Breastfeeding 101
The health benefits of breastfeeding (both to baby and mama) have been proven over and over again. Breastfeeding can promote wellbeing in many ways - it provides the specific nutrients a baby needs, and reduces rates of breast and ovarian cancer in nursing mamas. Once nursing is established, it’s also very convenient – no bottles to lug around or wash, no time spent making bottles, and it’s free! Here are some simple tips to get you started on the path to breastfeeding with ease.
#1 Have an attitude of success: Commitment is a HUGE indicator of success, with breastfeeding as well as other aspects of parenting – sleep, behavior, anything really. Deciding that you are GOING TO breastfeed rather than deciding you are going to “try to breastfeed” is a big first step. You may have heard a million stories of mamas who couldn’t breastfeed. Unfortunately, they likely didn’t have the right support or knowledge to successfully breastfeed, or it just wasn’t for them (which is totally fine too). The VAST majority of mamas who WANT to breastfeed can do it just fine. It’s tough in the beginning, but give it 6 weeks. It gets MUCH easier!
#2 LOTS of skin-to-skin contact with your baby: This is a great tip for baby and mama’s health generally. Studies repeatedly show that skin-to-skin contact helps babies regulate temperature, heart rate, and breathing. Having your baby close also gets your nursing hormones flowing and helps establish your milk production. There is evidence that early separation between mama and baby leads to an increased risk of Postpartum Depression and other issues, so spending “skin to skin” time with your baby right away sends your body (and his!) the right signals. Babies are made for closeness.
#3 No artificial nipples for 2 weeks: There’s nothing wrong with pacifiers – many babies need to suck constantly to organize themselves. However, the more a baby sucks on a bottle or pacifier, the less he stimulates your milk production. In the beginning, mama is all they need. If you need to supplement with formula or expressed milk, you can use a syringe or finger feed. You can also use a clean pinkie in the mouth for some comfort sucking. Around 2 weeks, your milk supply is established (in most cases) and you can give yourself a break by using the pacifier. Around 3-4 weeks is the ideal age to introduce an occasional bottle of pumped milk.
#4 Wake a sleeping baby: Most of the time, this is terrible advice, but while you are establishing your milk supply and breastfeeding relationship (especially if your baby was born before 39 weeks) you SHOULD wake him to feed every 2 – 2.5 hours during the day, and up to every 3 hours at night. This is because tiny newborns often don’t have the strength to express their hunger, and if they aren’t eating enough they will actually sleep MORE. The result is that they’ll be too weak to latch properly, and from there it’s can be a downward spiral. Don’t worry, you will get sleep again soon! In the first two weeks, try to feed your baby 10-12 times in a 24-hour period.
#5 Don’t be afraid to ask for help – The greater Princeton area has great breastfeeding support, at each of its local hospitals. But, having someone you already know and trust is such a comfort help ensure everything is running smoothly. Talk to a postpartum doula, lactation consultant, or La Leche League leader before you have your baby, and bring her number with you to the hospital. Getting some professional support before you need it goes a long way toward preventing problems before they start.
Devon Clement, PCD (DONA) is a certified postpartum doula and the president of Mama’s Best Friend, LLC. She has been working with families for over 18 years, and loves helping new parents with all things baby. Based in Princeton, NJ she works with families of kids ages 0-5 all over NJ, NYC, and the world. Find out more at www.mamasbestfriend.com