Tips for Successful Breastfeeding !
I am so glad to share with you these tips for successful breastfeeding. I believe most women are able to breastfeed their children. As much as you could read pretty much everywhere how to prepare for your pregnancy, for the birth, how to take care of a newborn, it was just briefly mentioned how to take care of yourself in the first days, weeks (the so called 4th trimester ), postpartum. Because its the baby that matters here the most but we THE MOTHERS are important too. Beginnings are Hard ! Yes they were.
Breastfeeding is a natural act for female body. We are designed to feed, nourish our children. We must trust our body and calmly pass the first most difficult days of breastfeeding. Human milk is the perfect food for human children. Yet it is more difficult than we expect it. Both for you and for the baby who learns everything for the first time too. That is why I would like to share my experience and write tips that helped me stay on track for last 2,5 years. Its a beautiful journey and I wish many keep breastfeeding through this unknown period.
You are welcome to see my other blog post about What happens to a woman after giving birth.
Many women struggle with breastfeeding in the beginning. To much milk, not enough, baby is still hungry even after feeding, how long to feed, how often – every 3 hours or feeding on demand. Endless questions for a women who never did it and all she can do is trusting her intuition and listen to other Mammas advises. Many sources says that
99 % of women are able to provide milk for their children but many don’t have the right support, knowledge and care from others to continue breastfeeding.
For me breastfeeding was easy and hard at the same time.
I had good milk supply from the first days. A lot / not a lot but surely enough milk for Reef to be satisfied. My breast on the 3rd day were full of milk. Reef did not need that much milk but being a young excited mother and having Reef with us made me totally forget about myself. I did not pump the milk, did not empty my breast and within a few days my breasts got inflamed. For 6 days insisted not to take any antibiotic. I could not imagine the antibiotic flow to Reefs food. So with high 39′ fever and chills, Sore nipples, Contracting Uterus.
Extremely exhausted from sleepless nights, exhausted of the birth day, covering my boobs with stinking cabbage, squeezing my boobs drop by drop with milk barely coming out, I suffered for 6 days hoping it will pass by itself. After 6 days I finally took the pills as there was no choice I can overcome it and the sun started shining again. I continued for around 3,5 months with a discomfort and some pain while breastfeeding. 3,5 months ! That certainly wasn’t easy at all.
There are many reasons while breastfeeding might create difficulties for the mother and for the baby. Its important to understand that the child learns it for the first time too. You need to get to know each other. The correct latching times of the day, of the night. In the beginning its all unknown for both of you.
Why should I breastfeed?
Deciding to breastfeed is a wonderful decision for you and your baby. Breast milk provides complete nutrition for your infant and helps to prevent illness. Babies who do not breastfeed have more ear infections and diarrhea than breastfed babies. Breastfed babies have fewer trips to the pediatrician for common childhood illnesses, have fewer allergies, a lower risk of obesity and diabetes, reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and higher IQ’s than formula-fed babies.
There are also benefits for the mother who breastfeeds. There is less ovarian and breast cancer and osteoporosis in breastfeeding mothers compared to formula-feeding mothers. Breastfeeding helps with postpartum weight loss, delays fertility, increases a mother’s self-confidence and promotes bonding.
With breast milk, there is no wasted formula and no cost. Breastfeeding is convenient because the milk is always ready and at the right temperature.
Breast milk is different from formula because it changes to meet the nutritional needs of your child as he grows. Breast milk contains all the vitamins and minerals your baby needs and is easy to digest. For all of these reasons, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be fed only breast milk for the first six months of life.
Babies do not need water, juice or formula. At six months you may offer your baby solid foods, but you should continue to breastfeed until your baby is at least a year old.
How do I get started? My best tips for successful breastfeeding.
Start Breastfeeding as soon as possible after your baby is born !
Same as the animals, when a baby cow is born it starts crawling to the mother. Same with children they have the instinct to start latching and suck the milk so trust your body. Trust the nature. I remember offering my son breast the moment he was relaxed after birth and established good breathing.
Get comfortable !
Its so important to start when you are relaxed, your hands/arms are surrounded by pillows so that you can lean on them. Use the bathroom so that you don’t have to have a brake in the middle of feeding. Have a glass of water near you, a book to read, or a friend to chat with. In the beginning breastfeeding sessions might take even up to 45 min-1hour with brakes like 30 min so be patient and dedicate your time to it.
Latching !
Many problems starts from incorrect latching of the child. In breastfeeding, the latch is the moment everything comes together: Your baby takes a big mouthful of your nipple and begins to suck, and draws out your milk. When your baby has established a good latch, your nipple soreness is minimized and your little one gets the nourishment he needs. How do you pull all that off? First and most important, have faith in yourself and your baby. Babies are designed to breastfeed. They are born with instincts that help them find Mom’s breast and latch on often with very little assistance. And if problems do come up, there are lots of ways to troubleshoot.
Your baby is latching well if you feel a pulling or tugging sensation on your breast while getting milk.
How to tell if your baby is swallowing?
His temple and lower jaw move rhythmically and you hear a breathy aah occasionally, which is your baby exhaling after he swallows. (Keep in mind that before your milk comes in, your baby won’t be swallowing all that often because the volume of colostrum isn’t high.) Ideally, your baby’s lips will be flanged out — like a fish or an open flower — around your nipple and areola, not tucked under, which may make your nipples sore.
To much or not enough !
Remember your body will produce as much milk as the baby needs it. If you keep offering the breast often you will certainly have enough milk for your child. Trust your body and Remember your milk is best for your child. MOST women will not have any problems with breastfeeding when doing it correct. If you have to much milk gently press the breast over a cup so that an extra milk come out and you can use it later or/and your husband/partner can offer it for the baby and you will feel relief. It is no necessary to use pumping devises as it might create an opposite effect.
Trust your body !
The power of women mind is gigantic. When we are relaxed and trusting our body the baby will be relaxed and well too.
The baby will lead you !
It’s the baby who knows best when and for how long she/he needs to latch. Feeding takes time so be gentle and let the baby eat when he needs. I promise nothing calms them down more than feeding closely held in loved arms.
Ask for help !
Lactation Experts can help tremendously. Breastfeeding can be hard at first but its shouldn’t be painful. Most of us who breastfeed for more than a year asked for help from a professional consultant.
Mastitis !
This one is a hard one. Mastitis is a breast inflammation usually caused by infection. It can happen to any woman, although mastitis is most common during the first 6 months of breastfeeding. But you can continue to nurse your baby. In fact, breastfeeding usually helps to clear up infection, and nursing will not harm your baby. As I mentioned already I had Mastitis a week after Reef was born. I was suffering for 6 days until I agreed to take antibiotic.
I found out later on from a friend who passed the same thing that strapping (like when you are injured to support muscles ) helps amazing and no antibiotic is often needed.
- Rest as much as you can.
- Keep the sore breast as empty as possible by feeding your baby often.
- Apply warmth to the sore breast for up to a few minutes before a feed.
- Feed from the sore breast first, when your baby’s sucking is stronger.
- Massage the breast gently while your baby feeds.
- Warm shower will make the blocked parts of your looser so its good to feed straight after shower or in a bathtub.
- Use cabbage leaves as pain relief by placing them on your breasts… it smells grows but help tremendously.
Why infants should not drink cow’s milk ?
The nutrient composition of cow’s milk is specific to a baby calf and not to a human baby. Cow’s milk has a higher level of protein to meet the rapid growth needs of calves. This level, called the renal solute load, is too high for a human baby and could overload a baby’s kidneys resulting in serious health problems. It is harder to digest and could also cause intestinal blood loss.
Cow’s milk contains butterfat which is a very saturated fat and also more difficult to digest. Butterfat does not provide the appropriate amounts or balance of essential fatty acids. Although the carbohydrate in cow’s milk is lactose, the same type of carbohydrate in mother’s milk, the level is lower than in breast milk. Cow’s milk is also deficient in iron, which could result in iron deficiency anemia. It is also lacking in copper, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
Human breast milk is the ideal food for a human baby.
For those babies who cannot or do not receive breast milk, the first choice of formula is a dairy-based formula made from cow’s milk that has been modified to better suit the nutrient needs of a baby.
Human milk serves as the model for the composition of formula, but formulas at present still do not contain many of the unique compositional features of breast milk. Breast milk contains hormones, immunologic agents, essential fatty acids, and enzymes to help with digestion.
I hope you guys find it helpful and by sharing my tips you will breastfeed your children longer and the process will be easier and pleasant.
Share with my your tips for successful breastfeeding ! <3
With Love,
Betty