17 Breastfeeding tips for new moms

I hope you are enjoying your newborn. Maybe those few sleepless nights are very hard, but you can make your parenting life easy with some patience and some planned work. Breastfeeding is the first most challenging work. Yes, of course, breastfeeding is not easy by any means. It can be tiring and time-consuming to settle down but it is worth it in the end.

You can create a breastfeeding process into an enjoyable process for you and your baby. When you are comfortable and your baby will be comfortable and you use nursing as a way to deepen the already strong bond you feel for your newborn child. Hope this few breastfeeding tips for new moms helps you to head-start on a healthy future and to ease with your breastfeeding life.

17 Breastfeeding tips for new moms: -

1. Feed the First Milk(Colostrum): -

Breastfeeding is a basic supply and demand activity. The increased in number of nursing sessions will increase your milk supply. The early breastfeeding is the most important as it ensures that the baby receives the antibodies rich first milk (also called colostrum). It also promotes bonding with your newborn and also helps your uterus contract.

2. Try to predict your baby's hunger: -

Try to feed your baby before he/she starts crying in hunger. Once your start crying to get your attention then you will have to struggle to feed your baby as the baby will be stressed and won’t latch once they start crying. Feed your baby right away if you see below listed cues: –

Opening and closing mouth.
Fists moving towards the mouth.
Sucking on hands or lip-smacking.
Becoming more alert and active
Head-turning to look for the breast.

3. Help your baby to adjust to the best and comfortable position: -

Try different positions for breastfeeding throughout the period of breastfeeding so that your baby can find the best and comfortable position for them. Once you find out the comfortable positions for you and your baby you can have pleasant nursing sessions with your baby.

As every baby is different following are few tips to help you with finding the right positions:-

They should latch onto the entire areola, not just the nipple as latching only to the nipple will lead to reduced milk supply and cracked nipples.
Their head should be tilted backward slightly.
Their chin should be right up against your breast so that they can breathe easily.
Your baby should be positioned so that their mouth is level with your mouth.
Don’t force any of the positions if your baby is not comfortable let it go. It will happen naturally. Just try different positions such as
- Laidback breastfeeding
- Reclining position
- Upright breastfeeding
- Side-lying position
- Cradle hold
- Cross-cradle hold.

4.Let your baby decide how much to latch: -

It is important to let your baby decide how much they want to latch. Look for the cues that they are full. Your baby may be full if you see some of these signs: –

Your baby may fall asleep.
Your baby may release the breast when they are full.
Baby relaxes their baby.
Your baby avoids your nipple when you offer for feeding when they release the nipple.

If your baby finishes on one breast and seems full try burping your baby and change the diaper if needed and then offer the other breast. If your baby doesn’t want to latch they may be full. Some babies feed on both the side at each session and some babies don’t. It is important to feed your baby as long and as often as your baby wants.

5. Don't worry you will have enough milk: -

Sometimes you may feel you are not having enough milk to feed your baby but don’t worry it just takes some time to settle down as the milk supply primarily depends on your baby’s needs. For some mothers, the milk supply will be less for the initial few days.

Don’t stress at any cause as getting stressed may reduce your milk supply. Introducing bottle feeding to your baby before the 6th week is also not a good choice as it will develop nipple confusion which will lead to less lactation and less lactation will, in turn, lead to less milk supply.

6. Get comfortable while nursing: -

You are going to spend the maximum time of your day holding your baby for breastfeeding. Breastfeed your baby in a good supported position or else it may lead to back or shoulder or neck pain long run.

When you are in an unsupported position you will make constant movements to be comfortable which can disturb your baby’s breastfeeding and result in irritability and increased hunger. You can use a nursing pillow, reclining chairs for your support.

7. Don't be alarmed, leaking is natural: -

Leaking of breastmilk from the breasts is natural. Your baby may be feeding on one side and the other side may be leaking on your breasts may leak once you hear any baby cry. Don’t panic you can feed your baby on both the side at one nursing session or you can pump the milk and use it later. You can use nursing pads to help you absorb the leaking milk.

8. Relax: -

Breastfeed in a calm and quiet place that helps your milk flow down easily. After a while, your milk will flow down only just by hearing your baby cry. Don’t be stressed your baby can feel your stress and your baby may not latch properly. Relax, you will master the breastfeeding skill as time goes. Nursing sessions are supposed to be an enjoyable time.

9. Take care of your skin: -

Your breast’s skin will be very tender during breastfeeding. With regular feeding, your breasts can have cracked nipples, irritated or dry skin which can lead to a painful breastfeeding session. You can use a few below-mentioned remedies to cure or avoid dry, chapped, cracked, or irritated skin.

Pat dry your breasts with a soft cloth after the nursing session.
Express a small amount of breast milk and apply it over your cracked nipple after every nursing session and let it air dry. Breast milk is full of powerful antibodies that can help heal and repair the cracked area.
Use a gentle cleanser once or twice a day to wash. Don’t overdo it.
You can use nipple cream to soothe and keep your cracked nipple moisturized.
Let your breasts air out in regular intervals.

10. Watch for the cues that breastfeeding is going well:-

Your baby’s behavior, health, and diapers will let you know how your breastfeeding is going. While feeding, if your baby sucks eagerly and swallows regularly then it is a positive sign. Below are some positive signs that indicate that your breastfeeding is going well: –

Remember, when your newborn starts feeding in the beginning they’ll swallow each time they suck. At the end of the nursing sessions, it is natural that your baby will swallow less and release your breast as they get full or fall asleep.
Your baby looks satisfied after feeding.
Yours breastfeeds at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hrs.
You will find your baby’s diapers very wet while they are breastfeeding.
They will generally poop 4 to 8 times a day during the first few weeks of life. Their poop diapers will be reduced up to one each day as time goes. Don’t worry about constipation as long as the poop remains soft.
Regular weight gain of your baby is also an indication that your breastfeeding is going well.

As the baby grows the requirement of milk will change your body and your baby will adjust to those changes.

11. Avoid engorgement:-

Breast engorgement means your breasts are painfully overfull of milk. This usually happens when you produce more milk than your baby uses. This may lead to a firm and swollen breast which can make it hard for the baby to breastfeed. So you should avoid engorged breastfeeding. Nothing to worry about, you can treat it at home with simple techniques.

Try to feed your baby as frequently as possible.
You can express your milk under the warm shower which will help in the milk flow easily.
Put chilled cabbage leaves on your breast which can reduce the pressure.
Try to pump out some milk with the breast pump.

12. Ask for help:-

If the baby doesn’t self attach with you don’t hesitate to ask the nurses or a lactation consultant for help with positioning the baby so your baby can latch on to your breast. When you are in the hospital the lactation consultant will come to see how your baby is latching on and will guide you with the positions you can hold your baby for feeding, how you should place your baby’s mouth onto your breast for the latch and can answer your other questions too.

If the breastfeeding sessions are painful don’t hesitate to call out to the lactation consultant or your health care provider for help.

13. Stay hydrated:-

You need to stay hydrated while you are breastfeeding your baby. Drinking a glass of water before and after breastfeeding can increase your milk supply. You may feel thirstier than usual. Keep a bottle of water accessible when you sit to breastfeed your baby.

14. Create a space for breastfeeding:-

Before the baby arrives create a nursing station with a comfortable breastfeeding pillow, a comfortable chair, a side table with snacks, water, nursing pads, burp cloths, your phone, and a good book. Finish all of your purchasing before your baby arrives as you will have a new member of your family to keep you busy always.

15. Avoid pacifiers or dummies at first: -

Use of a pacifier or a dummy before the breastfeeding is properly established will create nipple confusion for the baby as the baby is still learning to breastfeed and settle down. If the baby feeds less then it will lead to a decrease in breastmilk supply.

16. Have patience:-

Breastfeeding is a skill. It may take a little while for you and your baby to settle down. It can be harder for some mothers and babies don’t get frustrated or angry with yourself have patience. Take time to relax and then try to feed your baby again. At this time, don’t hesitate to ask someone to help you with your baby.

Your baby may feed seven to twelve times in 24 hours which may lead to overtime for you. This will settle down as time goes. Frequent and effective breastfeeding will help you make more milk for your baby.

17. Pay attention to your diet :-

Breastfeeding mothers generally need more calories to meet their nutritional needs while breastfeeding. An additional 450 to 500 kcal of healthy food calories is recommended for well-nourished breastfeeding mothers compared to before pregnancy.

You may need even more if you are exercising. Try to eat in regular intervals with variety of healthy foods. Don’t skip your multivitamin supplement if you are advised or prescribed to take one. CDC guidelines for maternal diet.