Things I Wish I Knew: Breastfeeding

Some things I wish I knew about breastfeeding before having children:
1. The amount of milk that I was able to pump was in no way indicative of how much milk my baby was actually getting when she nursed "straight from the tap". 

2. You can store your flanges in the refrigerator between pumping sessions instead of washing them every single time

3. Pumping exclusively for a year is much more difficult than breastfeeding because you will be pumping constantly around the clock every few hours, every day, to keep up. Whenever you are not pumping, you are washing bottles. It is a very difficult thing to keep up (but can be done with enough perseverance)

4. Tongue tie is more common than you think, if there is a painful latch- tongue tie may be the reason

5. Breastfeeding should NOT hurt. First 2 weeks as your body gets used to the change, it may be painful or tender, but then it really shouldn't hurt afterwards. 

6. Don't worry about 'not producing enough' during the first few days. Your milk doesn't come in right away, but newborn tummies are TINY and don't NEED that much. They need exactly what you make.

7. Don't give up. Nursing is an incredible bonding experience. If you have the ability to nurse, don't throw in the towel if it is tough in the beginning. You may regret it.

8. Not being able to breastfeed doesn't make you a failure, don't beat yourself up about it.