I often wish someone had given me breastfeeding tips as a new mom.
You see, nursing my kids has been one of the most challenging, amazing things I’ve ever done. But mamas, hear me out: breastfeeding is “natural” and rewarding, yet the beginning is far from easy.
As I write this, I’m getting ready to wrap up my five year breastfeeding journey. I had no intention of nursing my oldest past twelve months. Then as the one year mark approached, I realized neither of us was ready to stop. And when he was fifteen months old, I got pregnant with his little brother. I thought surely my milk would dry up during pregnancy- but it didn’t. And while I was able to wean him from night feeds, I told myself I’d get him to two years based on WHO recommendations.
I remember spending long nursing sessions scouring the internet in search of breastfeeding tips for the new mom. I remember crying over how much harder breastfeeding actually was.
When our second son was born, only one day after our oldest’s second birthday, the emotions flooded me. Suddenly my oldest looked incredibly grown up next to his tiny baby brother; he still wanted me to himself and didn’t understand what was happening. I knew I couldn’t push it, so although I prioritized nursing sessions with his newborn brother, I gave it another year until his third birthday.
To circle back around, both my kids recently celebrated their birthdays, and I knew it was time to sever the nursing relationship with my youngest. My body and mind were ready, and although we’d worked at slowly cutting back over the past month, it was still a bittersweet feeling.
Since June 2015, I have carried and birthed two children. I nursed them each for three years- one of those years spent tandem nursing. It’s been incredibly rewarding, and yet so challenging for my body and spirit. Emotionally, it’s difficulty accepting the fact that my children are growing and their worlds have expanded to people and things other than myself at the center. And yet physically, my body welcomes not being glued to a squirmy toddler or used as a human pacifier all night.
I don’t intend to pressure or guilt anyone into breastfeeding, because at the end of the day we each need to do what’s best for our own families, but I do feel the need to clear up some misconceptions about breastfeeding that I often hear.
So here are five breastfeeding tips for the new mom:
IF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT HOW MUCH MILK BABY IS GETTING, CHECK THEIR DIAPER COUNT
Probably my number one breastfeeding tip for all you new moms out there! Please don’t go by how much you “feel” baby is getting. How many wet/dirty diapers are they having? If they are having at least the minimum amount, and are gaining weight (this doesn’t mean packing on the pounds, but rather staying on their growth curve), then that’s what matters. As breastfeeding moms, we don’t get the visual satisfaction of seeing our babies consume X amount of milk, but if we know baby is eliminating enough and staying on their growth curve, we need to trust that our bodies know what they’re doing.
DON’T PUMP FOR THE FIRST 6 WEEKS
This isn’t to make your life miserable, but to properly establish your milk supply. During the first six weeks of your baby’s life, they are literally dictating the amount of milk they need every time you nurse them because their saliva tells your milk ducts how much they need to make. This is why you’ll need to wear breast pads consistently (hello, random letdowns). Pumping, which has its benefits, does not tell your breasts how much milk to make except “more.” If you start too soon, pumping can eventually land you into hot water with oversupply issues, which is where baby gets too much watery foremilk and not enough rich hindmilk.
Rather than an expensive pump, considering investing into Milkies milk savers. These catch the milk released during letdowns when baby is not at your breast or nursing on the other side, and you can stash the milk away for bottle use down the road. They’re a must-have!
NURSE ON DEMAND
Breastfed babies tend to eat more frequently than formula fed babies. This is because breastmilk only takes about 90 minutes to fully digest, whereas formula takes about 3-4 hours. You will probably be shocked by how often your newborn wants to breastfeed, but if developing a solid nursing relationship is your goal, you’ll want to nurse them on demand for at least those first six weeks so that your supply can properly regulate itself. My oldest son nursed every 45 mins for those first weeks, and although it was exhausting, I’m so glad I stuck it out. But I was definitely relieved that his chunky little brother only nursed every 2-3 hours for 20 minutes per feed!
DRINK LOTS (AND LOTS!) OF WATER
If you thought you had to drink a lot of water before nursing a little human, think again! Breastmilk is primarily water, and nursing also dehydrates you. Think of it as having to pee a lot; if you’re not rehydrating, you run a big risk of dehydration. And if you’re dehydrated, your milk supply drops. Consider filling up a large water bottle and keeping it next to your bedside or nursing area. When baby breastfeeds, use that as a chance to rehydrate yourself, too!
INVEST IN A QUALITY BABY CARRIER
Imagine being able to nurse your baby, hands-free! This was my saving grace once I discovered how to do it. I could feed myself while also feeding my baby- and nobody around me even had any idea I was nursing. Practice around your house a few times until you’re comfortable taking baby out and about, but it’s very doable. I highly recommend a ring sling for the newborn phase, and a soft structured carrier once baby is able to sit up on their own. Here is a great tutorial on how to nurse in a baby carrier.
What other breastfeeding tips do you have that can encourage a new mom?
With love & grace,
Natalie
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