Mamas, welcome Alyssa Sova as our newest Milky Mama of the Month!
“I wanted to push myself and knew I could do it."
We asked, and Alyssa answered! Keep reading to hear all about Alyssa’s unique breastfeeding journey and her motivational advice. We love highlighting our Milky Mama’s to show support, to grow and to learn from one another! Remember, you’re not alone, there is a village of Milky Mamas out there to support you!
Alyssa is a first time mom and enjoying her breastfeeding journey through the ups and the downs, the highs and the lows. She has been breastfeeding her baby for a little over 10 months. She nurses and pumps because she is now back to work full time and her baby is in daycare.
Alyssa stated that she was excited to breastfeed, even though the whole first month of breastfeeding was a learning experience. She took the first month to get comfortable and finally felt like she was getting the hang of it!
Alyssa Uses Her Resources
We’ve all heard how natural breastfeeding is, but that doesn’t mean it’s naturally easy! Like most first time moms, Alyssa said she thought her baby would just know how to latch. She learned quickly how important latching was, and that there is a correct way to get your baby to get a good latch.
She knew she needed help when her “nipples were raw, bleeding, scabbing, cracking, etc..it was so painful, I was dreading breastfeeding because they hurt so bad….but I didn’t want to give up on her and myself.” She went to see a lactation consultant who gave her a cream, which she said helped but she felt like she never had time for them to heal. Alyssa said “I just had to push through and suck it up!”.
Another resource Alyssa used was speaking with other breastfeeding moms. She reached out to other mother’s who encouraged her to keep going and told her, “it gets better!”, and for her, it did. Alyssa stated, “At that point, I understood why moms don’t go very long with breastfeeding, and that’s okay. I knew I wanted to breastfeed and it became my goal to make it to a year. It was my own personal preference and I’m proud of the journey so far!”
Alyssa and Going Back To Work
Alyssa was hoping for 2 months of leave, but unfortunately only had 6 weeks of maternity leave, all unpaid. She said, “that is definitely not enough” and we agree! It’s no secret that America is lacking when it comes to family leave. However, she says it did all work out because her mother-in-law was about to take care of her beautiful daughter, her husband was able to work from home and take care of her as well.
When she did return to work, her company was accommodating. She had a personal room to pump when she needed to and had her privacy. She said she is hoping for more leave when she has her second baby. We hope that for you, too!
When Alyssa’s daughter started going to daycare at around 5-6 months, she noticed her supply was getting lower. While she did have privacy and her own room at work, she still disliked pumping at work. Alyssa was not ready for her breastfeeding journey to come to an end. She learned about power pumping and knows “it made a huge difference in my supply”. Because of her power pumping and also trying lactation pills, she did not have to end up getting formula.
Alyssa’s Advice
- Ask for help.
- See a lactation consultant. Alyssa saw a few lactation consultants. She felt she needed reassurance that everything was going okay.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Alyssa asked her lactation consultants questions like, “how can I stop the pain of my nipples, is my baby latching right, how do I help her latch?”.
Alyssa has words of encouragement for all of our breastfeeding mama’s! She has come a long way in her journey and knows there is no one straight and narrow path, and that the journey is not one you have to take alone!
“As a first-time mama, I've been so thankful for my breastfeeding journey so far. I've hit my lowest and immediately felt depressed when I thought my supply was decreasing. I just didn't want to stop and wasn't ready. It is hard, that's for sure! And all journeys are different, which I've [come to] realize. I've learned some moms are meant to breastfeed, and some aren't and that's okay. I wanted to push myself and knew I could do it. I'm thankful for my resources and my husband for always supporting me and comforting me. I'd do it all over again and can't wait to reach my goal. I love being a mom!”
Alyssa, thank you so much for sharing your story with us. Please join us in our Facebook group,The Official Milky Mama Lactation Support Group to share encouragement to Alyssa for sharing her story with us.
And remember, you are not alone. We are here to support each other and remind each other, you’ve got this, mama!
