Helpful Breastfeeding Tips

A few weeks ago now, we held a Blog Contest, asking women what advice they wish they received before they started breastfeeding. We had a great response, and one of our great customers, Lauren, wrote a Top 10 List on Breastfeeding Advice. On her permission, we've published Lauren's list to give those that haven't started yet, some insight into breastfeeding, and perhaps generate questions and seek out advice before you need it. Enjoy

1) At first, it will probably hurt! After all, this is a tender area getting a lot of abuse from a beginner! I wish I had known that it was normal or at least common to feel VERY sore at the outset. But this too shall pass.

2) Seek out help immediately if you need it. Call a lactation consultant, a midwife, a member of La Leche league or a friend who has successfully breastfed if you think you could use some support or tips. Call them early and call them often. A small adjustment and a kind word can make a world of difference and keep you breastfeeding when you might otherwise give up.

3). Take care of your girls! Smear on the lanolin after every feeding at the beginning, go bra-free once in a while (while sleeping, in the tub, etc) to give them a rest, pump if you are painfully engorged, invest in a few comfortable supportive properly-fitting nursing bras and perhaps a few of the softer crossover type bras for sleeping in and always put a dry pad or dry clothing next to your breast. Learn the symptoms of mastitis and watch for them very carefully. Your girls deserve TLC!

4). As one other mom put it to me: Breastfeeding is the most inconvenient thing a mother will do for the first two weeks and after that, it is the most convenient thing in the world. Always the right temperature, always with you, no sterilizing bottles, mixing formula, etc. and so good for mom and baby.

5). Essential equipment - a good chair, a breastfeeding pillow, an easily viewable clock, a good book, a nursing cover for outings, washable nursing pads and a good pump to give others a turn and get some rest. Oh, and lots of tummy-hiding, breastfeeding-friendly tops! (many of the above items available at My Bump, of course).

6). Just when you get used to a pattern, it changes. Feedings last 45 minutes, then they last 15. Baby feeds on one side at a time, then both, then back to one. Baby wants to feed all day long, baby is not very hungry at all. Go with the flow and trust your baby's cues.

7). Older teething babies can bite, I discovered first-hand! Ouch! However, this doesn't necessarily mean breastfeeding is impossible. End the feeding immediately and he or she will quickly get the idea that biting is not cool and drink gently again next time.

8). Don't try to lose the baby weight too quickly or your milk might disappear with it. My midwives warned me about this and I have heard several stories of women experiencing just this problem. As the midwives put it, it takes 9 months to slowly put it on, it should take about 9 months to slowly get it off.

9). The hunger! Breastfeeding burns a lot of calories so you need to eat well and stay hydrated. Bring a big glass of water with you every time you sit down to feed, or keep a sports bottle beside your table. After almost 9 months of breastfeeding, I still need that 3pm snack!

10). Don't judge your fellow mothers. Breastfeeding is wonderful, but not all mothers are able to do it or choose to continue for a wide variety of reasons. They already feel a lot of pressure and guilt placed on them from media and other sources, so be supportive of your fellow mommies, however they feed their babies