The Mom Crowd

Starting to breastfeed your baby can be the most frustrating and difficult two to three weeks of your life. I personally found it more painful than childbirth. Here are seven things that helped me get through those first few weeks.

1. Have a vision.

When I first started to nurse I had a lot of pain and difficulty breastfeeding my daughter, Ace. I talked about what I was feeling with a friend who was just finishing her first year breastfeeding her baby. She painted a picture for me about how she found joy in nursing, how easy feeding her son had become, and how she loved the connection that she had with her son. At the time I thought she was nuts, but I clung to that picture of the future. I had hope that nursing was going to get easier.

2. Knowledge is power.

Breastfeeding is easier when you know the biology of your body and your baby. Also, knowing how to hold your baby and the different holding positions will help you and your baby learn this new skill faster. Go to a breastfeeding class! This was by far the most informative class that I took in preparation for my new baby. In addition, don’t leave the hospital before you meet with a lactation consultant. I had learned how to hold the baby in class, but having just given birth I was having difficulty remembering what they taught me. I was thankful for the reminders. Finally, read books about breastfeeding, search websites and learn as much as you can!

3. Remember the benefits.

During the first few weeks of nursing I asked my husband to make a giant poster of all the benefits of breastfeeding, so I could read them while I was enduring the pain. I would have him recite all the benefits to me again and again. I would even list them in my head. Remembering the advantages of breastfeeding will help you stay motivated.

A few benefits of breastfeeding are:
- Your immunities and antibodies are passed to the baby making them less likely to become sick
- Saves you money
- Less likely to be a SIDS victim
- A greater bond with your baby

For more information about the benefits of breastfeeding check out the La Leche League and Breastfeeding.com.

4. It is a sacrifice.

Know that breastfeeding is a sacrifice. Yes, you will have to watch what you eat. Yes, you will have to feed almost every hour to three hours during the day. Yes, you might have a uni-boob when wearing certain nursing bras. Yes, you will have to juggle feeding your baby in public places or going home to feed. But in the end, the sacrifice and hassle is all worth it.

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The Mom Crowd is a blog community of moms and moms-to-be who value each other’s experiences. It is not easy being pregnant and being a new mom. There is so much to learn, so much to prepare, all the while your body and hormones are spinning out of control. My hope is that you will be encouraged through the articles and friends that you find here.

The idea for The Mom Crowd all started with a suggestion from my husband. He mentioned in passing that I should start a blog for moms. Personally the idea of a blog where I could unabashedly be a mom and be proud of it grabbed me. There have been times when I felt embarrassed being pregnant or having my child with me. This site is a haven for all things mom related, a place to cheer each other on.

I thought about who has been the biggest Mom Cheerleader in my life and immediately thought of my friend, McKenna. I absolutely love her and have appreciated all the encouragement and advice she has given me. I knew McKenna before she was pregnant with her first child. I have had the privilege of watching her walk with amazing grace through difficult health issues with her two beautiful children. I am proud that McKenna will be a contributing author for The Mom Crowd.

There are exciting surprises in the works. I hope you will stick around, learn something new, be confirmed that you are normal, discuss hot topics, find a tip that makes your life easier, and most of all find community.

Grab a seat on the branch and join us!