10 Helpful Breastfeeding Tips For New Moms

Breastfeeding is a wonderful experience for both moms and babies. If you are planning to breastfeed, it’s helpful to be prepared for some of the normal stages that come with learning to breastfeed in the first  few weeks. We have compiled a few helpful tips from breastfeeding experts, moms, health care practitioners, and others who care about breastfeeding moms and babies so that you can have the best start possible.

10 Helpful Breastfeeding Tips To Ensure Success

1. If at all possible, plan for a natural birth. An uncomplicated birth makes breastfeeding easier because mom and baby are more alert and awake, therefore getting breastfeeding off to the best start.

2. As soon as possible, place baby at your breast and often. It is normal for your milk to take anywhere from 2-5 days to come in so use the first days after birth to begin learning how to latch while your baby nurses on your highly nutritious colostrum.

3. Get your latch right. Learning how to latch your baby onto the breast is one of the most, if not THE most important thing you can do to avoid pain and ensure adequate draining of the breast (which leads to an abundant milk supply). Ask for help as soon as possible to avoid frustration and help you continue to move towards your goals.

4. Avoid unnatural nipples or nipple guards. Alert hospital staff in writing and verbally that you are going to be breastfeeding and let them know you do not want your infant to receive any kind of artificial nipple. Have a good quality natural nipple butter on hand and begin using it right away to keep your nipples conditioned while you and your baby learn how to latch correctly. Once you are home, plan to avoid any artificial nipples until you are confident that you have a good latch and abundant milk supply. It is normal for this learning process to take anywhere from 2-8 weeks or more.

5. Be prepared for weight changes in your baby. It is normal for baby’s to lose some of their birth weight while your milk is coming in. Once your milk comes in, feed often (every 1.5-3 hours) to encourage milk production. Babies that are slightly jaundiced or are sleepy feeders will need to be woken up to feed more often. While it’s tempting to allow your baby to sleep for 4 hours, feeding more often in the beginning will greatly influence your milk production and help baby gain back the necessary weight. Your health care professionals will be able to assess your baby’s weight in more detail.

6. Find a Pediatrician and OB or Midwife who supports breastfeeding. Some give lip service to the “breast is best” mantra, but recommend weaning to formula at the first sign of difficulty. Find a true breastfeeding advocate who will help you overcome challenges if they come up. Also be prepared for well meaning friends and family who may ask “if you have enough milk?” Only about 5% of moms are biologically unable to produce milk so nearly all milk supply issues can be worked out through simple changes to the feeding technique or routine.

7. Listen to your baby and avoid trendy feeding schedules. Babies nurse for a wide variety of reasons, some of which have nothing to do with hunger. Nursing frequently ensures you’ll bring in a healthy milk supply to meet your baby’s needs in the long run. It’s also soothing to him and eases his transition into the world.

8. Wear your baby. Wearing baby in a sling/carrier makes nursing easier because baby is close to you. Wearing him helps to organize his movements and help him focus on nursing. It also makes nursing in public much more comfortable. In The Breastfeeding Book, Dr. William Sears said about this: “Probably one of the most wonderful aspects of a sling or carrier is that it allows breastfeeding on the move. Busy mothers can nurture their babies with the best nutrition, yet still continue their active lifestyles.”

9. Talk to your baby’s father and your family. Be sure to communicate to your family how strongly you feel about nursing. Sell them on the benefits so they’ll support you.

10. Learn to nurse in public. You will appreciate being mobile and tending to your baby’s needs at the same time. If you choose, a sling or a receiving blanket will keep you and baby covered. Breastfeeding author Amy Spangler says: “I encourage young women, if they have a comfort level doing so, to please breastfeed their babies wherever they are because until we get that critical mass of women doing just that, we are not going to change the attitudes of the general public.” Practice latching baby on in front of a mirror so you can learn to do so discreetly.

11. Don’t compare your baby with others. Healthy, well fed breastfed babies come in all shapes and sizes and sleep in a variety of patterns. Your baby will grow in a particular pattern mostly due to genetics.

12. Keep Baby In Your Room. Having baby in a bassinet or co-sleeper beside you will make breastfeeding easier. You can lie down and rest while baby nurses and babies who sleep with their mothers take in more milk and stimulate mom’s breastfeeding hormones. Many moms appreciate as minimal interruption as possible for night feedings so everyone can get a little more sleep.

The time it takes to establish breastfeeding varies from mom to mom. Some find breastfeeding easy and some do not, however breastfeeding help is always available and highly recommended. With time and attention, moms who plan to breastfeed can look forward to a positive and lasting experience. Remember to go at your own pace and surround yourself around helpful and supportive people. The benefits of breastfeeding are vast and numerous so we hope these breastfeeding tips will be helpful as you embark on your new journey into motherhood.