Jeannie Mai is getting serious once more, this time about nursing, which she compares to childbirth.
The talk show presenter spoke up on Instagram on Friday about the challenges she’s having producing enough milk for her daughter, Monaco.
She commented alongside photographs of herself using a breast pump, “Been tackling this breastfeeding thing for two months.” “The most challenging part of this entire motherhood journey has been listening to a lactation nurse, reading advice online, and getting so much aid from other moms.” I knew it was going to be like this, but I never expected it to be like this. It was even more difficult for me than giving birth.”
Mai, 43, went on to say what a nurse instructed her to do in order to stay healthy.
“Since then, every 3 hrs looked like this: Latch, supplement with formula since I could only give her an ounce, (IF that), go and pump to signal to body to make more milk, set alarm to take milk thistle pills, sunflower Lecithin pills, drink fenugreek tea, massage boobs, in one hour prepare boobs with a hot compress or towel, wake the baby up, repeat. And two months later, I STILL don’t make enough milk to feed my baby,” she wrote.
“The Real” host revealed that she had to stop herself from comparing herself to other mothers and found that she was letting it affect her emotional health.
“I had to catch myself because it actually got to my mental, and things started to feel dark. Comparing myself to other moms, frustrated from the ups and down of pumping an ounce one day, nothing the next..and this is ON TOP of all the anxiety this journey can bring. Not complaining, actually here to give moms out there, breastfeeding or not, all the flowers and praise for doing your best to care for your baby-formula or boob. I have more respect for moms than ever in my life. And I have to remember me included 🥴✨🥇Hugs to every mom out there❤️” she concluded.
This isn’t the first time the former stylist has been so transparent about her pregnancy and post-pregnancy journey.
In January, she admitted that she felt like her lower half was “about to fall off” after giving birth.
“While being a new mom is the most exhilarating moment I have ever experienced in my life — nothing prepared me for postpartum. NOTHING,” she captioned an Instagram post. “No book I’ve read, advice I’ve gotten, that could have compiled ALL the things I’d need just to sit, lay down, walk, or even hold our baby.”
Mai and rapper Jeezy — whose real name is Jay Wayne Jenkins — tied the knot in April 2021 following her divorce from first husband, Freddy Harteis, in 2017.
Previously, Mai had not wanted to have children but that changed when she wed Jeezy, 44. She immediately began IVF treatments on their wedding day so they could start a family together and they welcomed their daughter in January.