pump + pump bag details
Aeroflow Breast Pump // Lansinoh Smart Pump // Aeroflow Breast Pump Bag (receive $10 off when you order through Aeroflow!! // Ju-ju-be Be Supplied Bag in Gingham from Aeroflow //
outfit details + rug
Grey Turtleneck Sweater (so soft + sized down to small !!) // Faux Leather Leggings // rug // Earrings // Watch // Booties
Olivia’s Long Sleeve Romper // Olivia’s Bow
Hey y’all! I’m SO excited to share this post today. Whether your a new mom, a veteran, a mom-to-be, or a future mom, I hope this post is helpful to you! I have been exclusively breastfeeding Olivia since she was born, and we’re now over 8 months in to our 1 year goal! The time has seriously FLOWN by. In the beginning, the days (and nights) seemed so long, but now time is going by too fast.
One of my most frequently asked questions revolve around breastfeeding, nursing, pumping, and anything related to those topics. I am by no means an expert, but breastfeeding has been such an amazing experience for us. I have so many amazing memories and precious moments thanks to nursing that I wouldn’t trade for the world!
ordering my breast pump
Before Olivia was born, I ordered my breast pump through Aeroflow and it was covered by my insurance! My pump was sitting on my porch only a couple days after I ordered it – I was so impressed. I chose Aeroflow to order my pump because it had great reviews, a really good selection of products, and I qualified through my insurance. The insurance approval form/process was so easy – it took a few minutes and I was approved very quickly!
I am using the Lansinoh Smart Pump from Aeroflow, and love how easy it is to use and the bluetooth features are so nice! It’s super easy to clean, works great, and has a battery-powered option if you’re an on-the-go mama like me! It’s so nice that you’re not always confined sitting next to an outlet – especially if you’re in the car! I have this super-cute gingham pump bag that I love carrying when we’re on the go. It looks like a normal bag or diaper bag, and the gingham is so adorable. I love how it doesn’t scream ‘I’m a breast pump bag’ as its cute and inconspicuous. 🙂
when i started pumping
I didn’t start pumping until Olivia was a couple months old. There wasn’t a need for me to as I was still on maternity leave and was always with her for the most part in the beginning! I did not build up my supply by pumping – I built it up from nursing her. 🙂 I did take a couple trips out to the store or to go shopping when she was really young, just to get a break. It was always so nice knowing I had a small stash of frozen breast milk in the freezer I’d saved up from pumping here and there! I’m not a power pumper by any means. I always get the most if I listen to videos or sounds of Olivia, which I know sounds crazy but it works haha.
starting off breastfeeding
In the beginning I was seriously so clueless. I’d read books, forums, and the manual to my breast pump, and remember thinking, this is going to be so easy! While it went well for us, I would definitely not call it EASY by any means – especially in the beginning. You’re going to be sore for a couple of weeks, and feel like your baby is constantly on your boob lol.
It’s so easy to get frustrated or discouraged, so my biggest piece of advice is commit to it 100%. You have to be for it to work because it’s hard and exhausting! I didn’t have any issues thankfully, so my experience was different than others I’m sure! So for me, quitting wasn’t an option – even though there were so many times I considered it haha.
breastfeeding tips/supply
I get soooo many questions about how I keep my supply up. And honestly, I really don’t do much! I feel like I got it going pretty well in the beginning, and my best advice is nurse, nurse, nurse in the beginning. That skin on skin bond really makes a difference and your body will adjust to the needs of your baby. For some this is different, but for me it really worked! I often get asked if working out effects (decreases) my supply and it never has! I workout a few times a week and drink lots of water. Make sure you’re staying hydrated and you should be good to go! 🙂
I eat oatmeal every single morning and have for the past year. I love it and it’s said to help with your supply too! Now that Olivia is eating solids too, it’s fun for us to share oatmeal together in the morning. 🙂
breastfeeding now
It’s so much easier now than it was in the beginning. There’s so much newness and just craziness with having a new baby, especially when it’s your first. I’m SO HAPPY that I stuck with it through the hard times in the beginning. Nursing her now is seriously so sweet. The way she looks at me and smiles just melts my heart. Some of my favorite moments with her are nursing. She is only nursing/drinking breast milk when she wakes up, before naps, and before bed. I don’t feel as restricted as I did in the beginning, which gives me a lot more freedom than I used to have. It’s hands down one of the best decisions I’ve made being a mom and I’m so happy that we stuck with it + have made it this far! It’s such a special bond that we have, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world! 🙂
