Breastfeeding Support for New Moms: Real Advice From a Third-Time Mom

My third-time breastfeeding experience is so different from when I was trying to pursue breastfeeding as a first-time mom. It's not easier, but it feels more sacred. When you nurse for a long time, it really hits different. You know it’s hard — the sleepless nights, the sore days, the mental load — but you savor every moment because, based on experience, you realize it won’t last long.

As a third-time mom, brand owner, and breastfeeding advocate, I realize that my breastfeeding success comes from these intentional choices:

Educate yourself well.

We pay attention to what things to buy or prepare for our nesting period, but we don't pay attention to the basics: how to bathe the baby, nurse and latch, or how to take care of ourselves postpartum. While experience is the best teacher, it's also better to educate ourselves beforehand so our minds and hearts can be better prepared for nurturing our babies.

Seek support.

As a first-time mom myself, I didn't like "getting advice" from other people. I felt like my mother's instincts were far better than what other people said, yet that little pride in me led to so much difficulty in breastfeeding. When I sought support from my OB-Gyne, she taught me proper latch, and my nursing journey became so much smoother. I also asked a lot of moms who had done it before me, and it pays to listen to their experiences.

Back then, I was asking for support from my customers, but currently, we already have a group that provides support for breastfeeding moms, such as The VT MOMMA CLUB and many other supportive groups.

Bond with your baby.

Breastfeeding is not just feeding. It’s eye contact. Skin-to-skin. Unlimited latching. If a mom tells you that she does not have enough milk supply, don't get disheartened. Remember, the more the baby latches, the more milk is produced. Sometimes what looks like “low supply” is simply a baby asking your body to make more. Trust the process. Trust your body. And latch, latch, latch.

Wear the right nursing bras and clothes.

Nursing clothes are every breastfeeding mom's uniform, and you don't have to wear boring shirt-type clothes, especially if you are the stylish type. Good thing nowadays our local communities sew clothes that are dainty, flattering, and functional at the same time. Most of them don't even look like they are for nursing.

Look good, feel good. If you look good, you feel good about yourself. Gone are the days when moms need to fully forget themselves. Taking care of yourself as a mom is part of nurturing your family.

Eat and drink healthily.

Breastfeeding takes a lot from your body. Nourish yourself the way you nourish your baby.

Drink enough water. Eat balanced meals. Rest when you can. Your milk supply and your energy levels depend on how you care for yourself too. It's also good that nowadays there are brands that make delicious and healthy drinks that are helpful for milk production, such as Mother Nurture lactation drink or M2 lactation drink.

You'll only breastfeed, for a season.

As a third-time breastfeeding mom, it takes a well mother to continue nursing. Breastfeeding takes a toll — physically, emotionally, mentally. The sleepless nights. The constant attachment. The invisible weight no one else sees. Some days, it stretches my mental health to its limits. And yet, I choose to continue not because it’s easy, but because I know this season is fleeting. I don’t know how long I will breastfeed my third child. All I know is that one day, these nursing sessions won't last long. The cuddles will loosen. The tiny hands that reach for me in the dark will grow steady and independent. Soon, he’ll be taking his first steps.

Soon, he’ll be walking his way to school. And I will look back at these days — the exhausting, sacred, overwhelming days — and realize they were never meant to last forever. So on the hard days, I remind myself: This is just a season. So, I'll savor every moment of it.

If a first-time mom would ask me: "How did you successfully breastfeed?" I would say, I didn't do it all alone; I had my village with me--my baby, my supportive community, and helpful brands that resonate with my current season. Remember, you cannot do it all alone. We need others to be successful along the way.