Hindsight is 20/20

Don't you just love that little phrase? It's so true and especially true for the first-time Mother. You learn SO much that first year and really learn who you are as a Mother. What would I do differently in round two? Since Laney is only 18 months old, a good majority of her life has been breastfeeding. If you're new to POH, I breastfeed Laney for 3 months and pumped full-time until she was 13.5 months because she simply would not nurse (due to a dairy allergy/sensitivity that caused her to pull off.) I didn't know it was a dairy allergy until later, ...until it was too late and Laney loved the breast milk bottle more than the breast. I have a few re-dos that are connected to each other, so forgive me for not just choosing one thing that I'd do differently.

Here's what I'd change:

1.) Read books beyond birth. Read! Read! Read! I know, you're tired, breathless, probably working full-time until the very end, hardly see Hubby, but I can't stress this enough. I casually read Baby Wise, the Bradley Natural Birth book, and a monthly pregnancy book at night before bedding down. Since I had a c-section, what I learned in the Bradley book was never used(although I learned a ton about birthing babies naturally). I didn't agree with everything Baby Wise taught, so what other options did I have? Post-birth, I was so sleep-deprived to read ANYTHING. I know you can't prepare for everything and there's nothing like experiencing things first-hand, but I could have eased into Motherhood with just a little bit more understanding than I had just by reading a few good books in preparation. And start early...don't wait until you're 6-7 months plus.

2.) I would not eat as much dairy in the beginning knowing the sensitivity Laney had to it. She outgrew it between 9-12 months.

3.) I will be very persistent in asking for a hospital-grade pump while in the hospital if my milk has not come in (took mine 5-6 days to come in) instead of succumbing to supplementing with formula. Laney lost a ton of weight - well over a pound- and was starving in the hospital. Mama had no milk. Next time 'round, while the baby is sleeping, I'll stimulate the breasts more with a hospital-grade pump so as to get milk faster. I did request this, and actually sent my husband to ask for it. The nurse looked at him like he had two heads and told to go on his merry way. Being a first-time mom, I didn't push the envelope. I had NO CLUE what I was doing. I was as lost as one could be. Hugh and I were the blind leading the blind when I came to discussing what to do: avoid formula and see our baby whither to nothing or use formula. We knew from taking the Bradley birthing class that formula should be avoided at all costs, but I was so emotional, stressed, and worried about my baby and my ability to breastfeed that I had no clue was to what to do.

I included this picture because most of the changes I'd make are in this "new-mother" time period.

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4.) I'd bring ANOTHER gown to wear. Having a gown that functions well with nursing frequently is one thing, and ANOTHER thing to wear something so unattractive and ugly as the one above. Blah! Who wants visitors in THAT thing? Once we got home, my husband and I had continual laughing jokes about this one nursing gown that someone handed down to me. It was plum awful. It was way over sized for me, but I thought, "C-o-m-f-o-r-t. I'll have my c-section incision, and I need something free-flowing." Never again. LOL. It had blue and pink hand prints all over it and two HUGE gaping holes which with to breastfeed. Remember, it was way over sized for me. We nicknamed it "booby-slots" and made fun of it continually. C'mon Motherhood and Liz Lange, can't you sew up something a bit more attractive for us new mothers and gracious alive for our sweet husbands? Something with a little more femininity would do us well. We already feel insecure upon looking at the new-found defined rolls and crater-dimples that seemed to have been hidden or disguised by our bellies pre-birth. Just something a little bit more attractive than good 'ol booby-slots. I so wish I had a picture of that thing. Horrible. I can't believe I actually wore it for longer than a night.

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5.) I'd not be so bashful about breastfeeding in the hospital around male-family members. My poor dad and fathers-in-law. They LIVED in that hallway, roaming about every time I breastfeed, which was VERY frequent. I think it's important to have that one-on-one time with the lactation consultant every chance you can, so yes, send 'em out then, but once you get the hang of it, put on a nursing cover and hang out with the crew. Trust me, nobody is starring at you. .

6.) I'd take herbal breastfeeding supplements early on, that is, if I'm having trouble getting the milk to come in again. Once it came in, IT CAME IN PEOPLE! What are those supplements? Fenugreek, Alfalfa, and I've heard of Blessed Thistle too, although I only used the first two. Check out: Kelly Mom for how much you should take. I'd also stop supplementing after about two weeks once the milk is flowing.

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7.) I'd not force my baby into a feeding schedule until well down the road. The more I read parenting books, the more I agree with a natural approach to breastfeeding: on demand, that is until he/she establishes his/her own routine.

I hope these have helped!