Happy World Breastfeeding Month! The thought of breastfeeding can be a little intimidating for new moms. There’s so much to learn and figure out, both for you and your baby. Today, we want to offer some tips to make this special time easier! Check them out down below.
1) Don’t be afraid to contact a lactation consultant. This is probably our most important tip! If you are struggling with breastfeeding, please reach out to a lactation consultant. They have all the tools and knowledge needed to help you! Although breastfeeding seems like the most natural thing in the world, sometimes it just doesn’t come naturally to you or baby, and there is absolutely no shame in getting help.
2) Take prenatal or postnatal vitamins. You still need extra vitamins and minerals while breastfeeding, so it’s a good idea to continue your prenatal vitamins or find a good postnatal vitamin to begin taking.
3) Always keep a bottle of water nearby. It’s important to stay hydrated and replenish your fluids while breastfeeding in order to have a good milk supply. You also might find yourself getting thirsty while feeding your little one, and it’s a good idea to have some water on hand before it’s too late to get up!
4) Use a nursing pillow. A nursing pillow will support your baby and bring them closer to the breast. This takes a lot of the strain off of your arms and back!
You can get a FREE nursing pillow or $40 off your order at www.nursingpillow.com using the promo code WBMBLOG!
5) Try different positions. At first, some breastfeeding positions may feel uncomfortable or unnatural. Keep trying new positions to see what works for you and your baby! Here are some ideas to try:
- Cradle Hold: Lay your baby sideways with their tummy facing your tummy. Support their head in the same arm as the side you are feeding on.
- Cross-cradle: Lay your baby sideways with their tummy facing your tummy. Support their head with the hand opposite from the side you are feeding on, and hold your other arm beneath them.
- Reclined: Lay back in a reclined position and lay your baby parallel to your own body with their tummy touching your tummy. (This is also great for moms with a fast letdown!)
- Side-lying: Lay down on the same side you are feeding on. Lay baby on their side as well, facing you.
- Football hold: Hold your baby on the same side you are feeding on with their legs to the side of you, like you’re holding a football.
6) Try some skin-to-skin. Skin-to-skin is a great way to improve both your bond with your baby and your little one’s breastfeeding skills. (They’re still learning too!) It’s also a great way to keep baby awake if they tend to fall asleep during their feeding.
7) Keep baby awake. Newborns can fall asleep easily while nursing, but it’s important that you keep your baby awake so they can get a full feeding in. If your baby is falling asleep, try rubbing their feet, stroking their cheek, undressing them, or skin-to-skin!
8) Use a nursing bracelet. A nursing bracelet is a super simple way to track your feedings. You can keep track of which side you last used, how long you fed for, and what time!
The promo code WBMBLOG will give you 5 FREE nursing bracelets or $35 off your order at www.milkbands.com.
9) Make sure your baby fully empties one breast before moving on to the other. The more nutritional, fatty milk — called hindmilk — comes later in the feeding. Have your baby completely empty your breast to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need.
10) Create a breastfeeding basket. A breastfeeding basket will hold all of your nursing essentials, and can be taken from room to room. Here are some things you could include in your basket:
- Nipple cream
- Nursing pads
- Burp Cloth
- Diaper
- Wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Snacks
- Water bottle
11) Save your money and get reusable nursing pads. When breastfeeding, nursing pads are a life saver both during feedings and when going long stretches without feeding, like through the night. Reusable pads will save you money since you won’t have to keep buying disposables. Plus, they’re better for the environment too!
Get 10 free pairs or $35 off at www.breastpads.com using the promo code WBMBLOG.
12) Give your baby a bottle early on. Even if you are exclusively breastfeeding, it’s a good idea for your baby to learn how to take a bottle. Offer a bottle early on, so when the time comes that you will need someone else to feed your baby, they will be able to do so easily. It’s also a great way for your partner to bond with baby, too!
13) Don’t stress about your freezer stash. Take time to enjoy your baby and figure out breastfeeding! It’s easier than you think to build a stash, and you don’t want to over-do it. If you are going to work, you’ll only need 1 to 2 days worth of milk since you will pump all the milk you need for the next day during your workday. You can even add a little surplus if you pump on the weekends, too!
14) Pump first thing in the morning. You can quickly build up a freezer stash simply by pumping once a day for a couple weeks. We suggest pumping after your first morning feed, when your breasts are most full.
15) Get a nursing cover. If you prefer a little privacy, nursing covers are a no-hassle way to cover up while breastfeeding or pumping in public!
Use the promo code WBMBLOG to get a FREE cover or $35 off your order at www.uddercovers.com.
16) Use flanges as a funnel. When pouring breastmilk from bag to bottle or bottle to bag, make it simpler by using the pumping flanges as a funnel.
17) Make a DIY pumping bra using an old sports bra. Simply take an old sports bra and cut x’s where the nipples are to create a pumping bra. Sports bras are best for this DIY because they are already tight and will easily hold the pump in place!
18) Eat foods that boost your milk supply. Some foods that are known to boost your supply are oatmeal, barley, fenugreek seeds, and brewer’s yeast.
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