I once saw a video of a newborn placed on its mother’s stomach, and somehow, almost magically, it makes it’s way up to the breast on its own and begins to breastfeed.
Yet for most of us, breastfeeding isn’t quite as instinctive. It’s a learning process that both mom and baby need to do together. I hope these breastfeeding tips help make this time of your life easier – and even blissful – for both of you!
Breastfeeding Tip 1: Have Expert Support in Place
Even though it’s recommended that moms breastfeed for 6 months to a year, more than 30% never make it past the first week.
Having support in place can help.
Google local breastfeeding support groups, such as La Leche League, while you’re still pregnant.
Try and find a birth prep class that includes breastsfeeding, so you know what to expect.
Get to know the lactation consultant at your hospital or through your doula or birth class, who can be a valuable resource before and after your baby’s birth and can offer more personalized breastfeeding tips.
Have a Lactation Consultant on your call list, or at least a breastfeeding group at your local hospital to join, so you can get expert breastfeeding tips for whatever’s arising for you.
Breastfeeding Tip 2: Nursing Bras
A few weeks before baby is born, get fitted for a nursing bra.
Generally, you’ll buy one size larger and this will enable you to give baby access to the breast easily.
Nursing bras provide great support and easy access.
Breastfeeding Tip 3: Include Breastfeeding in Your Birth Plan
Specify in your birth plan that you intend to avoid the use of artificial nipples and supplementary feeding unless medically necessary, after it is prescribed by your infant’s pediatrician and approved by you.
What is often referred to as “nipple confusion” – when baby has been given a bottle too early, and then no longer wants the breast – isn’t confusion at all. Bottles are a lot less work, and baby’s smart.
If you need to supplement, ask about taping a dropper to the breast.
But remember – a healthy newborn can lose 7–10% of their birth weight in the first week of life – mostly fluid. So don’t let anyone freak you out. Get expert advice.
Breastfeeding Tip 4: Do Alignment-based Yoga
In alignment-based yoga, you’ll learn tiny shifts you can make in your shoulders and core that can make a world of difference. When we “open the heart”, we use our breath to make space in the back of the heart center, as well as the top of the chest.
Then, we gentle hug the shoulder blades down and in.
Not only does this relax tense shoulder and neck muscles and help you feel better – it opens the space for milk to move through the ducts and can literally unblock your milk flow.
Breastfeeding Tip 5: Start Skin-to-Skin as Soon as Possible
Breastfeed as soon as possible after delivery and keep your baby skin-to skin with you as much as possible in the early weeks while you are establishing the breastfeeding relationship.
Thank you to Roza Baghdassarian for help with these breastfeeding tips!
And one bonus tip – after a few months, it’s ok to introduce the bottle.
This will allow your partner or anyone else to help. Sometimes baby rejects the bottle at first, but if you got out for a while, baby’s hungry and someone’s there with a bottle, they’ll figure it out.
Start pumping early – don’t worry, your body will make as much as you’re asking for.
I loved breastfeeding – there is no connection like it. And it’s also true that every bottle you freeze means a couple hours of freedom when you need it most.
