Become a contributor and register to submit your story!
  • Login
  • Register
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

Boobingit
  • Mama Stories
  • Breastfeeding and…
    • All
    • Being prepared
    • Covid19
    • Doing it longterm
    • Products + Reviews
    • Returning to work
    • Self-care
    • Showbiz
    • Sleep
    • Style
    • Support
    • The benefits
    • The challenges
    Celebrity breastfeeding moments May 2023 - Devon Windsor

    5 of the best celebrity breastfeeding moments from May 2023

    Dr Sharon Silberstein

    Ep. 39: Induced lactation with Dr Sharon Silberstein

    postnatal doulas are not just for the rich and famous

    Why postnatal doulas aren’t just for the rich and famous

    Lisa Conn breastfeeding CEO

    Why a viral post of a CEO breastfeeding her daughter matters in 2023

    These mamas breastfed in the coolest places ever

    These mamas breastfed in the coolest places ever

    Image showing front of plane

    Inside the fight to allow flight attendants and pilots to pump breast milk at 30,000 feet

    Trending Tags

    • breastfeeding
    • covid vaccine and breastfeeding
    • breastfeeding and Covid19
    • Hypnobirthing and breastfeeding
    • boobingit podcast
    • Latched breastfeeding bra
    • breastfeeding support
    • diy breast milk soap
    • Sleep
    • Covid19
    • Being prepared
    • Returning to work
    • Self-care
    • Showbiz
    • Style
    • The benefits
    • The challenges
    • Doing it longterm
  • Resources
    • Guides
      • Breastfeeding after giving birth
      • Breastfeeding after a c-section
      • Breastfeeding a baby in NICU
      • Breastfeeding the unsettled baby
      • Breastfeeding and Down Syndrome
      • Breastfeeding positions
      • Responsive feeding
      • Breastfeeding and teething
      • Breastfeeding in public
      • Breastfeeding at Christmas
      • Breastfeeding multiples
      • Expressing milk
      • Breast refusal
      • Bottle refusal
      • Tongue Tie in babies
      • Mastitis
      • Milk donation
      • Relactation and Induced Lactation
      • Breast milk soap
      • Babywearing
      • Weaning a nursing child
      • Transitioning baby to solid foods
    • A-Z Glossary
  • The Podcast
  • Contributors
  • Shop
    • Baby & Breastfeeding Essentials
    • Boobingit Merch
  • Buy Our Book
  • Mama Stories
  • Breastfeeding and…
    • All
    • Being prepared
    • Covid19
    • Doing it longterm
    • Products + Reviews
    • Returning to work
    • Self-care
    • Showbiz
    • Sleep
    • Style
    • Support
    • The benefits
    • The challenges
    Celebrity breastfeeding moments May 2023 - Devon Windsor

    5 of the best celebrity breastfeeding moments from May 2023

    Dr Sharon Silberstein

    Ep. 39: Induced lactation with Dr Sharon Silberstein

    postnatal doulas are not just for the rich and famous

    Why postnatal doulas aren’t just for the rich and famous

    Lisa Conn breastfeeding CEO

    Why a viral post of a CEO breastfeeding her daughter matters in 2023

    These mamas breastfed in the coolest places ever

    These mamas breastfed in the coolest places ever

    Image showing front of plane

    Inside the fight to allow flight attendants and pilots to pump breast milk at 30,000 feet

    Trending Tags

    • breastfeeding
    • covid vaccine and breastfeeding
    • breastfeeding and Covid19
    • Hypnobirthing and breastfeeding
    • boobingit podcast
    • Latched breastfeeding bra
    • breastfeeding support
    • diy breast milk soap
    • Sleep
    • Covid19
    • Being prepared
    • Returning to work
    • Self-care
    • Showbiz
    • Style
    • The benefits
    • The challenges
    • Doing it longterm
  • Resources
    • Guides
      • Breastfeeding after giving birth
      • Breastfeeding after a c-section
      • Breastfeeding a baby in NICU
      • Breastfeeding the unsettled baby
      • Breastfeeding and Down Syndrome
      • Breastfeeding positions
      • Responsive feeding
      • Breastfeeding and teething
      • Breastfeeding in public
      • Breastfeeding at Christmas
      • Breastfeeding multiples
      • Expressing milk
      • Breast refusal
      • Bottle refusal
      • Tongue Tie in babies
      • Mastitis
      • Milk donation
      • Relactation and Induced Lactation
      • Breast milk soap
      • Babywearing
      • Weaning a nursing child
      • Transitioning baby to solid foods
    • A-Z Glossary
  • The Podcast
  • Contributors
  • Shop
    • Baby & Breastfeeding Essentials
    • Boobingit Merch
  • Buy Our Book
  • Login
  • Register
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

Boobingit
No Result
View All Result

“Five months in and I’m now breastfeeding almost exclusively, but it didn’t happen overnight”

in Breastfeeding And..., Mama Stories
Home Mama Stories

I always tell people that nothing could have prepared me for motherhood, especially breastfeeding. It’s something I have had to battle for and still, mentally, fight for to this day.

I was so busy during pregnancy learning (and freaking out) about labor that I didn’t put much effort into preparing for breastfeeding. I took one virtual class with the hospital I would be delivering at, and that was not enough to get me ready for what was to come.

Briana Zananiri and newborn son Zion

I was in labour for a long time

I labored for almost 48 hours. Whilst I progressed quickly, I got stuck at 9 centimeters. Baby boy was sunny side up and I had a cervical lip. I had intense back labor to where I was passing out. I so badly wanted an unmedicated birth but opted for the epidural when I was a 7. Still pretty darn proud of myself for that.

Being in labor for so long and being extremely exhausted, I asked for a c-section. I was crushed but wanted to be done with labor and hold my son. I didn’t get the immediate skin-to-skin like I dreamt of and was so drugged up that my first memories of breastfeeding Zion are a blur.

While in the hospital, I saw a few lactation consultants who helped get him to latch and showed me different techniques. But I was in so much pain from the surgery that everything just felt so overwhelming.

I didn’t get the immediate skin-to-skin like I dreamt of and was so drugged up that my first memories of breastfeeding Zion are a blur.

Once home, breastfeeding went downhill

When I got home, breastfeeding went downhill. My nipples were so sore, cracked, and bleeding. I used a nipple shield and that didn’t help. Not even one week into it and I was ready to give up. I dreaded every time my baby needed to feed and cried. I decided to introduce my son to a bottle to get some relief. Luckily, he took to it and I pumped. I began to ease my way back into breastfeeding, but it was still so painful.

At five weeks, we were told my son had a severe tongue and lip tie. I made the decision to get it released. I heard some moms get relief right away and I was hoping that would be my story, but unfortunately, it wasn’t. His latch was still shallow and I was dealing with vasospasms.

Briana Zananiri and baby son

I was angry breastfeeding was not going as hoped

As a Christian, I asked God why this was happening to me. From my birth to breastfeeding, nothing had gone as planned. I was angry. Every night, I lay in bed awake questioning Him and pleading to let me be able to nurse my son. I even felt guilty for getting his releases and wanting to give up on nursing him.

One evening at my in-laws, my son was refusing to nurse. It broke me. My mother-in-law let me cry it out and vent. I was still pumping and breastfeeding half the time. She suggested I stop pumping and give breastfeeding my all for the next two weeks. That timeframe would put me at three months of nursing. She said if it didn’t work, then at least I know I tried. I decided I would commit to that.

One evening at my in-laws, my son was refusing to nurse. It broke me. My mother-in-law let me cry it out and vent.

Things began to get easier

The more I breastfed, the easier it became. I was still having some breast pain, but getting my son to the chiropractor, taking sunflower lecithin, and switching pumps to empty me at night helped relieve it.

Even while I got the hang of breastfeeding, I had to learn to trust my body. Because I wasn’t giving him a bottle as frequently as I used to, I wasn’t sure how much he was eating. 

Briana Zananiri exclusively breastfeeding son

Five months on and we’re still breastfeeding

I am now five months into my breastfeeding journey. Every time Zion hits a month older, I not only celebrate his growth and milestones but secretly celebrate myself on making it another month of breastfeeding. I thank God for hearing my heart’s cry and answering my prayer.

I love breastfeeding because I know my body is making the nutrients my son needs when he needs it. For me, it’s one of the ways I show my baby just how much I love, care, and want to protect him. I still have my days, though, where I want to throw in the towel. My son still wakes up a few times a night to nurse so I don’t always sleep great.

I love breastfeeding because I know my body is making the nutrients my son needs when he needs it.

I’m motivated to keep going

I’ve also been intimidated to breastfeed in public so I stress about it. There are moments I think, I just want my body back, but I look at my son and he motivates me to keep pushing through a little longer. I remind myself that it’s not forever and to soak in these moments.

My husband has been my biggest supporter. I’m so thankful for his encouragement and listening ear. Pretty sure my boobs have been the most talked about thing since Zion’s birth.

Briana Zananiri and son in New York

I’ve realised exclusively breastfeeding can take time – and that’s ok

If there’s any advice I could give to expecting mamas or anyone out there who might be struggling to nurse as I did, it would be to give yourself grace. During pregnancy, I put a lot of expectations on myself that I became so disappointed when I was unable to meet them. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Take it day by day. I am now breastfeeding almost exclusively, but it didn’t happen overnight.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. Take it day by day.

It took months of re-adjusting (and still adjusting) to fit what worked best for my baby and me. Your breastfeeding journey does not have to look like everyone else’s. For me, it’s been a slow and steady race. My breastfeeding experience has been far from easy, but it’s only made me a stronger mama for my son.

Would you like to share your breastfeeding
story? Sign up today to add your story! We’d love to hear from you.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Tags: breastfeeding a newbornbreastfeeding baby with tongue tiebreastfeeding challengesbreastfeeding mombreastfeeding storybreastfeeding supportexclusively breastfeeding
Briana Zananiri

Briana Zananiri

I am a believer of Jesus, wife to Jonathan, and first time mom to Zion Wells living in Texas.

Related Posts

Celebrity breastfeeding moments May 2023 - Devon Windsor
Showbiz

5 of the best celebrity breastfeeding moments from May 2023

May 30, 2023
Dr Sharon Silberstein
The Podcast

Ep. 39: Induced lactation with Dr Sharon Silberstein

May 25, 2023
postnatal doulas are not just for the rich and famous
Support

Why postnatal doulas aren’t just for the rich and famous

May 24, 2023
Lisa Conn breastfeeding CEO
Returning to work

Why a viral post of a CEO breastfeeding her daughter matters in 2023

May 22, 2023
Please login to join discussion
Boobingit

Boobingit is here to inform, inspire, and empower you as you navigate your own unique breastfeeding journey.

Follow Boobingit on social

Be part of boobingit.com

Become a Partner

Become a Contributor

  • About boobingit
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2020, Boobingit - for breastfeeders everywhere.

  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart
No Result
View All Result
  • Mama Stories
  • Breastfeeding and…
    • Sleep
    • Covid19
    • Being prepared
    • Returning to work
    • Self-care
    • Showbiz
    • Style
    • The benefits
    • The challenges
    • Doing it longterm
  • Resources
    • Guides
      • Breastfeeding after giving birth
      • Breastfeeding after a c-section
      • Breastfeeding a baby in NICU
      • Breastfeeding the unsettled baby
      • Breastfeeding and Down Syndrome
      • Breastfeeding positions
      • Responsive feeding
      • Breastfeeding and teething
      • Breastfeeding in public
      • Breastfeeding at Christmas
      • Breastfeeding multiples
      • Expressing milk
      • Breast refusal
      • Bottle refusal
      • Tongue Tie in babies
      • Mastitis
      • Milk donation
      • Relactation and Induced Lactation
      • Breast milk soap
      • Babywearing
      • Weaning a nursing child
      • Transitioning baby to solid foods
    • A-Z Glossary
  • The Podcast
  • Contributors
  • Shop
    • Baby & Breastfeeding Essentials
    • Boobingit Merch
  • Buy Our Book

Sign up today to become a contributor and share your story!
Sign up now!

Copyright © 2020, Boobingit - for breastfeeders everywhere.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
Sign In with Google
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create a boobingit account!

Sign Up with Facebook
Sign Up with Google
OR

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Breastfeeding for Beginners – Latches, letdowns & leaky boobs

Out Now!

Shop Now

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?