Top Ten Breastfeeding Secrets: What Your Mother and Pediatrician Never Told You!

Thanks for the comments, Mamacat and Christine! Oh and Christine, you asked about the anti-pump vibe. If you read down a bit on the comments, I mention that I have revised my thinking in this matter since I've talked to so many moms that have had excellent experiences with pumping milk. My son is due any day now and I plan on trying a Medela pump as well! I hear they are fabulous!

I just weaned my second child a month ago after breastfeeding him for 2 years. Great article. LOL on the nursing pads. Though I did have a good nursing bra that hid the imperfections well. On pumping, I have to say that I did pump for occasions when my husband and I were going out, then later when I was working part-time. It worked well for me; however, I don't think I could have returned to work full-time and been successful breastfeeding. ABSOLUTELY AGREE: this is the single most rewarding thing about my life so far. Great article.

I enjoyed reading this, but why the anti-pump vibe? I am breastfeeding 9 months +, and pump occasionally so that grandma or dad can watch the baby if I have to go out once in a while to a meeting at work (I work from home) or to the store, or just want to take a quick 1 hour break. It's only come up a few times, but I had no problems with pumping and would definitely recommend it.

This was amazing! I absolutely loved it! I'm a new mom to a little boy and as soon as I found out I was pregnant I knew I was going to breastfeed. I haven't mastered the bf'ing in public yet but this really inspired to get over it and just do it.

Thank you for your comments, Melanie and Courtney! I need to revise the section on pumping milk. We're expecting our third child so I will definitely consider trying a Medela like Melanie and Kristin suggested! That's awesome news that your baby is able to take both the breast and the bottle, Melanie! Woo hoo! Keep up the great work, Courtney! Go mommies, go!!

I love your article! Thank you for the afternoon smile and motivation to keep going strong!

Breastfeeding has been wonderful for me and my 3 month old son and expressing/pumping has been surprisingly easy for me. I pump 3 times a day at work to provide him with breastmilk at daycare. I can express up to 4 ounces in about 10 minutes with my Medela Pump-in-style double pump. My son was able to switch from breast to bottle and back again with not a second of trouble starting at 3 weeks old. We may be rare but we've been quite successful.

WONDERFUL ARTICLE!!! Thanks for getting the information out there. :)

I must say I agree with #3. #6, however, about pumping, I find to be one-sided. Pumping can actually help increase your milk supply by "telling" your breasts more milk needs to be produced. Personally pumping is less painful than the initial let-down brought on by my little milk monger. Pumping has it's place. I've heard that a baby may not take a bottle from his mother at first, but will take one from someone else. Once the baby is used to it, or if he's hungry, he'll take a bottle of breastmilk from his mother as well. Did you use lanolin at all? I've found it to be quite helpful as well, though it may be suggested to someone by another which contradicts your title thus may not fit in this article.

Alisha, this is very helpful& encouraging account of breastfeeding. It matches my own experience! Thanks, Vicki