Growth Spurts & Breast/Chestfeeding

I’m finally putting fingers to keys and letting you all know the links between growth spurts and the end of breastfeeding. Here are the hardest growth spurts supported by the data of breastfeeding surveys:

2-3 weeks, why? This is when things seem to take a turn. You just felt like you had it all under control and then BAM! Baby is attached to you even more than before. Hang in there!

6 weeks you are probably doubting it since this same thing just happened a few weeks ago, but this time you are throwing in the 6 week checkup with your OB. You want to know what you are going to talk about? Birth control! Birth control can have an affect on your supply, and many women notice it very quickly. Skip the hormonal birth control for an option that will keep your milk supply abundant, condoms. I do not advise the pull out method or using the lack of your period as birth control. Oh, and there is a chance that you will be returning to work at the 6 week mark. Returning to work can mean added stress, and less time at the breast/chest; however, time can be made up by the use of the pump.

3 months if you are a working breast/chestfeeding parent in the United States you are almost guaranteed to be going back to work after 12 weeks of family leave. Have a pumping plan ready and be ready to ask for what you need at your workplace. You will likely encounter a boss who doesn’t want to hear about it and gives you whatever you need or someone who doesn’t understand and be very dismissive to your needs. Stand up for yourself.