Breastfeeding can be a tricky start for some mothers. If you are new to breastfeeding, then it could just be confusing. You are in the right place, because I wanted to share with you top five breastfeeding tips that can make your life a lot easier. If you have your own breastfeeding tips to share with the community, please leave them down below so everyone can benefit from them.
1.Get Nursing Pads
When you first start breastfeeding, your breasts tend to become like leaky faucets. For example, when you start feeding your baby on one breast the other one will also release milk and if you do not have nursing pads, then your shirt will be covered with your breastmilk on one side. There are reusable ones and disposable ones. There are pros and cons to both. You will have to ask yourself if you want to invest long term in the disposable breast pad cost, especially if you plan on breastfeeding for at least 6 months. These Bamboobies that are reusable, have proven to last over time. When looking at which ones you want to buy ask yourself:
-How much am I willing to spend?
-Is it convenient?
-Is it worth the cost for the amount of time I will be breastfeeding?
2. Water
Somehow mothers tend to forget to drink wanter to stay hydrated. For your breastmilk production and to avoid dizziness, do not forget to drink water. A great trick is to have a water bottle next to your breastfeeding station so you can always remember to drink water. Even having a water bottle on a counter throughout the day would help you remember to keep drinking water through the day.
3. Perfect Latch
Your baby might like one breastfeeding position over the other. There is:
-cradle hold
-football hold
-side lying hold
If you are workin with a midwife, ask her which positions you can use, if you are in a hospital, there is most likely a lactation consultant on staff who can help you figure out latching early on. Get help early, if you can, it will build your confidence and answer any questions you might have early. There are also La Leche League meet ups for moms you can attend and leaders that can support you in your breastfeeding. Visits www.llli.org for more information. If you have the wrong latch, then breastfeeding can hurt.
4. Diet
What you eat can effect your baby. For example foods that cause gas such as broccoli, grapes or chocolate can cause gas in your baby as well. There are occasions where some foods that you are eating can cause your baby to have allergies or eczema. Trying to be mindful of your diet during the breastfeeding time will ensure that you are getting the nutrition you need as well as your baby.
5. Pump
If you pump then you will be avoiding engorgement and mastitis, as well as building up a storage supply for that rainy day. It will give you that break that you might need one day without worry about what your baby will be eating. If you do not use the frozen milk supply there are websites that you can donate your milk to such as www.helpinghandsbank.com that help to get milk to mothers that need it.
Tongue Tie
Tongue tie happens sometimes in babies and it can effect breastfeeding. Tongue tie can cause sore nipples and difficulty with latching. (1) Some symptoms of tongue tie is:
-Clicking sound while breastfeeding
-Gassy and colicky baby
-Feeding more frequently
If you suspect your baby to have tongue tie, your pediatrician will have to diagnose it. The procedure for correcting the tongue tie is called a frenotomy and can be done with or without anesthesia in your doctors office. The doctor uses sterile scissors to snip the frenulum and your baby will most likely be able to resume breastfeeding the same day, since there are no nerves ending or blood vessels in the frenulum the discomfort is very minimal. (2)
How about you? Which breastfeeding tips would you recommend?
Much love,
Krystina
