Milk + Honey

How Shannon discovered Triple-Feeding in the NICU

Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding Story, NICUMaria MengelComment

This story comes from Shannon. Shannon discoved triple-feeding after a NICU stay with her first and found exclusive pumping the best option for her with her second. Read on to see how different her two stories are!

My breastfeeding journey started when I delivered my son at 29 weeks.  I unfortunately had many complications and was initially concerned about getting well enough to visit my son. I received a care package from an organization Today Is A Good Day, with items to help navigate the NICU. Inside was a bracelet that had “One day at a time” inscribed on it.  That ended up being my motto for our NICU and breastfeeding journey. Although my son was doing well in the NICU in the back of my mind I knew at any minute that could change and each good day was a step closer to having my son home. Providing breast milk for him was one thing I felt like I had some control over.

“I was so proud of myself when I was able to fill that syringe up.”

I vaguely remember a nurse asking me while recovering on the mom unit if I started pumping.  Shortly after she got us a pump and educated my husband.  Next thing I remember my husband was cracking open heating pads, warming me and helping me self express into a medicine cup.  We would then pull up the colostrum into a 5 ml syringe.  Then my husband would take it to the NICU.  After 24 hours I was able to hold my son.  The nurses encouraged me to continue to pump every 2-4 hours and to look at pictures or videos of my son while pumping. I was then moved to the maternity unit which was rough because I could hear other families and babies crying.  I got a message from the NICU that I needed more milk.  And if I couldn’t produce enough I could consent to using donor milk.  I didn’t want to use donor milk because there was just a case advertised on the news about milk being contaminated.  Luckily my younger sister was also breastfeeding and donated 6 ounces. I had never seen anyone else pump and was shocked how quickly she got those 6 ounces.  This special gift gave me time to allow my milk to come in.  As the days went on my supply came in and I was happy to continue to have enough milk for my son.  I was never stressed about having enough because he was taking less than I was pumping. I quickly graduated from syringes to” snappies” which held 2.5 oz.  My son was about a month old when we attempted to latch, we gave it a few tries with a breast shield.  The breast shield was helpful but hard to manage with one hand, along with all the cords my son was attached to.  I didn’t have high expectations, I just wanted us both to get comfortable.  At this time he still had a feeding tube. 

Learning how to take a bottle in NICU.

Eventually he was introduced to a bottle and we all were concerned about how much he could drink.  Whatever he didn’t finish was then placed in his feeding tube. I wasn’t attempting to breastfeed because I wanted him to be able to drink independently and knew this was a big goal to accomplish to go home. As time went on I got in a rhythm with pumping.  I had a schedule, got a 2nd set of pieces and kept one set at the NICU and one set at home.  We would still attempt to latch before feeding here and there.  I will never forget the time I got a message from his nurse saying that he finished his first bottle. I was so excited and knew he was closer to coming home.  Then a few days later, he finished a bottle with me.  I felt so accomplished.  I was never concerned or disappointed we were not breastfeeding, I was just happy I had enough to feed him and that it was helping him grow.  Exactly 2 months after we entered the NICU we were discharged.  I still have the voicemail of the doctor stating that he was cleared to be discharged and it was a great day to go home.  The same doctor was there when we were leaving. He asked how breastfeeding was going and I admitted I hadn’t been trying much because I was concerned about him taking his feeds independently. He encouraged me to keep trying and reminded me that he was still not a full term baby. And that some 40 week babies take weeks to figure it out.

Once home I continued to pump. But would attempt to latch and then give him a bottle and then pump.  I think the correct term is triple feed.  We tried different positions.  He preferred to nurse while I was laying down on my side.  We had follow up appointments with his NICU provider and they encouraged visiting a lactation consultant.  We went and they helped us with additional positions to try.  We began to get more comfortable but were still triple feeding.  My maternity leave was quickly coming to an end and I was debating if I should continue attempting to breastfeed or just pump.  Then the pandemic hit, and we were going to be home longer. At this point it was a little added motivation. My son was about 6 months old when we figured it out. We exclusively breastfeed until he was 25 months old.  We only stopped because I was expecting baby two in a few weeks.

Our last milk bank donation!


My second breastfeeding experience was very different.  My second son was born at 37 weeks. He immediately attempted to latch after birth.  I had some difficulty getting in a comfortable position in the hospital but we kept giving it a shot. He would get very sleepy and fall asleep and was only nursing for  5-10 minutes. Lactation consultant suggested self expressing into a spoon. That’s what we did. Once we got home we continued to attempt to breastfeed but he would get frustrated or distracted by his big brother. I also felt bad nursing him in front of my first son because he wanted to nurse as well.  Eventually, out of habit  I began pumping and feeding my son with a bottle. He seemed to enjoy the bottle more and at the time I was just satisfied he was being fed and getting the nutrients to grow and flourish.  I exclusively pumped for my 2nd son until he was about 18 months. It wasn't always easy but it's what worked out best for us. He began to wean himself around 15 months. I had a hard time decreasing my pumping schedule and it took about two months to eliminate my milk. Now that my breastfeeding journeys are over I'm sometimes sad I didn't have the same motivation the second time around but remind myself I was blessed to have a great supply to provide to my boys and other babies.  I ended up donating 603 ounces to a local milk bank that supplied donor milk to NICUs. And also donated about another 600 ounces to local moms.  I'm still holding on to some and got two beautiful pieces made by Milk and Honey.  I decided to share my stories to show other moms that everyone's breastfeeding stories are different and unique.  Whatever your body was able to do whether it was days,  months or years it is an accomplishment and special memory you will have with your child or children. 

Shannon with both of her adorable boys!

Shannon showing off her Milk+Honey Petite Pearl Choker made with milk from both her boys and her Milk+Honey Pearl Earrings (also using both milks)!

What do you think about Shannon’s story? We think she did amazing! Thanks for sharing Shannon!


Would you like to share your breastfeeding story on our blog? Submit it here!

As a “thank you” for being an amazing supporter of Milk + Honey and reading to the bottom of this blog, we want to offer you a discount on anything in our collection! Please use code BLOG10 at checkout for 10% your order total.

Brittany's Triple-Feeding Story with DMER

Maria MengelComment

No two breastfeeding journeys are the same... 

I started my breastfeeding journey in 2021 like many; hopeful, eager, excited, nervous. October 11, 2021 we had a perfect baby girl, smooth delivery (as smooth as it can go as an anxious new mom!), and we were welcomed into parenthood. My eager and exciting feeding feelings quickly turned into anxiety within the next 24 hours. Our baby was perfectly healthy but would fall asleep when she was feeding and quickly lost weight. I recall the young nurse telling us we would not be able to go home unless we had a plan for how we were going to feed her. I was willing to try anything, freshly postpartum in a fog of emotions and feelings, and when she said that it hit me hard. Why was this so difficult? Shouldn't it come naturally, I took the classes, I was prepared for nursing and feeding! I never expected to have a baby that had issues with feeding but here we were. We were willing to do anything, after meetings with lactation consultants, pumping, hand expressing, and nursing we were discharged from the hospital. Whew! We made it home, in the clear, so we thought. 

Our journey was anything but easy, and the following day we made it to our first pediatrician appointment, late of course (give yourself more than enough time and grace because you too may be late!). Our girl had lost MORE weight, we were triple feeding and were told it still wasn't enough. My stomach sank and nausea began to settle in. We were told to try fortifying the milk. Nursing, pumping, bottle feeding and putting formula in the pumped milk bottle, all to get her to gain weight. We would try that and come back in a few days. This continued for the next month of her life; I still shutter going to the pediatrician in anticipation that I am doing something wrong. I began pumping more and more to keep track of every ounce she was receiving and every time I would get my pump out I would feel that pit in my stomach again, nausea, anxiety, panic. Am I enough? Will I produce enough? What is wrong with my milk that it isn't providing? 

Our girl eventually started gaining weight and I assumed our nursing days were over. So much work, so much stress, but finally she was gaining weight and I accepted that I was an exclusive pumper. Although she was gaining weight, I still felt SO sick when pumping, the nausea was almost unbearable. I was embarrassed that when my precious newborn cried I had to leave the room because I felt so sick. I couldn't hold her to comfort her in fear I would be sick. The mom guilt was real. I spoke to my doctor and the pediatrician and was thankfully given medication to help but I was still baffled by the fact that I was so sick. It would only happen when I started to pump then it would go away. WHY? I attributed it to stress in those first few weeks but it never got better even when we were finally not at the doctor every other day. I of course took to the internet and discovered DMER. DMER is Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex. This leads to intense feelings when you have a milk let down, or begin pumping. Finally I felt like I wasn't crazy, that it wasn't just in my head, but a very real condition that others had too. Why didn't I learn that in my breast feeding course? 

DMER, I now could put a name to the feeling and felt some relief knowing that I was normal. Eventually it did improve overtime but it definitely wasn't easy. I began taking supplements and making sure I had eaten before I began pumping and sure enough I started nursing again too. I fed our first until she was 13 months old. I knew breastfeeding was a journey but never anticipated the intense sickness and the initial struggle. For my first Mother's Day my husband gifted me a Milk + Honey necklace, one I will cherish forever. All the hard work in one beautiful milk stone. 

Fast forward to present day. We had our second baby in December, fully anticipating the struggles, sickness, weight loss, and stress. I purchased formula, supplements, pulled out the anti-nausea medicine, washed all the bottles; I was prepared this time around. I also gave myself permission to feed my baby however was best for me, whether that be formula, breast milk, or donor milk. I would not suffer like I did before and if it didn't work out that was OK. Come to find out our second somehow knew exactly what to do from the very beginning. She had minor weight loss but nowhere near what our first had and we have continued to nurse. I have also been able to donate pumped milk to local NICU babies and I am happy to say I have no DMER this time around. No two journeys, or even babies are the same! Don't lose hope, give yourself grace, and above all know that you are not alone and that YOU know exactly what is best for you and your baby.

What do you think about Brittany’s story? We think she did a fantastic job of working toward a goal and setting goals for her second pregnancy! Thanks for sharing Brittany!


Would you like to share your breastfeeding story on our blog? Submit it here!

As a “thank you” for being an amazing supporter of Milk + Honey and reading to the bottom of this blog, we want to offer you a discount on anything in our collection! Please use code BLOG10 at checkout for 10% your order total.

Breastfeeding After the NICU: Gina's Story

Maria MengelComment

We received this breastfeeding story from Gina. Her daughter had a NICU stay and she struggled to figure things out in the hospital setting. Read on to find out what worked for her!

Pregnant with my first baby, I went to the hospital at 40+3. I was all packed with a suitcase which included my breast pump to check my size. My fluids were low so I was admitted, but my labor was slowly progressing. My daughter’s heart rate kept dropping during contractions, so the doctor was leery to proceed with Pitocin. Eventually, I was administered the Pitocin, to only slow down my labor further.

At 40+5 I finally gave birth after 5 hours of pushing due to baby being positioned sunny-side up. She came out and was placed on top of me. Before stimulation, I knew something was wrong. I didn’t touch her, I just started screaming that she wasn’t breathing. They immediately put her on the table and began working on her. No golden hour. After 20 agonizing minutes, they had her intubated. We found out she was choking on mucus. She was breathing on her own, but as a precautionary measure they kept her intubated. She was then transferred to a level 3 NICU. (The hospital where I delivered was only a level 2.) I was discharged 5 hours after giving birth because they told me it would take at minimum 24 hours before they could transfer me. That answer wasn’t good enough for me.

Right after I was discharged and able to see her.

I finally make it to the NICU to officially meet my baby and she is all hooked up. Those NICU nurses were such angels. My baby was in a cooling system to prevent any further brain damage and to monitor her for seizures. This meant I was unable to hold my baby until 4 days old. I had to wait until she was warmed up.

In the meantime, I reluctantly was going back and forth between home and the hospital. I was pumping every three hours day and night. I had pictures and videos of my baby. The nurses fed my baby my milk through the tube in her nose/mouth. At first, I wasn’t producing enough so she had donor’s milk. They kept encouraging me that I was doing a great job. I thought I was failing. I am the first to breastfeed in my family. My mom and grandmother both formula fed. This was all so new to me, but I knew that it was now more important than ever. Especially when we got the devastating news that she sustained some brain trauma resulting in an HIE (Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy). I persevered through the sad, lonely, sleepless nights. I didn’t feel like the hospital lactation consultants were very helpful. I don’t think they ever could have imagined how successful I ended up becoming with breastfeeding. I held her after 4 days, but the hospital setting was uncomfortable for us both. She was still all hooked up and it was hard to get a comfortable position. I worked on using a nipple shield, but again I didn’t feel proper support from the lactation consultants.

Discharge day 

2.5 months old here 

11 months old here on her first cruise 

After 8 long and dreadful days in the NICU, we finally made it home. I finally got her to latch successfully with the nipple shield. I did some research and found out that my insurance covered a lactation consultant to come in-home. She helped give me the confidence to continue our journey. After about 6 weeks, one night her and I were home alone and peaceful. I got her to latch! It was a magical moment.

I am proud to report that we’re still going at 13 months strong! It’s such a special bond that we worked so hard to achieve. We have been cleared from the Neurologist unless anything changes. She’s meeting all her milestones and is extremely sassy! So proud of us!

What do you think about Gina’s story? We think she did an amazing job to find the help she needed to succeed! Thanks for sharing Gina!

Would you like to share your breastfeeding story on our blog? Submit it here!

As a “thank you” for being an amazing supporter of Milk + Honey and reading to the bottom of this blog, we want to offer you a discount on anything in our collection! Please use code BLOG10 at checkout for 10% your order total.

Veteran's Day Encouragement to Young Military Families

Maria MengelComment

This Veteran’s Day, Bryana Bruner, wife of a US Army Ranger veteran, mother of three young children, and sister of Maria Mengel (co-owner of Milk + Honey) is here to share her story. You’ll hear about her breastfeeding joys, triumphs, struggles, heartache, and how she managed to survive much of it alone, while her husband was in training or on deployment. We hope that this can be an encouragement to any young mother or military family.

During my first pregnancy, I spent zero time worrying about breastfeeding. I watched so many women breastfeed their babies and it looked so magical. It looked easy. Sure, I heard the stories about poor latches and soreness, but I took a class and thought I had that part figured out. What I wasn’t prepared for was the tongue and lip ties, dairy intolerance, nursing strikes, triple feedings, supplemental nursing system, thrush, and mastitis. This was all in the first three months of my son’s life and I somehow continued to breastfeed him until Luke was 14 months old. But enjoyable… not so much. It wasn’t what I imagined and I spent a lot of time alone trying to figure this out. My husband barely made it home from a deployment to make the birth of our son and he was traveling for training during the majority of the first year of his life. I didn’t even realize at the time how alone I felt through this process. Not only alone, but ashamed that it didn’t come easy for me. I struggled to reach out for help in every capacity and held in most of my fears, struggles, and anxiety. 

It wasn’t until I had my second child that I realized how deeply that breastfeeding experience had an impact on me. A few weeks after our second was born, we learned that my husband was going to deploy again. She had actually been nursing wonderfully and we were having no issues. Until my anxiety set in, that is. I started having so much anxiety surrounding feeding my little baby girl that I was unable to function normally. I can remember waking up in the morning and the anxiety would hit me like a brick wall. I could literally feel it rush into my body as my eyes opened. I started to worry. I worried that she wasn’t getting enough milk, so I began taking her to a lactation consultant to get weighted feeds. The fact that I could see the ounces of milk she was taking in still did not convince my brain that all was well. I worried that she would develop a dairy intolerance like her brother and I became obsessed with every diaper and every little fussy noise that she made. I worried that every time she didn’t seem hungry and it had been two hours since she had eaten, that she was going to starve and my supply was going to drop. She was an amazing sleeper but I worried that she was sleeping too much, so I would wake her every three hours to eat. I became exhausted with worry and fear, and my husband was gone. I knew based on how immense these feelings became, that I needed help and support this time. 

We walked through so many hardships while my husband was in the Army. But what I quickly learned, back in 2012 when we got married, was that military life will literally place people in your life. These people are not an accident and they become family. They are willing to answer the phone, listen when life is hard, bring you dinner, or in my case, walk with me through one of the most difficult times of my life. Every step of the way. It is quite amazing the bonds that you can make with people that you haven’t known for very long, and the lengths that people will go to help you. I ended up nursing Sarah until she was two years old and it became the most beautiful experience. I went on to have another baby and I am still currently nursing him at 18 months old. Military life is hard. But wow, the people that I met along that journey and the selflessness and love that I received from them was worth every step. So many are still walking through that life and I encourage anyone, military or not, to reach out when life is hard. The people that will help you are there. There are quite literally so many amazing people on this planet and you were placed right where you are, with the people that you need and that need you most, by design.

Make the friendships, enjoy the company, and accept the help when you need it. 

Any other military families out there who can relate? How was your experience? What differed for you? How did you cope with being a mother while your partner was away? Or, if you are a mother in the military yourself, how have you managed your feeding journey?

As a “thank you” for being an amazing supporter of Milk + Honey and reading to the bottom of this blog, we want to offer you a discount on anything in our collection! Please use code BLOG10 at checkout for 10% your order total.

"Out of the Box" Date Night Ideas

Maria MengelComment

Are you and your partner struggling to find fun ways to spend time together? Maybe it’s too difficult to find a sitter who can put your kids to bed or even find a sitter at all! Maybe your budget is a little tight this month due to back to school supplies, Christmas, or your middle child getting braces. Or maybe dinner and a movie is just getting old! 

We’ve put together a list of some fun options - some that don’t even require a babysitter or much money! Scroll through our list of some of our favorite date night ideas and start planning your next date night!

No babysitter required & budget friendly! 

TV Marathon - I know what you’re thinking - how is this different from any other night?! Well, for starters, it’s INTENTIONAL. Pick a favorite show you like to watch together and maybe grab some of your favorite snacks! Be intentional about sitting down together and leaving the phones alone. (Maybe you can turn them off or put them in another room!) Let the remaining chores of the day sit and just spend time watching a favorite show you both enjoy! Since you’ve likely seen it many times, this also allows for conversation.

Game Night - Pull out some of your favorite board games that can be played with only two players and sit down at the table for some fun! Plan ahead and grab your favorite snacks and drinks! One of mine and my husband's favorite games is Yahtzee because it doesn’t take much “brain power” and allows us to be able to talk while playing. Check out our “FAMILY” board for a list of our favorite games (many great for kids and adults when you want to have a Family Night!).

Go Star Watching - Throw some blankets and throw pillows in the back of a truck or make a nice spread on the ground. Pack some hot chocolate (for those chilly nights) or your favorite cold beverages along with some of your favorite snacks and watch the sky. Download the Star Walk 2 app to use a guide! (Plan ahead for a night with expected meteor showers!)

Take a Bubble Bath - If you have a tub big enough for two, then fill it up, add some epsom salts or bubbles, light some candles and jump in! You can take turns giving each other a massage or just relax and have some good conversation! Tub not big enough for both of you? Pick a book you might both be interested in and pull up a chain next to the tub. You can take turns in the water while the other one reads. Check out this card “game” to help spark meaningful conversation!

Babysitter needed, but still budget friendly!

Dinner on a Budget - This one involves you and your partner cooking dinner for each other. You will start by setting a budget (it’s more fun if you make it a “shoestring budget”, but you can choose to do whatever suits your taste and wallet. Each of you takes a course or two. Pick from appetizers, main course, side dishes, and desserts. Plan out your meal and feel free to use any items you already have in the house! Then go shopping! Remember, you have to stay within your predetermined budget! Come home and get to cooking! 

Geocaching - “The World’s Largest Treasure Hunt”. Start by downloading the Geocaching app and GO! There really isn’t anything to prepare or do, just let the app lead you. This does involve some driving, so you will either want to start with a full tank of gas or make a gas station one of your first stops. If you live in a big city, you may be able to park and walk around. 

Have a Picnic - This may seem like a “no brainer”, but due to its simplicity, it is often forgotten. This is a great date idea you can do during the day if you don’t have sitters who are available to watch your kids in the evenings or put them to bed. Fall is my favorite time of year to go on a picnic with my husband. We always pack mulled apple cider and apple cider donuts. 

Go for a Hike - Pack your backpack with any gear you may need and hit a local trail! Maybe you add a picnic lunch in there as well (above)! 

May require planning ahead.

Go Berry Picking - Is there a local strawberry or blueberry “U-Pick” nearby? Head out for some one on one time picking some berries. BONUS: Look up a simple jam recipe and make some jam when you get home!

“Tourist” Date - Do you live in a “tourist” area? Have a day/night and play tourist! Do all the fun local things that you probably don’t do often! Mini golf on the Boardwalk, go-kart racing, that cute little (or not so little) amusement park nearby, check out your local zoo, take a hot air balloon ride at your local balloon festival, join in on karaoke night at a local joint - the possibilities are endless!

Do Something New - Each of you write a list of things you want to do or things that maybe you have some interest in but are too scared to try. Go through the lists together and pick items to start crossing off your list. This is not only fun, but it may help you check items off your “bucket list”. It may also provide a great opportunity for you to open up to your partner about some of your fears that you can face together and overcome!

We also have lots of great Family Fun ideas to help you think “outside the box” and build some great core memories as a family! Check them out below!

Terri - General Manager at Milk + Honey Jewelry

As a “thank you” for being an amazing supporter of Milk + Honey and reading to the bottom of this blog, we want to offer you a discount on anything in our collection! Please use code BLOG10 at checkout for 10% your order total.

Breastfeeding Basics: Milk Storage Guidelines

Maria MengelComment

When it comes to breastfeeding, one of the most commonly asked questions is “How long is my milk good for?”. Alaina, a Certified Lactation Counselor who happens to also be our office administor, was happy to answer this question for us! We hope this information is helpful!

Important tips and reminders:

  • All milk should be stored in sterile breastmilk storage bags. See our favorite storage bags HERE.

  • Label all stored milk with date and amount of milk. Squeeze excess air out of the bag to freeze flat to optimize space. 

  • Milk stored in a deep chest freezer will last longer than a refrigerator freezer.

  • Thaw milk in a small container in case it leaks.  

  • Milk should never be re-frozen after it has been completely thawed. 

  • Any milk leftover after a feeding should be used within 2 hours. 

  • Power outage? Don’t worry! If milk is stored in a full freezer, it should be safe for about 48 hours. If your freezer is not full, it is safe for about 24 hours. Remember not to open the doors during an outage. If your milk still has ice in it and is not completely thawed, it is safe to refreeze. 

  • Power outage and you can’t save your milk? No worries. We can turn it into something beautiful!!! Or, check out our past blog with lots of other uses for your milk!

Alaina Leimbach, CLC (certified lactation counselor)

Office Administrator at Milk+Honey

Check out some of the other great blogs Alaina has written!

As a “thank you” for being an amazing supporter of Milk + Honey and reading to the bottom of this blog, we want to offer you a discount on anything in our collection! Please use code BLOG10 at checkout for 10% your order total.