MILKING IT//BREASTFEEDING + PUMPING

Before Hadley was born, I knew that I wanted to breastfeed. Not only for the convenience- at 2 am, sticking a boob in their mouth sounded a lot easier to me than mixing formula and getting the correct water temperature- but also the nutritional benefits and bonding experience. So when she latched right away after our skin-to-skin time, my mama heart rejoiced. But I was totally unprepared for just how much it would hurt. Like, don't give me even the softest hug because it felt like you were rubbing sandpaper on a sunburn kind of hurt. When the baby cried for her next feeding and it felt like I just fed her, I wanted to cry too. The Medela Sensitive Lanolin is a lifesaver during this time. If you can fight through the first 5-6 weeks- it sounds like forever, but you have a newborn so it will go by fast- then it gets SO much better, REALLY! 

I am returning to work (I'm currently a sixth-grade teacher) at the beginning of August, while that seems like a long ways off, I know it will go by way too fast (cue the waterworks)! So I have already begun building my milk bricks stash. I contacted my insurance provider about three weeks before my due date asking about a free breast pump since a friend of mine received one from her insurance company. They pointed me in the direction on their website for obtaining information on approved providers to contact. I found 'A Breast Pump and More' and filled out a quick online form, it was easier than checking out on Shutterfly (does anyone else have this problem? #FOMCC... fear of missing coupon codes!). I had a double breast, electric pump before the baby came! The pump I got is the Hygeia Enjoye, and they sent me four accessory kits that I know I will be so thankful for when it comes to pumping at work!

Right now, I pump one breast at a time into the same bottle so I don't have to clean two every time (yes, I'm that lazy), but when I have to pump at work I will pump both simultaneously.

To help with all of the feedings, and now adding additional pumping sessions, I've been eating some really yummy lactation recipes that I thought I'd share! Also, make sure you're drinking a lot of water. I can totally tell a difference in my milk supply when I don't drink enough, to the point where it seemed like my boob was tapped out and then I drank more water and was able to pump a bit more! When I pour a good pumping session into a storage bag I can't help but do a little happy dance as I'm writing down the ounces...and mayyyybe I draw a happy face on there as well. :) Celebrate the victories!

Power Cups:

3/4 cup flaxseed meal

2 tbsp. brewer’s yeast

2 cups rolled oats

1 cup chocolate chips (I use minis)

1 cup creamy peanut butter

2/3 cup honey (raw if you can get it!)

2 tsp. vanilla

1-2 tsp. cinnamon

*Optional: Add one cup of cran-raisins/shredded coconut/raisins (or all three!)

Mix this all together with a stand-mixer or spatula, press into baking cups, refrigerate for an hour, and then enjoy! I love putting some Greek yogurt on them and topping with Craisins for a yummy breakfast! It's like a breakfast cupcake if you're against eating real cupcakes for breakfast.

Fruit Smoothie:

2 cups ice

2 cups frozen berries

1 banana

½ cup flaxseed meal

2 tbsp. brewer’s yeast

1 cup Greek yogurt

1 cup almond/regular milk or orange juice

The great thing about smoothies is you can basically add anything you want to them and they will taste great! I’ve made a green smoothie too where I subbed out the berries for kale and added 1/3 cup of raw honey and a tsp. of vanilla.

Tried and Ture Chocolate Chip Cookies (or the 4-hour cookies, according to my husband):

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 tbsp. water

2 tbsp. flaxseed meal

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour (I used whole wheat flour)

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup mini chocolate chips

2-4 tbsp. brewer’s yeast (I used three in this batch)

*Optional: Add a half cup of cran-raisins/shredded coconut/raisins/crushed walnuts (or all of them!)

Preheat oven to 350°, mix flaxseed meal with water- let sit for 5 minutes, beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar, add eggs one at a time and mix well, add flaxseed mix and vanilla and mix well, sift (may you have more patience with this than I did!) together flour, brewer’s yeast, cinnamon, baking soda and salt, add dry ingredients a little at a time, stir in oats a little at a time, add chocolate chips and any other goodies you are putting in (I put cran-raisins in and hoped I had coconut with no such luck..)! Scoop onto well-oiled baking sheet or parchment paper in tablespoon size, bake for 10-12 minutes. Then just try not to eat all of them in one sitting a day! ;)

As mamas, we do the best we can, or what's best for us and our babies- if breastfeeding/pumping is not for you, that's okay too! Having a happy and healthy baby is what's most important! Speaking of happy and healthy, I'll leave you with this smiling babe!

Please share any of your favorite recipes, I know I will want to have more in my repertoire! :)