Breastfeeding can be both challenging and truly joyful. Having breastfeeding support helps so much as you start your journey as a new mom breastfeeding as well as these breastfeeding tips. These two things combined are a major game-changer when it comes to starting your breastfeeding journey with your new bundle of joy.
11 Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms
With so many breastfeeding benefits that you don’t want to miss out on, ues these breastfeeding tips to make breastfeeding even easier.
Find a Lactation Group
Breastfeeding is different for every mom and baby. Finding a lactation group can really help you answer your questions and also learn any techniques you are missing when it comes to breastfeeding.
When you are active in a lactation group you will find help with tracking your baby’s weight gain, positioning, and any other support you need. The best thing about a lactation group is that you can never ask too many questions and so much knowledge to be shared.
Be Patient Waiting for Your Milk to Come In
Your body will start producing colostrum while pregnant. This is the nutrient-rich, pre-milk gold that your baby will need during the first few days of their lives while waiting for your milk to come in.
Your body will typically start producing milk around day three but may take up to six days for some moms. Just be patient while you are waiting and rest assured your baby is getting exactly what they need from you as well as helping you produce milk by suckling.
Get Comfortable While Nursing
You may start to notice that each nursing session can be a bit lengthy. For this reason you will want to make sure you are all set up in a comfortable breastfeeding position.
Start by making sure you have everything you need by your side. Your water bottle and a burp cloth are both great ideas to have nearby before you start nursing.
When you are uncomfortable while breastfeeding and constantly squirming around to reposition yourself you will find that your baby will latch and relatch and can cause some discomfort to your nipples.
Relax
Surprisingly your baby can tell if you are not comfortable while breastfeeding. Relaxing is one breastfeeding tip for pain that works! Trying your best to relax while nursing your baby helps them latch correctly the first time.
You may find that during the first few weeks of breastfeeding you are tired, sore, and are not looking forward to your next breastfeeding session.
To relax just take a few deep breaths, give yourself a nice pep talk, and think of breastfeeding as a nice time to bond with your baby. You will find that doing those things makes relaxing much easier for you.
How To Treat Tender Nipples
With frequent breastfeeding sessions you will find that the your nipples may become raw and very painful with each latch. There are several ways to help tend to your tender nipples.
Try using your own breast milk and rub on your nipples to help soothe the cracked nipple. Lanolin makes a great nipple cream that you can apply on your nipples before and after each nursing session which will help prevent them from drying out and cracking more.
Walking around topless allowing your nipples to be exposed to air can also help with tender nipples.
Drink Lots of Water
In order to make a lot of milk, you will need to increase your water intake. This will be very important in the early months of breastfeeding. Invest now in a nice reusable water bottle as you will want to take it with you wherever you go.
It is ok to ask your partner to help keep your water bottle refilled while breastfeeding even if it is during the middle of the night.
A good rule is to drink a glass of water for every breastfeeding session you do. This will help ensure that your body can make enough milk your baby needs and also helps you stay hydrated.
Leakage Is Normal
While your milk supply is trying to regulate you will notice that you are leaking while breastfeeding and even possibly when not nursing. This is completely natural. Just remember to always wear a supportive nursing bra while you are producing milk to help prevent leakage and stock up on nursing pads.
Using a Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump placed on the other breast while nursing can help you with increasing the amount of milk you have stored. It is common for the other breast to leak while nursing on the other side. The Haakaa is a great way to catch and keep what leaks out while nursing. You can use the extra milk to give breastmilk baths.
Avoid Engorgement
When you are engorged it makes it more difficult for your baby to latch on and nurse. Your baby will become angry and mad when they can not latch and start their feeding.
A good way to avoid engorgement is to breastfeed more often.
Another way to avoid engorged breast is by pumping before each breastfeeding session for a quick minute to help soften your breast and release milk. You can even hand express or take a hot shower before breastfeeding which can help your milk flow more easily.
Keep Your Baby Awake
If you notice that your baby keeps falling asleep while breastfeeding try tickling their feet or rubbing their ear. It is important that your baby stays awake while nursing that way you are able to empty each breast during their feeding time. If those two options do not work, you can also use a cold washcloth to stroke your baby’s face to try and wake them up a bit.
Nursing Clothes
Stocking up on breastfeeding tank tops with padding can help when it comes to leakage and nursing in public places. I love that a nursing tank top keeps your belly still covered but helps make access to your baby’s milk supply easier!
Other nursing clothes like tops and dresses would also be great items to buy to help with breastfeeding when outside the home.
Diet is Important
Calorie intake is important when breastfeeding. Getting a well-balanced diet is key while breastfeeding. You may find you are craving more foods now that you are breastfeeding than when pregnant.
Prepping some quick and easy snacks at night can help you with your hunger during the day while breastfeeding.
Fruits and vegetables are easy to snack on and eat while nursing. As an added bonus are full of great nutrients that your baby needs to grow.
These breastfeeding tips will help you be more successful on your breastfeeding journey. What other tips would you recommend? Share in the comments!
Honestly, breastfeeding can be exhausting especially for first-time moms, but that is majorly because most do not have the right information. These tips are very helpful; thanks for sharing.