Breastfeeding is a beautiful, natural way to feed and nourish your newborn baby. Whether you are breastfeeding or using infant formula, there can be often challenges feeding to your baby.
Breastfeeding is also a wonderful way to bond with your child. It also makes your child healthy and improves its immunity by several manifolds. Continue to breastfeed your child at least at the till the age of 2 unless you really cannot. Once your child is the age of group 2 it is time to introduce him to the world of food and eating.
Breastfeeding can also be challenging for a new mom, through so here are the 5 breastfeeding tips to help on your breastfeeding journey.
- Start nursing within an hour after delivery
Your first milk is colostrums a thick golden liquid that is full of antibodies for a baby this milk will line and protect her stomach. If it is possible to initiate breastfeeding within an hour after your birth by practicing skin to skin. Skin to skin to possible even if you have a c-section talk to your delivery about skin to skin.
- The right positioning
When your baby is newborn, the position is really important! Newborn’s need good head support and assistance with a proper attachment.
Trying different options and finding what works best for you both is the way to go.
The baby’s mouth should be wide open with the nipple as far back into her mouth as possible. This minimizes soreness for mom. A nurse, a midwife can help you find a comfortable nursing position.
- Be sure you get the right latch
This is a KEY. If we don’t have the right latch, we end up the with sore and perhaps damage and cracked nipples. There’s a ton of great resources online that will literally show you what the right latch looks like.
This is essential! If your baby doesn’t have the right latch with her mouth and your breast/nipple, you will end up really sore and possibly damaged and cracked nipples.
- Experiment with different breastfeeding positions
One of most important of the breastfeeding tips is to get the best the right latch. As part of this experiment, with different positions is key.
- Get breastfeeding help early
The first few hours in the hospital is important – it’s often called the Golden hours. This time helps you bond with your baby and most hospitals allow for immediate breastfeeding as long as your baby is medically stable.
- Use breastfeeding props
A key breastfeeding tip is to stock up on some of the tools that can help us! There is a range of support items to make you more comfortable as you learn to breastfeed. A feeding is a must. This will support you and your baby when breastfeeding.
- Be sure to burp ‘em’!
If you don’t want your precious milk regurgitated onto the back of your couch, be sure to burp your baby well. This also helps ease painful gas bubbles that often accumulate in baby’s belly, since their digestive system is still so delicate.
- Use a breast pump if needed
I found pumping at 3 weeks was helpful so I could literally see milk coming out of my breast. While not always a good indicator of supply, it did give me a first-time breastfeeder- some peace of mind that things were working as they should.
- Keep it pure
For the first month, try to just breastfeed without introducing a bottle or pacifier. This will help to establish a strong breast bond so that the baby doesn’t experience nipple confusion and start preferring artificial nipples.
- Think peaceful thoughts
When it finds me tensing up while feeding, I consciously work at relaxing so that the experience is more enjoyable and successful for both of us.