If you’re an expecting or new mom and interested in breastfeeding, keeping these 4 breastfeeding tips in mind will give you a huge advantage over moms who are struggling with breastfeeding without much support or who lack the correct resources.
4 Breastfeeding Tips That Made All The Difference
When I was pregnant with Landon, I was so looking forward to breastfeeding my baby.
I had a romantic notion about the bond we’d have, and I was determined to feed my son the milk that was intended for him.
But like most moms, I ended up struggling to learn to breastfeed him correctly so it didn’t hurt my nipples — a major reason why a lot of moms end up giving up.
But I was lucky: I had informed myself about the topic before giving birth and received the support I needed to learn how to latch him on correctly.
It make all the difference, and I ended up nursing him for many years.
Once I got through the first two weeks, my experience with breastfeeding was wonderful, and I’m still amazed by the healing powers of breast milk.
Over the years I have blogged about my experience with breastfeeding many times and have been able to help many moms with the same issues I had when I started.
4 Tips To Make it Easier to Succeed With Breastfeeding
1. Line up Breastfeeding Support Before the Baby is Born
The best advice I ever received that helped me succeed with breastfeeding was to go to a breastfeeding support group meeting before Landon was born.
My doula knew what I didn’t know: I would meet many first-time moms who were struggling with breastfeeding their babies, and many had the same complaints. Nursing their babies hurt, the latch wasn’t right…
Meeting those moms and learning about their many worries and concerns, and then seeing moms in the group with older babies who had had the same problems but were able to overcome themwas so helpful in many ways:
- I learned that breastfeeding doesn’t come naturally to many moms and is something mom and baby have to learn
- I had the number of a support group and trained lactation consultant so I could call immediately with my concerns and avoided further complications
- I learned that most struggles with breastfeeding have to do with an incorrect latch, which usually can easily be remedied by a lactation consultant
- I wasn’t surprised when I struggles with breastfeeding — I had been prepared that it might not be easy, so I wasn’t overwhelmed
- I didn’t feel like a failure because I had witnessed other moms struggle with breastfeeding
I can’t tell you how glad I am that my doula suggested going to breastfeeding support group.
Thanks to that visit, I had the group leader’s number on speed-dial so I was prepared when I needed her.
And sure enough, after two weeks of bleeding nipples I gave her a call. I went to see her, and she was able to show me what I needed to do differently within a couple of minutes.
When you need the same help, look for a local breastfeeding support group or a La Leche League group that offers weekly meetings.
The lactation consultant I met at the first meeting eventually showed me what was wrong with L’s latch, taught me the correct way in minutes, and I didn’t have another problem with it again.
I hope these breastfeeding tips help you succeed with breastfeeding! Please share these tips with moms you think might benefit from them.
2. Don’t Allow a Lot of Visitors in the First Two Weeks
Naturally, everyone is going to want to see and hold your precious baby after its born – but it can interfere with your healing, your bonding, and really getting to know your baby.
My doula told me to not leave the bed for a few days so my son and I could really get to know each other, and to learn how to breastfeed correctly.
That’s hard to do when visitors want to hold baby all the time, or offer to give him a bottle so you can take a nap.
The more time you spend with your baby cuddling, nursing, and sleeping at the same time as him, the better.
Your partner and visitors can help with changing the baby, making you food or getting you water, and doing other household chores.
Tell visitors there will be plenty of time to hold your baby after you’ve established a good routine and breastfeeding is working without a problem.
Less visitors also means being able to listen to your own instincts and not having the added stress of too many people chiming in with their suggestions.
3. Be Patient With Yourself
Knowing how to breastfeed is a learned skill – it’s not something that comes naturally to most moms.
The fact that many moms end up using formula is an indication that it’s not actually as easy as one would think.
If you keep that in mind, it is easier to be patient with yourself and to not get frustrated.
You and the baby have to learn how to breastfeed your baby, and that will take some time. You didn’t learn how to drive a car in a day either.
If breastfeeding hurts a lot, or if you feel like something is just not right, get help right away!
Try calling or visiting a lactation consultant or a local La Leche League mother, who will often be glad to help you for free.
There are several ways to help with the latch. Nipple shields can ease the pain. YouTube videos can also be really helpful in a pinch — here are a few.
Most of the time the solution is easy, but you need qualified help immediately or you’ll have a hungry, crying baby on your hands.
4. Nurse on Demand
Don’t be surprised if you feel like a milk machine that never gets off the couch. I felt like that during the first two weeks – I have never watched so much TV in my life before becoming a mom.
My son wanted to feed all the time. Especially in the first week, he nursed almost every hour. But he was thriving and happy and an easy baby, so I figured I must be doing something right.
I never put Landon on a schedule because babies don’t understand schedules – they want what they want, when they want it.
Besides, keeping track of hours would have overwhelmed and stressed me more than just going by his cues.
When you feed on demand and let your baby tell you when he is hungry, you will feed him all the time – that’s normal and important to establish your milk supply.
Every bottle that you feed your baby will interfere with your milk supply, so I didn’t supplement with formula.
It’s a vicious cycle once you introduce formula, so I personally didn’t even have formula in the house, not even for “emergencies.” You’ll be less likely to give formula if you don’t have it in the house.
The most common problem moms have with breastfeeding is a bad latch – which easily can be corrected by a qualified lactation consultant of La Leche League mom, or maybe even a girlfriend who had the same problem.
I hope these breastfeeding tips help you succeed with breastfeeding! Please share these tips with moms you think might benefit from them.
Most moms are able to breastfeed with the right support.