7 Essential Breastfeeding Tips

Breastfeeding; tedious, yet rewarding

Breastfeeding can be a beautiful and beneficial part of motherhood. It can also be short-lived (or not at all) for some. Despite the extensive list of health, emotional, physical, and financial breastfeeding advantages, there are still many controversies surrounding the topic. Fortunately, the number of breastfeeding mothers is rising, and women advocate for the movement. You are likely to see more breastfeeding campaigns and women nursing in public. It’s a beautiful journey to embark upon and even witness. I breastfed my son for three and a half years and wanted to share some essentials that helped me throughout my journey. With these tips (and without any significant complications), you should be able to successfully breastfeed/nurse for as long as you and the baby would like.

Mindset

Breastfeeding can be challenging, especially in the early weeks when you and your baby are learning. A positive mindset can encourage persistence and help you overcome any difficulties or obstacles that you may encounter. Formula was entirely out of the picture for me, so while pregnant, I read a lot of breastfeeding-based literature and was confident that I would be able to power through it and utilize my resources in case of any complications. Grab some reading material, learn your job’s lactation policy before taking maternity leave, and trust that your body is capable. Knowledge and confidence are great ways to set yourself up for success and help prevent prematurely ending your breastfeeding journey.

Practice Latching

Proper latching is crucial for successful breastfeeding. It helps avoid pain and ensures the baby gets enough milk. Position your baby correctly and make sure their body is facing you. Their head, neck, and body should be in a straight line, their mouth should be facing your nipple, and their nose should be close to your breast. Waiting until your baby opens their mouth wide before bringing them to your breast will ensure they get a deep latch. Their mouth should cover as much of your areola as possible, not just the nipple. Ensure their lips are flanged out, and their tongue is underneath your breast. Hearing your baby swallow as they nurse is a sign that they are getting enough milk and have a good latch. To break the latch, insert your finger into your baby's mouth to release the suction.

1. Wait for a wide mouth: Wait until your baby opens their mouth wide before bringing them to your breast. This will ensure they get a deep latch.

2. Support your breast: Use your hand to support your breast and guide your nipple into your baby's mouth.

3. Tickle your baby's lips: Use your nipple to tickle your baby's lips, causing them to open their mouth wide.

4. Aim for a deep latch: Your baby's mouth should cover as much of your areola as possible, not just the nipple. Make sure your baby's lips are flanged out, and their tongue is underneath your breast.

5. Listen for swallowing: You should be able to hear your baby swallowing as they nurse. This is a sign that they are getting enough milk and have a good latch.

6. Break the latch carefully: To break the latch, insert your finger into your baby's mouth to release the suction.

It helps to switch sides during each feeding and practice different holding positions to see which one baby likes best.

Supply and Demand

The more you nurse/pump, the more milk your body is signaled to produce. Let your baby nurse on demand, as often and for as long as they want; this helps to establish a good milk supply and ensure they're getting enough nutrition. Emptying your breast every two hours and massaging your breast while nursing/pumping helps to open and prevent clogged ducts. If you're going to be away from your baby for an extended amount of time, make sure nursing is the first thing you do when you see your baby and the last before you part. If you notice your supply is decreasing, power pumping every two hours is effective, but keep in mind that a pump won't signal as much milk as your baby's mouth will. Don't assume that the baby isn't getting enough milk based on the amount you are pumping. As long as they are satisfied, sleepy, or full after breastfeeding and gaining weight appropriately, they're getting an adequate amount.

Nutrition

Breastfeeding can be thirsty and hungry work, so it's essential to stay hydrated, drink lots of coconut water, and eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats to maintain your energy levels. Try to avoid processed and junk foods as much as possible. Counting calories can be exhausting, so you want to follow your hunger as a guide and eat as much as your body tells you it needs. Keeping a glass of water next to you every time you nurse is an excellent reminder to stay hydrated. Your body can also utilize water from other sources like water-dense fruits and vegetables, soup, milk, and tea. If interested, I have a nourishing herbal lactation tea blend that many breastfeeding women have found to increase their milk supply and energy levels.

Accessories

There are several accessories that can help make breastfeeding easier:

1. Nursing bra: A nursing bra can provide easy access for breastfeeding, support your breasts, and prevent clogged ducts. It can also help prevent leaks and make breastfeeding more comfortable.

2. Baby carrier: Baby-wearing permits mobility and a hands-free experience. You can nurse while completing tasks, and it also promotes skin-to-skin/intimacy between mom and baby (which encourages the let-down reflex). I loved the Moby Wrap for the newborn stage and the Ergo 360, later. Both were easy to wear while nursing.

3. Nursing pillow: Nursing pillows support your shoulders and back while nursing and help the baby position well for latching. Although pillows from the bed or couch can also serve this purpose, the Boppy Pillow helps with bottle feeding, tummy time, and sitting.

4. Breast pads: Breast pads can be used to absorb leaks between feedings. They can be disposable or reusable and can help prevent leaks and keep your clothes dry.

5. Breast pump: A breast pump (usually covered through insurance) can help you express milk when you're away from your baby or need to increase your milk supply. It can also be helpful if your baby has trouble latching or if you're experiencing engorgement. I've tried five, with the Spectra S2 being my favorite electronic pump. The Haakaa is a great manual pump that catches the excess milk that drips while the baby nurses on the opposite breast.

Support

Get others involved. It's beneficial to have a tribe of people who support your breastfeeding journey, whether it be a spouse/partner, sibling, friend, parent, doula, etc. Breastfeeding requires a lot of commitment, and it's nice to have others who encourage this journey. Seek support from a lactation consultant (usually covered through insurance), other breastfeeding mothers, or a support group if you're struggling with breastfeeding. It's okay to ask for help; having support can make all the difference in your breastfeeding journey.

These shared tips are what helped me throughout my breastfeeding journey and I hope you are able to take from them as well. If you have any additional suggestions to add, please leave them in the comments below. You never know who you may inspire.

Happy Nursing!