Kaboutjie SA Mommy Blogs by Lynne Huysamen
There’s no doubt about it, breastfeeding is fantastic for your baby and for you too. If you are about to start out on your breastfeeding journey there are some things that you may not be prepared for because these are not things that many people talk about.
So here are some things that you have probably not been told about breastfeeding:
***Disclosure -The links in this post may contain affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link.***
Things No-One Tells You About Breastfeeding
When Baby Cries Your Boobs Will Leak
In fact it may not just be a little leak, your boobs may even start spraying milk. This is the strangest thing about breastfeeding, your boobs react to your baby.
And it doesn’t even need to be your baby, any baby will do for this.
So be prepared for this and make sure you always wear breast pads to prevent any embarrassing situations, especially when you are out and about.
I highly recommend that you invest in some reusable breast pads – it is more eco-friendly and it will be easier on your pocket in the long run.
Your Boobs May Leak/ Spray During Sex
Yes I know, its crazy but prepare yourself and perhaps let your hubby know before he gets the fright of his life. This can happen when your breasts are rubbed, touched or sucked on. It could also happen when you orgasm.
Sex may land up with both of you covered in milk. So if that bothers you keep a bra on with some breast pads to keep it clean and tidy.
Read Also: 24 Brilliant Ways Dads Can Help Breastfeeding Moms
Keep On Breastfeeding If You Are Sick
When you get sick your body will automatically make antibodies in your breast milk to protect your baby, so by feeding your baby during an illness you are actually making your baby’s immune system stronger.
Only stop breastfeeding your child if you have to take antibiotics – speak to your doctor if you are taking any medication for an illness while breastfeeding to see if you can continue nursing.
Be Prepared For Growth Spurts
Your baby will go through many growth spurts and for a new mom it can be quite disconcerting. Your baby will wake up constantly and cry for milk. It will feel like your baby is feeding all day and night.
Many new moms, including myself, think that their baby is not getting enough milk and is hungry which is why they keep nursing all the time. In fact what is happening is that your baby is going through a growth spurt and your baby’s milk consumption needs are increasing. The more your baby nurses the more milk your body will produce.
So everything is actually working according to plan. All you need to do is let your baby suckle as much as possible for the next few days and soon you will have more than enough milk for your baby’s growing needs.
Be Prepared For Many Hands On Your Boobs
After you have given birth you will have plenty of people pulling and prodding at your boobs trying to help you get your baby to latch. This took me completely off balance in the beginning with my first baby. I was not expecting the nurse to walk in right after I had given birth and pinch my nipple while holding my baby’s head to my boob.
With my second baby I was better educated and when I saw a nurse making a beeline for my nipple I quickly made it very clear I’m a second time breastfeeding mom… I know what to do thank you!
indeed these facts are amazing. I had no clue about a few but I knew about many people handling your boobs. I was with my sister when this all happened and it was embarrassing to the core, but later on, we realized the benefits of such instructions. they’re blessing for new moms.
Great post Lynne I loved it.
I know right? I was just not prepared for the amount of nurses that walked in and just grabbed my boobs! I wish I had been told about that so that I knew what to expect!
These are amazing facts that I definetly did not know about, thank you for sharing!!! Who knew our breasts is this amazing ❤️
Wow a few things i never knew about…very intresting…informative…Thanks Lynne
Breastfeeding can be hard work. There is so much more than putting baby to the breast. Janelle self weaned at 8 months so I skipped the whole touching boobs part 😀 other than that our journey went well.
My first baby weaned by 6 months, but I weaned my son at 13 months because I just could not continue. It was taking too much out of me physically. He was such a boobie monster, always on the boob and while I had plenty of milk for him no matter how much I ate I just kept losing weight and I was so exhausted.
I only learned about Breast leaking during sex with my second born..n the embarassment there of.but soon got used to it
Breastfeeding, especially when it is your first child sure does throw some surprises. Being aware of it and being prepared is very important. Also, there are so many myths that surround this natural phenomenon, that young mothers to need to be completely aware of it. You have raised some really valid points that no one talks about but are real issues.
Love these articles. Very helpful!
I am sorry – I couldn’t help smiling and then breaking into laughter as I read your post. I experienced all of it! My first shock was my neonatologist tweaking my nipples-I remember it was winter and all crusted up. More than the pain, the shock! Hehe. And yeah, I did manage to avoid the many hands as I learned quickly and so did my baby! I do recall worrying whether to continue to breastfeed when I was sick. Luckily I had my mom to guide me through most of my doubts. Very valuable post! It can be quite embarrassing to discuss these things!
Can definitely relate to the many hands… I was just pulled into my ward after theater, still hazy and overwhelmed by it all and the next thing I knew these nurses just had me by the boob, with my baby and getting him to latch… I had flat nipples that just wouldn’t come out enough for him to latch and this nurse ordered my husband to go get nipple shields asap! If it wasn’t for the advice and help we got from these nurses (overwhelming at the time), I would not have had a successful breastfeeding journey. So the invasion of your comfort zone is totally worth it.
With the leaking, I have come to discover a very handy gadget and it means you can catch and store leaked breast milk! Medela breast shells (they slide right in your bra) collects milk that you leak. I opted for these instead of breast pads and I found these to be so valuable… money well spent.
Ooh I’ve heard of the breast shells but I actually had no idea what they meant. And yes I get you totally those nurses did help me to get my baby to breastfeed and I doubt I would have been able to latch my baby girl on my own, but I do wish I was somewhat prepared for that invasion because I was completely taken by surprise!
Love this post! Everyone talks about the importance of breastfeeding, but it is things like this that can make people discouraged or alarmed if you didn’t know. Thank you 🙂
Ain’t these 5 things the truth. If you are a FTM you might just get a fright when a few of these happen to you, but second time round you know what to expect.
Yes for sure, all of these things took me by surprise the first time! I also remember my baby girl unlatching and the milk just kept on coming and sprayed right across the room LOL. These things take a little getting used to!
I loooove to breastfeed. Yes its hard work especially during the early hours of the morning, but I rather breastfeed than pumping out. Thanks for all the good advice
Oh yes those early morning feeds can get to you, especially when its so cold in winter.
I was so glad that the nurses showed me what to do with my first kid.
Of course, theoretically, I knew what to do.
I was not one of those moms that had things come to me naturally.
Once we (baby and I) had it figured out, we were all set!
I was in the bath one evening and my baby was a week or 2 old. She started to cry.
I had this weird “pain” in my armpits and then milk literally started to spray everywhere.
I was so comfy in the bath and it was so warm that I asked hubby to undress her and bring her to me. She had a suckle, fell asleep, and I just held her. Skin to skin. Warm and comfy.
Eventually I had to move and get out because the water was getting cold but it’s one of my most favourite memories.
Yes I had that sort of thing happen to me plenty too, it really is about going with the flow and not worrying too much. I also loved all those cuddly breastfeeding moments. While I found breastfeeding incredibly hard there were some amazing bonding moments!
Very useful information for planning purposes as I don’t have kids yet. Thank you!
I have to girls, and am fortunate enough to that I breastfed both 🤗 I am currently breastfeeding my 10 month old 😅 and you won’t believe, when I do get sick, I worry that when I breastfeed she might get sick. But it really helps a lot knowing I should continue breastfeeding.
Feed away when you are sick Mercia, it will make your girl stronger! Just be careful if you take any medication, check with your doctor if you can continue to breastfeed, especially if you take antibiotics!
This is sooo true and I agree that no one tells you that. I had the priviledge to have a midwife that I knew well so it wasn’t that much of a shock when she helped me to breastfeed. I think you also get more comfortable with certain things when you’re a mother.
I could not agree with you more Inge – the first baby things can be quite shocking and an invasion but by the time #2 arrives it is a lot easier.
I knew breastfeeding would be hard work but I was prepared to give it a try but because my little one arrived early due to complications I was not mentally prepared for it. I can relate to the amount of nurses walking in and grabbing, I was very uncomfortable with it.
I also found that really hard Angie, in fact I found everything about breastfeeding really hard. It was only with my second baby that I did better with breastfeeding.
Oh wow, these are very interesting facts. Good to know.
Everything is new news to me, as I am a first time mom. Our little one is due next month. So being guided with facts eases my mind a bit. I love the tip given – of being able to breast feed if I do fall ill, and that I should speak to my Dr if I’m put on antibiotics.
I only learned that tip when I got ill Reu-Anne – I got vomiting and diarrhea and I was so scared to feed my baby girl until I was given this news and then I felt much better. Just be warned though that breastfeeding at the best of times will make you tired – add in a new baby and an illness and be prepared to really have the energy sucked out of you if you continue to breastfeed so ask for help from hubby or ask your mom or sister to come and help. It really can get tough.
I’m enjoying breastfeeding more now unlike with my first baby, I guess is because I have a little experience than before
I know exactly what you mean Olga! I learned with my first baby and made all the mistakes then got it right with my second baby.
Such a good read for both expecting moms and future moms!!
Wow, as a mom to be in August 2020 (first time) your breastfeeding article is very informative.
Thanks so much
Congrats on your pregnancy Bia how exciting and now long to go at all now! I’m glad you found this article helpful, breastfeeding comes naturally to some and to others (like me) not naturally at all. I hope you have a smooth and good experience with breastfeeding when your baby arrives.
Interesting read
I’ve never experienced leaking books when my babies cried…
Really? My boobs were like sprayers going off when my babies cried!
I absolutely loved breastfeeding but unfortunately my milk ran out when my little one was 8 months which was quite traumatic
Oh no that’s awful Kaylee, I can only imagine how upsetting that must have been for you! I know that even though I weaned my boy at 13 months it was a very emotional process.
Love this. Breast is best.
Wow been breastfeeding for 5 years now and never known some of these facts !!!
I’m currently breastfeeding a two month old, and I’m in a situation whereby I feel unsexy, licking breasts and engorged breast I express as much as I can or I feed as much as I can but the feeling is not nice
Oh I know exactly what you mean Kelebogile and I think it is completely natural to feel that way. I certainly did! I found it really hard to go from being tired and looking after a young baby and breastfeeding all day to then having to switch from tired unsexy mommy mode to be a sexual being with my hubby.
Try to be kind to yourself and try talking to your partner and telling him how you feel. I found having sex with breast pads and a bra, with the boobs being a no-go zone.
Breastfeeding hasn’t always been easy for us but it’s articles such as this one which shows the light at the end of the tunnel 🙂 Thank you!
I know what you mean Robin-Lee – breastfeeding was such a struggle for me personally!
Omw yes!!! And after struggling I finally met a lady that showed me one position and my son latched every time! But definitely have no body conscienceness after breast feeding. I eventually went to pumping and it was way easier
Breastfeeding is so rewarding, yet so challenging! All these things are absolutely true! Couldn’t help but giggle! Definitely helps to prepare a new mom for the journey.
We have to laugh at those embarrassing breastfeeding moments Jaronet 🙂
I am going to be a new mom soon…i’ve leant so much from this…thank you
That is so exciting Ennie – I found breastfeeding really hard, but it gets easier with time. Be kind to yourself and let the nurses and midwife help you if you struggle. It’s a bit weird having them all over your boobs but they know what they are doing.
I love breastfeeding him laying.but ive learnt a lot ….
These articles are so insightful and interesting.
Breastfeed is definitely hard, but so worth it. Breastfeeding my second now. The above points are so spot on.
Interesting.
Thank you for all the information
I feel sad everytime I read about mums being able to breastfeed. I only managed to breastfeed my baby for 2 months since my milk started to dry up. Then my husband says well I should think about when she gets teeth and how she will bite me. He tries to make me feel better. It does work too
Breastfeeding is not just about the food your baby gets Ranisha. I found that for me breastfeeding was a very emotional topic. I struggled with breastfeeding my first baby and I felt like such a failure for not only not enjoying it, but for struggling so much. When eventually she weaned herself off the breast and on to the bottle I was so sad even though I didn’t have to struggle anymore. So many conflicting emotions.
Yesterday I told my boyfriend our baby is hungry and few mins later he woke up crying and he asked me but how did I know I told him because my boobs were sore and he couldn’t that’s a way to tell.
Haha Bianca I know exactly what you mean!
I so desperately wanted to breastfeed my first baby
But as a first time mom with a baby that refused to latch and the beginning of Post Partum depression I just could not continue
I’m hopeful things will be better second time around
I also had PND when my first baby was born Shivorne and I am sure that played a big part in how hard I found breastfeeding. I did manage to breastfeed my baby until 6 months old but it was a non-stop fight. My second baby I did not get PND and I managed to breastfeed – I hope the same for you!
I was so very young and did not let my baby touch my nipples cause it was so sore my breast doubled in size it was so sore after I was admitted to hospital I found out I had pnd but it was to late my baby did not want to drink but my second time round thanks to all the helping hands my baby was a breast baby
I absolutely loved breastfeeding my second little one. Unfortunately my first baby didn’t latch and I eventually gave in and gave him a bottle. The second baby latched immediately. Breastfeeding is such a bonding experience. I was sad when my little one stopped at 22 months!
I wish someone had told me with my first child. Information is not very late, it will help me to be even better with child number 2. Thank you❤️
Yes this sums up what I would have like to have known too Miranda!
Me as a FTM and breastfeeding enjoyed this read very much! Thank you!
I’ve breastfeed my 1st child to 10 months and my 2nd child to 7months. Was harder to get my 1st child onbottle than my 2nd child. Yes breastfeeding is exhausted.
So true!!! Something else though is how what you eat can affect your child through your breast milk ! There are so many contradicting articles on this, but with both my children I have found a direct correlation between what I consume and how it has affected them !!
I have enjoyed breastfeeding my first child but it is so draining especially now that it seems she’s not nursing enough or is too distracted to eat. It can be quite demoralising. Thank you for this article.
Amazing story/facts.
Lots of hands on boobs is true. My son 3 is a year off. But still likes his boobs. Now its babies turn
how can i put my baby on breastfeeding, its a struggle, my nipples are to flat.
Very interesting, good to know what to expect when my baby arrives.
Thanks!
Oh yes the boob touching in my case is boob pinching and terribly embarrassing especially when my husband is next to me. He says he’s used to being sprayed in the face by now and he will probably have a younger looking face😂
Haha yes because breast milk is so good for your skin!
I am glad I read this article its going to help alot in the upcoming few weeks when I get to meet my baby and start the journey of breastfeeding.