Hi mama! Making the decision to breastfeed your infant but need some breastfeeding tips? I will share with you my experience and what I’ve learned along the way. Breastfeeding is no walk in the park and like many other moms, I too struggled in the beginning a lot.
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Choose what is best for you both
Breastfeeding comes with many benefits but in the end make the decision that works for you both. Speak to your doctor and baby’s pediatrician when discussing this. Because breast-feeding is hard enough we don’t need the pressure from others. Don’t stress over it to the point of putting your health in jeopardy. I say this because your family needs you to be healthy physically & mentally.
I just wanted to share that before jumping into the breastfeeding tips.
Drink a lot of water
For milk supply to increase we need moms to stay hydrated. What helped me was refilling my Brita a lot. Having it full at all times allowed me to drink water more consistently.
I recommend water as your primary source of liquids because its healthy and it helps to flush out any toxins inside of our body. So please drink water, if you need to purchase water bottles more frequently then do so. Drink a glass of water before night time too.
Maintain a healthy diet
Take your Prenatal vitamins everyday. They are very important because it provides vitamins and nutrients to your body.
You are your baby’s food source so everything you eat affects their well being. This is why eating healthy should be a priority and on my list of breastfeeding tips.
Eat fruits, salads, vegetables, protein, whole grains, and dairy too.
Regarding helping your milk supply, try making soup more often. In it you can add vegetables, chicken and it has water. Water really helps with milk supply. The best way to increase your milk supply is to focus on eating healthy and staying hydrated.
Rest and exercise as much as possible. I honestly suggest to go for walks. Walking is great as it helps physically and mentally. Going out for walks and getting some vitamin D (sunlight) can boost your immune system too. Great way to get fresh air for the both of you.
Are they eating enough?
The best way to know if your baby is feeding well is by the amount of wet diapers (6-8 in a day). This amount is mainly for babies who are at least a week old.
Always pay attention to any signs of dehydration for example: sunken “soft spot on top of head”, dry tears, dry mouth, less than 6 wet diapers. If you notice any signs of dehydration please call their pediatrician.
Check out their sleep patterns. When full, they will sleep or be happy/content for 2-3 hours. Look at their hands, they will be open or relaxed not in a closed fist when full.
If they are hungry, babies tend to put their fists in their mouth, cry, suck on their hands. If you carry them they might turn their little heads to the boob and that is a sign to feed.
It is helpful to keep track of their feedings to make it easier for all. Breastmilk digest quicker too so the demand for feedings might be higher. Remember to alternate boobs after each feeding to help empty them out. If you began with the left boob then the next feeding start with your right.
Don’t stop trying
Even when it looks like all has failed but you’ve managed to breastfeed for 5 minutes that is great! Whenever a baby feeds it sends a signal to our body to create more milk. The more you have the baby on the boob the better.
I remember at the hospital my lactation consultant giving me a nipple shield to help with my breastfeeding. They come in different sizes and are meant to temporarily assist infants in learning to latch on. Once they get the hang of it you are to discontinue the use of it.
Remember practice makes perfection!
They sell breastfeeding pillows to help you raise the baby to the level of the breast. Honestly a simple bed pillow can also do the trick.
In my experience, I have found breastfeeding pillows to be a little too high for my liking. However, I do find them useful later on.
Many of these breastfeeding pillows help babies to lounge in, have tummy time and assist with sitting up. The one I had showed at what month you can do these with your baby via their attached tags. I really liked this feature.
It should not hurt
This is by far the most important breastfeeding tip I can honestly give you. I use to struggle in the beginning but I kept repeating this to my self “Breastfeeding should not hurt.”
It’s okay to have a little discomfort in the beginning while the baby latches on and milk begins to come down but afterwards it shouldn’t. Nursing your baby should feel relaxing and comfortable. Make sure your back is not hurting. Apply a pillow behind if needed. Try different breastfeeding positions to find which works best for you both.
If it is hurting you even after the baby has been nursing then perhaps you are doing it wrong. It’s okay just stick your pinky finger at the corner of the baby’s mouth to help release and stop the sucking. Now try again, again, and again if necessary.
Always bring the baby to the breast not the other way around. Also, wait for their mouths to fully open. This is very important because if not, then it will hurt as they will only be sucking the nipple.
Remember you want them to latch on to the breast and this includes the nipple and some of the areola area. That is the key.
The areola is the dark circular area around the nipple. It’s main purpose is to help with lubricating the nipple thru its glands during feeding. In addition, the areola area has milk ducts which are the tubes that carry milk to the nipple. These milk ducts need to fully be drained to avoid having any clogged milk. Nurse your baby as much as you can and if you still have a lot of milk remaining (feeling engorged) then I suggest to pump.
Cracked and sore nipples
It is prone to happen especially in the beginning. What helped me was rubbing my own breast milk around my nipples. Seriously, this works. Also use the Lansinoh nipple cream. I love it and it’s safe to use while nursing. Perfect and a must- have for all breastfeeding mamas.
They also sell Gel filled ice packs for the breast. I remember buying this because my breast were engorged. The issue was my son wasn’t drinking all of my milk. This is why a breast pump wether manual or electric is necessary to have.
You can express your breast milk and then refrigerate it for later or freeze it so it can last longer. These Lansinoh breastmilk storage bags are great.
By doing this it helps to elevate any breast discomfort, milk blockage or engorgement. This can be very scary. Call your doctor right away if you are feeling unwell.
Another way to avoid cracked nipples is to not use soap around the nipple area. The soap can dry it up more. I recommend to use only water instead and always change your nursing pads as much as possible. Just one of my additional breastfeeding tips that will come useful to avoid cracked nipples.
Good hygiene
In addition to showering everyday and changing/washing nursing bra pads having clean boobs is very important for your baby’s health. If you ever feel like you have sweaty boobs during the day I suggest to wash them.
Clean your hands first and then wash your breast(s) with warm water (use the sink if you want). Afterwards, pat it dry. We want to have that area clean and free from bacteria before breastfeeding the baby. Avoid putting on any fragrance lotions around the breast. Another of my breastfeeding tips.
Breast pump & Formula
It took me weeks even months to get the hang of breastfeeding. My boys wouldn’t latch on correctly. It would hurt, I was engorged, and stressed. But I keep trying because what helped me stay a little relaxed was pumping and supplementing with formula. I cannot tell you how great it felt knowing that my baby was still getting the proper feedings.
In addition having my Medela electric breast pump helped me tremendously. I recommend it so much! It truly helps to extract all your breast milk for that full oz bottle.
Don’t be afraid to use these as options. Months in and breastfeeding became easier for me. I was able to breastfeed on demand all day while being at home. I loved it.
In addition, I used my breastfeeding pump in the morning (I was always full of milk). We began to supplement with formula in the middle of the night (this allowed us to take turns sleeping in). It also has been said by experts that formula takes longer than breastmilk to digest. As a result, babies feel fuller and sleep longer especially at night.
When we had to go out, I would breastfeed him right before leaving the house. While out, the first feeding would be a bottle of formula. Afterwards, I would breast-feed. The break during formula feeding allowed my breast to fill up so when it was feeding time I had enough milk supply. Because of me doing this, it allowed me to safely and happily breastfeed my sons for 6-12months.
A must-have product I’ve recommended in the past and continue to do so is the Haakaa breast pump. It works at saving your breastmilk while you nurse your baby on the opposite boob.
You just simply attach it and watch it collect breastmilk that comes down. Amazing! The newer version comes with a leak-proof lid (before it had a flower topper) and it includes a suction base so nothing spills when you put it on a table.
I came to find out about this product later on (after I stopped breastfeeding) and wished I had known about it sooner because it truly is a life saver.
Breastmilk is so valuable that losing some is heartbreaking. I remember feeling horrible when my breastmilk would let down (while I nurse from the other boob) and watching it go to waste on the nursing bra pad or burping towel I had on. Get the Haakaa and save your breastmilk mama your baby will benefit from this. This is one of my breastfeeding tips.
Asking for help & support
In the end, make the decision that is best for you and your baby. If you need to supplement with formula at times don’t feel bad doing so. Always speak with your baby’s pediatrician before so they can help you.
Also, call your doctor or a lactation consultant if feeling overwhelmed. They are always willing to help and provide additional breastfeeding tips.
Bottles I recommend: Click here & Click here
Pacifiers I recommend: Click here & Click here.
Look for a breastfeeding class to attend in your area. Now with the pandemic and everything being closed they might be doing virtual breastfeeding classes. Also, check out this helpful breastfeeding link: WIC Breastfeeding support.
Thank you so much for reading my post on breastfeeding tips . I hope it helped you or at least gave you a little glimpse of what breast-feeding is like.
If you want more motherhood blog post read my Hospital bag for labor & delivery or Newborn essentials: 0-3 months.
As always, take care and talk soon.