Categories: Baby, Breastfeeding, Parenting, Pumping
August 26, 2021
Acelleron employees share their breastfeeding and pumping experiences for World Breastfeeding Week to provide you with a little inspiration.
A different journey for everyone
Every parent, and even every baby, experiences a different breastfeeding and pumping journey. While it may require some flexibility and persistence, it is possible and well worth your efforts. We wanted to share some stories from our parents to help give you some encouragement for your journey.
A little inspiration from parents at Acelleron
“I have 3 kids (age 5, 3, and 4 months) so have been breastfeeding mostly for the last 5+ years straight. At this point, it has become part of my identity. Though it feels easy now, that wasn’t always the case. My original goal with my first born, Cora, was to try to breastfeed for 3 months. I took breastfeeding classes, obsessively researched the topic, and joined lactation Facebook groups to connect with other breastfeeding moms. When it came time to actually breastfeed, things didn’t go as I’d imagined it. Despite all the planning, we had latching issues, which resulted in extremely painful nursing sessions and cracked/bleeding nipples for a few weeks. Mix that with trying to heal in general from giving birth, and I felt like giving up. But, her loving gaze and deep connection I felt with her while nursing was something I didn’t want to lose. Family support and help from an IBCLC ultimately kept me going, and we eventually got the hang of it. I actually worked with an IBCLC every week for 4 months, which was invaluable, especially with other transitions like baby growth spurts, cluster feeding, and pumping and returning to work. My 3-month breastfeeding goal soon turned into 6 months, 9 months, and then 1 year. The more time went by, the easier it became. She ended up self-weaning right after turning 2 years old, which was 3 weeks before my second baby, Rose, was born.
Breastfeeding with Rose was much easier at first, but I still relied on the support groups and resources from before. Each new baby can bring different challenges, and this time, we had to navigate food allergies and how my diet may be impacting her through my breastmilk. Between working with an allergist and an IBCLC, we were able to make modifications, and we went on to have a healthy breastfeeding relationship until she was 2.5 years old. At that point, I was pregnant with my 3rd child. This time around, I got a 5-month breastfeeding break before Philip was born. With him, I thought, “ok this will be like riding a bike.” Well, each baby and breastfeeding relationship is unique, and he was born with a tongue tie that impacted his latch, resulting in painful nursing sessions for me. The good news was he was transferring milk and gaining weight. We eventually got the tongue tie “released” and we’ve since had a great breastfeeding journey.
The biggest takeaways and advice I have for other moms planning to breastfeed are to trust in yourself and your body, set small goals, and line up your support system ahead of time. Celebrate those small victories too! Joy, confidence, amazement, comfort, and love are some of the main feelings that come to mind when I think of my breastfeeding journey, so, even with the pain, tears, and exhaustion, breastfeeding each one of my kids has been so special and so worth it!”
~ Rebecca P.
“Breastfeeding has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. I am so grateful I embarked on this special journey with each of my three children. It’s not always easy and there sometimes can be actual blood, sweat and tears. However…there are those times, especially during the quiet late night feeds, when the whole world fades away and it’s just you and your baby. She feels safe, warm, nourished and comforted. You breathe in her sweet scent as she quietly nurses and feel the softness of her chubby little hand on your skin. You wish you could freeze this perfect moment in time. These are the moments that carry a mama through the tough ones. Breastfeeding is a gritty but beautiful business and for me, it has always been completely worth it.”
~ Jacqui P.
“Breastfeeding and pumping has been a significant aspect of the upbringing of our two young children. It can be challenging at times, however the accessible pumps and accessories help Pumping moms complete this task while performing other daily tasks. My wife Brittany is passionate about breastfeeding and we both highly recommend it.”
~ Matt F.
“Many people assume given my work and background that my lactation journey has always been easy. Yet, my first experience started off with pumping way before I expected to and meant triple feeding for the 1st 6 weeks PP. My biggest tip for anyone expecting is to find your support team before delivery (your preferred IBCLC and knowing how they are paid, what your hospital offers, and friends & family to lean on). You can reach your goals, but you do not need to do it alone. ❤”
~ Brittany R.
“As a first-time mom, I was so lucky to have my breastfeeding journey start off perfectly. My baby latched immediately in the hospital, my milk came in like clockwork, and I never experienced pain or soreness. Sounds like a dream, right? So, imagine my shock when my milk supply plummeted at around 9-months postpartum. Suddenly I was pumping less than my baby was drinking at daycare, and my freezer-stash was dwindling. I was riddled with anxiety about making it to my goal of 1-year EBF and filled with dread at the thought of weaning. I knew I had to get serious about saving my supply, and so my breast pump became my best friend. While my baby was sleeping through the night, I was waking up at 2:30 AM for a power-pumping session. I was drinking more water than I ever thought possible. I was heating warm cloths and researching massage techniques for breast tissue for milk letdown stimulation. After about two weeks of pumping and nursing around the clock, my supply recovered, and I felt the waves of relief wash over me. Please know that if you are going through something similar, you do not have to give up on breastfeeding. This is your reminder that us moms are resilient. Breastfeeding is hard, but we can do hard things. Our breastfeeding goals are worth fighting for.”
~ Ashley M.
“When I was breastfeeding, the only “pump” I found was a manual pump by Medela. (Showing my age here!) With my daughter, I had to return to work too soon, and we were not completely comfortable with the process. With my son, ten years later, I breastfed for a year. No pumping, though, as my son never would take a bottle. It didn’t matter what was in the bottle, it was just a “no go”. Medical challenges just kept us attached, quite literally, much of the time. Reflux caused him to nurse more frequently. I wouldn’t change a thing, though, about the experience, although bedding was changed multiple times daily 😊. “
~ Cathy H.
“My determination to EBF has pushed me through the early morning and late-night pump sessions. Breastfeeding and pumping is one of the hardest jobs I have ever done! Yet, I am SO grateful to have had the experience with both of my kids. When I look into those sweet baby eyes of my little boy when he’s nursing or we snuggle up for those middle of the night feedings, it makes it all worth it.
Remember to set realistic expectations, trust in your body, and enjoy those precious moments snuggled up.”
~ Tab Y.
Free breastfeeding and chestfeeding education
When you order your pump through us, you have access to a number of free resources to help you along the way. To help prepare you for your breastfeeding journey, take advantage of our breastfeeding education class. If you have questions about your pump, register for an “Unbox Your Pump” virtual consultation to get more comfortable and have a quick Q&A. Both are available in English and Spanish. We are rooting for you and want to support you as much as possible. You got this mama!
Stories shared by Acelleron parents on the same journey as you.