3 Tips to Remember When Breastfeeding for the First Time
If you’re a first time mom - or just a first time breastfeeder, you might be wondering what you need to be doing to prepare for breastfeeding. The truth is, the best (and only, really) preparation you can do is to learn how the breastfeeding relationship between mother and child works. Every baby and every mother are different, so there’s no way to predict if your breastfeeding relationship will be easy or not. However, learning how breastfeeding works and what successful breastfeeding looks and feels like, can help you identify issues sooner rather than later.
And when it comes to breastfeeding and those first few days and weeks of motherhood, you’ll want things to go as smoothly as possible. Knowing when or if you need help from a lactation consultant will only make things easier.
If you’re breastfeeding for the first time, here are some tips for getting started:
1. Relax
We really can’t stress this one enough. When a mother is stressed, the stress hormone cortisol passes through her breastmilk and into the baby’s bloodstream. This can, in turn, impact the breastfeeding relationship between mom and baby. Along with your baby being able to emotionally sense your stress, there is scientific evidence to support that stress hormones are directly transferred to your breastfeeding infant.
Just as it’s hard for our own bodies to process and digest nutrients when we are stressed, stress hormones also impact your baby. I think we can all agree that the best meals we have are the ones when we are relaxed, with the company of those we trust, with no worries or deadlines looming. . . picture a nice patio somewhere with friends on a weekend (pre-COVID, of course). Dinner is best eaten in a relaxed setting, and breastfeeding is no different. Your baby wants to be relaxed when they eat -- and their bodies digest food much easier!
Here are some ways to make sure breastfeeding is a relaxing activity for you both:
Find a cozy spot dedicated to breastfeeding
Most moms will find themselves having to breastfeed in some weird places, especially when you’re out and about. (Backseat of your car, anyone?) But many will agree that having a cozy spot at home to do most of your breastfeeding will help establish a good, relaxing routine for you and baby. If you have a rocker or glider in the nursery, this might be a great feeding spot for you and baby to relax and spend time together. You’re going to spend a lot of time breastfeeding your newborn, so you might as well get cozy!
Bring a book or your phone with you to feeding time
Not all moms enjoy sitting quietly while baby eats - and that’s okay! For those moms who feel like they need to be doing something, it can be just as relaxing to scroll through social media or read a good book while your baby eats. If you’re the type with a racing mind, it might be stressful to sit and wait while your baby eats. So have a book or your phone on hand and make sure you’re comfortable - whatever that looks like for you!
2. Be Confident
If you’re insecure about how feeding is going, it might be hard to relax or concentrate on anything else. If you’re worried that breastfeeding isn’t going well, then get informed.
If you birthed at a hospital, you likely were approached by a lactation consultant briefly to assess your baby’s latch. Some hospitals also offer classes for new mothers to follow up and make sure breastfeeding is going well. If you feel healthy enough after birth to attend these classes - do it! They are a great resource.
Otherwise, there are videos and tutorials online. If you find a certified lactation consultant with credible, research based information, this can be a great place to learn about latching and successful breastfeeding. If you’re having issues, or are simply worried that you are, learning more about breastfeeding online can help you troubleshoot or relieve some of your worries.
However, a key reminder: if your baby’s pediatrician confirms that your baby is gaining weight, then you are doing great, mama!
3. Ask for Help
If you’re struggling with breastfeeding, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many reasons a new mother might have trouble breastfeeding - and there isn’t often a single answer to some of these issues:
Pain: If you’re experiencing pain during breastfeeding, this can be due to an improper latch. It can also just be natural. It’s normal to have dry or cracked nipples during breastfeeding. Use our plant-based organic nipple cream before every feed to relieve pain. It’s a lifesaver for new moms.
Exhaustion: Breastfeeding every 2 - 3 hours 15+ times a day can be exhausting. If you feel that your mental health is being negatively impacted from breastfeeding, don’t be afraid to supplement with pumped milk or even formula, so that a partner or family member can share in feeding responsibilities. Your baby deserves a healthy, rested mama - and you deserve that for yourself, too. Always ask for help when you need it!
Uncertainty: It’s completely natural to be insecure or unsure if you’re “doing it right” when it comes to breastfeeding (and parenting in general!) Don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion from your OB, pediatrician, or a lactation consultant. Whether you are breastfeeding only or are supplementing with a breast pump, it’s hard to gauge how much milk your baby is getting. It’s easy to worry that your baby isn’t getting enough or is getting too much milk. (Unfortunately, our breasts aren’t see-through!) Medical professionals are often the best option for identifying under-feeding or over-feeding issues. However, if you suspect that you have an oversupply, there are definitely signs to watch out for! Know the signs and what to look for here.
Educating Yourself Makes Things Easier:
Breastfeeding is natural but it doesn’t come naturally. It only looks easy on Instagram. Educating yourself about how to best breastfeed will make life easier for both you and baby.
Successful breastfeeding takes practice and proper latching technique. A proper latch happens when your baby's mouth covers your areola - the dark area around your nipples. If your baby tends to suck on the tip of your nipple without getting the areola, then she has latched incorrectly. Here's a simple fix - use your finger to gently loosen the latch. Don’t completely pull him/her off, just use your finger to adjust. Another tip is to use the tip of your nipple to touch your newborn’s nose to the area between your nose and lip (philtrum). Instinctively your newborn will open wide to get a good latch. On the flip side, an incorrect latch is no fun. You'll end up with cracked, sore, tender. nipples. Our plant-based organic nipple balm is specially formulated to provide relief and make latching a breeze.
It’s hard to know how difficult breastfeeding can be. As a doula, I’m here to help you prepare by setting your expectations for success. Your expectation will depend on your cultural background and family. Did your mom, aunts or grandmother breastfeed? What was their experience? What do they say when you tell them you’re planning to breastfeed? What about your spouse? Did his/her mom breastfeed? All these questions form the basis surrounding your feelings about breastfeeding.
No one tells you, you can actually attend a breastfeeding class or educate yourself by reading books. Attending a breastfeeding class will be more difficult with Covid-19 concerns and social distancing, so you might be more inclined to read breastfeeding books.
Here are a few breastfeeding books I read for my doula training:
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding - LaLeche International
Work, Pump, Repeat - by Jessica Shortall
The Nursing Mother’s Companion - by Kathleen Huggins
Latch by Robin Kaplan M Ed, IBCLC
In addition to those resources, I want to point out that none of those tell you that you can look to your body for signs. As your body prepares to produce milk, your areola will be darker. This is all in preparation for milk. Newborns have poor eyesight, so a dark areola helps them find the breast after birth. Do you have flat or inverted nipples? What does that mean for you breastfeeding? These are answers best found out sooner than later.
All too often no one tells expecting mothers that they can prepare their house for breastfeeding. Think ahead, what spot will be most comfortable for you? If your house has two levels, you’ll need two stations. What about a nursing pillow, breast pads, nursing bras? Preparing your house is most usually an afterthought and happens once you get home with your newborn. That is an already stressful time. Don’t add to it unnecessarily. Plan out things in advance to make you and your baby’s experience a better one.
We’re here to help you prepare for breastfeeding and what happens postpartum. Follow us @coddledotco to continue learning about breastfeeding and about what to expect postpartum along with tips on how to heal and recover.