This post is sponsored by Majka but all photos and opinions are my own.
MAJKA (N.) – MOTHER
“Majka” (pronounced modge-kuh) was derived from the Bosnian translation of mother. No matter what part of the world you are from or what language you speak, the bond between mother and child is universal.” – Majka
As a mom that struggled with breastfeeding, primarily with a lack of milk supply, I greatly appreciate companies like Majka that creates products specifically to support moms with lactation self care. What do I mean when I say lactation self care? It’s being proactive in intentionally giving your body and your baby what you both need nutritionally as well as helping with the aide of milk production. Furthermore, taking care of your mental, physical, and emotional health in addition to your nutritional health. As a mental health clinician, I know there is a correlation between anxiety, nutrition, and milk supply. If we as moms lack self care, our lactation will also suffer. Our bodies go through so many hormonal, physical, emotional, and mental changes postpartum, we need all the support we can get. At Majka, they believe that all moms are superheroes and I have to agree. And they also believe that even superheroes need the right fuel.
Yet as a first time mom I thought breastfeeding would be easy. It was supposed to be a natural process. A mother’s body was meant for this purpose right? I naively thought that just because I birthed a baby that my body would automatically produce as much milk as my baby needed for as long as I wanted. I expected blissful moments of easy bottomless feeding and bonding with my baby and even though I definitely had blissful bonding time that I will never forget, the feeding aspect was a little short of being blissful and bottomless. And breastfeeding, although natural, was not an easy process and I quickly learned that lesson.
When I first started breastfeeding, I wanted all of the benefits it lended. I wanted to reduce my risk of having my breast cancer return and lessen my chances of postmenopausal osteoporosis. I also wanted to reduce my daughter’s risk of SIDS and increase the antibodies from the milk that would help her fight off viruses and bacteria, lower her risk of having asthma and allergies and other health issues like ear infections, pneumonia, and chronic conditions, as well as give her a boost in her IQ level. Plus, I wanted to have a special bond with her that I thought breastfeeding would lend itself to and also save money since breastfeeding was free.
From the moment I first tried feeding my daughter, breastfeeding seemed like it was going to be everything I thought it would be. I felt very lucky that it seemed to be so easy for me compared to other moms I knew at the time. My daughter latched easily, didn’t have a tongue or lip tie, and didn’t need a nipple shield to drink. However, as soon as I arrived home, I had a little taste of how difficult breastfeeding could be. My nipples became dry and chapped and it was painful every time she latched. I had no idea my left side (the side that I didn’t have lumpectomies) would produce almost double the milk and leave her vomiting every time she drank from that side first thing in the morning because it was producing so much too quickly. And the side I did have my surgeries would make less than half of the milk of the other side and eventually almost none. You see, the tissue that was removed from that side impaired some of the milk ducts and I was warned from the doctors that my milk production on that side would be slim to none. But I was grateful to be cancer free and was willing to sacrifice breastfeeding on that side if I had to – well that decision is always easy and am fortunate beyond imaginable that I still have my breast and my life but the thought of not nursing on that side was much easier before I knew what it was like to be a mom and want to nurse my baby from both sides. I feel like I am not giving enough with only one side.
But then after two months of being home on maternity leave I went back to work. It was then that everything changed. Little did I know that my milk supply wouldn’t be as bountiful and that if I didn’t keep up with feedings and pumping, it would soon rapidly deteriorate. I took for granted that it would always be there. At the time, I wasn’t educated on products that could help with my milk supply. Majka makes Nourishing Lactation Protein Powder that really could have helped me take better care of my body nutritionally and also provide me with a milk production boost. Designed by moms for moms, with the help of professional nutritionists, this protein powder not only provides optimal nutrition for mother and child, but also has ingredients to help boost your milk supply. The whole food ingredients will help you boost your immunity, improve your metabolism, provide better brain function, give you more energy, help with a restful sleep, and even give you glowing skin.
The protein powder supports your overall digestive health and is also easy to digest because of the unique probiotic blend, while helping combat oxidative stress and inflammation. And I love that it also helps alkalise your body. It’s gluten free, vegan, soy free, NON-GMO, and contains no refined sugars. All you have to do is add one scoop to your favorite milk or smoothie! Want to know the best part? Majka also makes a really fun, stylish, and unique shaker! It has a dry storage capsule allowing you to secure dry powder until you’re ready to mix it – so it’s perfect when you are on the go! I love that it’s BPA and DEHP-free and even has a pill compartment so you can conveniently carry your postnatal vitamins with you.
When I first went back to work after having my daughter, I was managing a behavior program at a local non-profit and although I had an office on our main campus, I was often driving from meeting to meeting all over town. Most of the time I didn’t have a place to pump or I was too embarrassed to ask. Other times I forgot or time would just evaporate and hours would go by because I was so busy and wasn’t thinking about it. Because of this schedule, I often would go hours without eating or drinking, which I know didn’t help. I’m sure I was dehydrated and wasn’t consuming the recommended calories I should have. I was losing weight quickly and was back down to my pre birth weight in no time. It also didn’t help that my breasts didn’t get engorged or hurt if I went a long time between feedings or pumping so it wasn’t necessary to find a release as other moms did. I would sometimes go 5-6 hours without feeding or pumping. My milk supply may not have ever been very plentiful to begin with and even after going that long, I sometimes wouldn’t even produce much milk. I was literally running myself ragged.
I have always been a mom on the go. Whether I have been working, traveling, or driving around town running errands or creating play dates, I didn’t take enough time to take care of my body. And I typically would remember to pack snacks for my daughter but not for myself. What I needed was something efficient to take with me to keep up my energy and milk supply. The answer I was looking for was Majka’s Lactation Bites! These could have easily fit in my work bag to eat between meetings. The best part is that you only have to eat one or two bites a day to get all the nutritional benefits to support healthy milk production. Majka recommends to eat a bite an hour before pumping or breastfeeding. Each bite contains chia seeds, coconut, black sesame seeds, fenugreek, turmeric, oats and flaxseed, and Glossostemon Bruguieri. They are convenient, delicious, and packed with a ton of healthy goodness.
About 2-3 months after I went back to work, someone suggested I get a car adapter so I could pump in my car to and from meetings and throughout the day with some privacy when I was on the go. Although this helped tremendously, it didn’t solve the problem. I ended up consulting with a lactation specialist when my daughter was 6 months old, and with her help, I was able to get a boost in my milk supply and continue nursing for a few more months. I was instructed to pump after every feeding and every two hours in between feedings as well as take supplements and it was just too much. My entire life was about breastfeeding and it often led to so much agony that my milk supply stayed low because of all the stress I was feeling. My schedule continued to be busy and it just wasn’t possible to keep up this routine as a working mom. If you’ve ever been a pumping mom, you know the set up, the pumping, and the clean up isn’t easy.
With the continued time lapse between feedings and pumping sessions, stress, and not eating and drinking properly, I lost my milk supply when my daughter was 10 months old. I was devastated and remember crying after her final feeding. I felt like I was not a good mother and that I disappointed her (and me) somehow. I had so much guilt and so many regrets. But there was also a part of me that was relieved. I was prisoner to my pump and was happy to give it up. I wasn’t in fear any longer that she would bite me again as it hurt so much the first time since her first teeth came in around 5 months old! I could finally wear regular bras and clothes that didn’t revolve around making breastfeeding more manageable. I could sleep through the night and my husband could be more involved with the feedings. I felt like I was becoming “me” again and to a certain extent it was a nice feeling to get my life back as I once knew it. Luckily I had enough milk saved in the freezer that I was able to use half breastmilk and half organic formula until she was 11 months old. We then used organic formula for the next month or so until she switched to exclusively hemp milk soon after her first birthday.
As a mom that’s been there, I educate moms as much as I have the opportunity in sharing my story and providing helpful resources. You just don’t know until you know. The products that Majka makes really do help and it makes me feel better that I am taking an active role in keeping my milk supply up as much as I can. When I educate new moms on products to help their milk supply, I tell them to stock up. My best advice is to be educated, proactive, and preventative. If you sign up for Majka’s newsletter, you will get 20% off your first order. So don’t wait. Act now. Take your lactation self care into your own hands. Your baby will thank you later!
And as for me, I no longer view breastfeeding as easy. It is a 24/7 job. And although I have loved bonding with my babies and giving them all the benefits of my milk, it is hard work. Getting up throughout the night to feed is exhausting. Pumping is hard and inconvenient. Not being able to have certain freedoms can be frustrating. Having to wear specific bras and clothes in order to nurse easily is overwhelming. Using a nursing cover in public is awkward and irritating. And constantly having to keep up my milk supply is a never-ending task. It’s not as natural as I always thought. It takes work and I have to be mindful and proactive. But it is a beautiful gift and worth every feeding that I can give my baby. I wouldn’t change it for the world and hope I can inspire other moms to do the same.
Want to WIN this entire collection from Majka? Enter to win on my Instagram and Facebook now!
#FuelingMotherhood
Leave a Reply