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You are here: Home » Family » Parenting » When Breastfeeding Isn’t Easy: My Breastfeeding Journey

When Breastfeeding Isn’t Easy: My Breastfeeding Journey

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I want to share my breastfeeding journey with other new mothers out there so that they can learn that they are not alone. Breastfeeding is not always easy. Sometimes it isn’t even possible. The most important thing is that your baby is happy and healthy!

Also, I will be sharing what I have recently learned about the importance of gut health in infants, and what new mamas can do to help set their littles ones up for a healthy life.

My Breastfeeding Journey

I planned on breastfeeding my son. My mother had breastfed my sister and I, and had painted this idealistic version of breastfeeding in my mind. We never took bottles, and never had a drop of formula. We breastfed exclusively, and it was completely easy and natural for her.

In fact, there was not doubt in my mind that I was going to breastfeed my son.

I want to share my breastfeeding journey with other new mothers out there so that they can learn that they are not alone. Breastfeeding is not always easy. Sometimes it isn't even possible. The most important thing is that your baby is happy and healthy!

When Nathaniel was born he had to spend his first few nights in the NICU. His doctors recommend giving him formula. I gave them my permission without thinking twice. I wanted to do whatever I could to help him get better and get released from the NICU as soon as possible. The trouble was that he quickly learned that he liked bottles better than my nipple. He wanted that quick milk flow that he got from a bottle.

So began the feeding routine that I would follow for the next 4 weeks. Every 3 hours I would attempt to breastfeed, then give Nathaniel his bottle, and finally pump so that I would have breastmilk for the next feeding (I was never able to pump enough for even half of what he took, and always needed to supplement with formula). By the time that I had put my breast milk away and washed everything, about 1 hour would have passed and I would be starting the routine again 2 hours later. It was draining.

Those breastfeeding sessions were filled with tears and frustration. My son would cry while turning his head away from my nipple and looking for that bottle nipple. He wanted that quick milk flow.

It wasn’t out of the ordinary for the sessions to end up with me in tears as well. I wanted so badly to be able to breastfeed my son, and I felt like a total failure. Breastfeeding is natural, and it just didn’t make sense to me why I couldn’t do it. What was wrong with me?

I want to share my breastfeeding journey with other new mothers out there so that they can learn that they are not alone. Breastfeeding is not always easy. Sometimes it isn't even possible. The most important thing is that your baby is happy and healthy!

After a few weeks I decided it would be best to stop trying to breastfeed. Instead, I would continue to pump and give him my breastmilk that way. No more tears and frustration. We were both happier. The time I spent with my son was now filled with happiness and positivity instead of tears and frustration.

What Really Matters

Even though I felt like a failure at the time, the reality was that whether he took my breast or a bottle, breast milk or formula, what really mattered was that he was eating. He was happy and healthy, and I was a good mama.

I want to share my breastfeeding journey with other new mothers out there so that they can learn that they are not alone. Breastfeeding is not always easy. Sometimes it isn't even possible. The most important thing is that your baby is happy and healthy!

I don’t want other mothers to be so hard on themselves like I was. I hope that sharing my story will help other new mothers know that they are not alone.

Regardless of how you feed your little one, what really matters is that they are getting that nutrition!

The Importance of Baby’s Gut Health

In addition to getting adequate nutrition, did you know that gut health is also extremely important for infants?

Today, 9 out of 10 babies experience a disruption in their gut which causes bad bacteria to thrive. Bad bacteria in baby’s gut are linked to a higher risk of metabolic issues and autoimmune issues such as eczema, allergies, colic, diabetes, and obesity later in life.

Evivo, a daily probiotic for infants, is clinically proven to restore the good bacteria called B. infantis to baby's gut, while reducing the potentially harmful bacteria linked to colic, eczema, allergies, diabetes and obesity by 80%.

The first 6 months of a baby’s life are crucial for the development of their immune system and metabolism, and having a healthy gut microbiome plays a significant role in their development.

Evivo, a daily probiotic for infants, is clinically proven to restore the good bacteria called B. infantis to baby’s gut, while reducing the potentially harmful bacteria linked to colic, eczema, allergies, diabetes and obesity by 80%.

Evivo, a daily probiotic for infants, is clinically proven to restore the good bacteria called B. infantis to baby's gut, while reducing the potentially harmful bacteria linked to colic, eczema, allergies, diabetes and obesity by 80%.

Evivo works together with the milk oligosaccharides in breast milk to introduce these good bacteria into baby’s gut. Then the good bacteria help to block out and protect baby from any bad bacteria that may be present.

Evivo, a daily probiotic for infants, is clinically proven to restore the good bacteria called B. infantis to baby's gut, while reducing the potentially harmful bacteria linked to colic, eczema, allergies, diabetes and obesity by 80%.

So whether you are breastfeeding, pumping and bottle feeding, or even supplementing with formula, you baby can benefit from Evivo. So if your baby is getting any breast milk at all, consider adding Evivo to their daily feeding routine.

Evivo, a daily probiotic for infants, is clinically proven to restore the good bacteria called B. infantis to baby's gut, while reducing the potentially harmful bacteria linked to colic, eczema, allergies, diabetes and obesity by 80%.

Evivo only has to be given once daily. It is prepared by mixing with breastmilk and given to baby orally with a syringe. The Evivo starter kit contains everything that you will need to get started.

By addressing the issue of gut health during this early window, it will allow baby’s gut, digestive system and immune system to continue to grow, protect, and thrive before introducing solid food around the 6-month mark.

I want to share my breastfeeding journey with other new mothers out there so that they can learn that they are not alone. Breastfeeding is not always easy. Sometimes it isn't even possible. The most important thing is that your baby is happy and healthy!

My son Nathaniel will be 8 months old tomorrow, and has already started on solid foods. I wish I had know about Evivo and the importance of gut health when he was born. If I had, I would have started him on Evivo on day 1.

I hope that by sharing my breastfeeding story, as well as the importance of gut health, I can help other new parents.

Learn more about how Evivo can help your little one here.

Save on Evivo with these coupon codes for a limited time!

$10 off a 4-week Evivo Probiotics Starter Kit when you enter code BLOG6031 at checkout*

$20 off an 8-week or greater sized Evivo starter kit when you enter code BLOG6032 at checkout*

*each code can be redeemed by the first 50 readers for each code. Each code will expire on May 31st or after all 50 redemptions have been made.

 

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By Jaclyn Shimmel | 03/08/2018
Filed Under: Family, Parenting

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Comments

  1. Leela says

    03/08/2018 at 2:58 pm

    It can be difficult, but worth it.

    Reply
  2. Donna Holder says

    03/08/2018 at 4:28 pm

    Breastfeeding is the best

    Reply
  3. Debbie P says

    03/08/2018 at 4:29 pm

    I have so much respect for moms that want and are able to do it.

    Reply
  4. Barrie says

    03/08/2018 at 10:19 pm

    Thank you for a good post! I had issues breastfeeding also and it stressed me out. I even saw breastfeeding specialists to help me. I finally just stopped which made a happier mama and therefore a happier baby.

    Reply
  5. Heather craft says

    03/09/2018 at 1:17 am

    Breastfeeding is not easy. Unfortunate ly i wasnt ble 🙁

    Reply
  6. Patty Leonard Woodland says

    03/09/2018 at 1:47 am

    Your little guy is just adorable. I don’t have children but I watched my sisters in law struggle at times with breast feeding. As you wrote, what counts is the feeding and having a healthy baby. I’m sorry it was frustrating for you.

    Reply
  7. Mama to 6 BLessings says

    03/09/2018 at 7:06 am

    I have breastfed all 6 of my kids. I have a few issues here and there but thankfully worked through it. I am glad I did because breastfeeding has been one of the best decisions I have made as a parent. I am glad you were still able to breastfed and take care of your baby’s needs. Congrats mom! Good work!

    Reply
  8. Mama to 6 BLessings says

    03/09/2018 at 7:08 am

    I apologize. I just re-read your post. I realize you stopped nursing. That’s ok. You have to do what’s best for you and baby. There is nothing wrong with that as long as baby is getting all he needs! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Kristi says

    03/09/2018 at 8:13 am

    Evivo sounds like a probiotic but for babies. Love that they have this, will be telling my cousin that is expecting soon.

    Reply
  10. Crystal Bowley Reagan says

    03/09/2018 at 1:11 pm

    It is important for women to know that it’s not always easy. I am so grateful that I was able to get some really great support. I hadn’t heard of Evivo but it sounds like a great way to support our baby’s gut health.

    Reply
  11. lisa says

    03/09/2018 at 1:21 pm

    This is a great post! So many women don’t get the support they need when it come to breastfeeding. Its not easy for some moms, I was one of those moms actually! I had the support and even though I had to stop nursing I finally realized it was OK! This is my first time hearing about Evivo also, I look forward to sharing this company and post with my daughter who is struggling with breastfeeding. Your son is adorable and I’m so glad he’s healthy!

    Reply
  12. Kathy says

    03/14/2018 at 4:40 pm

    I actually have a very similar story as to when I had my first daughter. She was in the hospital for about 10 days before I could take her home. I ended up pumping the entire time, and near the end she had just a little bit of formula as well. I say as long as they’re healthy, than that’s all that matters.

    Reply
  13. Stephanie Cole says

    08/21/2018 at 4:12 am

    I salute you for being a good mom. You are indeed a good mom. Every mom wants what is best for their babies. Whatever brand of probiotics it is, what’s matter is his getting the nutrients 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

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