I’m thrilled to have another fellow momma and blogger joining today to share about another topic that isn’t talked about enough and that can be very difficult for new moms: breastfeeding. And when that momma blogger writes one of my favorite design/lifestyle blogs, which Justina does, I get even more excited to share.

Anyone who knows me or my blog knows that I like to talk about boobs. Ha! No but really, if boobs weren’t already a big part of my life before my little Ida was born, now they have truly become a protagonist. I don’t know what it’s like to breastfeed with small boobs, but I do know that having big boobs has been a real challenge. Issues ranging from finding nursing bras that fit to trying to maneuver both baby and boob (when for a while boob was about the same size as baby) was really tough. But I didn’t come all the way over here Oh Lovely Day  to complain, no ma’am. I’m here to share the wealth of knowledge that I have learned in these past seven months of nursing.

I think most women who have nursed will tell you that the beginning is really tough. It’s awkward, and mysterious (how much milk is she getting?), sometimes painful and ticklish and, well, just kind of weird. But just like all new things, practice makes perfect and after about three-four weeks of awkwardness, something clicks and it gets easier.
The Brest Friend was a HUGE help to me. I actually don’t know if I would have stuck with it if it weren’t for this handy little guy. It freed up one hand for me because I longer had to hold both Ida and my boob in place–now I just had to hold my boob. Having one hand free meant that I could type, which meant that I could work–which was huge.

Next helpful thing for me was this pillow. I kept this (and still do) in the car in case I have feed Ida while we’re out and about. It’s really hard for me to manage without a pillow so this is great because it’s smaller and lightweight. It makes feeding her at cafes and restaurants not a total nightmare.

My favorite bras (or I should say my ONLY bras) I’ve been able to use the last seven months that provide any amount of support but that are good for breastfeeding are these. I have six of them–two in each color. Every single other bra that I have tried (and there are many) have totally pooped out on me–broken hooks in the back, give me quadraboob, have zero support or cut into my shoulders.

Now, seven months later we are in a rhythm.  I love that I can breast feed her–it’s so convenient, it provides instant comfort and connection and after dealing with supply issues at first, now we’re all good. It’s all good. I don’t know that I will miss it when we move onto other things (like I hear many women say)…but I am SO proud of both of us, every day that passes that she is sustained on my breast milk. It’s an incredible design–and I besides really loving my little Ida, I also really love good design.

*

Thanks so much for sharing your story and tips, Justina!  Having had supply issues myself, and struggling with many of the same things I know I’ll be bookmarking and pinning Justina’s tips for the next time around.  Oh, and Justina is teaching an online Interior Styling class (which I’m taking and so excited about) so be sure to check that out, as well as her fabulous blog.  Oh, and she’s got a fantastic instagram feed too.

So, do any of you have a breastfeeding experience or tip to share?  What was your must-have breastfeeding item?

{photo credits} Top: Jen Lauren Grant of Birds of a Feather / Bottom: Shauna Nep