Top 5 Breastfeeding Tips

And this was the first blog post I decided to jump back in with 🙂  Well, here it goes!

So, let’s talk breastfeeding.  Doesn’t everyone want to chat about it?  I’m sure it is not the first thing people want to talk about, but if you are pregnant or a new mom, it probably is right up there as to things you might want to know more about (other then the color and frequency of your newborns poop).  While, I am not expert, I am a mom who breastfed her son for 14 months and I am hoping other new moms find this helpful.

I have to be honest, it was hard to narrow it down to just 5, but I do think these really are the top 5 (at least for me).  First let me just state that HOWEVER you feed your baby is best, whether that is breast or bottle (formula) or bottle (pumped breastmilk).  And that breastfeeding is NOT easy. While you would think it is “natural”, as God made women’s bodies to breastfeed, it doesn’t necessarily come “naturally” to every woman or every baby.  

I knew I wanted to at least try to breastfeed my baby, while still knowing that if it didn’t work out, bottle and formula feeding was still OK (Although if I am going to be 100% honest, I would have been disappointed.  And feeling disappointed is OK). We shouldn’t beat ourselves up as moms if something doesn’t turn out the way be had “planned”. As I mentioned before, I breastfed little MJ till he was 14 months. I will go into more detail later about my breastfeeding journey, but for now, here are my tips.  (*disclaimer: I am no expert, nor do I have a degree in lactation. I am just a mom and these are my experiences)

1.  EDUCATION!  

If you are reading this, then you are already starting to educate yourself!  I had a doula for my birth and she also had a lactation background. As part of her services, she offered a short breastfeeding class.  I believe that taking a class and learning as much as you can will help you. If my Doula didn’t offer a class, I would have searched and gone to one.  Look for a local Le Leche League in your area or other Lactation groups/consultants.  There is a great one here is San Diego – San Diego Breastfeeding Center.  The classes will teach you so much!  Again, I took one with my Doula and some of the really helpful things I learned about were:

1. 1. Proper Latch.  She showed me this video and I watched it so many times before I gave birth.  Granted, not every baby may let you get them to do the perfect latch (tongue tie/lip tie), but it helps to know and get into practice so you can guide your baby.  
   2. How breastmilk changes.  Did you know that the composition of breastmilk changes to what the baby’s needs area?  Are they sick and need immunity boosting? Growth spurt? Their needs change from feeding to feeding, day to day and month to month.  Unlike formula where you have to increase the amount (oz) of formula as the baby grows, you don’t do that with breastmilk. The milk changes to fit the baby’s needs.  This is great to know especially if you go back to work and are pumping.
   3. Another great resource – even my Doula, Lactation Consultant and Pediatrician all refer to KellyMom.com
   4. There is so much more to learn, so I highly recommend taking a class.  

2.  Find a really good Lactation Consultant 

I should have found one sooner than I did.  I waited till the 100th hour and I ended up seeing a horrible one only because she could get me in ASAP and then finally got to see a great one a few days later.  I’ll spare you the details, but finding a really good one is so helpful! They will come to your house, be in your environment and watch you feed your baby how you normally feed your baby.  They will review the latch, any tongue tie/lip tie issues and do a Pre and Post Feed baby weight so they can tell how much breastmilk baby is really getting fed. Most (not all) after the initial consultation, will allow you to email and text questions (unlimited).  This was soooo helpful to me. Don’t get me wrong, my pediatrician is great, but she is not specifically trained in lactation/breastfeeding and getting expert advice is so reassuring – even for the littlest of questions.

3.  EAT!

Yes, eat!  And eat as healthy as possible. Breastfeeding causes you to burn an extra 500 calories per day.  I actually found it hard to eat the first couple weeks post birth. I was tired and sick the first 4 weeks of my baby’s life.  Yes, every mom is tired, but to top it off with a crazy sinus infection and cough – I had no energy to make myself something to eat and thus even less energy (and my baby was literally sucking the life out of me!).  When someone asks what they can do to help – have them make you food! I didn’t have this, but a friend did and I think it is a great idea – Meal Train.  I would even set it up for myself next time and send it to my friends.  

4.  Don’t be afraid of the pump!

I was afraid to pump at the beginning.  The whole contraption was scary to me. No one really told me about how and when to use it.  And that truly is up to the mom. It was hard enough to just be up, taking care of baby, maybe get a shower and eat for the day, let alone try and figure out when to pump.  Can’t pump too soon to feeding baby or soon after and you won’t have any milk. I referred to KellyMom.com , my lactation consultant and my BF (who exclusively pumped for 1 year) for all my pumping questions.

5.  Easy Accessible Tops and Coconut Oil

Okay, so these are two things, but I said this was a top 5 – not top 6 :).  You can spend a lot or little on breastfeeding tops. I was a big fan of the “two shirt” method.  Regular shirt on top that you can lift up easily and a breastfeeding tank underneath that you can unsnap super quick.  I bought some inexpensive ones from Old Navy, Amazon and Target. Personally, I didn’t feel the need to buy anything super expensive.  As I mentioned above, I breastfed my son for 14 months and managed with only a few snap tanks and bras and utilized the rest of my regular wardrobe.  And the Coconut Oil. I had bought some “fancy” organic/natural nipple cream/butter that DIDN’T work! In speaking with my Doula post birth, she said, the best is plain ole coconut oil.  Also, a great tip – squeeze a little breastmilk out and use that as well. Breastmilk is very nourishing and healing!

Xoxo,

Dominica