I remember being pregnant with my first and knowing I wanted to breastfeed but not having a clue where to start or really the true benefits of breastfeeding.
Internet searches led me down all types of wild goose chases. I learned that supply was important, and it seemed impossible to have a good one. I learned the exact conditions to thaw milk and all of these fancy things I should take or do in order to produce milk but had no idea how milk suddenly appeared when it was time to nurse.
NONE OF THIS HELPED ME. In fact, it probably just caused way more stress than I needed as a new mom. Working with lactation consultants at the hospital after birth and then throughout those early months, I learned what I really needed to know to breastfeed. THANKFULLY!
According to AAP, it is recommended to breastfeed until at least one year and yet only 25% of moms make it to a full year of nursing. This statistic is now not shocking to me since I learned just how badly prepared I was. I have successfully breastfed my first child past one year and it is because I received the right help before it was too late.
So this post is to you, mama to be, here is your guide to start learning about eventually feeding that newborn of yours. I want to save you from the unnecessary stress and worry as you begin your breastfeeding relationship. Breastfeeding truly has given me the best memories and cuddles with my baby and I want that for you.
Where do you start? Start by simply knowing your breastfeeding goals and why you want to breastfeed. To help you with determining these, consider how long do babies breastfeed and what is recommended.
When deciding on your goal, know you can always adjust it as you need to, but it is good to have a goal in mind. This gives you direction.
Next, why are you breastfeeding? Most women breastfeed because of the immense benefits to baby and to mother. Breastmilk is a living substance unlike formula. It contains antibodies, white blood cells, and digestive enzymes.
As you can see, this stuff is liquid gold. Any amount you give to your baby is truly a gift. In fact, breastfeeding in the first hour of life lowers infant mortality rate by 50%.
Before getting into all the details about how to increase a milk supply or trying to find out how and when to pump, the only thing you should be focused on is learning to breastfeed. This requires you to know how producing breastmilk works.
Simply put, breastmilk is a supply and demand system. When baby nurses, your body is told to produce more milk. It is the frequency not the duration that increases supply. This is why newborns want to nurse SO OFTEN. They know what they are doing, small amounts at very high frequencies. Never go for more than two hours between feedings in the beginning. For more details on how breastmilk works, read the complete guide to the first week of nursing.
The biggest mistake that leads to poor supply down the road is NOT nursing often enough in the beginning. Every time your baby shows hunger cues, nurse them. You cannot over feed a breastmilk fed baby. Additionally, your baby is the only one who can tell you they are hungry so listen to them and you won’t have supply issues.
In those first few days, weeks and even months, baby will be continually trying to increase your milk supply when they are going through a growth spurt. A typical type of nursing that happens a lot is called cluster feeding or Velcro baby.
Baby is essentially attached to your breast because all they want to do is nurse on and off every 20 minutes or so for hours. They might even want to nurse continuously for hours but continually change sides. This is normal, and it is baby’s way of increasing your supply.
When you are new to breastfeeding, you might think there is no way baby is still hungry and by not listening to baby’s cues, your supply doesn’t keep up with baby.
Here is my list of 10 things I didn’t know until going through the breastfeeding learning curve.
At some point, someone will tell you that if you just gave your baby formula, they will sleep through the night. This isn’t true. Breastmilk is 100% digestible and digests in 60-90 minutes. Formula isn’t fully digestible and therefore takes at least 3 hours to leave their system. Therefore, you start to think that if you only gave your baby formula, they will sleep. The logic that is used here is that baby’s tummy will stay fuller longer.
I know plenty of people who switched for this reason and guess what, their baby still didn’t sleep. Before you get there, read about breastfeeding and sleep. In fact, read about sleep so you know what is normal on that front too. For example, the definition of sleeping through the night is 5-6 hours not 12 hours. If baby went to bed at 6 pm and slept till 11pm, baby technically slept through the night.
Also know that until about 4 months, babies do not sleep through the night. They don’t produce melatonin and only start producing little amounts at around 4 months. Breastmilk contains a lot of substances that help babies sleep such as melatonin, which is why they usually fall asleep breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding has a learning curve just like anything you learn for the first time. Having a support team in place and knowing resources in your local community will greatly benefit you when you run into any issues. Even if you don’t have any issues breastfeeding, it will be a great way to get out of the house in those first few months and bond with other new mamas.
To find that support team, start searching online and asking your OB/midwife and your pediatrician. Take our FREE Nurse Smart Email Course geared towards expecting mamas for help with your support team and preparing to breastfeed.
You might think breastfeeding is just about mama. However, having your other half be on board will help significantly. Spend some time having dad get educated about breastfeeding. For example, he might want to help so he will offer to bottle feed. He thinks by taking some of the feedings, it will be easier on you. Unfortunately, every time he bottle-feeds instead of your breastfeeding, you are hurting your supply. For more on why to avoid bottles and pacifiers in those first six weeks, read here.
Instead, have your other half be involved in different ways such as diaper changes, burping, and holding baby. To help you succeed at breastfeeding, other good options include getting you water and snacks while breastfeeding, helping you get comfortable while nursing, holding baby so you can set up to nurse, helping with night diaper changes and providing as much support and encouragement as possible.
While baby nurses A LOT, you can still find ways for your other half to bond and for all of you to bond as a new family. Take walks together and have either parent carry baby in a carrier or push the stroller. Outside time will help everyone’s mood. Enjoy tummy time together or just enjoy baby’s small awake times together. We would all lay down and read a book to baby. Bath time is a fantastic way to bond as bath time can make even a colic baby happy. Take turns being the photographer and get a lot of photos. You have no idea until months later just how fast baby changes.
As you learn, write down all of your questions and ask them all to the lactation consultant on staff at the hospital you deliver at. Utilize all the help you can get.
One of your questions for the lactation consultant at the hospital should be do you know of any free breastfeeding support groups or services that I can utilize?
Continue learning all you can, we have a whole section of content just on breastfeeding. The more you learn, the easier learning to breastfeed will be. Remember that it is a learning process for both you and baby.
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