I’m sharing five breastfeeding tips every new mom needs!
Are you a new momma starting out on your breastfeeding journey? Pregnant and considering breastfeeding? Are you simply curious about breastfeeding and how to be successful? This blog post is for you!
When I was beginning my breastfeeding journey I was clueless. Part of the reason I began blogging is to share a lot of the experiences and tips I learned along the way to help prepare new mommas for the journey of motherhood.
Below are the breastfeeding tips every new mom needs!
1. Keep the baby near your breasts
Place your baby on your breasts as soon as you are able and allow your baby to try to breastfeed. Having your baby on or near your breasts signals your brain to make more milk.
In more technical terms, the brain sends a signal to produce the hormones prolactin and oxytocin. These hormones work together to make milk and squeeze it out for your baby. Even if the baby is not latched, just allowing them to touch or suckle at your breasts is important.
If possible, as soon as you deliver, place your baby on your chest. Not only is it one of the most memorable moments of your life, but it is also an immediate reward for everything you’ve been through the past 9 (plus) months.
The American Academy of Pediatrics mentions several benefits of skin-to-skin contact. Among these many benefits is increased breastfeeding. According to research, during each opportunity to breastfeed, momma and baby’s beta-endorphin levels rise, rewarding and reinforcing momma and baby interactions.
Tip: Your partner should get some skin-to-skin too!
2. Feed on demand
It’s not only important to have your baby on your breasts, but also to have your baby on your breasts OFTEN.
I had NO IDEA how often my son would need to feed the first few weeks.
In the hospital, I felt like he was constantly on my breasts. I thought this meant I was doing something wrong! I was so frustrated and was feeling so guilty.
Later, I learned he was cluster-feeding! Cluster feeding occurs when your baby feeds several times in a very short period. They will ask to eat, feed, doze off, ask to eat, feed, doze off, fuss, ask to eat, etc. over and over again. While exhausting, cluster feeding is totally normal and to be expected.
Until your milk comes in, only a few drops of nutrient-packed colostrum are coming from your breasts. Feeding your baby as often as they like is important to get that milk flowing and keep your baby nourished.
Tip: Your baby will most likely lose weight up to the first week they are born. The American Pregnancy Association found that breastfed babies can lose 7% – 10% of their birth weight within the first week of life. This is normal.
3. Be mindful of your position
When I was in the hospital after Baby Boy was born my positioning was all wrong. The nurse gave me extremely useful advice that transformed my breastfeeding experience.
I will share that same wisdom from my nurse with you:
Support your back.
- Use pillows if you’re sitting in bed, sit all the way back on the couch, or sit straight up in a chair. Never, ever slouch down or lean over to breastfeed.
Bring your baby to you and not the other way around.
- This goes back to supporting your back. Leaning over to bring your boobs to your baby is uncomfortable and creates a strain on your neck and back. Once I leaned back and supported by back and brought the baby to me, my body immediately relaxed. This is where the boppy really helped! Click here for my list of must-have baby items.
Try different positions until you find something that works for the two of you.
- There are various positions for breastfeeding. Keep trying different ones until you get a rhythm.
It’s okay to detach and try again.
- If you’re feeling pain when your baby latches it’s okay to detach and try the latch again. Use one or two fingers around the baby’s mouth to gently break the seal around your breast and allow your baby to get a better latch. If he’s latched correctly you shouldn’t feel any pain. Your nipples may still be sore, but the actual latch should not be causing pain.
4. Everyone’s nipples are different
I remember watching one of the mandatory safety videos at the hospital and thinking “my nipples DO NOT look like that!” “Is that how my nipples are supposed to look?” “Does that mean I can’t breastfeed?”
Am I the only person on Earth who didn’t realize that people have different types of nipples?!
I immediately asked to speak to a lactation consultant to express my concern. Fortunately, she assured me that the size of a woman’s boobs and the type of nipple a woman has does not determine whether or not she can breastfeed.
While it may be more difficult for mommas with certain kinds of nipples to get a proper latch immediately, it isn’t impossible! Your baby will adjust over time and hopefully grow to prefer your breasts.
The lactation consultant gave me a nipple shield to help Baby Boy get a proper latch. Breastfeeding felt SO much better when I used my nipple shield. It was life-changing and gave me so much relief. I only had to use it on one of my nipples and I only used it as needed, when I couldn’t get a proper latch. The nipple shield made a world of a difference in the first two weeks.
5. Don’t give up!
You’re exhausted, your baby is always hungry, your nipples hurt, and you’re wondering “am I doing this right? Is he getting enough?”
All of these thoughts are totally normal!
Push through the doubts and ignore those with negative commentary who don’t understand, release the negative energy, and know that breastfeeding has so many benefits for your baby.
The benefits far outweigh the negatives you’re feeling right now. It took me about four weeks to really get comfortable breastfeeding and for my son and me to get the groove of things.
Below are the breastfeeding tips every new mom needs!
Remember, your baby is a person. You have to learn them just like they have to learn you. Be kind to yourself and enjoy the process. When you get the hang of it, you’ll be whipping your boob out without a second thought. Once you and your baby get it down, breastfeeding is amazing and SO good for your little one.
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