Ten tips for successful breastfeeding

Originally posted on 02/07/2023 @ 21:21

It’s been said that Breastfeeding is one of the most natural things a mother can do. It provides infants with everything they need for their first six months and up to two years of life.

It is essential to know that Breastfeeding will not always be easy, and there are many things that you should look out for when preparing yourself for the journey. The following guide will help make it easier!

#10 tips for successful breastfeeding

You have heard it said a million times, but breastfeeding is one of the most important things you can do for your baby. In addition to providing food and nutrition, the mother-child bond formed through this process strengthens their bond.

Here are ten tips that will help you get started on this new adventure:

1. Prepare your mind and body

Being prepared for breastfeeding will help you relax and enjoy the process. See a lactation consultant, if possible, before you give birth to get an idea of what to expect and how best to handle any challenges that may arise.

Prepare your home. If your baby is staying at home during those first few weeks, there are some things you will need to have at home.

Make sure you have a comfortable place for them to sleep. Most babies take to their cribs well, but even if yours prefers your bed or the couch, that’s okay too. You are more likely to feed them regularly if they are in a familiar environment close by and easy to access.

Prepare the bottles, baby wipes and burp cloths. It is best to get a few different brands of baby wipes. You will also need bottles for expressing your breast milk, bibs and burp cloths. Also, a nursing chair wouldn’t be a bad idea considering the time you will spend breastfeeding; you might as well get comfortable.

2. Track every session of breastfeeding

You will need to track how often you feed the baby, how long, and the amount they eat at every sitting. This will help later on with monitoring their development and growth. Put everything into a written schedule/spreadsheet so you can keep track without having to think about it constantly.

3. Learn all the correct breastfeeding positions

Each baby is different, but generally, they will prefer a few basic positions depending on what best stimulates their feeding reflexes. You learn early on with experience, but it is essential to know the different places that may work best for your baby.

4. Try to buy or get a free breast pump through insurance

Breast pumps are used to express breast milk for feeding or storing. This is very helpful if you have to be away from the baby for any reason but don’t want them becoming hungry or losing that much weight.

A lactation consultant will educate you on proper hand expression techniques and how best to use a breast pump. They can even help you troubleshoot any problems that arise with your machine or technique.

You can also ask your insurance company if they cover the cost of a breast pump or at least the cost of leasing one.

5. Teach your baby how to latch on properly

You should try to encourage the baby to form a ” seal ” at the nipple. They can use their tongue and gums to create suction around the areola, which helps both of you feel more comfortable during feeding times.

Most babies will instinctively know how far along they are in the process and will naturally stop when they are done. Give your baby plenty of time to latch on. It would be best if you did not try to force anything or rush them, as this is likely to cause discomfort for both of you. Don’t feel like you need to keep trying if it takes more than a few tries. When they are hungry enough, they will eventually latch properly.

6. Nurse on demand

There is no set amount of times that your baby should feed. This varies from one baby to another and even during different periods in their life. Some tiny babies may be provided as often as ten times in 24 hours, while others may not need to eat or drink for up to five hours.

7. Engage your other children in the process

Don’t feel like you should be giving up all other parenting responsibilities to devote yourself entirely to your new baby. If possible, identify one or two family members or close friends that can help out with the rest of your older children for an hour or so each day. This will give you a break and help you get more rest to remain healthy and happy.

8. Maintain a healthy diet and keep your stress levels down

It would help if you were eating well, along with eating for two. Keep in mind that the calories you take in will affect the amount stored away in your body. If your diet is unhealthy, you will feel it, and so will the baby. The less stressed out you are, the easier it will be for you to keep breastfeeding.

9. Avoid smoking, drugs and alcohol during breastfeeding

The chemicals in cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco products can be a severe threat to the health of any baby, but especially one that is still getting most of its nutrition from its mother.

Similarly, you should not ingest any drugs or alcohol. This includes over-the-counter medications like cough syrup and sleeps aids. While these things may make it easier for you to get a good night’s rest, they may have dangerous side effects for your baby.

10. Limit yourself to one caffeinated beverage per day

Just like other substances you put into your body, caffeine should be limited. This includes coffee, tea, soda and even chocolate. Try to limit yourself to only one cup of joe per day for a healthy pregnancy and breastfeeding process. The caffeine can transfer in the milk as well and make the baby agitated and not wanting to sleep.

Latching On

When you are ready to start breastfeeding, place the baby along your side in a c-hold or under-the-arm position with his head over your elbow and facing the breast. Gently tickle his lips with your nipple to encourage him to open his mouth wide. The infant’s lower lip should be turned out and resting against the areola (the dark area around the nipple). The baby’s entire face should be visible when looking down at him. Make sure your baby’s nose is not covered by the breast, so that the child can breathe easily.

The infant will latch on to just the nipple at first, but as he adjusts to breastfeeding and sucks vigorously, more of the areola will be drawn into his mouth. After the initial latch, support your breast with one hand and use the other to cradle the infant’s head.

Surviving The First Weeks Of Breastfeeding

You will likely be up many times at night the first few weeks, as your baby adjusts to breastfeeding. To help you cope with sleep deprivation, remember that it takes time for mothers and babies to learn how to breastfeed effectively.

After the first week, things should settle down somewhat. You may still feel quite tired during the day, but your baby will likely nurse less often. By the end of the second week, most babies are sleeping at least five or six hours during the night, which makes life a little easier for mom.

Your milk supply is gradually increasing with your baby’s demand. When breastfeeding becomes more efficient and you begin to see an increase in milk volume, you should be able to get more rest at night.

Another way to help increase your milk supply is to use a breast pump. It trains the body to produce more milk, very helpful in situations where you need to travel, and you have already stored milk for the road prepaired.

What Are Some Benefits Of Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is suitable for your baby’s health, lowers the risk of childhood illnesses, and may reduce the likelihood that your child will develop obesity or Type 2 diabetes later in life. It is also cost-effective; it can save money. Breastfeeding can help you save about 700 dollars per year when compared with formula feeding.

It is also suitable for the mother’s health; breastfeeding can reduce postpartum bleeding and uterine cramping. It may help to protect against certain types of breast cancer as well.

Caring For Your Breasts While You Breastfeed :

During feedings, you should avoid wearing clothing that is too tight around the chest area. Try to wear comfortable clothes that give you a little bit of breathing room. You can wear supportive bras that provide extra lift and padding to your breasts when you are nursing. Avoid wearing constrictive garments such as rubber bands, tight socks, or belts over the affected area.
Do not massage too firmly during the early days of breastfeeding because it could cause damage to your milk ducts and tissue.
Do not wear tight underwire bras because they can increase your risk of infection. If you are wearing a bra with wire on the sides, make sure it is an underwire that goes around to the front of your body instead of sitting on top of your breasts.
Applying heat to your nipples before breastfeeding can help to soften the skin and tissue, making it easier for your baby to latch on.
Avoid wearing deodorant or other fragranced products, including soap and lotion, directly on the nipple area. Also, avoid any topical creams that contain medicine or other ingredients that are not recommended for breastfeeding.
You should only use water and gentle soap on your nipples as it can help to keep the skin clean and prevent bacteria from growing. Avoid using alcohol or medicated soaps because they can be drying and irritating to sensitive tissues.
Try using nipple cream to help with any soreness or cracking that you may be experiencing.

Ten Common Breastfeeding Issues:

1. Engorgement:

When your breasts become swollen and uncomfortable with an increased amount of milk, this occurs in the early days when you’re not breastfeeding often enough.

2. Mastitis:

Mastitis is inflammation of the breast tissue that causes pain and redness before it comes out like a volcano (hence its name). You can avoid getting mastitis by doing deep breathing and massage gently with warm natural oils such as olive oil or sunflower oil, which will increase blood flow and protect against infection.

3. Thrush:

Thrush is most commonly caused by the Candida Albicans fungus and is easily identified by itching and burning in and around the nipple area. It can also cause white spots on your nipples, which you’ll want to show a doctor or nurse when visiting your baby.

4. Plugged Ducts:

A plugged milk duct occurs when there is a build-up of milk in one of your milk ducts. This can be alleviated by gently massaging and expressing the duct to remove any blockage. If you allow the plugged duct to last for an extended period, it could cause an infection or mastitis.

5. Flatus:

This can be a result of swallowing air during feedings which is more common in the beginning stages. Some babies tend to swallow a lot of air while feeding, causing them to make gurgling sounds often or pass gas. You can help reduce this from happening by burping your baby after every two ounces that he drinks, as well as pausing between each feeding.

6. Colic:

Many mothers think that their infant is experiencing colic when they begin crying and irritable during or shortly after feedings. Some other symptoms include projectile vomiting, abdominal pain and bloating, and excessive gas. However, this condition does not have a specific cause, and there are several theories as to what the reason could be. Colic usually goes away on its own without any treatment after three months of age.

7. Low Milk Supply:

Low milk supply can occur for several reasons, such as not producing enough milk due to stress or depression, premature birth, taking certain medications that decrease breast milk production, and breast surgery that interrupts the blood flow to the mammary glands.

8. Foremilk-Hind Milk Imbalance:

Foremilk is thin milk rich in lactose and low in fat, while hindmilk is high in fat and has more calories for your baby’s growth. Having an imbalanced ratio of foremilk to hindmilk may cause your baby to become uncomfortable and hungry.

9. Oversupply:

An abundant amount of breast milk can cause several problems such as abdominal pain and discomfort, gas, fussiness in babies with a strong letdown reflex, and a weight-loss issue called overactive letdown that occurs when there is too much milk coming out too quickly.

10.Vaginal Infections:

Since breastfeeding causes dryness in your vagina, if you have sexual intercourse without a barrier method, you can be vulnerable to vaginal infections, such as yeast and urinary tract infections.

Home remedies for breast pain after stopping breastfeeding:

warm compress:

If your breast pain is more severe and prolonged, you should consider trying a warm compress. The heat will help to decrease the inflammation and also increase blood flow to the area. You can use either a hot water bottle or heating pad on medium heat for 10 minutes at a time before resting for 5 minutes and repeating as necessary.

Ginger:

Steep some ginger tea and allow it to cool. Once it’s reached a comfortable temperature for your baby, use either a cotton ball or a clean cloth and soak in the tea. Hold this soaked material against your breast and leave it there for about 15 minutes. Repeat as necessary for pain relief throughout the day.

Nursing bras :

This bra style is designed with a nursing flap that opens and allows for easy access to your breast. You can use ice packs or cold compresses with these bras as the flaps will remain covered and hold the cold against your skin, which will numb any pain you’re experiencing. Look online or at your local baby store for a selection of nursing bras to choose from.

Pamper yourself:

Sometimes it’s not possible to avoid feeling stressed or overwhelmed, especially when you have a new baby in the house. If you can’t take an entire day off work to rest, try to find a few minutes during your day just for yourself. Take a bath with scented oils, read (or at least flip through) your favourite book or magazine, listen to your favourite music…anything that will relax you and make you feel like the special person that you are! You can also try new gadgets or ideas that help you save time and evergy. Consider investing in a nursery glider for example, considering that you will spend hours and hours feeding your baby, might as well get comfy.

Use a breast pump:

If you’ve stopped breastfeeding but still produce small amounts of milk, you can use a breast pump to express the liquid. Expressing your milk will help it flow more efficiently, which should reduce any discomfort caused by engorgement.

Wear loose clothing:

This is especially important right after childbirth when your abdomen and chest are still quite tender and sore. Loose-fitting clothing will allow your body to breathe and reduce the chance of any discomfort that may arise from your breasts being compressed by tighter or bulkier garments.

Take pain relievers:

If you’re experiencing severe breast pain, consider taking Ibuprofen to help decrease inflammation and ease any discomfort.

Applying cabbage leaves to the breast:

Cabbage leaves have been used for centuries to soothe pain and reduce inflammation. Many women swear by this practice! To use cabbage leaves:

Cut ahead of green cabbage into thin strips.
Try to pick out the largest ones you can find.
Place these pieces in your fridge or freezer until they’re thoroughly chilled.
Once ready, grab one and gently place it on your breast.
Repeat as necessary for pain relief.

If your breast pain is accompanied by a fever, redness, or other signs of infection, you should contact your doctor immediately.

Conclusion

It’s hard to tell if your baby is full when breastfeeding, and it can be difficult to breastfeed every 2-3 hours every single day. That’s why it helps for new moms to keep track of how often their baby eats – this will help them make sure they’re meeting the AAP recommendations as well as giving mom some reassurance that she’s doing a decent job. This article answers some of the questions that are asked daily regarding breastfeeding. Enjoy!