Breastfeeding Tips
Find a quiet spot. The first time you breastfeed will likely be in a hospital bed with a kindly (we hope) lactation consultant guiding baby's mouth to the right spot. At that point, ambiance is the least of your concerns. But once you're on your own at home, you'll want to find a quiet place where you and baby can relax. Think low lights and limited noise. Not only does the right environment put baby in the mood, but it also sends your body the signal that it's time to let the milk flow. Of course, this isn't always possible. If you nurse long enough, you will inevitably find yourself in the backseat of your car (parked, of course), fumbling with your nursing bra, trying to calm a hungry infant and doing your best not to flash the guy parking the Explorer next to you. Setting the mood isn't so important then, but that's the exception rather than the rule.
Drink water and lots of it. The more you drink the better.
Be patient. Baby may not get it right away. Remember, this is a time for learning for your baby as much as it is for you. If you have trouble at first, don't give up until you've tried it for at least a couple of weeks, unless you are truly miserable or baby is showing signs of failing to thrive, in which case a switch to formula might be in order. Either way, it's probably a good idea to check with your doctor before you do anything drastic.
Express some milk first if your breasts are hard or engorged. This will make it easier for baby to latch on. (Wal-Mart sells various models of breast pumps on-line. The one pictured here is a good low-price, electric model:
The First Years Natural Comfort Deluxe Double Breast Pump with Soothie Bottles)
Eat right, get rest: To produce plenty of good milk, the nursing mother needs a balanced diet that includes 500 extra calories a day and six to eight glasses of fluid. She should also rest as much as possible to prevent breast infections, which are aggravated by fatigue.
Nurse on demand: Newborns need to nurse frequently, at least every two hours, and not on any strict schedule. This will stimulate the mother's breasts to produce plenty of milk. Later, the baby can settle into a more predictable routine. But because breast milk is more easily digested than formula, breast-fed babies often eat more frequently than bottle-fed babies.
Air dry: In the early postpartum period or until her nipples toughen, the mother should air dry them after each nursing
to prevent them from cracking, which can lead to infection. If her nipples do crack, the mother can coat them with
breast milk or other natural moisturizers to help them heal. Vitamin E oil and lanolin are commonly used, although
some babies may have allergic reactions to them. Proper positioning at the breast can help prevent sore nipples.
If the mother's very sore, the baby may not have the nipple far enough back in his or her mouth.
Relax! It can't be stressed enough how important it is for mother to be relaxed. If your not, how can you expect your baby to be? You can achieve this by being patient, being in a comfortable position; remember, a feed can take quite some time, and the last thing you want is to disturb your baby, by changing positions, in the middle of it's feed.
Please be aware that the information given in these articles should in no way be taken as a substitute for professional advice and does not necessarily reflect the views of Breast Feeding Information. If you have questions or concerns regarding your family's or your child's physical or mental health, please seek other professional assistance. We cannot be held responsible for any damages that result from the use of the information provided on this website. Any statements and opinions expressed within this site are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of the site.