My daughter recently had her fifth birthday, and that’s when it dawned on me that I started my breastfeeding journey 5 years ago.

 

I’m not still breastfeeding my five-year-old, but I now have a 2.5-year-old and a 7-month-old, so I’ve been breastfeeding someone for almost five years. I wouldn’t call myself an expert, but with a few years of experience under my belt, I’ve learned a lot of lessons along the way.

 

Here are five things I’ve done to make my breastfeeding journey easier:

 

Drink TONS of water

When I was pregnant with my five-year-old and weeks from giving birth, I reached out to a friend and she gave me some amazing advice. She told me to drink lots of water, and then drink more water. She suggested I drink 8 ounces every time I breastfeed.

 

When I was in basic training in hot 101-degree weather, we would take a break and the drill sergeant would yell, “Drink water!” It was mandatory, and vital for us to drink water in order not to get dehydrated. The same thing applies when you are breastfeeding. Pretend that there is someone reminding you every time you breastfeed to drink water. Staying hydrated is SO important.

 

Make Vitamins and Nutrients a Priority

It’s important to get a fair share of vitamins and nutrients while breastfeeding. Not only will it help your digestive system, but it’s healthy for your baby. If you have a favorite vitamin, that’s awesome, but make sure to keep up this regimen when you’re breastfeeding.

 

Salads, nuts, and other healthy snacks are ideal. Yet, there are certain veggies that you should avoid that could make the baby gassy, such as cabbage and broccoli.

 

It’s All About the First Latch

I immediately asked to nurse my little one after I gave birth. Skin to skin is important, and I wanted my baby to feel and experience comfort. In fact, my daughters always looked for me and were immediately moving their mouths. Though it’s not something that’s possible for all moms, it’s one of my strongest recommendations to get a strong breastfeeding relationship started immediately after birth.

 

Have a Plan

I recently learned the hard way not to pump on demand. I started pumping two hours before I had an event. It was challenging, and I was not able to find the cord for my pump. Before I could get frustrated, I decided I would just take my daughter with me.

 

Planning is an important part of breastfeeding. If you know what your schedule and upcoming obligations will be, make it easy on yourself and plan a pumping schedule. This will also allow you to freely plan a mommy break.

Relax

One of the major things that I remind myself to do daily is to relax. There will definitely be challenges during the breastfeeding process, but it’s important to take deep breaths and focus on your why. Relax and remember why you chose to breastfeed your little one, and don’t fall into the trap of putting unneeded pressure on yourself.

 

Veteran moms, what worked for you on your breastfeeding journey? Drop your comments below!