I know not all moms fall in love with breastfeeding, and this post in no way is meant to depreciate moms who choose not to or can't breastfeed. Breastfeeding is not every mom's goal, or even doing it for the first full year, and that's ok. At the end of the day, fed is best. You know your baby and have to do what's best for them! This post is simply a reflection on our breastfeeding journey over the past year, and I thought it would be a great way to share some things I've learned along the way, especially in light of National Breastfeeding Awareness Month this month. These tips are mainly for mamas who are pregnant or freshly discharged from the hospital, but please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any specific questions. I'm always here to help!
Top 5 Breastfeeding Tips for New Mamas
1. There WILL be bumps in the road--but it's worth it to keep going!
No mom's breastfeeding journey is perfect. Latch issues, engorgement, nipple pain, cracks/bleeding, clogged milk ducts, sickness, gas/reflux, lopsided supply, biting--it has ALL happened to me. But I'm so glad I didn't let any of those things keep me from continuing breastfeeding. Whenever an issue popped up, I would reach out for help either from other nursing mamas or the lactation consultant at the hospital where I delivered, and that made a world of difference in my confidence to work through things and keep going. I will never forget when someone told me to try to make it through the first 6 weeks--those are always the hardest. And they were right! You will eventually get in your groove, breastfeeding will become easier, and you'll be so glad you kept going!
2. Find a support person (and don't be afraid to ask for help!)
I'm not sure if I would have made it as far as I did nursing if it weren't for my sister and sister-in-law, who were both successful with breastfeeding their babies, and received a TON of "what do I do?/is this normal?!" type texts from me this past year. I'm so thankful for them and their advice, and it made me feel less alone. It helps to have a supportive spouse, no doubt, but if you can also find a mom who has been-there done-that with breastfeeding, and really gets what you're going through, that will help big time when the going gets tough (and when you just need to laugh about the insanity of motherhood). When issues popped up that required more professional advice, I would call the lactation consultant, and she has truly been a lifesaver. Most hospitals also offer breastfeeding support groups, where you can meet other moms, have one on one time with the LC, and weigh your baby to check on their growth in between doctor appointments. I went to those several times while I was still on maternity leave, and it really helped me keep my sanity to know other moms were struggling with the same things and that I had a place where I could ask questions and get great advice. It was scary the first time I went and knew absolutely no one, but I'm so glad I did!
3. Take care of yourself.
I am preaching to myself on this one--I have the hardest time with this. Drink plenty of water--120 oz. a day is a good goal. Eat a well-balanced diet, including healthy fats and protein (avocado, peanut butter, and veggies + hummus are the perfect snacks!). Staying hydrated and eating enough calories = a healthy milk supply, so taking care of yourself means you are taking care of your baby! And while it's good to get stuff done around the house during nap time, be sure to get plenty of rest and listen to your body when it's time to sit down, read a good book, or catch up on Netflix.4. Get acquainted with the basics of breastfeeding before your baby is born.
When it comes to breastfeeding, knowledge is power! Research as much as you can before your baby gets here, and it will make a world of difference vs. starting from ground zero with a hungry newborn in your arms. There are a ton of books, blogs, podcasts, apps, and even Instagram accounts that are great resources on breastfeeding (I'll be sharing my faves later this week!). I think what helped me the most was attending the in-person class offered at the hospital where I delivered. I was able to meet the lactation consultant, learn what to look for in a proper latch, practice different breastfeeding positions, and it was a great way for my husband to learn more about the benefits of nursing, which was definitely a good thing!5. Create a comfortable nursing/pumping environment.
You will be spending a lot of time sitting down, so investing in a comfortable rocker/glider/chair is absolutely essential. If you can find one with great back support, even better, since nursing (and taking care of a baby in general) can put a strain on your back. I also used a lumbar cushion for extra support those first few months postpartum, and I'm so glad I had that to alleviate my back pain. Next to the rocker in the nursery, I have a nightstand for my water bottle and snacks, and a basket with extra burp cloths, nursing pads, nipple cream, hair things, etc. so it's all within reach right when I need it. I also used a nursing pillow a ton when Gabe was smaller, and liked both the Mombo and Gia, especially for arm support. Once you go back to work, creating a comfortable pumping environment is a lot harder to do. Companies have made huge strides in providing pumping/nursing rooms for moms, but we still have a long way to go. If you will be going back to work, be sure to know your rights when it comes to pumping, and know that in most states employers are required to provide you a place to pump other than the bathroom!BONUS--Find a good quality nursing bra!
Finding a comfortable nursing bra (and sleep bra) is an absolute must--you'll be wearing these almost 24/7 while you're nursing. I've used the heck out of my Target and Motherhood Maternity ones, but for Baby #2 I think I'll be investing in this one from ThirdLove! (And no, the dress I'm wearing in these photos is totally not nursing friendly, but we made it work for that half hour during our session, ha!)
