Post-Natal Care Part 3: More Booby Traps

There is so much information, knowledge, and hacks we can discuss when it comes to milk-producing boobies. I’ve had hour long conversations with people (and sometimes even strangers) about the mechanism of boobs while it produces an important source of life for you baby, that it has become the next-most-talked-about-topic after Game Of Thrones.

We talk about it so much, that my husband has since become a pro himself in relaying information to his mates who would help their partners dealing with post-natal ta-ta’s. Having your partner understand that what used to be sexy lumps of fat on your chest now belongs to your baby helps, a lot. There will be a newfound respect for boobies… and yes, also great awe. I was never the cleavage-type girl, and had always sort of worn bralettes, sports bras, whatever to not draw attention to my ta-ta’s not because I found them a cup size too small, but mainly because I would prefer people to talk to my face. So when it came to buying bigger bras and accepting the different changes in my body through my pregnancy and afterwards, I realised there were a lot of things I didn’t know about boobs, and sadly, I realised there was much more to respect too.

Oh, yes, the pinnacle of your breastfeeding career will feel just like this.

With my first baby, after the engorgement period and my breast milk was flowing well, each time I’d express using my manual Philips Avent pump, I find myself dumbstruck in how much milk comes out, how it does, and why it does. It was the most natural thing that can happen, and whatever science magic it does to bond mama and baby, was just beyond me. That was when I realised how weird it was for us to drink cow’s milk, and how oedipal it was for men to find these fleshy bags of milk-producing organs sexy in the first place. Anyways, since they are cans of worms I don’t want to open (just yet), there are some things I experienced during my ta-ta journey that I didn’t know and blew my mind.

What Else You Should Know

Bras- Always buy bras that you can try on. Maternity bras usually do not come with underwiring as they stump your milk ducts from effectively producing milk. You may be tempted to buy bras that come sold in packages, but most of the time you can’t try them on. It is important to have bras that can fit you comfortably, has a bit of a stretchy fabric, and is YOUR size. When you’re writhing in pain with Double Doris Days’ engorged boobies, the last thing you’d want is to wear bras that are too small, too tight, or not breathable. At the peak of my breastfeeding career, I was a size double D, and after I was relegated, I went back to cup A/B.

OMG THIRD NIPPLES EXIST- Milk Ducts extend from under your armpits all the way to under your ta-ta’s. It is not unusual if the milk ducts on your armpit get swollen. It is also NOT unusual if one morning you wake up, a third or even fourth nipple has decided to erupt out of your body. It is unsightly, but most of the time if goes away. Do not be tempted to squeeze it (yes I squeezed mine, and yes milk came out of my pits) because if you actively stimulate it, it will keep producing milk, hence giving the illusion of it being a real breast becomes a reality.

Milk Supply- Expressing milk is a good way to stock your freezer with supply for rainy days. You never know when you would get sick, (and worse case scenario is you are on antibiotics and cannot breastfeed) or when you’d need to leave town for a business trip, or when you’ve had a little bit too much tequila at your single girlfriend’s fake birthday party. I usually express milk after breastfeeding my baby to “empty” out the ducts, and in between feeds when they are engorged and ready to blow. I tend to be able to express more at night when the baby has a longer sleeping duration.

#winning

Freezing Breastmilk- They can last in the freezer for up to six months, depending on the freezer you have and whether or not you actively open and close it for other things. I rented a deep freezer for six months to store my breastmilk. There are different ways to defrost breastmilk, but I usually soak the bags in warm water so it thaws slowly. Don’t be afraid when you pour it into your baby’s bottle and it smells like a fish died on a metal plate (yes this imagery came to my mind when I thawed my first batch of milk). This doesn’t mean the milk has gone bad, so don’t rush to throw it out. Breastmilk contains lipase- and this beneficial enzyme breaks down the fat in the milk. This makes available the very things that prevents your baby from getting sick- fatty acid and also fat-soluble nutrients. This process can make the milk taste metallic, sour or even soapy. My husband, dad, and myself tasted it and it was very gag-worthy, but my first born took it like a champ as if it was the nectar of the gods, so it was totally fine.

My size during breastfeeding (left), and when I am not (right)

Wine and Whine- Many mama’s can’t wait to have their first glass of wine in months- I had the occasional glass of wine throughout my pregnancy, but after one month of confinement (more on that later!) where I didn’t have certain foods and drinks, I was ready to go all out. There are different studies and beliefs as to whether or not breastfeeding moms should drink or not, and how to go about it when they’re still feeding a newborn who may still be very sensitive. Many suggest pumping and dumping- where after you consume whatever beverage or food you that you shouldn’t have had, you express your milk and throw it out. Now, I couldn’t bring myself to stop crying when I spill a drop of my milk, much less consciously throw it out! After reading and asking around, I learned that only a very small percentage of what you actually eat or drink gets passed down to the baby. They will be very apparent in the breastmilk for the first two hours after consumption, so usually I would drink my glass of wine immediately after breastfeeding or pumping, have water or food with every glass of wine, and wait a couple hours before I express or feed again. This doesn’t prove anything, but at least it gave me peace of mind that my baby won’t be ringing off caffeine in the middle of the night, or have runny poos because of my curry.

You got this mama’s!!!

Stress- I know it’s easier said than done, but managing stress levels can be vital for newly breastfeeding mamas. Besides protein, fats, and more, our breastmilk is a cocktail of hormones, and it includes the stress hormone cortisol. This can get passed down to your baby, and may pass on your anxiety as well. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as anxious emotions can help prepare your baby for the world, but as an immediate effect of, let’s use as an example, a baby that stays up all night because of it? It can lead to a chain reaction of your body producing more and more cortisol, and before you know it your world explodes with endless, sleepless nights, and next thing you know you’ve got piles of laundry and dishes that will re-animate and haunt your dreams. Having a good routine, getting your husband/partner to help, or getting a hired help if economically possible, helps a ton. If you are not a multitasker, it may prove beneficial to pick up the trait- see it like one of those Burger Dash games where you have timed-multi-tasking challenges.

Donating- Many mama’s produce way too much breastmilk and have no idea what to do with it. Now there is a ice cream shop in Bondi Beach that apparently makes ice cream out of breastmilk…(!!!) but there are other options out there and some can even help other babies. Mama’s nowadays can donate their breastmilk to other babies who are in need of the natural nutrients found in breastmilk. You can find out online if any hospitals or even orphanages need them. Remember to always have a balanced diet if you want to actively donate.

How long to breastfeed? - I was able to breastfeed for six months, some can do it for a month only, and some can do it for years. Every mama’s are different and every babies are different, so there really is no right benchmark. I stopped at six months because Scarlett had started to eat solids, and I was also not eating as healthily as I did the first few months (BRING ON THE WINE AND PIZZA!), so my milk supply naturally diminished until one day it just stopped completely. For some mama’s, it may take weeks and could even be a painful experience to stop breastfeeding. Not actively stimulating the ducts is one way to stop the milk flow, but it leads to engorging of the breasts- we all remember how that feels! Some mama’s have to do this as they return to work and it can be a hassle to bring your pump around.

GODDESS!

My experience and advice may help and may not, for every mama’s experience with breastfeeding is different. You are also no less if you cannot breastfeed… formulas nowadays are fantastic and can give your baby every nutrient they need, and can give you peace of mind that your baby is fed. Having a balanced diet of carbs, fibre, protein, and fats will help with a good milk supply and give that booby cocktail a good mix for your baby. What’s next? Stay tuned for my next blog post about confinement food and how it helps you heal and the type of foods that help effectively produce breastmilk!