You heard as a first-time mom that breast milk is good for babies.
You decide to breastfeed your baby and that starts the journey.
But along the line, you are not sure if your baby is getting enough milk or not. Actually, there is no way to tell.
You feel pain sometimes when you breastfeed your baby and your nipples sometimes sore. All this makes you wonder if your baby is latching correctly.
You are not alone.
A lot of first time moms are in your shoes.
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Breastfeeding is a natural act that should happen naturally. However, for a first time mom, it is a learning curve you have to get used to. This may make you worry endlessly about ensuring that your baby gets enough milk to drink. Sure you have lots of questions in your mind regarding breastfeeding your newborn baby.
This article gives you 50 breastfeeding tips in different situations you might encounter while breastfeeding your baby.
Let’s get started.
Breastfeeding tips for producing more milk
Most first time moms worry at the beginning if their baby is getting enough milk to drink. It is actually hard to know because you cannot see the quantity of the milk the baby is drinking and what quantity of milk is left in the breasts.
If you are worried about not getting enough breast milk for your baby, you need to consult your lactation consultant. However, there are signs that will show if your baby is not having enough milk to drink. Below are some of them.
Signs of low milk supply
- Little to no weight gain after birth
- Low number of wet, dirty diapers or nappies
- Dark-colored urine, a dry mouth or jaundice can show signs of dehydration
Low milk supply can be because of several factors such as:
- Hormonal disorders
- Breast surgeries or trauma
- Excessive blood loss
- Taking oral contraceptives
- Bad positioning during lactation
- Feeding a baby with formula
- Use of pacifiers
Now that you know the signs of low milk supply and what causes it, the next thing you need is breastfeeding tips for producing more milk.
10 Breastfeeding tips for producing more milk
- Take foods and herbs that can increase your milk production such as Oatmeal, Sesame seeds, leafy vegetables, and Garlic.
- Don’t drink alcohol or smoke
- Massage your breast to express the milk
- Breastfeed your baby as often as the baby wants
- Use both breasts for feeding the baby
- Feed your baby about 8-12 times every 24 hours, every 1.5 – 2hrs and 3 hours at night.
- Have skin to skin contact with your baby to help stimulate the Oxytocin hormone which improves the flow of the milk
- Feed your baby with breast milk only, avoid solids, water or formula for the first six months.
- Take care of yourself by sleeping, eating enough balanced diet, drinking lots of water and resting.
- Try pumping. Pumping the breast milk after each feeding can be effective.
How to increase milk supply when pumping
The supply of breast milk changes throughout the day, weeks and, months. The thing is, as long as you feed your baby frequently, the baby will have enough milk to drink. However, there are situations where you cannot pump enough breast milk for your baby. What can you do to increase milk supply when pumping?
Below are Pumping breastfeeding tips for new moms to increase milk supply.
- Feed your baby frequently
- Pump breast milk regularly. If you are a working mom, you can have a pumping session at work. Add two pumping sessions during weekends or after work hours.
- Take a nursing vacation. This involves nursing straight for 2-3 days breastfeeding and doing nothing else frequently to increase the milk supply. You can pump after breastfeeding sessions. However, you need to rest on those days and eat well.
- Use a high-quality double pump to pump regularly. This increases your milk supply.
- Use breast compression and breast massage
- Eat oatmeal and other protein-rich foods and stay hydrated. Drink lots of water as you pump or breastfeed.
- If you are finding it difficult to get enough milk for your baby after the first five days of birth, you can use the double electric breast pump with initiation technology such as the….. It will improve your breast milk production.
- Always express the breast milk an hour after a feed.
- Breastfeed and pump for able 8-12 times daily and once per night. The more you breastfeed, the more milk you produce.
- Take a comfortable posture when pumping breast milk. For this to be effective, you need a suitable pumping bra. It helps to hold the breast in place.
Breastfeeding tips for pain
Breastfeeding is not designed to be a painful experience for new moms. If you are experiencing pain, then something is wrong. However, breastfeeding can be painful for the first five days of giving birth to your newborn baby. This is not peculiar to you alone, 92% of women have the same challenge. Below are 10 breastfeeding tips to help you get rid of pain while breastfeeding.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce the pain
- Use breast compressions to help express milk for the baby. This reduces the time you need to feed the baby.
- Use an ice pack on the breast to numb the pain in the area
- Use over the counter soothing packs such as Lansinoh soothies
- Put a few black tea bags in warm water and remove it and place some of it on your nipples to help reduce the pain and swelling.
- Expose your nipples to dry after each feeding to help ease the pain.
- Painful breastfeeding can sometimes be because of a tongue tie. If the baby has a tongue-tie, then it will be painful to latch. Consult your lactation consultant to find out.
- Rob your breast with coconut oil to soothe and moisturize it.
- Take time to rest during the day when your baby is asleep.
- Stop worrying! The pain will eventually stop, and you will find it easy to breastfeed your baby.
Breastfeeding tips for sore nipples
- Spill out a little of the breast milk before you breastfeed and rub it on the nipple. It helps to soothe the sore nipple and moisture it to reduce the pain when the baby sucks.
- Keep your nipples moist between feeding by applying purified lanolin
- Avoid blocked ducts. Things that can cause your ducts to block are diaper bag straps, sleeping on one side every night and any other pressures on part of your breasts.
- Wipe sore breasts with water-moistened cotton wool after feeding to help remove debris that can cause infection.
- Use breast shells to prevent your clothing from rubbing against the sore breasts.
- Don’t let it bother you much. It will go and you will be relieved of the pain as your baby sucks more.
- Take a brief hot shower before you breastfeed the baby. This can help the milk flow faster and reduce pain.
- Use cold compresses on the breast for about 10 minutes after feedings to reduce the swelling.
- Use a fitted and supportive nursing bra to make you feel better.
- See a lactation consultant for fast relief.
Breastfeeding tips for latching
- Start breastfeeding immediately after the baby is born. It will give you enough time to learn how to breastfeed before your breast becomes too full.
- Point your nipple at the baby’s nose to make the baby tilt its head back. When the baby does that, the mouth will be wide open, then put the breast in the baby’s mouth. Make sure the nipple and a substantial part of the areola enter the baby’s mouth. This helps the baby to feed correctly.
- Ensure the baby’s belly is directly facing your stomach and the whole body is tilted towards you. This is a good latching position for you and the baby.
- Make sure you contact your lactation consultant so that latching on issues can be resolved quickly.
- Whenever you missed a feeding time, use your hand or a breast pump to express the milk to remove it.
- Unless if you need to, avoid the use of feeding bottles and pacifiers when your baby is still young.
- Clean your nipples with water only. Avoid using soap or cleansers.
- After each breastfeeding session, expose your breast to dry before putting them back into the nursing bra.
- Change your nursing pads frequently to prevent the growth of bacteria.
- Alternate your nursing positions. This ensures that a different part of the nipple and areola is compressed during each feeding. This helps to prevent breast soreness.
Breastfeeding doesn’t have to be a painful experience.
You can overcome all your breastfeeding issues. Just ensure you see your lactation consultant and also use some of the breastfeeding tips above for faster relieve.
Are you a mom and have experienced breastfeeding issues before? Do you care to share with us what it was and how you overcame it? I will love to read your comments below.
Check out the Ultimate Breastfeeding class to become a pro at breastfeeding within 90 minutes!
