Breast milk is nature’s miracle food, filled with the nutrients and protective antibodies your baby needs in their first months and years of life. Plus, it’s free! It still, however, can feel intimidating for soon-to-be and new parents. We’ve compiled some of the top breastfeeding tips that have helped new families in our area overcome common challenges.
“Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to bond with your baby,” says Anna Burns, occupational therapist at Beaufort Memorial HealthLink for Children. “Learning what to expect and how to overcome obstacles helps you stick with breastfeeding as long as possible, which benefits you and your baby.”
Read More: Attend a Breastfeeding Class
Breastfeeding Tip #1: Get Comfortable
You and your baby both want to be comfortable during breastfeeding sessions. The amount of time you breastfeed may vary based on your baby’s age. Newborns may breastfeed for 20 minutes or longer, but that time may drop to as little as five minutes per breast as they get older. These are just estimates, though, so call your provider if you feel like your baby is eating too quickly or too slowly.
Holding your baby in the right position can also ensure a successful latch.
Experiment with various breastfeeding holds to find the position that works for you and helps your baby feed successfully.
Breastfeeding Tip #2: Watch for Signs Your Baby Is Eating Enough
It can be hard to know if your baby is satisfied or hungry after each session. If you’re brand new to breastfeeding, know that a little weight loss in the first few days of life is normal. Your baby should return to their birth weight by day 10.
As your baby gets a little older, keep an eye out for these signs your baby is getting enough milk:
- Feeding frequently (eight to 12 times in 24 hours).
- Having about six or more wet diapers a day
- Seeming satisfied after a meal and letting go of your breast without any help from you
Breastfeeding Tip #3: Ask for Help When Breastfeeding Hurts
Many moms experience nipple soreness in the first few weeks of breastfeeding. The pain may occur because of hormone changes, but it can also develop if your baby isn’t latching properly.
Try these tips to help your baby latch on to your breast:
- Hold your baby’s head and neck straight, careful that their chin isn’t tucked down.
- Brush your baby’s mouth against your nipple.
- Once your baby opens their mouth wide, place your nipple above their top lip, and aim their lower lip away from the bottom of your nipple.
If you experience nipple soreness and the pain does not go away after 30 seconds of feeding, try removing your baby from your breast. Placing a clean finger in their mouth will help break the latch. You can also try skin-to-skin contact for a better latch.
Breast pain due to hormone changes should taper off two to three weeks after your baby is born. If pain continues, talk with your provider, especially if you also experience a fever or other symptoms of an illness.
Breastfeeding Tip #4: Feed Your Baby Often
Feeding your baby eight to 12 times a day not only tells you they’re eating well, but frequent feedings also increase your milk supply.
“While some people claim that galactagogues — foods, supplements and medications thought to increase your milk production — can help, you’ll have better luck by increasing how often you feed or express milk,” Burns says. “Milk supply is based on milk demand.”
Read More: Breastfeeding on the Job: Tips for Pumping at Work
Breastfeeding Tip #5: Rely on Your Support System
You may be doing the feeding, but others can help. Your partner can provide support by:
- Cooking nutritious meals to make sure you’re well-nourished
- Giving encouraging comments and practicing patience as you feed your baby
- Keeping a glass of water filled so you stay hydrated while you’re breastfeeding
- Performing household tasks so you can breastfeed when your baby needs you
- Feeding your baby expressed milk in a bottle while you rest (if you pump milk)
Breastfeeding Tip #6: Be Mindful of Your Diet
You can safely eat most foods while breastfeeding, but certain foods and flavors can upset your baby’s tummy. For example, infants can be sensitive to dairy products and spicy, bitter and high-fiber foods.
If your infant has tummy troubles or bowel changes, do the following:
- Try to identify foods that cause problems.
- Avoid those foods for two weeks to see if your baby improves.
- Reintroduce the foods to see if your baby has the same symptoms.
Babies can also handle a little caffeine. Aim for no more than three cups of coffee daily and cut back if your baby becomes fussy or has a hard time falling or staying asleep.
Alcoholic beverages pass to your baby through breast milk. Large amounts can cause drowsiness, slow growth and neurodevelopmental delays. Healthy, full-term infants may tolerate one alcoholic beverage per day. To minimize its effects, drink immediately after a breastfeeding session.
Read More: Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Tip #7: Protect Your Baby From Colds and the Flu
Unless your infant is medically fragile, you can continue breastfeeding if you have a cold or the flu. These viruses do not pass through your breast milk, but protective antibodies produced by your immune system do.
However, you may want to pump breast milk and have a partner or family member bottle feed your baby so you can avoid spreading germs through close contact.
If you need to treat your symptoms, ibuprofen and acetaminophen are generally safe, but it’s best to talk to your provider before taking any medicine.
Breastfeeding Tip #8: Keep Breastfeeding as Long as You Can
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends feeding breast milk exclusively for the first six months of your baby’s life and continuing for at least two years as your baby transitions to solid foods.
And yes, you can get pregnant while breastfeeding.
“Breastfeeding keeps you from ovulating for a little bit,” Burns says. “But it’s difficult to predict when you will start ovulating again.”
Do you have questions about breastfeeding? Request an appointment with a women’s health provider at Beaufort Memorial or call our 24/7 warm line at 843-522-5147 for help.