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Six Breastfeeding Tips
You can prepare yourself for nursing your baby. This is what you need to know before you embark on your breastfeeding journey.
I had read a lot of articles on breastfeeding before my baby was born. I thought I was ready for engorgement and constant leaking of breast milk, but I was wrong. Some surprises were incredible, others almost made me quit nursing. This is why I am here to share the weird and wonderful aspects of feeding your baby with you body. So, listen up! These are the top breastfeeding tips that you should learn from your mother.
1. Nursing is an ongoing learning process for both you and your patients
Prenatal classes taught me that breastfeeding is a natural and even magical post-partum process. According to my prenatal class, babies have an instinct to "breast crawl" in order to latch on the first time.
My baby is different. My daughter was born via C-section. It wasn't safe for me or my baby to allow her to crawl around my body in the operating room. My doctor helped me to decide what to do. I nursed her within the first hour. Madeleine was tired and sleepy, which is understandable since being a mother is hard work. I worried that her large breasts would make it difficult for her to nurse or that she wouldn’t be able use my flat nipples.
Madeleine then developed jaundice at the age of one day. This is a common problem, especially in breastfed babies. The doctor on duty recommended light therapy for her. She spent 3-4 hours under special lamps. After 45 minutes, she went out to eat and then returned to the hospital.
My baby was so close to me, but it was still difficult emotionally. It was difficult to feed her without plenty of cuddle time between sessions.
Madeleine was exhausted from her jaundice and infrequent food that she couldn't nurse effectively by the time we left the hospital. My first night at home, I poured milk into Madeleine's mouth by hand and bounced her until she fell asleep. My husband helped me to stand when my legs began to fail and he rocked the baby and me together. We knew that we needed an expert.
2. Help is available.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although 83 percent of moms start breastfeeding, only 47 per cent are still nursing their baby at three months. Only one-third of mothers are still breastfeeding their baby by the time they turn one. This drop is likely due to a lack of support. A lactation consultant is a great help if you have difficulty breastfeeding in the first weeks.
Ania Gold, IBCLC, is a breastfeeder for Metropolitan Breastfeeding, which provides services in the greater Washington, D.C. region. La Leche League International (llli.org) is also her connection. Gold was a great help during those difficult first weeks. Gold helped me with my breastfeeding and pumping schedules. She also taught me how to use nipple protection to help latch better. She helped me adjust to my baby's changing needs when I was 6 weeks old and 3 months old.
My goal was to exclusively breastfeed. To get help from a lactation specialist, your situation doesn't need to be identical. Gold says that most moms want to breastfeed their babies as much as they can. She says that formula is only one bottle per day for some moms. Sometimes it's breastfeeding once or twice a day. Each mom and baby is different.
Do not be afraid to talk with a consultant on breastfeeding about how you can achieve success for your family. Reach out to another expert if a certain expert is uncomfortable working towards your goals. A support person can have a significant impact on your breastfeeding relationship and your baby's health.
3. Every feeding is unique
It can seem like a baby spends most of his or her day at the breast in the first weeks. Although a newborn should eat between 8 and 12 times per day, these cluster feeds will not last forever. Nature's way of increasing a mother's milk supply is through constant suckling, and feeling like a human pacemaker. This works on a supply-and demand system. The baby is only fulfilling the demand, the supply will follow.
Gold warns that girls don't like all the attention and it's not common for them to chafe. Tip: Get some lanolin! It's a difficult adjustment and not something that websites or books can tell you about. Breastfeeding can be done almost continuously for the first two weeks by some babies. They are ordering mom's milk and breastfeeding to be established.
You have plenty of time to observe your baby's development and learn about their hunger signs. Every stroke, every squeak is a sign of the little person you are getting to know. My favorite breastfeeding benefit was bonding with my baby. It was gratifying to strengthen the physical bond that we shared, especially since her birth wasn't what I had planned. My body supported and nurtured her throughout pregnancy, as it did during my own.
Sometimes, our nursing sessions were peaceful and tranquil. Other times, I would break a sweat wrestling my child back into place. Winter nights she would tuck her fist between my breasts where it was the warmest. Your baby can show a variety of behaviors at the breast. As long as it's not hurting you, that's fine.
4. It's possible for your boobs to feel strange
Breastfeeding is a great way to introduce your baby to breastfeeding.
Many women feel the sensation of milk letdown. This sensation is often described as a pins and needles sensation. Don't be alarmed if your breasts feel asleep. This could be the perfect time to breastfeed or use a pump.
You might experience some discomfort as your body determines how much milk your baby requires. It is possible to leak milk when you sleep or while having sex. You might feel uncomfortable in your breasts, which can lead to hardening and sensitive breasts.
A plugged milk duct could cause pain in your breasts if you feel it hurts. Clogs can be cleared by breastfeeding. Tip: While nursing, point baby's chin towards the lump. Your doctor or lactation consultant can help you determine if your baby is experiencing pain while feeding or how to best treat it.
5. The nature of breastfeeding can change over time
After the first few weeks, you may feel that everything is going well. However, your 6-week-old will want to nurse for hours and cry when you take him out. Before a feed, your breasts felt firmer. They feel all empty and soft now. Is your milk supply gone?
Not necessarily. New moms are known to overproduce milk. Your baby's appetite is not something your body can predict. You'll likely have a rhythm that works well for both you and your baby by the 6 week mark. Your body adapts to the amount of milk your baby needs, regardless of whether you breastfeed exclusively or mix of formula- and nursing.
Your baby is growing stronger and more alert. Around 6 weeks of age, infants will experience a fussy phase. You may also experience a growth spurt. Watch out if all of this happens simultaneously with your body's natural dip towards a "normal” milk supply. My baby girl and I spent three hours breastfeeding one afternoon, both of us crying. I wanted to breastfeed her, but she was so desperate that she had sucked every drop of my milk.
Call a lactation consultant if you are concerned about your baby's weight gain or not eating enough. If you are looking for ways to increase your milk supply, there are many options. Don't rush to diagnose low milk supply. It is possible that things will return to normal after a few days' worth of "cluster-feeding" sessions. You might find that your baby's supply of wet diapers drops if you don't give it enough time.
6. Public breastfeeding can be uncomfortable...or empowering.
You'll feel ready to go after a few weeks back at home. You will need to learn how to feed your children outside of the home if you add an outing to your daily schedule.
Public breastfeeding is legal. Public breastfeeding is legal in every corner of the country. If someone objects to your breastfeeding, you are not required to cover up or go to the bathroom.
Many new mothers are still nervous about breastfeeding in public. We were taught that breasts are private and should not be harassed. There are some things you can do that will make public feedings more comfortable.
Gold states that "Practice is one of the best things you can do to get started." When you feel comfortable, practice at home with your family and friends. Next, go to a support group where you can meet other moms with babies. This is your first public appearance.
If you are looking for privacy, a nursing cover is a great option. Strategic clothing choices can make it easier to keep your baby safe. You can access your breasts with button-down shirts, nursing tank tops and other low-cut tops. Remember to be relaxed and remember that most moms believe public breastfeeding is natural.
Gold says that while the media make a big deal about these breastfeeding moms being approached in public places and made a lot of noise about it, most people don’t notice a mother nursing her baby."
I have nursed in restaurants and at the zoo as well as on trains and planes packed with people. Other mothers have encouraged me with a few encouraging comments. As I was nursing my daughter on a park bench while she was asleep, a woman running past me gave her thumbs up in a double thumbs-up. She called out over her shoulder, "I nursed two!"
It may surprise you to see how supportive breastfeeding can be. My first outing post-baby was an apple picking trip. While we were in an orchard, my daughter began crying. I managed to pull her up while she was still standing. It was amazing to be able to breastfeed after struggling for so long. It was almost as if there were more people around to witness it.
Although breastfeeding can be difficult, it can be an important part of your relationship. The quiet moments when my baby falls asleep with her stomach full and my hand on my heart are the best. It doesn't matter what you do with your baby's food, it is important to enjoy this new bond.
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