EXCLUSIVE: Breastfeeding Tips From Ali Landry

Finally, get the DL on Ali Landry's breasts!

The former beauty queen turned actress has been giving Pereziots.com exclusive star parenting advice. But now that she has a infant back home it's time to the talk. That's right, this week is all about the breastfeeding!

Ali writes:

"Today I write to you from “Command Central,” a little workstation I set up for myself while I nurse. I feel like nursing is ALL I’ve been doing for the past three weeks. I’m covered in spit-up and have been wearing the same clothes for probably the past two days. I have a serious case of cabin fever, but I’m so glad I’m doing this.

Breastfeeding is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child. Sure it can be painful, messy and extremely time consuming, but the benefits your baby will reap from it are worth all those sacrifices. Nursing is meant to be a beautiful time between a mother and her child."

Here are Ali's tips for making it the lovely experience it’s supposed to be:

· First of all, mentally prepare yourself for the first few months in which you will not be able to get much done because you will have a baby almost permanently attached to your chest. And just when you think you have the timings and feeding schedules all figured out, the baby will have a growth spurt and completely alter everything you thought you had so well planned.

· Many of us worry that our babies aren’t getting enough milk because we have no way to accurately gauge their consumption at each feeding. In order to increase milk production, I have used herbal remedies like fenugreek, fennel and milk thistle with great success. Expressing milk often also helps a lot. My Medela electric breast pump coupled with my Simple Wishes Hands-Free Pumping Bra (which holds the pump in place) is a miracle of modern science that allows me to pump while I go about my business.

· My Brest Friend nursing pillow allows both Marcelo and I to be comfortable while he nurses and provides ideal positioning for latch-on. It also has a pocket where I can keep my feeding charts and stuff.

· Above all, when you feel like you are completely alone in this and wonder when (or if) you will ever get it together, remember we are all in the same boat. With a little patience and lot of love, things will eventually smooth over and you will settle into a routine that will allow you to enjoy the beauty of breastfeeding.

Thank you so much Ali! We LOVE how open she is with our readers!

To share your own mommy must haves, visit Ali’s just-launched interactive Spokes Mom’s site, SpokesMoms.com.

Keep up with Ali via Twitter @AliLandry!

[Image via Ali Landry.]

Tags: actress, ali landry, babies, breastfeeding, exclusive, infant, mom, moms, parenting, tips