Our Beginning
This photo is very special to me. Three doe-eyed individuals learning a new set of life skills together, at their moment of birth as a family.
Where it began? Bay doing the breast crawl, a magical thing to watch as survival instincts kick in. High-five to nature. I am so grateful once again for the presence of our doula @sherellehamann who helped bring clarity and calm into a moment of overwhelming emotion. Allowing us to have an experience that we did not have the knowledge to ask for. We really do owe it to her for the ease in which we slipped into our roles. Not only for us but for Bay, who had to go through what I can only imagine is a traumatic experience, eviction from a comfy home into this world.
Bay was only two hours or so old in this photo, where we were making sure she could breath while she fed. For the rest of day zero, mom and baby figured out the feeding system, daddy watched over us, assessing the situation, stepping in when needed and holding our sacred space. Our protector. For the first two days Chris had to continue helping, until eventually I felt “I got this” and Bay and I went on a solo journey. And it has been pretty smooth sailing from there.
My few essentials for the first week:
• Lanolin nipple cream - this is non-negotiable
• Electric massager (really anything that vibrates will do )
• Breast pads - lots!
• Nursing bra’s - MINIMUM of two and make sure they are comfy, you will be sleeping in them for a while and changing quite often
• Button-down nighty
• A nursing pillow, body pillow, lots of any pillows really
• Facecloth in warm water, alternating with...
• Something cold to sooth. My mom swore by cabbage, which yes did help
• Burp clothes in reach at all times
• A positive attitude. Enjoy these moments, you won’t be breastfeeding forever. I have absolutely seen a drop in my supply on days I’m stressed and that’s a vicious cycle you want to catch before it starts
Of course all women have different experiences. The variables are endless and you cannot plan for what challenges you’ll be faced with, one often bending for another to take its place. So is life. And that is beautiful.