I’ve breastfeed two babies so far and have learned A LOT—from the beautiful moments to the tougher ones! Despite the ups and downs, I have overwhelmingly found the experiences to be incredibly special. As I head into my third breastfeeding journey with my new babe that is on the way, I’m excited to try a few new things this time around.
#1 Fully Embracing Feeding on Demand
With my first baby, I pretty quickly tried to establish a three-hour feeding schedule because I thought it was the “right” thing to do and hoped it would make our days more predictable. But honestly, it made things more stressful for me! My baby would often get fussy before that three-hour mark and I’d find myself anxiously trying to hold him off, worrying that feeding him too early would ruin our day’s rhythm.
WIth my second, I leaned a bit more into an intuitive and on-demand feeding approach. Now with baby #3, I’m planning to fully embrace feeding on demand in those early months. I feel much more confident reading hunger cues and going with the flow. Plus, the more frequent feedings will be a way to strengthen my milk supply, which has typically been on the lower side.
#2 Mastering the Art of Nursing While Babywearing
With two older kids now in the mix, I know being hands-free as much as possible will be incredibly valuable. I remember vividly how challenging it was in those early weeks with my second—juggling frequent newborn feedings with the demands of a busy toddler.
I dabbled with nursing while baby-wearing with my first two, but I never quite got the hang of it. This time, I am fully committed to figuring it out! I’m on the lookout for a new baby carrier that will be especially helpful in supporting nursing on-the-go.
#3 Exploring Low-Profile Silicone Pumps
I am personally a big fan of silicone passive pumps, especially in those first several weeks with baby. They’ve helped me build a small stash of milk for bottles as needed prior to introducing an electric pump into my routine. I’ve been a longtime Haakaa user, but I have had it kicked off way too many times mid-feed, spilling precious milk everywhere.
With this baby, I want to try a more secure, low-profile silicone pump option that can fit into my bra. I’ve heard good things about the Boon Trove and a newer brand called Muu, so I’m excited to give one of those a try!
#4 Eating Nourishing Foods for Recovery and Milk Supply
Celebrating my third and last pregnancy, I have really come to appreciate how much my body goes through and I want to give it the fuel it needs to recover well and support milk production. In the early breastfeeding days, I’ve always been ravenous and ended up grabbing whatever snacks were around, without much attention to what exactly I am fueling my body with.
This time around, I want to focus on nourishing and hydrating foods that will help me heal and keep up my energy. Some of my go-tos will be oatmeal, leafy greens, bone broth, and electrolytes. For me, getting enough calories is tied closely to my milk supply, so I’ll be prioritizing nutrient-dense foods to keep both baby and me well-fueled.
#5 Better Preventing Hormonal Hair Loss
One thing I didn’t fully anticipate with my first two babies was the extent of postpartum hair loss I’d experience! I went through the typical 3-6 month hair-shedding stage with my first two, but with my second, I also experienced significant hair loss after weaning from breastfeeding around 18 months. Knowing this could likely happen again, I want to take steps to try to prevent it.
I will be focused on vitamins more specifically tailored to my postpartum needs, biotin-rich foods, and collagen supplements—not just in the early months but throughout my breastfeeding journey. And as I approach weaning, I’m planning to stock up on hair serums and oils that support regrowth. Here’s hoping a little TLC will make a difference!