9 Stages of Breastfeeding No One Talks About

Breastfeeding is one of the elements in motherhood that brings you closer to your child. Face it, you and your partner set everything together, but when the baby is born, you are the one in demand for the breastfeeding ability. You must have decided to breastfeed the moment you knew that you were pregnant. The journey from researching breastfeeding to shopping for nursing bras must have been swell, and now you are a pro at the theory of how to breastfeed. However, it would be wrong to say it’s as smooth as butter, for your breasts will change beyond recognition, and so will your lifestyle. So that you are fully prepared about what is to be expected, here are the stages of breastfeeding that no one warns you about. Read on to know them all!

In This Article

1. The Small Nursing Bra Stage

The Small Nursing Bra Stage
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No matter what your bra size is, you have to overestimate it while getting a nursing bra. When you are lactating, your breasts will produce as much milk as your child needs, and that is something you can’t guess. It’s always better to stick to the bigger size as a tight bra is the last thing you want while nursing your child.

2. The Humongous Breasts

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Yes, it might surprise you how your breasts could go from 250-milliliter water to 2 liters in a few months, but that is what mothers do. So if you wake up with your breasts bigger than your head, don’t panic. It’s all a part of motherhood, and anyone with a child will understand that bras are your new enemy.

3. The Bleeding Nipples

The Bleeding Nipples
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This might make you drop the idea altogether, but this is what every breastfeeding mom goes through. The good thing is, it doesn’t last forever, but for the time being, it’s a little T-rex stuck on your nipple and likes to play with it like a chew toy.

4. Latching Issues

Latching Issues
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Baby doesn’t latch on to your nipple immediately, and this also affects the supply of milk. So this is the stage when you feel like Mike Tyson fighting all day to adjust your nipple in a baby so your baby can reach it. The sore nipples also need help with lanolin and ice to get them back to do 24/7 duty.

5. The Leaking Milk Stage

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So now that you shift from the engorged breast stage and your nipples are not bleeding anymore, welcome to the stage where your breasts pump out milk 24/7. This is when you force-feed your child to have the milk or keep the pump on to save the extra milk in a bottle. The shortcomings are you will always smell like milk and feel like a cow, but disposable nursing pads will protect your clothes from getting drenched in your breastmilk.

Also, when you take a warm shower, the milk might squirt out like a fountain, so the first time it does it, don’t panic! There are triggers like when a baby cries before you, and your body immediately takes it on itself to soothe the child.

6. The Teething Stage

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Now that you have overcome most of the hurdles, there is one last one that will probably take the soul out of you. Imagine how sensitive your nipples are now and how sore they have become on doing over-duty. Now introducing the choppers! One fine day there are two razor-sharp teeth on the lower end of their jaw, and it feels like a tiny sword pricking your nipple. As excruciating as it can be, you should know you are strong enough to take it. Once all the teeth come out, you can go on with normal breastfeeding.

7. Baby Peep Show

Baby Peep Show
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The baby who could not latch on a few months ago now strips your breasts the moment they are hungry. The only problem is, it can be outdoors, in front of people, or even the shopping complex. Also, if they have a particular name for it, they will call it out loud and even point at it, so everyone knows.

8. The Ouches

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Nothing comes without pain, especially breastfeeding. If you are with a woman who is breastfeeding, you will hear the regular grunts and expressions of pain. It can be biting, chewing, gnawing, or over-sensitivity.

9. The Lumps

The Lumps
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A new mother does not have breast milk pour out like rain. There are lumps of milk that often give you more pain than you can imagine. This is when you need a warm compress to loosen the lumps and allow the milk to pass freely from the ducts.

So now that you know breastfeeding is not a bed of roses, you will be able to take precautions beforehand. Talk to someone who has had a baby and learn more about the process in practical terms. Even though it is not exactly easy and effortless, it is definitely worth it. So, do you have any secrets to making breastfeeding a little easier? Let us know in the comments section!

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