I have always been heart-fully drawn to pregnant mothers, and the precious and sacred newborn phase of life. It’s that love of all things pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum-related that led me to my career as a maternity and newborn photographer.

10 Facts About Breastfeeding You Might Not Know About

Of all of the images of motherhood out there, there are almost none more compelling than a woman breastfeeding her newborn. And, while every woman should make her own choice about whether or not breastfeeding is the right move for her and her family, I try to do all I can to support this natural, nourishing phenomena whenever I can.

1. Breastfeeding helps you recover from pregnancy, labor, and delivery

Your body – particularly your abdominal/pelvic cavity – goes through a significant transition from pre-conception to full-term (or beyond). All those transitions take their toll on your weight, shape, muscle and skin tone.

Breastfeeding, in addition to baby’s healthiest source of nourishment, is also Mother Nature’s way to facilitate postpartum recovery by burning calories and reshaping uterine and abdominal tone via breastfeeding triggered contractions. Did you know that breastfeeding tackles your fat stores first? That fact appeals to virtually every postpartum mama I’ve met.

2. Breastfeeding contractions can shock you – even multiple days after baby is born

Women are often so focused on how to survive the contractions associated with labor and delivery, they rarely think about the contractions that occur afterwards.

That’s right! From the contractions required to expel the placenta after the baby is born, to the ones that shrink and re-tone your uterus and pelvic tissues, contractions don’t stop with your final push. Rather, they continue for days - and up to weeks - after the baby is born. Some of them are powerful enough to make you take a deep breath or two, just like when you went into labor.

3. Your breast milk is alive

From the very first, clearish-milky drops of colostrum (which can emerge months before baby arrives as your breasts gear up for feeding time) to the continually changing breast milk chemistry (more on that later), your breast milk is chock full of healthy probiotics that support baby’s gut and immune system health.

4. Your breasts talk to your baby, and vice versa

While it may not be in words, your breasts/body and your baby are in constant communication via hormones, pheromones, and body language that science can’t even begin to understand.

As a result, your breasts’ glands produce more liquid when it’s hot or baby is dehydrated, and more fat/protein during growth spurts. They will pump more antibodies into your baby when s/he’s sick or exposed to bugs and viruses and will boost protein and fat content as your baby’s energy needs increase due to age and development-related movement - including rolling over, sitting up, crawling, standing, walking, etc.

5. Nipples aren’t the only thing at risk from breastfeeding

If your nipples or breast are sore, odds are you and baby need support from your doula or local lactation consultants to determine why. Once you’ve established a healthy latch and hold, breastfeeding will be virtually painless (until s/he gets a tooth…) However, your nipples aren’t the only thing that can feel pain as a result of breastfeeding.

New mothers – especially those who breastfeed – are more prone to neck, shoulder, and back pain. While lifting and schlepping your baby and his/her gear may be one cause, the perpetually-curved and hunched positions associated with holding and feeding a baby are the main culprits. Make breastfeeding ergonomics and healthy exercises for core tone and posture a priority in those first several months.

6. Breastfeeding goes smoother if you plan ahead

I highly recommend planning for breastfeeding and enlisting the support of professionals long before your baby is born. The more prepared you are, and the more resources you have at your disposal, the more successful you and baby will be if you encounter unforeseen challenges.

Examples include:

· Hiring a doula who provides postpartum support

· Attending a local La Leche League meeting before you give birth

· Meeting with licensed lactation consultants at your hospital or birthing center (or from the community), so you have one you’re comfortable with “at the ready” in case you need her

Having this information ahead of time, and sharing it with your partner and close family/friends, means you’ll have the breastfeeding support you need if/when you need it.

7. Breast milk helps babies sleep better

This may not seem true if you’re currently up all night with a baby who won’t sleep. But, scientists have noted that breast milk is different during the day and night hours. One theory is that nighttime breast milk has more oxytocin and other “relaxing” hormones to help baby remain more relaxed.

8. Breast milk changes when you kiss your baby

When you kiss your baby, your lips are acting like a physician’s swab, taking in and ingesting the flora/fauna (including germs and viruses) on your baby’s skin. Your body takes that information, assimilates it, and adjusts breast milk accordingly.

This is why you are likely to suffer far more than baby from the same flu. While your immune system does all the work, breast milk continually adjusts to help his/her system fight it off better and faster.

9. It’s six-months’ worth (or more!) of free food

The cost-effective benefits of breast milk can’t be touted enough. It’s a completely free source of continuously, tailored food for the first six months or even longer, depending on your baby. Your breast milk contains all of the vitamins, minerals, fats, protein, antibodies, and probiotics for half a year or more. That’s a huge savings (have you looked at the price of jarred baby foods lately…?).

10. Breastfeeding can help prevent or minimize postpartum depression

Mothers who breastfeed successfully are less likely to suffer from longer-term or more severe postpartum depression (PPD). This is proven in multiple studies.

However, it’s also true that some of the women who suffer the most from PPD are women who had high hopes for breastfeeding that don’t turn out. By honoring #6, being proactive about positive, expert breastfeeding support, you’re less likely to suffer from postpartum depression.

As a professional maternity and newborn photographer, I wish you well on your breastfeeding journey. And, if you're interested in capturing once-in-a-lifetime, artistic images of you and your baby, I’d love to make that happen for you. Contact me here at Lemonshoots to schedule a consultation and see if we’re a good match.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Breastfeeding