Our Top Breastfeeding Tips
Starting to breastfeed your baby can be a stressful and nerve
wrecking experience. Based on our own experience of
breastfeeding two children, we have prepared our top breastfeeding
tips for you. Please contact us if you need more information.
Stay calm. If you start to feel uptight or wound up, take a
break for a few minutes and then try again. Baby may be able to
pick up on your anxiety.
Don't place high expectations on yourself. It can take a while
before your milk flows, before baby gets the hang of latching, and
before you get things sorted.
While you are still in the hospital or maternity ward, make sure
the nurse helps you to latch baby every time you feed. Ring your
buzzer to call the nurse.
Breastfeeding does hurt to start with. As the baby draws your
nipple into their mouth it can be a painful tearful experience for
mum. The pain should stop about thirty seconds or so after baby is
latched. It may be like this for 3 or 4 days with a newborn. If the
problem persists - seek help from your midwife, plunket nurse,
doctor or a lactation consultant.
The key to successful breastfeeding is making sure baby has the
correct latch. Put baby on your breast when their mouth is open
wide and full. Pull baby's head to your breast - don't drop your
nipple down to baby as you will get sore shoulders and back.
When baby is latched their lips will be covering your breast in
a "K" shape that looks like the K on Cellog's Special K cereal.
Always use lots of nipple cream after every
feed. This is really important when you are first starting to
breastfeed, so put some in nipple cream when packing your hospital
bag. Apply after every feed.
If baby has an incorrect latch or if baby is not suckling
properly, it is very easy to get cracked, grazed and very sore
nipples. Always apply the nipple cream. And if baby is not latched
comfortably on you, break the seal of their lips using your finger
and start again.
If you are getting a sore neck, shoulders, or back it could be
due to the weight of supporting baby in your arms while
breastfeeding. You could invest in a special breastfeeding pillow which can ease
the pressure on you. Or try some pillows or cushions from your bed
to raise baby up.
It can take a while before you get co-ordinated enough to
breastfeed discretely. Initially it will be easier if you have an
open front top, and maternity bra. Then you
can open the nursing bra cup and feed baby.
Be prepared with breast
pads. Some mothers have a fast flow and quick letdown, and leak
alot. Some mothers don't leak at all. You could try some disposable
breast pads, or to save some money have a look at reusable breast
pads.
Be prepared for the time it takes to breastfeed. Some baby's
will take 20 minutes or longer to feed at your breast. And you will
have to do this regularly through out the day. Most newborn baby's
feed 3 to 4 hourly to start with. Your baby is relying on you for
all their nutrition.
Get plenty of rest.
Drink plenty of water - have a glass of water after every breast
feed.
And eat well - eat meals with lots of protein.
If you have another child, pack a lunch box, drink bottle and
special activity box (stickers, colouring in, etc) for them first
thing in the morning. Keep this at a level that the child can
reach. Bring this out when you are feeding baby to amuse the older
child while you are breastfeeding.
When you have got through the first two weeks or so,
breastfeeding should be an enjoyable experience for you. Its a
cheap and quick way to feed a baby.
Expressing milk with a breast
pump can be a good way for Dad to be involved in feeding, and
for you to get a longer sleep.
It's your job to look after baby's feeds - and Dad's job to look
after your drinks and meals!!
If breastfeeding does not work for you, don't beat yourself up
about it. It is important that baby is happy and healthy, and that
mum is happy and healthy too.
For more information please view Breastmates
website and our online maternity store.
Plus we have lots more Breastfeeding
Questions covered.