5 Tips for Breastfeeding
1. Never quit on a bad day
Breastfeeding can be hard, and not always in the way you assume. It can be physically and emotionally draining – let’s face it, feeding your baby will take up alot of your time! You may also experience supply concerns or breast issues that take days or weeks to fix. The good news is: It will get easier with practice! Every day is different and your baby is constantly changing, which can be both good and bad at times. You and your baby are learning this together and developing new skills. Give yourself room to struggle (because we ALL do!), but don’t let 1 bad day defeat you!
My Story Share
I was confident that breastfeeding would come naturally. Let’s face it, mammals do it instinctually so how hard can it be? While my breastfeeding journey wasn’t riddled with major issues, I did experience ‘fragile supply’ issues and tough days. Every time we visited the pediatrician I felt defeated when my son wasn’t the chubby baby with rolls for days. I was sleep deprived from waking every 2-3 hours for months on end, I didn’t leave the house often because it was uncomfortable to breastfeed in public, and I had a love/hate relationship with my pump. I doubted myself often and there were times where I cringed at the thought of having to breastfeeding yet again. I thought about quitting, then immediately felt guilty, and the cycle would repeat. But I’m here to tell you that eventually those tough days became fewer and fewer – and the months will pass by quickly. I ended up breastfeeding my son for 18 months!
2. Find a Support System
I don’t just mean your best friend and your mom (although they are very important) – look for opportunities in your community to meet up with other new moms. Many groups are now offering virtual meetings which is so convenient! If you are feeling more than just the ‘baby blues’ or seem to always be on edge and just not yourself, look into postpartum counselors in your area. Self care is hard to sustain with a newborn, but your baby needs you at your best so don’t feel guilty about taking the time you need!
My Story Share
This is something I did way too late in the game! We moved from NC to MT when my son was just 3 months old. I felt so isolated and helpless, especially during those first 6-9 months. I had a few friends to confide in, but it took a whole year before I joined a virtual ‘Blossom Mom’ meet up and it was so validating! These were other people being raw and honest and talking about the good and the bad of new parenthood. The best part was having others with the wisdom and perspective to be able to provide helpful advice or, at the very least, their understanding and compassion. I also pursued individual counseling for postpartum depression/anxiety and it was a game changer!
3. Be Prepared to Experience a Hardship (or 2)
Let’s face it, there are many obstacles to the perfect breastfeeding experience. So educate yourself (and your partner!) on breastfeeding. A great birth/breastfeeding class can at least give you the tools to know when something isn’t ‘right’ . Which brings me to the next thing – know where to turn for resources. Healthcare providers, lactation consultants, and community-based breastfeeding groups are a valuable source. Stay away from social media groups where advice can be biased and dangerously incorrect. And lastly, be kind to yourself and set small goals: start with 1 month of exclusive breastfeeding, then maybe you increase to 3 months, etc. In order to keep good motivation you need good knowledge. There are podcasts and blogs out there too that cover a variety of topics from well-educated professionals.
4. Intuition is real – Follow your gut
A mother’s intuition is not to be overlooked. When it comes to your baby, be confident that you know best. Sensitive topics like introducing pacifiers or bottles, sleep training, co-sleeping, etc – can stir up doubt and confusion, but be an advocate for yourself and make the decision that you are comfortable with. And guess what?! You can always change your mind later! We learn best from our own mistakes and everyone’s experiences are different. What worked for your grandma or co-worker, may not work for you. And what worked for your first born, may not work the second time around!
5. Watch your baby for hunger cues
First off, it is recommended to breastfeed babies (up to 4 months) 8-12 times a day. On average, this equates to about 140 min/day of milk transfer. Keep this in mind when you are starting out and trying to establish a good milk supply – your body and baby will thank you later!
Secondly, you need to know when to feed your baby. This is where hunger cues come in! (Boy, I wish I knew about these!) Did you know a great time to feed your baby is when they are in REM sleep?! Look for eyelid movement, which indicates active sleep and an optimal time for learning and concentration.
Hunger cues may vary and may be subtle, but here’s what to look for:
- Rooting: Moving head side to side with open mouth
- Hands in a tight fist*
- Licking, tongue thrusting, sucking motions
- Flexing of the legs and arms
- Sucking on hands
- Crying is a very late signal!**
*This one is so cool! When your baby’s hands are open and relaxed, they are full. Just one hand open? Then switch breasts and try feeding more!
**By this time babies cry, the usually become disorganized and do not feed well – fretting at the breast or falling asleep after only a few sucks.
My Story Share
My story share: Every time my son cried I would just put him to breast. But 20-30 minutes later he would be crying again and the cycle would repeat endlessly. I remember being so frustrated when my husband would say ‘I think he’s hungry’ when I just fed him 20 minutes earlier (ugh!). When it came to periods of cluster feeding, I was confused and concerned my baby wasn’t getting enough milk! I was the new mom who had the app to track it all: which breast I fed on last, for how long, how many wet/dirty diapers my baby had, etc. Apps are useful, don’t get me wrong, but they don’t give you all the answers!
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