Just like all parents, celebrity parents also struggle during those precious first few days, and even weeks, after birth. Whether it's trying to get by on basically sleepless nights, dealing with the effects of postpartum depression, or experiencing a wide range of feeding issues, nobody is immune to the anxiety and stress that the arrival of a new baby can bring.
Kat Von D, television personality and founder of Kat Von D Beauty, recently took to Instagram to share a common struggle that many parents of a newborn can certainly relate to. The new mom - who gave birth to her first son Leafar with husband Rafael Reyes (Leafar is Rafael spelled backwards) earlier this month - confessed that things weren't going great in the feeding department shortly after his birth.
"During the first two days of Leafar’s life, his blood sugar count had been low, and as much as I had committed myself to strictly breastfeed, my milk hadn’t come in yet,” she wrote, as part of a detailed caption and alongside a photo of her breastfeeding her son. She went on to say that her pediatrician suggested she inquire if any friends had any extra milk to donate, but if not, formula might be her only other option.
Admitting that this was not the route she wanted to take, she reached out to her midwife who put her in touch with a local postpartum doula, who also happened to be a mom.
"Without even knowing me, and without question, [she] stepped up and donated a few ounces to us in the middle of the night," she recalled.
Thanks to the kindness of a complete stranger, Leafar's levels rose and the L.A. Ink star and her new little one were able to continue their breastfeeding journey happily at home.
"This is true community," she said. "True sisterhood. True kindness. And I can’t wait to pay it forward one day soon."
Von D and Seyer were married last February in a surprise wedding just one week after announcing their engagement, however, they have been romantically linked since 2015. It is the second marriage for Von D, who was previously wed to fellow tattoo artist Oliver Peck from 2003-2007.
The tattoo artist announced that she and Seyer were expecting a baby boy earlier this year, taking to Instagram to reveal they would soon be welcoming a little boy. Leafar was born on December 2.