliate discount: KATEESKURI20)

This is the exact same brand I used throughout pregnancy as my prenatal— because the ingredients are actually very bio-available, readily used by the body, and in evidence-backed doses. Not to mention, they design each specific vitamin packet for *each* stage of the pregnancy journey (pre-conception, 1st trimester, 2nd tri, 3rd… AND postpartum). Ya love to see it!!!

I personally plan to take the postpartum “MOM” packet for the entirety of the time I am breastfeeding! It’s no secret that breastfeeding and the creation of breast milk requires a LOT of energy, nutrients, and strife from our bodies— and it’s important that we supplement our body so that we can stay strong, nourished, and adequately fueled.

Basically, it’s one simple packet per day that has everything you need for supporting body while breastfeeding) You can find the packet here and save 20% with my affiliate code KATEESKURI20 🙂 Love love love this company for all of your supplement needs— preconception all the way to postpartum!