Life after baby? It’s a blur of diaper changes, sleepless nights, and trying to remember the last time you washed your hair. And if you’ve recently added a new little human to your crew while also juggling a toddler, a move, and the general chaos of existing? Well, let’s just say I see you, I am you, and we deserve all the coffee (and maybe a nap).

Some of you might remember my Instagram SOS a few weeks back when I was deep in the trenches of breastfeeding struggles. The DMs flooded in with advice, solidarity, and so much love—thank you for that. Since so many of you asked for the full story (and the tips that actually worked), here’s the real, raw, and slightly lumpy (thanks, mastitis) truth about my journey this time around.

The Expectation vs. Reality of Round Two

With Chloe, breastfeeding eventually clicked—after the usual bumps, of course. So when Colette arrived, I figured, I’ve got this. Muscle memory, right?

Cue the universe laughing hysterically.

Instead of slipping back into the rhythm, my milk took its sweet time coming in. Like, days of waiting, worrying, and side-eyeing my body like, Hello? We’ve done this before? And just when a trickle turned into a flow, mastitis hit me like a freight train. For anyone who hasn’t experienced it, imagine the worst flu you’ve ever had… but also your chest is on fire, swollen to the size of bowling balls, and every slight movement makes you want to cry. Oh, and you still have to feed a tiny, hungry human every two hours. Fun!

The Formula Lifeline (And Zero Guilt About It)

Here’s the thing: I’ve always been team fed is best, but in the moment, when my supply plummeted and Colette needed more than I could give, the mom guilt crept in. Shouldn’t my body know what to do? But then I remembered: Formula exists for a reason. It’s science magic that keeps babies full and thriving, and there’s no trophy for suffering through cluster feeds just to say you did it “all naturally.” (Spoiler: The trophy is a happy, healthy baby. That’s it.)

So for a few days, we combo-fed while I scrambled to figure out how to get my supply back up. And let me tell you—the mom community came through with so many tips. I tried a bunch, and these are the ones that actually moved the needle:

What Actually Worked for Me

1. Power Pumping Like It Was My Job

• 20 minutes on, 10 off, repeat for an hour. It mimics cluster feeding and signals your body to make more milk. Brutal on sleep, but it worked.

1. Hydration Overload

• Water. So much water. Plus coconut water, body armor drinks, and lactation teas (though fair warning, some taste like dirt).

1. Oatmeal Every. Single. Morning.

• Not the sexy answer, but a big bowl of oats with flaxseed and brewers’ yeast became my breakfast ritual. Bonus: It’s hard to spill while holding a baby.

1. Heat + Massage Before Feeds

• A warm compress and gentle massage helped clear any lingering clogs and made letdowns easier.

1. All the Snacks

• Lactation cookies (store-bought because I’m not a martyr), nuts, and anything with healthy fats. Eating enough is KEY.

1. Skin-to-Skin (Even When It Felt Pointless)

• Stripping us both down and just cuddling between feeds helped my hormones chill out and reminded my body, Hey, we’ve got a baby to feed.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Slowly, things turned around. My supply inched up, the mastitis cleared (bless antibiotics), and Colette chunked up nicely—whether from breastmilk, formula, or sheer willpower, who knows. But the biggest lesson? Flexibility is survival. Some days were all about the boob; others, the bottle saved us. And that’s more than okay—it’s parenting.

So if you’re in the thick of it, drowning in Google searches and well-meaning (but overwhelming) advice? Take a breath. Try what feels right for you. And remember: However your baby gets fed, you’re doing an incredible job.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with my couch, a giant water bottle, and approximately 17 more loads of laundry. The glamour never ends. 💛