My Breastfeeding Tips

I know you didn’t ask but I’ll share anyway. Cause that’s how I roll. If you are a breastfeeding mom or mom-to-be that would like to know what I think about this topic- please read on. If not, the next post will be up next week {or this weekend depending on the monkeys that inhabit this house}.

I’m not the type of person that will judge what you do {or don’t do} with your babies. They are your babies and you do what is best for them, you, and your family. But. When family and friends ask me about breastfeeding, I am happy to share my experiences and any advice I can give.
Breastfeeding seems to be getting a bit more press lately. Take, for example, Bethenny Frankel vs Joy Behar and the whole don’t tell people breastfeeding is hard thing.
Well, it is.
Bethenny was being real.
Which leads me to tip number one.

1. Keep an open mind and don’t set expectations.
If people don’t tell you their experiences {or if you don’t ask} you may believe that breastfeeding is natural, easy, meant to be- it’s nature’s way, right? Wrong. Babies come with their own individual personalities and develop at different speeds. My 1st son was born 4 weeks early and by those standards, he should have been too lethargic or might not have developed his sucking reflex well enough. He proved those doctors wrong. He was perfectly comfortable and able to nurse. Although, physical conditions were preventing an easy ride. He was tongue-tied. His frenulum was attached all the way to the tip of his tongue preventing him from being able to latch properly {and stick his tongue out}. I wasn’t aware of this for 2 whole months. He {and I} fought through that hurdle and he went on to breastfeed for 17 months.
My 2nd son was {still is} picky. He could not get comfortable with nursing while out and about; he also set his own schedule and would only nurse before nap time. He was born 2 weeks early and had some latch issues. We {reluctantly} used a nipple shield for two months before he was able to get the hang of it. He went on to breastfeed for 18 months {4 of which I was pregnant with baby boy #3}.
Baby Boy 3 was born at 40 weeks {1 day} and the kid is a chow-hound. Pretty easy ride, so far. Although, he does bite more than the last two did.
So yeah. Expectations. No one can tell you want your baby will or will not do once he/she is here. But by not setting expectations, you won’t experience a let down {pun intended}.

Which leads me directly to…
2. Ask for HELP.
Most hospitals have free Lactation Consultants that do rounds while you are in the hospital. You can request as much time as you need. If your hospital does not have a Lactation Consultant, I strongly suggest you research ahead of time and speak to someone that is willing to help before and after baby comes. In my experience, most Lactation Consultants are very willing to help, some even for free. Another good resource for finding local support is La Leche League International. A great online resource for support is KellyMom. Or ask your friends! {or me!} Support is key. Breastfeeding is a learning process for mom and baby and combined with those postpartum hormones… it helps to have support.

3. They don’t eat every hour, forever.
Some babies come out needing to breastfeed every minute of the day; some are happy every few hours. Regardless, when you are knee deep in those constant feedings, it feels like it is never going to end {and you will never get a break}. The first 6-8 weeks are full of changes. Changes in your milk, growth spurts, constantly changing sleep patterns, changes in supply and demand… my best advice is to roll with the changes {which is SO one of those easier said than done pieces of advice}. A very wise {and my absolute favorite} Lactation Consultant once told me:

scheduling your baby’s feedings only decreases your milk supply as the first 6-8 weeks {and sometimes beyond} is all about Supply and Demand. Baby demands the amount of milk and you supply what baby needs. Count on increased nursing {frequency} during that time as your baby is telling your body that he/she needs more.

You may have bugged your eyes out when you read that my first two breastfeed till they were 17/18 months. You have to remember, at that age, they were at the breast maybe 2-3 times {sometimes only once} a day. {and lots of tots go even longer than that, my boys were just ready to be done around the same time coincidentally}.

4. Relax.
Stress and tension- not only can your baby sense your emotions, your boobs can too. Try your best to relax when you are nursing your baby {or even pumping- get a good pump by the way} it helps the flow of things, literally. As much as I say this to friends {who ask} I find myself {still} grinding my teeth, clenching my jaw, shrugging my shoulders. I’m constantly reminding myself to relax. and not because of anything in particular, it’s kind of habit. Bad habit. If you experience pain while breastfeeding {which is completely normal in the beginning or if you have breastfeeding induced pain- cracks, infection, engorgement} breathe. Breathe through it while feeding your baby and then treat it after he/she is done. Dr. Jack Newman has an amazing remedy for healing.

5. Bring baby TO YOU.
Along the lines of staying relaxed {for baby and for your body}, bring baby TO you. Get a good support of pillows; a good chair/glider; a good nursing pillow that allows baby to line up with your boobies. Don’t lean forward! Trust me, you can pull a muscle in your boob and it hurts. Not only that, it’s not good on your back. Plus, baby will be more comfortable when he/she is positioned right which means baby will fuss less and it won’t turn into a frustrating process. {Remember to keep baby’s body in line. Meaning- head, neck, back, legs are all lined up. Gas bubbles and such happen more frequently when baby has a tweaked neck. Have you ever tried drinking a glass of water with your head to one side? It’s not comfortable at all.}

6. Which side?
Holy cow. {another pun}. I can’t remember what I had for lunch today let alone what side I left off on. In the beginning I kept a note on my phone devoted to feedings {they have an App for that.. I’m not joking} but I decided to just keep a simple note. That way, I could add in any other details I felt like jotting down. Anyway, I did that for a while {also helps with keeping track of sleep which I also did pretty much from day one cause I “do” The No Cry Sleep Solution with my kiddos, but that’s ME}. There are fancy charms that you can attach to your bra to remind you which side you are on at the next feeding; my mom used to put a rubber band on her wrist {I guess you could just use a bracelet}; you could write it down… me? I now leave a burp cloth on the nursing pillow and that’s how I know which side to start on at the next feeding. Plus, it’s extra protection in case baby spits up {one less time you have to wash the cover of the nursing pillow}. My #3 was {still kinda is} a spitty-uppy baby.

7. A few extras.
Keep an extra shirt, nursing bra, breast pads, baby outfit, bib, and {a million} burp cloths in your car. I even have a nursing pillow in my car {any pillow would work just fine}. I learned my lesson the hard way when I was walking around the store with two wet bulls eye marks on my shirt.

8. Enjoy it.
Enjoy the quiet bonding time that breastfeeding brings. It’s such a short time in your life and it goes by so fast.

What’s the best advice you have received when it comes to breastfeeding?