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You see moms in the mall nursing their babies and it looks like the easiest, most natural thing ever. I never even put any thought into it until I was pregnant. That was when I heard how challenging nursing could be. I didn't know what I could do to prepare myself for it, and maybe there isn't. There are classes, books etc., but maybe it's a case of "learning by doing" and it's easier for some than others.
You see moms in the mall nursing their babies and it looks like the easiest, most natural thing ever. I never even put any thought into it until I was pregnant. That was when I heard how challenging nursing could be. I didn't know what I could do to prepare myself for it, and maybe there isn't. There are classes, books etc., but maybe it's a case of "learning by doing" and it's easier for some than others.
Did you know that high-pitched sounds (like a crying baby) can make your milk leak? Or that when you feed or pump on one side, you leak out the other? I didn't, until discovering spots on my shirt! Also the shower can bring on the waterworks... What surprised you about breastfeeding? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!
1. Breastfeeding Classes, Organizations & Online Resources
I remember telling a non-mother about how difficult it was and she said "yeah, I heard of a lot of moms here having trouble, but I've never heard of women back home in Venezuela having issues". That's probably because until you're actually going through it yourself, you don't seem hear about it. Breastfeeding issues happen across the globe - in fact there's an international organization called "La Leche League" built up around the subject.
In hindsight I definitely should have signed up for a breastfeeding class while I was pregnant. I'm sure they inform you about difficulties that can arise, how you can avoid / recover from them and tell you all about the helpful products out there. Most hospitals with Delivery Rooms probably offer breastfeeding classes for expectant mothers, and many also offer post-partum lactation support groups.
2. Get Rest & Focus on Breastfeeding!
If you could, I'd recommend to spend the first few weeks in bed trying to nurse pretty much 24-7. Don't try to get up, cook, clean, do laundry, play hostess to company. You can do that in later weeks/months. You only have a short window of time to get the breastfeeding established. The added bonus is that, if you're in bed, hopefully visitors will feel awkward about staying too long!
If you could, I'd recommend to spend the first few weeks in bed trying to nurse pretty much 24-7. Don't try to get up, cook, clean, do laundry, play hostess to company. You can do that in later weeks/months. You only have a short window of time to get the breastfeeding established. The added bonus is that, if you're in bed, hopefully visitors will feel awkward about staying too long!
3. Breast Shells & Nipple Shields for the Super Breastfeeder!
The nurses in the hospital kept saying that they were going to bring me breast shells because my baby was not able to successfully latch on, but they forgot about me. This is where that birth coach would have come in handy!
One lactation consultant recommended I get a nipple shield (not to be confused with the above mentioned breast shells!) as well for the latching problems, so I did, and it worked. It was also good for avoiding soreness.
4. Some Sort of Nipple Ointment
Because nipples can get quite sore from all those failed attempts to latch properly! After having baby number two, I found out about APNO (All Purpose Nipple Ointment), which worked much better than any other cream, salve or ointment I tried. Sorry, I don't have a link to it, because you have to get a prescription from your OB! Warning: it's expensive. I think I spent $75 for the smallest tube (I should add I haven't used it up yet after almost 8 months, because you only need it in the newborn stage. Possibly you'll use a little bit of it later if you're unlucky enough to be suffering from blocked milk ducts, mastitis or owning a Medela Pump in Style).
People swear by Lanolin ointment but it has done nothing for me. Try it, can't hurt! Your hospital may give you free samples in the recovery room.
I was optimistic about Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple balm, since I found their other balm to be a gift from heaven, but I was mildly disappointed the "Earth... Nipple Balm" wasn't a miracle cream - it wasn't much better (except in ease of applying it) than Lanolin (I found Lanolin to be very thick, difficult to even squeeze out of the tube).
I've hear of people using coconut oil, too.
5. Nursing Bras
If you're staying at home most of the time, I found that I didn't need too many nursing bras with underwire. The most comfortable and convenient thing is regular Hanes cotton sports bras and nursing tanks. The stretchy spandex sports bras I used to wear to the gym made me really sweaty while holding a little furnace!
6. Nursing Pads
If you're staying at home most of the time, I found that I didn't need too many nursing bras with underwire. The most comfortable and convenient thing is regular Hanes cotton sports bras and nursing tanks. The stretchy spandex sports bras I used to wear to the gym made me really sweaty while holding a little furnace!
6. Nursing Pads
Like I mentioned above, when you're lactating from one boob, the other follows. That's why you need nursing pads, so you don't get milk stains on your shirt.
The reusable nursing pads were so-so, I soaked through on occasion. But they're also more breathable than disposables, an important feature so you don't get sore nipples. I found the TL Care Organic Cotton Nursing Pads, Natural, 6 Count to be better than the Avent brand reusable nursing pads. However, you can see the bulky outline on your shirt.
More discrete are the disposable nursing pads and they didn't leak either, but I ran through them so quickly I felt it to be more economical to use reusable nursing pads when I was just hanging out around the house.
You will need ice packs whether you are dealing with milk coming in, oversupply, weaning, or blocked milk ducts.
8. Propping Pillows
A boppy pillow was convenient, but not necessary. You could use regular pillows or blankets to wedge under your arms or under baby.
A boppy pillow was convenient, but not necessary. You could use regular pillows or blankets to wedge under your arms or under baby.
9. Supplements and Some Other Bonus Tips
With my first baby I had low milk supply in the beginning and I don't know if it was the constant effort that finally paid off or the fact that I gorged myself on lactation cookies (with brewers yeast - I'll post a recipe someday), this mama's milk tea, and that I finally broke down and bought an electric pump and used it on turbo speed. When she was 1 month old I actually developed an oversupply of milk! That lead to problems like overactive letdown and engorgement, so don't do that - take it slow!
When I started my first baby on solid food at 6 months, I increased her solid food portions too fast. Of course that meant baby wasn't as hungry at the breast - not draining as much as previously and I got clogged milk ducts, then one evolved into mastitis. Not fun! I'd say that was almost as painful as natural childbirth! Remember to really gradually increase the solid food portions.
However, blocked milk ducts and blisters may have been caused by sleeping on my stomach, being run down, not feeding baby on a rigid schedule, wearing a bra with underwire, improper latch, baby being lip-tied... Who knows, maybe the causes all ganged up on me and gave me a giant sucker punch in the boob?
With second baby I developed chronic clogged ducts again. Yayayayayay! Yay! One nurse suggested getting some Lecithin pills, which she said is supposed to break up the fatty particles in the milk so it can easier travel through the ducts? I'm not 100% believer in supplements, but figured it can't hurt! It's mainly sunflower oil.
Tip from my big sis that I kept in mind: Remember to nurse in different positions, so you don't develop blocked ducts. Also if your baby gets used to only feeding when you are laying down, it could be inconvenient when not at home base.With my first baby I had low milk supply in the beginning and I don't know if it was the constant effort that finally paid off or the fact that I gorged myself on lactation cookies (with brewers yeast - I'll post a recipe someday), this mama's milk tea, and that I finally broke down and bought an electric pump and used it on turbo speed. When she was 1 month old I actually developed an oversupply of milk! That lead to problems like overactive letdown and engorgement, so don't do that - take it slow!
When I started my first baby on solid food at 6 months, I increased her solid food portions too fast. Of course that meant baby wasn't as hungry at the breast - not draining as much as previously and I got clogged milk ducts, then one evolved into mastitis. Not fun! I'd say that was almost as painful as natural childbirth! Remember to really gradually increase the solid food portions.
However, blocked milk ducts and blisters may have been caused by sleeping on my stomach, being run down, not feeding baby on a rigid schedule, wearing a bra with underwire, improper latch, baby being lip-tied... Who knows, maybe the causes all ganged up on me and gave me a giant sucker punch in the boob?
With second baby I developed chronic clogged ducts again. Yayayayayay! Yay! One nurse suggested getting some Lecithin pills, which she said is supposed to break up the fatty particles in the milk so it can easier travel through the ducts? I'm not 100% believer in supplements, but figured it can't hurt! It's mainly sunflower oil.
warm showers help with blocked ducts, and hot/cold-packs when they're warmed up
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