NOTE: Everyone has their own journey. For some it’s easy and for some it’s impossible. Most fall somewhere in between. I am of the mantra that FED is best. Whether you breastfeed exclusively, exclusively pump, formula feed, or some sort of combo, however YOU feed your baby is best. Breastfeeding is a full-time job and one that does not come easy to everyone. There is a steep learning curve and it definitely took me a good 2-3 weeks before I felt like I had some sort of a grip on things...and that my nipples had recovered from the initial trauma.. Then it took us another 4-ish weeks to really get into a groove.

UPDATE: i would say around 6 weeks things took a turn for the best and we've been cruising ever since. I think once baby figures out how to feed and latch, in addition to them growing and their mouths getting bigger, everything clicks. SO...if you are hoping to breastfeed, dont give up!

At first, you think you have no supply...the early milk is called colostrum and babies only need a little bit at a time until your milk comes in (3-5 days on avg). It will get easier. Supplement if you have to, whether its hand expression, pumping, formula etc -- dont kill yourself to BF around the clock and dont be ashamed to supplement! And ask for help!!

Your nipples will be unrecognizable for the first week. They get cracked and raw, may blister and bleed. This will get better. Coconut oil is your friend. If it’s really bad, ask your OB for a prescription for APNO ointment (life saver). Mine are still pretty sensitive 4 weeks in, but so so so much better than in the early days.

I cannot stress using a lactation consultant enough. They were really my saving grace. They all have different opinions on things, but take their advice and figure out which parts work for you. It's really important, for your sanity and for the salvation of your nipples, that you have someone make sure your baby is latching correctly. Most nipple trauma and pain comes from a shallow latch, but once you get it right, it’s so much better. It can be painful when baby initially latches, but should improve within a minute or two. If it lasts longer than that, take baby off and re-latch.

If you notice you’re leaking when feeding, stick a milk collector on the side your not feeding on. I’m able to collect anywhere from 5-8 oz of milk a day by using the Haaka collection cups, which has really allowed me to start a freezer stash.

If your goal is to breastfeed, try your best to avoid pumping, bottle feeding, or using a pacifier for at least the first 2-3 weeks UNLESS your LC or pediatrician tells you otherwise (there are some reasons to do it sooner). Most will want you to establish breastfeeding and to make sure that the baby is gaining weight well until you introduce any of the above.

A final thought...there is a LOT of information out there. On google, social media, etc. It can be very overwhelming, and difficult to sift through. Know that everyone has their own way of doing things, and that there’s no one right way to do it. And, that women have been breastfeeding for thousands of years without the internet and instagram and lactation consultants. And the human race has survived just fine. Just do what feels right and trust your gut. You got this!

NEW THOUGHTS: your body will regulate your milk supply around 3 months. It starts to know exactly how much baby needs and is taking. So while it might seem like your supply is declining, it's more likely that you are just making what is needed rather than an excess amount. You may notice less leaking, less engorgement, softer breasts, etc. This does not mean you aren't making enough milk. As long as baby is growing and gaining weight, has a good number of wet diapers, and is generally content and happy after eating, you are making the right amount!

that all being said...when baby starts to go longer intervals between feeds or starts to sleep through the night, or if you go back to work and need to pump, you may experience a dip in your milk supply. If that is the case, remember this is all supply and demand. If you ask your body for more milk, it will likely make more milk. If you are back to work, try to stick to your baby's feeding schedule when pumping. If baby is sleeping 10+ hours at night, try a pump session before you go to bed or...in the middle of the night (yuck, I know, but your milk production tends to be highest at 4am....go figure.)

I definitely noticed that I was pumping less per session around 3.5-4 months, but it was just about the ounces Luke would eat via bottle. I just ordered some lactation supplements from Legendairy Milk , so will report back if I think they are worth it.