Breastfeeding tips!
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1. You can start collecting colostrum if you have it, it’s a good way to get comfortable with the process. 2. Don’t give up! 3. Need to eat a lot to keep up milk supply, good carbs and fats. 4. Hydrate!! Buy a large cup to make sure you’re drinking ALOT of water every single day. Coconut water and the electrolytes are great. 5. NO STRESS. Ask for help and make sure you have people to help you at home postpartum. You will not have time to cook or pick up the house the first month or so. 6. Mother’s milk tea, moringa and fenugreek are great to increase milk supply. 7. Make sure you have breast pads for leaking.
@Aoibhinn each feed did your switch sides?
Wait some time before you decide to hormonal contraception, if you decide to go that route. Can effect supply as it messes with your natural cycle.
LACTATION CONSULTANT Set up one in hospital when baby is born Set one up for when you go home! Have her number on hand for any questions!
@Danielle I didn’t even know that was a thing lol
Tounge tie! Get baby evaluated soon after birth if having trouble with baby latching. If the Freno is short and the tounge doesn’t have much movement, professionals say can cause issues with breastfeeding. So this is a route you can go if your goal is to get a better latch.
Honest nipple cream!!
Breastfeeding positions! Not all are created equally. That’s why a lactation consultant is amazing and a MUST. Everyone gets comfortable in different positions. My favorite way since baby was little is to nurse while lying down in bed. So comfortable, I don’t have to hold him, and that latch feels great every time.
I went in wanting to exclusively breastfeed and it wasn't a positive experience. She wouldn't latch properly and I had a consultant come in and still couldn't get her to latch.. was causing me lots of pain. I tried the cookies and tea and I still was not producing enough. She's now 2 months and we're combination feeding from what I can pump and formula. I guess my advice is definitely go in with the goal, but don't feel defeated if it doesn't work out. It's very common and doesn't make you any less of a mother if you can't breastfeed exclusively
They might have lactation consulting at the hospital. Mine did and it was so helpful. I called them in every time I tried to nurse to make sure she had a good latch and the positioning was good and everything. It was very helpful those first few days in the history when you really have no clue what your doing hahaha
Don’t overthink it. Sign up for breastfeeding course (worth paying for it) and when baby is here just put him/her at your breast. Believe me they know what they need to do (usually🤣) and don’t give up. It isn’t easy but it’s so worth it. All the best!
@Diana did you switch sides each feed? And when did you incorporate pumping? I don’t plan on bottle feeding so don’t know if I need too
Ask to see the lactation consultation in the hospital right away or have one at wherever you give birth. Like right after your golden hour with your baby, have a lactation consultation help you with the latch. That will make such a big difference. And like I saw someone else say, don’t give up. I really wanted to in the beginning but I didn’t and I’m so glad. It hurt at first for a while cause I didn’t get his latch checked so it hurt bad but it’s all good now and I love feeding him!
Start pumping before you give birth
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See if you have any baby cafes/breastfeeding groups local to you. Don’t be afraid to ask for support, especially when you’re in the hospital (if you’re planning on a hospital birth)- the midwives/students/breastfeeding team/health visitors can offer lots of help. Snacks and drinks at your bedside and in the living room that are easily reachable as you get unbelievably hungry and thirsty. Baggy T-shirts/ loose fitting tops are your best friend. Look up early hunger cues and try to feed as quick as possible, when they start to cry they’re often really hungry and sometimes latching is more difficult at this point. If baby has any skin issues you can squirt some breast milk onto their skin- it’s a wonderful healer (good for spots too). Also if you pump and don’t use it in time don’t throw it you can put it in a bath for yourself or baby.
Enjoy it! It’s tough going but it’s so rewarding. I used to take my little one into the nursery to feed during the night so my husband could sleep and I cherished those moments sitting with her in the dark and quiet and love the bond it has given us.
@Emily I aleays switch sides unless he only takes one for 5min and lets say poops and I need to change him, I put him to that side again to finish his feed. I pump only when boobs leak or after long sleep ( my boy has slept through the night since 4 weeks old) and I only pump when I “have to”. Remember pumping increases your supply and you don’t want to overproduce as it’s uncomfortable and can lead to blocked ducts etc. I freeze my milk but my LO doesn’t take a bottle at all- we’ll use it later. Also I did not produce even one drop of colostrum and my supply is absolutely fine so don’t worry x
Express colostrum before birth and freeze it. All babies lose birth weight, and you may be advised to supplement with formula within the first week.
@Emily yes always except in the Thompson method they recommend doing half on one side and half on the other with a “rest and digest” period in between.. I’m yet to try
Make sure you get your latch right, it should not hurt when baby is on the breast (maybe a little sensitive at first) but never sharp agonising pain, if anyone tells you it’s suppose to or that “you’ll get used to it” don’t listen and get help for the proper deep latch, The Thompson method course really helps, also silverette nipple cups and lanolin nipple cream if needed. But once you have the latch right you shouldn’t need too much nipple remedies