Blog - Breastfeeding Tips & Information for Nursing Mothers

Whether you’re a first-time mother, a mother who has breastfed multiple times, or a mother with other children who has decided to breastfeed her current infant, there is always more to learn. Here, we discuss a few of the items many professionals have found useful when advising mothers who choose the healthy and beautiful bonding benefits offered by breastfeeding.

The Birth Crawl

This is a phrase used to describe a baby’s first feed at the breast. When the baby is first born, experts will tell you that this first time you breastfeed is the most important time.

“The birth crawl” is when the baby pulls herself to your breast when laid on your chest to latch on and feed for the first time. This usually happens within the first half hour of the baby’s life.
Breastfeeding support is offered at the hospital during the first few times your baby feeds, and you should take it. The first couple of weeks are crucial to establishing flow, and so it is very important to feed or pump often during this time.

Forget About Scheduling!

When you first bring home your little bundle of joy, you might be hoping to set a schedule for sleeping and eating that makes things easier on your life. Save yourself a lot of headaches and forget about the schedule. Feed your baby when they first wake up and let them sleep when tired. This gives your body an idea of how much milk it needs to produce.

Latching On

You’ll hear so many breastfeeding tips about getting your newborn to latch on but what the experts will tell you is that every baby is different. Listen to and note the sounds they make and the rhythm of them suckling, you can use these notes when you seek breastfeeding support from a lactation specialist.

Get Comfortable

The most important thing you could do to make breastfeeding easier and more enjoyable for both Mom and baby is to make sure you both are comfortable every time:

  • Play around with breastfeeding positions for you and your baby to find the ones that are most comfortable. A breastfeeding pillow will be your best friend in this endeavor.
  • Drain one breast completely before switching to the other instead of switching back and forth. This allows the empty breast time to produce more milk while the baby is feeding with the other and lets them eat without interruption.
  • Be consistent with the way you dress and smell when you sit down to feed your baby. They will feel if the fabric of your shirt is different or smell if your natural scent has been altered and this can make them uncomfortable. Skin to skin contact whenever possible is better than laying them on your shirt.
  • Create spaces around the house with everything you need to breastfeed comfortably such as breastfeeding pillows, a book, snacks, other entertainment like your tablet or e-reader, and any breastfeeding accessories you need and use regularly.
  • Breastfeeding may be a bit difficult at first, but it’s worth committing to both you and your baby. Make sure you get plenty of nutrition, hydrate well, and don’t ever be ashamed to ask for help from a lactation specialist!

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