Moments of Musing

Calcium Intake During Pregnancy + Breastfeeding

Filed Under: breastfeeding, calcium, pregnancy //

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews. All opinions are 100% mine.

I recently alluded to something in my stories that might seem TMI and then thought about deleting it even though it’s a normal part of women’s lives! As a woman our bodies go through many changes and there are many things we have to think about. 

When pregnant, we have to think about ourselves AND our little ones. Eating healthy and getting good sleep are pretty common knowledge …but did you know getting the daily recommended value of calcium is particularly important for pregnant women, too? 


Here are a few facts from Viactiv about calcium intake during pregnancy:

  • Many prenatal vitamins provide only 20-30% of the recommended daily amount of calcium for women who are pregnant. (Viactiv provides 100% of the recommended daily amount of calcium.)

  • 9 out of 10 OB/GYNs recommend Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews during pregnancy*.

  • Your baby needs the calcium to build healthy teeth, bones, muscles and heart. If you don’t get enough calcium in your diet when pregnant, your baby will actually draw it from your teeth and bones, putting your own bone health at risk.

  • Meeting your daily calcium requirements is important throughout all stages of life (including breastfeeding if you plan to).

With Viactiv, you can #BumpUpYourCalcium by having your calcium and eating it, too!  One Viactiv Calcium Soft Chew (650 mg of calcium in each soft chew) taken up to twice daily provides most women with 100% of the daily recommended value of calcium, plus vitamins D and K. In addition to the delicious milk chocolate and caramel flavors, Viactiv also has 30% more calcium with half the sugar and calories compared to leading gummy and prenatal supplements.

Viactiv is available at major retailers including Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, & Rite Aid: https://viactiv.com/where-to-buy/. 




*In a 2017 BrandPerx Survey of 1,000 OB/GYN practices, 8 out of 10 OB/GYNs recommend a calcium supplement during pregnancy and 9 out of 10 of these doctors recommend Viactiv.

FDA Disclaimer: ]Please talk with your doctor before taking any supplements. This post is not intended to address or diagnose any medical conditions. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.






1 Year Breastfeeding Milestone ACHIEVED – 10 Things I’ve Learned

Filed Under: breastfeeding, motherhood //

I did it! We did it! I made it one year of breastfeeding and we’re still going strong. If you’d like to learn more about my feeding journey with both kids, feel free to check out my other posts:


My two feeding journeys were vastly different. My breastfeeding journey has not been easy but, like all things in motherhood, it has been so worth it. I am just so proud and grateful to have been able to have the experience. 

Here are 10 things I’ve learned along the way:


1. It’s okay to be nervous. 

To be honest, I did not want to breastfeed or even attempt breastfeeding this time around. I actually a bit of anxiety at the thought. Whenever I’d let myself think about it I imagined soreness, bleeding and tears of pain all over again. I did not want that — or to get my hopes up only to have them dashed. I voiced my concerns to my husband and he asked me to just try again and if it didn’t work right away to know it’s okay to stop like I did with S. So, I figured I’d try. I knew it would be difficult but what I didn’t know was how much crucial support my hospital would provide in those first few days. I’m convinced that made all the difference. I could never thank them — or my husband for believing in me — enough. So sure I was scared, but I realized it’s okay to be. I’m glad I didn’t let them stop me, though.

2. Breastfeeding is exhausting and stressful, especially during the first few days and weeks. 

When we got home from the hospital, it seemed like all Baby R wanted to do was nurse. I vividly remember one night sitting in the living room during a three-hour cluster feed. Yes, THREE HOURS. I was so exhausted. And I was stressed. I never felt like I slept enough and then I was so cranky and impatient with my toddler S. It didn’t seem fair to any of us and there were times I just wanted to quit. Little by little, though, I found a routine and started getting more sleep. And woah does sleep do wonders! 


3. My body is capable of wonderful things — and I should listen to it!

Being able to provide nourishment for my little human offspring has been an amazing experience. I am constantly in awe of mothers’ bodies and all they do. Breastfeeding is one more thing that amazes me and makes me feel proud. As such, I’ve learned listening to my body is very important. I paid attention to cues of engorgement, as well as hormonal shifts. A week postpartum my hormones probably dropped immensely because I felt so down and figured it was a bout of baby blues. I cried to my husband to let my emotions out. The day after I felt much better. When I first started weaning my pumping sessions at 10 months, however, I found myself feeling depressed. I couldn’t stand the feelings and so I started pumping again and increased my sessions and felt back to normal. I stopped pumping again at 12 months but really gradually because I wanted to feel better while weaning. These days, I don’t pump but I do nurse whenever I’m with R, which will eventually be decreased to morning and nighttime feeds. 

4. Involve other siblings. 

I tried my best to involve our firstborn, S, in our new routine with the new baby. After all, he was our first baby and his routine and world was being drastically changed. In the first few weeks, S was interested in my milk and asked to taste it. He actually liked it so I’d give him a few ounces here and there in hopes that it made him feel more included — and I figured it had nutritional benefits, as well! S also helped with bottle feedings, which we introduced during the first week because I wanted to avoid issues of transitioning to bottle feeds.  

5. Rest, eat well and stay hydrated. 

You know that saying sleep when baby sleeps and everyone just laughs because it seems —and sometimes is— impossible. Well, I did just that when given the opportunity. Sleep is important for the body, as is a healthy diet and lots of water! I’m not going to lie- my diet was drastically smaller due to stress and feeling so busy but eventually I started making smoothies or small quick meals to be sure to get my veggies in. 


6. Pumping is annoying. 

I don’t have any nice or pretty way to put it. Pumping was my least favorite part of breastfeeding but it was necessary in order to continue breastfeeding after returning to work. My biggest advice would be to pump as much as you can – it increases production and will lessen your stress. Take it from me – because I was so stressed when my freezer stash was super low, which was very often. 

7. It’s okay to supplement!

Okay, so the first time I thought we’d have to give R formula  (at 6 months) I did feel a bit bad. BUT I did not feel nearly as guilty formula-feeding as I did with S because R was exclusively breastfed. We didn’t have to give formula until about 10 months and lo and behold, I felt pretty okay with it. It was only for about two feedings until my production increased again and then we didn’t give any until right around 12 months. Now, he gets cow’s milk while I’m at work and I nurse when I’m with 
him. 

8. It’s my favorite part of our bonding. 

Breastfeeding was the best thing for my bonding experience with our second-born. I had SO MANY emotions during my pregnancy with him and really, really worried about loving him equally. It just didn’t seem possible. I really do believe breastfeeding helped regulate my hormones and gave us such an amazing bonding experience that is unique to us. 

9. Relax! 

Stress reduces production. As I’ve mentioned, I was so stressed about breastfeeding especially upon returning to work. I managed to get into a routine with pumping but eventually I got overwhelmed, quit pumping, got sick,anxious and depressed and worked to increased my supply. It really taught me to take care of myself and to rest when I needed to. My babies need me but I can’t be there for them if I’m not feeling well! 

10. Don’t compare your breastfeeding journey to others’.

Breastfeeding doesn’t determine your worth or value as a mom. The everyday moments of motherhood, the way you love and care for your baby and the way YOU mother do.

From Weaning Blues to Brighter Days

Filed Under: breastfeeding, motherhood, postpartum, weaning //

This is probably one of my more vulnerable posts and I didn’t even plan to write about this today… or any day. But writing helps me and I thought talking about this might help some of you, too. Honestly, if it helps just one of you then it’s worth it.  

————
I recently found myself experiencing more anxiety than usual. And then it all came to a head. I couldn’t keep it to myself because I needed to just let my feelings out. And boy did that help. 

Let’s backtrack a bit to this day:


The day this photo was taken my emotions once again felt all out of sorts. As I stated, leading up to that day I had been going through a weird/tough time emotionally. I think this was due to a drastic decrease in my breast milk production so I’ve since worked to increase it again. I didn’t mean to wean, actually. Work had just gotten a bit busier and so I was pumping less (AKA not at all at work) and therefore my supply was diminishing. (I recently spoke to my doctor recently at my annual physical and she said that it is quite possible.)

I did a bit of research and stumbled upon A Cup of Jo’s blog post about her weaning-related depression. Suddenly, I felt validated. It’s not that my loved ones didn’t validate my feelings, it’s that I myself just couldn’t understand why I’d feel so nervous and down despite having it seemingly “all together” — healthy, beautiful boys; a loving and understanding husband, family and friends… 

I didn’t understand it. But I knew something was not right. I felt way too sad. So that day in the above photo I also took this photo below to one day remind myself that though it sucked in the thick of it… brighter days were sure to follow.


That day was probably the worst I felt and also the last time I’ve felt that way. It felt like nothing I’d ever experienced and I’d be ecstatic to never feel that way again. Today, I am just so grateful to feel like MYSELF again. And I’m grateful for my amazing support system.

I don’t really have advice (sorry) except to say if you’re struggling, please know you’re not alone. You don’t have to carry the weight of your worries alone. Keeping everything to myself felt just like that — a huge weight and burden. It made me feel worse. Sharing my feelings with people I trust helped life the weight. 

And if you struggle regularly, please know you are a warrior. If you’re feeling off, trust yourself. Take care of yourself. Do what is best for you. Find support. Reach out. 

And know there are brighter days ahead. ❤️

What Working + Breastfeeding Has Been Like

Filed Under: breastfeeding, motherhood, pumping, working mom //

Today is my little milk monster butterball’s half birthday!! (Side note: the concept of time is one I do not understand)

Breastfeeding is challenging. Nursing is challenging. For me, pumping has not only been challenging, it has been difficult, especially when working. So I am ecstatic that we have reached the six month milestone for exclusively breast feeding!

While on maternity leave, I shared tips from a fellow working mom for breastfeeding moms returning to work. The tips have all proven helpful. In this post, I’m going to explain what my typical day (regarding breastfeeding) has been like since returning to work— and why I don’t really use my Willow Pump:


HOW MUCH + HOW OFTEN

To feel confident about the amount of milk I leave for R, I pump between 20-25 ounces in a 24 hour span. It’s no easy feat. Most days I scramble to pump just enough (~18 ounces) to hopefully get by without having to leave work early or arrive later.

Everyday, I wake up in the morning and pump before work—sometimes twice. My supply is best in the morning so if I was unable to pump enough the night before, I pump twice in the morning. I also try to nurse R before work so we have that connection and because it helps him go to sleep for his morning nap.

As soon as I get to work 1.5 hours later, I pump again. In total (on an ideal day), I pump three times at work (10AM, 12:30/1 PM, 3:30/ 4PM). Various factors affect this, such as meetings, events and trainings.

If when I get home from work my milk stash is not where it needs to be for the next day, I pump when I get home and/or before bed. If you’ve been keeping count, that means I pump anywhere between four-seven times a day while also nursing R before/after work and overnight.

HOW I FEEL

It. Is. Hard.

There are days I’ve been so stressed out thinking I’d have to give him formula (which I know is 100% okay since I’ve been a formula-feeding mom before).

That stress is why I don’t use my Willow Pump. I had several issues with it my very first day back at work that I still have whenever I use it: bags would fill with air so I’d be told they were full—only not with milk; the app froze so I didn’t know how much I was pumping; and milk spilled when I unlatched.

All in all, those factors caused me too much stress and I’ve since decided to lug my bigger, traditional pump to and from work daily. It just hasn’t been a good fit for me. If you can get it to work for you, good! The technology is amazing and it really does allow you to multi-task while pumping.

Needless to say, the lost sleep and stress is worth it all. The fact that my body is feeding and nourishing my baby has been a mom dream come true! I am grateful to my body, proud of my baby and proud of our milestone!

Happy World Breastfeeding Week

Filed Under: breastfeeding, fed is best, motherhood, World Breastfeeding Week //

To the mom who is proud of her body for nourishing her baby, I too am in awe. 

To the mom who feels/felt guilty for not breastfeeding, I know the feeling. 

To the mom who’s been awake in the middle of the night while breast feeding for 3.5 hours, I know the exhaustion. 

To the mom who doesn’t want to try breastfeeding again because of how badly it hurt the first time, I get it. 

To the mom who is touched out, I understand. 

To the mom for whom formula was the best option, I’ve been there. 

To the mom who looks forward to the cuddles during nursing sessions, I do, too. 

To the mom who didn’t breast feed for whatever reason, I’m with you. 

To the breast feeding mom, you’re an amazing mom. To the formula feeding mom, you’re an amazing mom. We’re all amazing moms. Because we love our babies, because that’s what matters most and because fed is best. 

I personally remember feeling badly whenever I saw breast feeding posts because I wanted so badly to experience it for much longer with my firstborn. To be able to do so this time around has sort of filled that hole for me and it’s made me appreciate my body even more. 

It’s also helped to create a special bond with my second born, something I was afraid (thanks to pregnancy hormones) wouldn’t happen. I truly believe that’s one of the reasons it’s worked out this time.
So, if you’re feeling badly like I was, remember that you and your body are still amazing! And if you’re proud like I am, appreciate your amazing body! 

We’re all amazing moms.

 ——— 

I’ve been on both sides of feeding and therefore couldn’t acknowledge World Breastfeeding Week and the amazing experience that breast feeding is without also acknowledging that it’s a difficult process and every mother’s own decision. 

Read about my formula-feeding experience here.