Thankful Thursday: 9 Months of Breastfeeding

This is officially the longest I’ve breastfed any of my children. With each of my previous four I’ve had to wean before I was really ready. With my first I made it four months before introducing a bottle undermined our efforts. With my second, only two months – then returning to work made it almost impossible to keep going. With my third I managed to go for a full eight months, then when I returned to college I introduced a bottle and she was weaned shortly after. I was dedicated to breastfeeding baby number four for at least a year, maybe the first two – but I became pregnant with the twins when she was only five months old and my body could not keep up.

But as of this past Sunday I’ve been breastfeeding the twins exclusively for nine full months!

Giveaway: MommyCon Ticket!

In May I’ll be attending the Texas MommyCon Mini in Austin. My sister lives there with her twin daughters and we’ll be attending together with both sets of twins. I’m very excited!

What’s MommyCon you ask?

Yes, Breastfeeding Moms Can Give Blood

Can breastfeeding moms donate blood?

Absolutely.

I’m currently breastfeeding twins and today I happily trekked over to the United Blood Services Blood Mobile to donate.

I’m just happy to get to sit down without someone climbing all over me

When I was breastfeeding baby number four, I rolled up my sleeves and donated blood. Breastfeeding moms can donate blood without worry about their milk supply being affected. Before you roll up your sleeve to do your part, there are a few things to consider:

Breastfeeding Undercover: My Reasons for Keeping it on the DL

I’ve breastfed six children over the last 14 years. I remember the first time I ever tried to breastfeed in public. I jammed myself into the corner of a McDonald’s restaurant, trying to keep my back turned while fumbling with a blanket and blushing profusely. I was so embarrassed to do something so natural. But I was also defiant. I was tired of leaning against a bathroom wall, balancing a hungry baby and trying not to make eye contact with the women washing their hands. My baby shouldn’t have to eat in the bathroom, I reasoned. So I took a stand that day and chose to breastfeed in public.

4 Tips for Increasing Breastmilk Supply

As a mother of six children I’ve experienced different degrees of breastmilk supply issues ranging from low supply to oversupply. Well-meaning friends and family members will voice opinions on the subject, adding to a mother’s insecurities about their ability to feed their baby. Often moms feel they’re not producing enough milk, when in fact they’re doing a great job. As long as your baby has 4 to 6 wet diapers a day, with light-colored urine, you can rest assured they’re getting plenty to eat.

Breastfeeding Our Twins: The First Six Months

Breastfeeding rates are on the rise. We’ve all heard the “Breast is Best” slogan. New mothers everywhere are enjoying more breastfeeding support than ever before. It’s a great time to be a breastfeeding mother.

I’ve enjoyed breastfeeding all six of my children. Each child had their individual challenges: latch problems, fussiness, clogged ducts, oversupply, low supply, returning to work and trying to pump.

My greatest challenge has been breastfeeding my twins, Harmony and David.