Here are ten things every breastfeeding mother should be prepared for in the first month of breastfeeding their new baby.
- You really will need a comfortable seat. In the first few weeks be prepared to be feeding your baby between 8 and 12 times every 24 hours. Assuming each feeding lasts at least 20 minutes and you are feeding every 2-3 hours, this is a lot of hours sitting in the same seat. You want to be comfortable!
- Invest in some good quality nursing bras. Your breasts will be bigger and heavier, so to save your back, you will need to have good support.
- Nursing/Breastfeeding pads. As you and your baby get the hang of breastfeeding and as your body regulates its milk supply, you will have times when your breasts leak. Using breastfeeding pads will help to absorb any excess milk and save you from the wet chest look.
- Always be prepared before sitting down to feed. Once you are seated and your baby is feeding there is no getting up. Get a glass of water, a snack, go to the toilet and get a pillow prior to feeding.
- Try and relax. I realise this is a hard one. You’re a new mother with a new baby to take care of. You will be lost in the haze that is life with a newborn. When we are stressed however, it can inhibit our milk production and cause problems with the let down reflex therefore making feeding more difficult. Once your baby is latched on, take a deep breath and relax.
- Good positioning and latch. I cannot stress the importance of this enough. Your baby must be latched on at the breast properly. A baby who is not latched on correctly will have inefficient transfer of milk and will cause sore nipples.
- You will need to eat. A lot. You are, in effect, still eating for two. You are eating to keep yourself well nourished and energised and you are eating to supply the calories needed to produce the milk that nourishes your baby.
- You will need to drink. A lot. Breast milk is approximately 85% water. That water comes from your body. You will need to drink extra water to remain hydrated and to maintain your milk supply.
- Ask for help if needed. Breastfeeding is a skill that must be learnt. If you are ever unsure or need assistance, you need to ask for help. Other mothers, lactation consultants, pediatricians, midwives and health visitors are all sources of help and information.
- Be prepared to trust your body and your baby. Your body is designed to breastfeed. You can do it and it will get easier as you and your baby become a more efficient feeding team.
For all those mothers who have or are still breastfeeding their babies, what else should all new mothers know about breastfeeding?
