Beyond Birth Basics Blog

Lessons Learned from Exclusively Pumping - How the Largest Pumping Facebook Group Became Established

My breastfeeding journey began in early 2017 after having my first son. However, my knowledge on breastfeeding did not begin there. Throughout college I took various health courses, including some of which that covered bits and pieces on lactation and breastfeeding.

As a baby, I was formula fed. Formula was all I'd ever heard of. It's almost safe to say I was initially grossed out by the thought of breastfeeding due to the lack of knowledge I had about the subject. I unlearned all of this once I learned about breastfeeding in a Nutrition course in 2010. Something about the topic grasped my attention and completely fascinated me. How had I not know about this? It certainly wasn't a taboo subject for my family or those I was familiar with, but it just wasn't the norm so it remained a foreign topic for me. My newly aspired interest in breastfeeding lead me to self-imposed studies. I had no plans for kids at that juncture in my life. Honestly, I was still deciding if I had ever...

The Battle of the Wearable Pump: Which is Better, the Elvie or the Willow?

Pumping does not have to be specific to moms with infants who won’t latch. It can actually be a great resource for breastfeeding moms as well. When breastfeeding to prevent clogs and mastitis if you have an oversupply you’ll want to pump after a feed. If you’re a mother with an under supply the pump can help signal your breasts to produce more if pumping right after a feed. Pumps are also handy for moms who have to go back to work but want to keep feeding their baby breastmilk. In my case, my baby was born early and my milk didn’t come in until a few days after I’d given birth. The hospital where I delivered recommended that I try to latch baby and then pump after every feed for the first few days. All was fine at the hospital where I had NICU nurses, my husband, my parents and my in laws to help step up with the baby when I pumped after a feed. However, when we got home I was suddenly finding myself pressed for time- how was I going to feed for 20 mins...

What to Expect Postpartum with Multiples

A pregnancy with multiples can be scary and the daunting task of taking care of multiple newborns once home may seem impossible. This post will give expectant and new mothers tips and tricks on how to handle taking care of twins. These tips were all taken from When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads as well as real experiences from veteran moms of twins.

TIP #1: ASK FOR HELP

When you are home caring for a single newborn, life can get hectic, but you are able to provide your full attention to just one tiny human. When you have multiples, it can seem nearly impossible. That’s when you must reach out. Call family, friends, a postpartum doula, honestly anybody who will listen and ask them to come over and watch the kids so that you can take a quick nap or shower. It is okay to ask for help and advice from others, we are not meant to mother in seclusion. Read that again, we are not meant to mother in seclusion. It is OKAY to ask for help....

Lessons Learned from Exclusively Pumping - How the Largest Pumping Facebook Group Became Established

The Battle of the Wearable Pump: Which is Better, the Elvie or the Willow?

What to Expect Postpartum with Multiples

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