Tips for Breastfeeding Moms
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Breastfeeding seems so easy when other people talk about it. I felt like I adequately prepared myself by reading the books and gathering the supplies I thought I needed. It seems like such a natural part of life, so I thought, it should come naturally to me, right? But, I was so naive. Don’t get me wrong, breastfeeding is a beautiful thing and I was so grateful to have nursed a short part of one child’s infancy and the majority of my next child’s first year old life, but there was definitely a learning curve and things that I could have done that would have made nursing a little easier. Here are a few tips that I wish I knew before breastfeeding my first child.
See a Lactation Consultant
Nothing helped more than getting real life, tangible help, from an expert in this field. All the reading I did could not prepare me for how to actually breastfeed a newborn and it is not something that you generally get to practice before it’s time for the real deal. I would recommend looking up if there are lactation consultants that are available locally and see if your insurance covers this kind of appointment or how much it would cost out of pocket before delivering your baby. I know going to an additional appointment after leaving the hospital with a newborn does not sound appealing at all, but it is an appointment that I felt was the most bang for our buck. The lactation consultant that I saw with my first child gave me some good advice on how to get a deeper latch that I may not have figured out on my own. If you are still not convinced to look into a lactation consultant appointment, you could also ask your healthcare team at the hospital if they have lactation consultants that make rounds in the hospital. If they do, you can simply request to have one visit you while you are inpatient. It will give you more confidence knowing if your baby’s latch is strong and how to promote good milk supply when you get home.
Nourish Your Body
Nourishing your body with good food and hydration is such an important tip. It’s almost a no brainer, but a lot of new moms are guilty of neglecting their health during this high stress time postpartum when you have a million things to do, a newborn to take care of, and no sleep. I recommend coming into postpartum with a plan to eat. I’ve mentioned this before in previous blogs, such as my “Postpartum Aftercare Essentials” blog, but having a plan will make breastfeeding, and postpartum in general, so much easier. Be prepared with the homemade freezer meals, Costco premade meals, budget for take out if you need to, keep your fridge stocked with nutritious fruits and vegetables, or whatever you need to do to get fed during this time. It is also so important to stay hydrated if you want to keep up a healthy milk supply. I’m a big fan of keeping a large water bottle both upstairs and downstairs so that it’s easy access and you don’t need to refill as often.
Be Prepared for an Uncomfortable Adjustment Period
Breastfeeding takes some time to adjust to. You are exposing a sensitive part of your body to something that it is not used to. Breastfeeding shouldn’t feel super painful, but your skin might feel a bit uncomfortable as it is getting used to nursing. I recommend using lanolin after nursing sessions to moisturize and soothe your skin. You can also use gel pads from Medela or Lansinoh between nursing sessions to help provide a cooling instant relief when you're sore from breastfeeding. I also recommend having a warm/cool reusable breast pad from Lansinoh because it helps promote milk supply or comfort from a clogged milk duct. And, it can also be helpful as a cool pack for engorgement relief. The beginning of your breastfeeding journey may be uncomfortable, but just know that it eventually gets better. If breastfeeding continues to feel truly painful, I would encourage seeing your healthcare provider or even a lactation consultant to help you find a way to make breastfeeding more comfortable.
Comfortable Nursing Attire
Investing in some nursing clothes was actually something that was recommended to me by a couple other seasoned moms. What I didn’t know, was which nursing clothes would be the most convenient as well as comfortable. I have tried it all. I’ve worn the drapey variety, the zip down type tops, you name it, I probably tried it. Even after I got the hang of breastfeeding with my second child, I discovered that not all nursing attire, though cute and discrete, are actually easy to breastfeed in. I found myself more drawn to buttons down shirts, nursing/pumping bras, clip down camis, and just using a nursing cover. I also preferred using nursing cover with a wire by the neckline like this one from Bebe au Lait.
Breastfeed in a Comfortable Position
Breastfeeding is physically demanding. And your baby only gets heavier. This is why it is important to be in a comfortable position where your baby and your body feel well supported before you start. I needed a breastfeeding support pillow to help elevate my baby to a more comfortable height. Sometimes, I felt more comfortable with a stool under my feet so that I could lay back a little in a rocking chair to save my back and help my baby stay latched with a fast let down. After some practice, you will find which nursing positions and holds feel best to you and your baby. If breastfeeding still feels physically demanding on your back or arms, just know, you can use as many pillows and positioning tools as you need to feel supported, even if you feel like you look goofy doing it!
Don’t Waste Liquid Gold
I never realized that when you are nursing on one side, you still have a let down on the other side. Rather than letting breast milk soak through your breast pad, bra and shirt, catch the liquid gold in a Haakaa silicone breast pump. I had both the original Haakaa, and the one that is shaped like a ladybug. If you are trying to increase your milk supply, the original Haakaa attaches to your breast with more suction so that you can collect as much milk from the opposite breast. I easily collected 1-2 oz of breast milk just from the opposite breast’s let down for my emergency freezer stash. However, I actually preferred the Haakaa milk collector that is shaped like a ladybug. Though this one does not have a strong enough suction to collect as much milk as the original Haakaa, it fit perfectly clipped inside my stretchy nursing bra. This was much more secure than having the bulkier original Haakaa hanging by suction where my baby would kick it off my breast as she grew bigger and stronger.
Have a Backup Pumping Plan
If you have insurance, I recommend giving them a call to see if they cover an electric breast pump. I’ve tried a couple breast pumps and I preferred the Spectra pump and it was covered by my insurance. It felt the most comfortable and similar to actually nursing my babies. The reason why owning a breast pump made it onto this list for breastfeeding tips is because you never know what’s going to happen with your feeding plan until after your baby is born. I utilized my pump a lot for my first baby in order to provide as much breast milk as I could before eventually having to switch to exclusive formula feeding. On the other hand, I mostly exclusively breastfed my second child, so my breast pump was not used often. However, it is nice to have during emergency situations where you are unable to be with your baby and you want to keep your milk supply up.
Whether you are just doing your research in preparation for breastfeeding or in the middle of your breastfeeding journey, I hope you find all of these breastfeeding tips helpful. Breastfeeding definitely has its challenges, but you can do it mama! Remember that any amount of breastfeeding, whether it is a short or long time, is good for your baby. And in the end, fed is best!
