The Power of Breastfeeding: Insights from Mikki-Michelle of Atelier Miks
In the context of World Breastfeeding Week, Mikki-Michelle from Atelier Miks shares her valuable insights into breastfeeding.
At Kideo.store, we believe in offering more than just quality products. We want to inspire and support parents with valuable knowledge and insights. That's why we're highlighting topics that enrich parenting. This week, the focus is on breastfeeding—enjoyable, challenging, and full of learning opportunities.
Discover how to prepare yourself, what support and knowledge you need, and how to make the most of this special time in Mikki's blog. With her practical tips and encouraging advice, Mikki will help you navigate your breastfeeding journey with confidence and joy. Get inspired by Mikki's expertise and make your breastfeeding journey easier and more enjoyable!
My name is Mikki-Michelle from Atelier Miks, and my book "Voedvrouwen" (Feeding Women) was published a month ago. It was born from my own intense breastfeeding journey, and I felt it was time to create more support for women who choose to feed their little one with their own body. Magic!! Along with 45 other women, I'm sharing our intimate experiences. The bad AND the good stories, because thankfully, it often works out.
How is that possible? Why does it "work" less and less these days?
In my view, it all starts with knowledge and support. Currently, I think there's still room for improvement in both areas. We often prepare less well, or not at all, for the postpartum period, unlike the birth and all the supplies we need for the baby.
But what about your fourth trimester? What are your postpartum wishes?
The best way to start breastfeeding is by building knowledge and creating support around you. Read about the wonders of breast milk, discover other women's stories through my book "Voedvrouwen" ( Fedders), talk to friends, and explore why breastfeeding is so important for you and your baby. Talk to your partner, take a class together, find a good lactation consultant, and create a breastfeeding plan in advance for after the birth. Make sure your partner is also aware of the benefits of breastfeeding. Tell those around you that the first few weeks are all about breastfeeding, discovering each other, and getting to know each other. If they have any questions, this is a good time to explain why you want to do this, so they can support and guide you. Find a good maternity nurse or postpartum doula with extensive breastfeeding experience, and make sure you can practice together with your baby in peace. You're both doing this for the first time, so give each other the time and space. You were made for this together; you truly can do it. And know that it often doesn't 'work' right away, as we might expect with something so natural.
"The best start to breastfeeding is building knowledge and creating support around you."
Because of the knowledge you've gained by now, you know it can sometimes take a while for you both to find a rhythm. Some teams take six months to do this, so don't get stressed out too quickly. Give it time and ensure you have the right knowledge around you. Something you can't prepare for, just like with childbirth, is the feeling of breastfeeding. When your baby latches on well and you're able to stimulate your breast (note: not your nipple, as this can often be incredibly painful), two hormones begin to flow. These hormones are called prolactin and oxytocin, both essential for breast milk production. Your prolactin levels are highest at night, which is why you'll often pump more at that time if you're a full-time pumper. The hormone oxytocin triggers the let-down reflex, as it's so aptly called. It contracts the muscles around your mammary glands, pushing the milk forward through the milk ducts. This feels different for every woman, but most describe it as a kind of pressure, stabbing, or tingling sensation, followed by a release. You can have multiple let-down reflexes per feeding. Oxytocin also causes your uterus to contract, which is very important after delivery.
If you've been on your breastfeeding journey as a team for a while, you might be thinking about when you return to work. What about pumping, pumping rights, milk temperatures, etc.? You're entitled to paid pumping time for up to nine months after giving birth. Your production stabilizes around six months after giving birth, and from that point on, it can often withstand a few bumps. Your baby has fully regulated its production, and your breasts are adapted to it. After nine months, you might notice that feedings decrease slightly during the day and/or are made up in the evening or at night. What you could do after nine months is pump during your breaks and possibly discuss with your employer whether you can make up your pumping time later that day. When you get home, let your baby nurse whenever they want, and if you really feel your production is decreasing due to the new circumstances, you can always power pump once a day or once every two days. This simulates a cluster feeding in case your baby is unable to pick it up independently.
Warming breast milk for daycare, babysitting, or family days when you're at work is easy in a double boiler, or even easier with a bottle warmer that you can adjust the temperature to. Never set it higher than body temperature. You can also give it lukewarm, but this depends more on your baby's preference.
If you as a team have been engaged in your breastfeeding adventure for a while, you may be thinking about the time when you might go back to work.
What about pumping, pumping rights, milk temperatures, etc.?
You're entitled to paid pumping time for up to nine months after giving birth. Your milk supply stabilizes around six months after giving birth, and from that point on, it can often withstand a few bumps. Your baby has fully regulated its production, and your breasts are adapted to it. After nine months, you might notice that feedings decrease slightly during the day and/or are made up in the evening or at night. After nine months, you could pump during your breaks and possibly discuss with your employer whether you can make up your pumping time later that day. When you get home, let your baby nurse whenever they want, and if you really feel your supply is decreasing due to the new circumstances, you can always power pump once a day or once every two days. This simulates cluster feeding in case your baby isn't ready to pick it up.
Warming breast milk for daycare, babysitting, or family days when you're at work is easy in a double boiler, or even easier with a bottle warmer that you can adjust the temperature to. Never set it higher than body temperature. You can also give it lukewarm, but this depends more on your baby's preference.
Keep up the good work, mother goddesses! You rock!
Love,
Mikki-Michelle
Would you like to know more about Mikki-Michelle?
Then visit her website for more information: Atelier Miks
Also don't forget to follow her on Instagram for the latest updates and inspiring content: @ateliermiks
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