5 Reasons Exclusively Breastfeeding Mamas Should Still Pump
This post is sponsored by Evivo but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
I am four months into my breastfeeding journey with my third child and I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to feed my child this way. I well know that there are women out there who wish breastfeeding came as easily to them as it does to me.
With that being said, breastfeeding can be a source of anxiety for me. Although I am so thankful that breastfeeding comes easily for my babies and me, it comes so easily that my kiddos absolutely refuse to be nourished any other way. Bottles are out of the question so I cannot be away from my babies for more than about two hours at a time. It’s exhausting – especially while being an introvert who struggles when I’m touched too much.
With Daniel, I decided I needed him to be willing to take a bottle. I needed to have a little more freedom to live my life without being overwhelmed with mommy-ing. He still doesn’t like it, but he’s getting to the point where he’ll drink a full feeding out of a bottle without too much of a fight. Being able to pump and have some breast milk on hand for him during these times is absolutely helpful!
What about you? If you’re reading this you’re probably in the same boat I’ve been in – you have a baby who only breastfeeds. Why would you need to pump? Surprisingly, there actually are a few good reasons you should still be pumping, even if your little one never takes a bottle.
5 Reasons Exclusively Breastfeeding Mamas Should Still Pump
Note: This post is in no way intended to be looking down on moms who are not able to or choose not to breastfeed. I know it’s totally cliche but it’s true, fed is best and every mom and child needs to do what works best for them!
Home Remedies
I’m well into my third breastfeeding season and I’m only now realizing all the amazing things breast milk can do to help our bodies. In the four months Daniel has been alive I have used breast milk on his baby acne, on pink eye, on my own sore nipples, and so many other things! Having some of this liquid gold on hand when health problems present themselves is a wonderful blessing!
Teething Popsicles
Babies are (rightly) horribly cranky when they’re teething and anything we mamas can do to help them out ends up helping everyone out. Freezing breast milk and then letting the little monster suck on it helps keep the crankiness away – all while giving the little one all sorts of healing properties! Just fill an ice cube tray with breast milk and, once frozen, stick those cubes into mesh teething pouches, and let your teething baby suck away.
Donate it to Someone in Need
There are so many mamas out there who wish they could breastfeed their babies. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with a mama giving her baby formula, it’s fantastic that these mamas also have the option of feeding donor milk to their babies. There are so many helpful properties to breast milk and when women who overproduce are willing to share, everyone wins!
Save it for an Emergency
No one wants to think of an emergency that would make a mom not be able to breastfeed her baby but it can happen. Sometimes it could happen because the mom has to take medication that can’t pass through breast milk. Sometimes it could happen because the mom has to go on an unexpected business trip. There are so many reasons! Having a supply of breast milk on hand gets you out of a pinch if mama isn’t nearby to nurse her baby.
Mix it with Evivo
I’ve talked about Evivo probiotics before (here and here) and it’s time I sing their praises again! It is wonderful to have access to a probiotic powder that can be mixed with breast milk and keep baby’s gut healthy.
Why Evivo Probiotics?
It is critical that a baby’s ‘autoimmune and metabolic development is formed properly during the first six months of the child’s life. The composition of baby’s gut microbiome plays an amazingly important role in this process. Bad bacteria in a baby’s gut is linked to all sorts of health issues – colic, eczema, allergies, diabetes, and even obesity later in life. When good bacteria is thriving in the gut, it creates an invaluable protective wall that keeps the bad bacteria out.
Unfortunately, 9 out of 10 babies are experiencing a disruption in their gut that causes more bad bacteria to thrive! There are many reasons for this disruption but some key aspects are the raise in c-section rates and the rise in antibiotics used during pregnancy and delivery. These are often life saving medical treatments but they interrupt the transfer of good bacteria from mom to baby during birth.
Mom guilt is not allowed in these parts so it’s important to know that there are ways to reintroduce the good bacteria – B. infantis – that is missing in so many little people’s guts. Evivo probiotics. Only Evivo is clinically proven to restore B. infantis to baby’s gut and reduce bad bacteria. All you need to do is mix the Evivo powder packets with breastmilk and feed it to baby. It’s as simple as that to set your little one up for lifelong health.
Learn more about Evivo Probiotics here!
Use these codes for a percentage off your order!
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If you Liked This Post You Might Also Enjoy:
- Thoughts of a Mama Who’s Baby is Weaned
- Six Things No One Tells You About Postpartum Recovery
- How to Prepare for Breastfeeding Your Baby
