23 Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms
Breastfeeding can be an overwhelming journey for many new moms. Here are breastfeeding tips that might be able to help before and after your baby is born.
In recognition of World Breastfeeding Week, here are some breastfeeding tips for new moms to help make their journey a little bit easier—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Breastfeeding Tips Before the Baby is Born
1. Attend a class to learn proper latching techniques
One of the keys to a successful breastfeeding journey is learning how to make your baby latch properly. Fortunately, there are many online classes available. You may want to check out ones from LATCH Philippines or consult with doulas from the Pinay Doulas Collective.
2. Create a comfortable space at home for you and your baby
Having a comfortable breastfeeding corner in your home can make a huge difference mentally and emotionally. Consider investing in a quality lounge chair like the iClean Recliners from LA-Z-YBOY, which are easy to clean and provide maximum comfort. If you’re looking for something on the affordable side, check out the Flotti Omega Push Back Recliner from Ofix or the Catania Recliner from Mandaue Foam.
Additionally, make sure your corner has an outlet nearby so you can conveniently charge your phone, tablet, Kindle, or gaming console to keep you entertained. We also suggest having a table where you can place healthy snacks or a drink.
3. Talk to your doctor about skin-to-skin contact or unang yakap
Many doctors who are breastfeeding advocates believe in the power of unang yakap. This is the first skin-to-skin contact between a mother and baby as soon as the baby is born. According to the World Health Organization, unang yakap emphasizes the need to breastfeed within the first 60 to 90 minutes of a child’s life. It is during the early stage of breastfeeding that colostrum is released. This gives the newborn baby protection against infections.
Colostrum is the first form of breast milk that is released by the mammary glands after giving birth. It is nutrient-dense and high in antibodies and antioxidants to build a newborn’s immune system.
4. Try to see the real thing or watch videos of moms nursing
To learn more about breastfeeding, you can watch videos on YouTube or if you know a mom currently breastfeeding, you might want to consult with them! It helps to get the opinions of different women—not just experts and specialists.
Breastfeeding Tips at the Hospital
5. Get your baby to latch as soon as you deliver
The good thing about most hospitals in NCR is that they promote unang yakap and have lactation specialists on standby inside the delivery room. They help babies get a deep latch as soon as they are delivered.
6. It may seem like you’re not producing milk the first few days after your baby is born
This is completely normal. Just keep making your newborn baby latch every time he or she is hungry. In addition, it helps to note that a 1-day or 2-day-old baby’s stomach is merely the size of a marble. All they need is a few drops of colostrum. One way to monitor if your baby is getting fed is the number of diaper changes. 1-month-old babies and younger may have 3 to 4 bowel movements a day and typically wet at least 6 or more diapers a day.
7. Take advantage of the lactation specialist at the hospital and ask as many questions
Before going into labor, you may want to already list down questions related to breastfeeding. And during your first day of breastfeeding your baby, consult with the lactation specialist to ease your worries and anxieties.
Breastfeeding Tips During the First Few Weeks
8. Your breasts will feel heavy, hard, and full as they adjust to your baby’s feeds
Remember that your body is still adjusting. For the first few weeks, your breasts will look and feel engorged. Heavy let-down might occur, too. “Let-down” is the release of milk from the breast. It’s a normal reflex that occurs when nerves in your breasts are stimulated. To avoid wasting let-down milk, have a catcher nearby like a Haakaa or Cmbear’s Silicone Breast Milk Saver Collector Let-down Catcher.
9. Apply nipple cream or let your breast milk dry on your nipples when they’re sore
Your nipples will hurt or feel sore as they adjust to your breastfeeding baby. Whenever they do, simply apply nipple cream. However, some moms recommend that letting breast milk dry on your nipples helps, too.
10. Maintain a healthy, balanced diet
During the fourth trimester or the 12-week period immediately after giving birth to your baby, it’s vital to have a healthy and balanced diet. Don’t think about losing the pregnancy weight first. Your body needs all the nutrients it can get because your baby will benefit from it, too. If you have no time to prepare healthy meals at home, try subscribing to healthy meal delivery services. You can check out GeLai Philippines, Fit Food Manila, or Lunchbox Diet.
11. Tickle your baby’s feet or gently rub them when they fall asleep at the breast
Babies have a tendency to fall asleep while nursing. When this happens, gently wake them up by tickling their feet, rubbing their head, or stroking their cheek.
12. Cluster feeding is normal
Cluster feeding is when your baby wants to feed very often—especially in the evening. This is common, especially during growth spurts. Growth spurts are short periods of time when your baby experiences quick physical growth in height and weight.
13. Don’t count the minutes
You can leave your baby on the first breast until they come off on their own. Then, during the next feeding, offer the second breast. Some babies, though, might feed on both breasts during one session.
14. Learn different breastfeeding positions
By learning a variety of positions, you can empty out your milk ducts. There are about 10 duct systems per breast—each with its own opening at the nipple. Certain positions empty out certain milk ducts, which helps prevent a clogged duct. Moreover, positions like the side-lying position allow you to rest as well.
15. Keep yourself entertained while breastfeeding
Apart from the initial physical pains of breastfeeding, it can also take a toll mentally and emotionally. Keep yourself entertained by doing things that make you happy—whether it’s playing games on your phone, reading a book, or watching your favorite show. In addition, ask your partner to stay up with you during night feeding sessions so you have someone to talk to. Their encouragement and support will help a lot.
Breastfeeding Tips When You Return to Work
16. Invest in a quality pump and get a flange that fits right
When you return to work, get a double electric pump with graduated suction-level settings and several sizes of flanges or breast shields. Many new moms don’t realize that pump flanges come in different sizes. If the standard shields that come with your pump are too tight or too big, you won’t pump as much milk and you could even cause damage. Some breast pump brands like Medela have an in-house specialist who can help you find the right flange.
17. Understand how much milk your baby needs
Unlike babies on formula, breastfed babies need the same amount of milk per day when they’re 6 months old as they did when they were 1 month old. Amazing, right? By about a month, a baby has established how much breast milk they’ll need. And you don’t have to keep increasing how much they eat as they grow. All you have to do is maintain your current supply!
18. Feed your baby; not the freezer
In relation to the previous breastfeeding tip, you don’t need to pump like crazy and fill the freezer. You may end up with clogged ducts, mastitis, let-down that’s too fast, and exhaustion. You need only a small reserve for your baby.
19. Buy just enough nursing-friendly clothing
There are many online stores that sell breastfeeding clothes. This way, you can look stylish while having functional pieces that support your breastfeeding journey. On top of this, you’ll need nursing and pumping bras.
20. Supplements can help
To help maintain your milk supply, you can drink beverages like Nature Earth M2 Malunggay Tea or Vera Blends Coffee. Additionally, you can indulge in lactation treats like ones from Milking Bombs by ABC or Galacto Bombs. Lastly, to encourage let-down when you start pumping, you can download or listen to a galactagogue—a relaxation recording designed to stimulate milk production.
Tips for Common Breastfeeding Problems
21. Tongue and Lip Tie
If you’re experiencing pain even though your baby’s latch looks great, ask a lactation consultant whether your baby may have a tongue or lip tie. A tongue tie is a condition in which a baby’s tongue remains attached to the bottom of his or her mouth. Meanwhile, a lip tie is a condition where the skin of the upper lip is attached to the gums in a way that prevents lip movement and makes breastfeeding difficult for your baby.
If you think your baby may have any of these, it’s best to consult with a lactation specialist or an IBCLC (IBCLCs are certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® under the direction of the U.S. National Commission for Certifying Agencies).
22. Damaged Nipples
Apart from applying nipple cream, you can use water-based hydrogel pads between feedings to help soothe your nipples.
23. Clogged Ducts
To prevent clogged ducts, make sure that the fit of your nursing bra isn’t too tight. Avoid anything that puts pressure on your breasts, too. These include tight clothes, baby carriers, and diaper bag straps. Your sleeping position might cause clogged ducts as well. Avoid sleeping on just one side.
In the event of a clogged duct, apply a warm compress or use BUDS & BLOOMS Breastfeeding Doughnut Boob Warmers for relief before feeding your baby. Or while taking a hot shower, bend over and massage the area where the clogged duct is located. If it doesn’t go away and the pain bothers you, consult with a lactation specialist right away so that it doesn’t lead to mastitis. Mastitis is when your breast becomes swollen, hot, and painful. This means there’s an inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes involves an infection. The inflammation results in breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness. You might also have fever and chills.
Share these breastfeeding tips with a new mom!
Now that you’ve read more than a dozen breastfeeding tips, share this article with a fellow first-time mom to help them have a successful breastfeeding journey, too.
Hope these breastfeeding tips help! Here are more stories for new moms:
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