Breastfeeding tips that every breastfeeding mom should know

By Sr Teresa Hayward (Rn, RM, Lactation consultant, Infant & Paediatric Feeding consultant, Baby Sleep Consultant)

Breastfeeding may be natural, but it is not always easy. These expert tips can help make your breastfeeding journey easier.

If you are first time mom, you might think that breastfeeding will come naturally to you and baby, but this is rarely the case. Unfortunately, what is natural is rarely intuitive for either mom or baby. Both mom and baby need to learn to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding tips for newborns

Once baby is born, we encourage moms to breastfeed as soon after birth as possible. Breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, or as soon as possible, is key to establishing success. Allowing mom and baby to have skin on skin contact straight away after birth encourages baby to start breastfeeding within the first 30 to 60minutes. This early initiation is extremely important as baby’s saliva stimulates the nerve endings in nipple sending the message to the brain that prolactin hormone needs to be produced and milk released

In the beginning, your body produces only a small amount of Colostrum, which is all that your newborn needs. In the first 48hrs, they only need 5-7mls of Colostrum per feed. Eventually when normal lactation begins, your body will establish how much your baby needs, and will produce more milk

Breastfeeding should never hurt

If baby is latching properly, breastfeeding should never be painful. It is important to consult with a Lactation consultant to learn how to position your newborn and ensure a good latching and latching technique. Breastfeeding should always feel comfortable. If you feel any pain during feeding, your latch is incorrect

Let others help around the house

For the first 6wks, while you are establishing your breastfeeding, let others help out with chores around the house. The new mom should not be cooking, cleaning, doing dishes or doing the shopping. Other people should be doing this for you. Mom needs to be concentrating on her newborn, and not getting back to normal life.

Breastfeeding latching

Getting a good latch is one of the most important pieces of the breastfeeding puzzle. Set up an appointment with a Lactation consultant to get this right. Baby should never just be attached to the nipple and need to be opening their mouth wide. If they are not latched properly, it will cause pain and discomfort, but more importantly, baby won’t empty the breast properly, meaning baby will not be getting a good feed and your body is not sending the correct signals to the brain for milk production, but also puts you at higher risk of mastitis.

Monitoring baby’s weight

One of the earliest signs that your baby is not getting enough milk, is if they loose more than 10% of their birth weight by their first well baby check with your Lactation consultant at day 3-5. They should have regained to their birth weight by 2wks and thereafter, should be gaining 150g to 200g per week. It is extremely important to weigh your baby weekly in the first 6wks.

Engorgement

Another sign that something might be off, is if your breasts don’t feel engorged with milk by day 5. If you don’t feel obvious fullness by then, then it is important to consult a Lactation consultant. After feeding, however your breasts should become softer.

Count dirty nappies

The number of wet nappies your baby should be having is a sign that baby is getting enough milk. In the first week your baby should be having 1 wet nappy per day of life so by day 3-5, they should be having about 3-5 wet nappies a day. From day 7, 6-8 wet nappies a day is normal. Baby can be having anything up to 15 poos a day, but there should be a poo with each nappy, even if it is just a wet fart.

Don’t be afraid to take control

It is important for mom to be omfortable when handling their small baby. The one reason moms often have pain with breastfeeding, is because they are too gentle. They don’t take control of the baby and their breasts and bring them together. They are offering the breast to the baby and allowing them to take it. It is important to bring baby to the breast, and the breast to baby. Also never just offer the nipple, offer them the breast. We are breastfeeding and not nipple feeding.

Don’t wait to get help from a Lactation consultant

It is very important early on to get the help you and your baby need to get the correct latch. All moms should be consulting with a Lactation consultant in Pregnancy and as soon after birth as possible

Keep your nipples moisturized

I always recommend to moms, to start applying a Lanolin nipple cream after the first feed. Don’t wait until nipples are sore or cracked, starting early will help prevent cracking and damage to your nipples. After every feed, express a few drops of breast milk and gently rub it onto your nipples.

Treat any problems straight away

Unfortunately, breastfeeding does come with problems too, such as Blocked ducts, Mastitis or Thrush. It is important to contact your Lactation consultant straight away and treat the problem correctly, in a breastfeeding friendly way.

As a lactation consultant and infant feeding consultant, I am extremely passionate about helping moms to get it right. Feel free to contact me at 0824009501