How do you start to breastfeed your children?

Question

I need some advice on breastfeeding new babies. What advice would you give a new mother?

Answer 1

I breastfed my twins. Here's my advice:

1. Be patient and recognize that this is a learning process for both you and the baby.

2. See a certified lactation consultant if you have problems. They are wonderful people who can help you overcome all kinds of problems. Plus, some visits may even be covered by insurance.

3. Read "So That's What They're For" by Janet Tamaro. It's a funny and informative guide to breastfeeding. It really covers everything and was so helpful to me. Especially in the beginning.

4. Ask a nurse or lactation consultant to help you breastfeed the first few times. Really push for this one! It make so much difference to have someone show you what to do. While breastfeeding is a very natural process, it doesn't come naturally.

Congrats and good luck!

Answer 2

Follow your babies cues.

The first 6 weeks is the hardest. It will feel like you do nothing but nurse during that time because of all the growth spurts they go through then.

Bring baby into bed with you at night. Just be sure you follow safe cosleeping guidelines. You'll all get more sleep this way.

Avoid bottles if possible. If you need to introduce one (like if you are going back to work) wait about 4-6 weeks to offer it. Avent bottles are good...shaped more like the breast and most BF babies do well with them.

Remember that BOTH you and the baby are learning something new, so be patient.

Form a support network. Get to some La Leche League meetings while you're still pregnant if you can. Your local Leader will be a great source of information and support. You'll also learn a lot from the other moms in the group.

Answer 3

Nothing beats good, solid support. I'm not just talking about the boppy. Have the number to your local LeLeche League handy or a lactation consultant. Get to know other mothers who are breastfeeding or have in the past. Talk to them when you have difficulties and listen to theirs and learn how they have overcome them. It will be difficult in the beginning. The baby does not just know how to latch on, you will have to teach him/her while learning yourself. Bear with it and it will happen. I will not lie - there will be discomfort in the beginning - okay, pain. But that subsides when the milk comes in. Lansinoh (pure lanolin) will be your best friend.
On a personal note: I find the most difficult thing that most breastfeeders face is negativity and criticism. Be strong and don't let it discourage you.
Good luck with your new baby and I hope you have a wonderful breasfeeding experience.

Answer 4

Alongthepemi already gave great advice, I agree 100% with her. Before you give birth, try to take a class on how to breastfeed your baby, because although it is the most natural thing to do, it does not come naturally to women anymore as it has been basically shunned in our society for the past 2 generations. Have you ever seen a woman breastfeed her baby before? I hadnt, so how was I suppose to know how to do it? There actually is more than just pushing your baby up to your breast and letting them find you. Trying to get their little mouth to open wide enough to take in more than just the nipple can be difficult the first few wks, and you would never guess that so many hours could be spent holding your baby while they nurse. It's a full-time job! But it's normal, it's how it is meant to be, and you will find the greatest satisfaction in it. The first mth is the hardest, especially if you experience soreness, but that passes and you will be left with mths of easy sailing!

Know that it can be tempting to quit in the first few wks - you're exhausted, the baby seems to want you all the time, there might be problems with latch-on, weight gain, who knows, but push through that. Talk to your local LLL representatives, they really are there to help you. Surround yourself with others who have nursed their babies. Dont let anyone get you down with ignorant comments. I had my in-laws to offer helpful comments such as 'when are you going to stop starving your baby and give her food?' and I only hope you dont have to deal with that, but if it comes just ignore it.

Your baby does NOT need anything besides you for the first 6mths. Not the first few days, not at 3 or 4 mths. Feed on demand, meaning when your baby seems interested in eating. Dont bother looking at the clock for that magic 3hr mark some people have, your baby will tell you. Crying is typically the last indicator, so if you see your baby 'searching', turning his or her head from side to side, that could mean s/he is hungry. I usually fed my daughter every 2-3hrs during the day, and at night she could sleep in a 5hr block, before eating, then going back to sleep for another 3hr block. I didnt even think about waking her up (like they did at the hospital). Not so much a 'on demand' thing if I'm imposing it on her. As long as your baby is gaining weight well, then no need to wake up your little sleeping angel. And depending on your pediatrician, they could be surprisingly uninformed when it comes to weight gain for breastfed newborns. Find one who knows what they are talking about if your first isnt helpful. It took changing twice before we found someone who wasnt Pro-bottle.

Good luck!!

Answer 5

My baby came out, looked at her father, then opened her mouth looking for a feed! I thought everything was going fine, until the lactation consultant at the hospital asked if she was actually swallowing, with all that sucking action. This freaked me out - needlessly! There was nothing wrong!!!
I would say put baby to the breast asap after birth, and don't worry unless baby just won't take the breast - and children won't starve themselves.
Also, watch your own diet. I was advised to steer clear of chocolate and caffeine, and found out the hard way not to eat acidic sweets (candy) - it upset my daughter's stomach.
Small-breasted women usually have less trouble than large, as baby can latch on comfortably without having to try and breathe through a noseful of breast! Yes, you can't just decide to change your breast size (!), but if you are large, just be aware of that issue.
Finally, just relax - your body's built to feed your baby, and babies know this. It's the most amazing thing, providing food from your own body - I cried when my daughter weaned herself!

Answer 6

1. Relax
2. Wait until the baby is hungry (they are real good in letting you know).
3. Make sure your breast area for feeding is freshly cleaned (bacteria from breast milk seeping or lack of air)
4. Hold the baby firmly and talk genlty (to relax it)
5. Put the breast nipple to it's mouth (and let nature take it's course).
7. Bite your lip, because the first couple of times, it smarts alittle.
Good Luck

Answer 7

Start going to La Leche League when you are pregnant so that you have a support group. They will have lots of advice about what to do and what not to do (like not giving your baby any artificial nipples the first 6 weeks).

Find your local meeting:
www.lalecheleague.org

Other good websites:
www.kellymom.com
www.askdrsears.com

Answer 8

Just keep trying, it does take the baby a few days to catch on but if you keep offering it he/she will catch on.

They make a lot of things to help get the baby going at first, nipple shields are one. Normally the nurses in the hospitol will help you gget going with it, also your pediatrician might have someone on it's staff that can help.

Answer 9

Be patient. It might take a while to get the hang of it but it's worth it in the end. Good luck.