Breastfeeding Tips And Tricks

Congratulations on your new baby! Are you nervous or worried about breastfeeding? It can be overwhelming just like any part of raising a child. Don’t worry though! Thankfully there are lots of women who have breastfed before us and have shared their tips and tricks to help others have a better experience.

First and foremost, it is important to have PATIENCE. There is a lot to learn when it comes to breastfeeding, especially if you are a first-time-mom. It is okay if it takes a few days or even weeks to get the hang of it, and it’s okay if it doesn’t work out. Breastfeeding isn’t for everyone. Just have patience with yourself, your baby, and the breastfeeding journey.

It can also help to keep your baby near you. When your baby is close by, it can help you to recognize when they are hungry, or sleepy, or just in need of cuddles. They can also smell you and your milk, which can help them want to breastfeed.

When you do recognize that your baby is hungry, it is important to feed on demand. The first few months you might feel like all your baby does is eat, but that is a good thing! As your baby learns to eat through effective and frequent feeding, your body will adjust to meet their needs and produce enough milk, and eventually you will both fall into a routine. Typically most breastfed babies don’t over-eat. Just feed them when they show signs of being hungry (hands in fists, starts getting squirmy, head moves a lot, starts to get fussy) and let them eat until they are full and unlatch.

You can also try different feeding positions. The most common feeding position is where the mother is sitting upright, and the baby lays horizontal on her lap, sometimes supported by blankets or pillows. When my baby was first born, he latched well and liked this position. After a few weeks he started getting fussy when it came time to eat, and I couldn’t figure out why. One night we were both so tired, so I fed him laying down on my bed with his little body laying next to me. He instantly latched and ate for so long. Since then, he always feeds much better when we lay next to each other versus when I am sitting up. The more you try with your baby, you will figure out what works for both of you!

It’s also important to pay attention to the things you eat. Sometimes certain foods don’t sit well with babies and make their little tummies upset, or can make our milk smell different and unattractive to our babies. Some babies even have allergies, typically with milk and dairy products which will also hurt them and make them gassy. Just pay attention to how they react to the different foods that you eat.

Some other things that helped me when my baby was having a hard time latching were putting a little bit of sugar water on my breast and doing skin-to-skin. Babies love sugar water! You can also try pulling on your nipple for a few seconds to stretch it out to make it easier for your baby to latch onto.

Breastfeeding is a wonderful and special journey! It’s also okay if breastfeeding isn’t for you! Not all babies like it, and some mothers can’t breastfeed due to going back to work, or other personal reasons. Just do what is best for you and your baby and enjoy the ride of motherhood!

Do you have any tips or tricks to share? Leave them in the comments below!

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