Any tips for breastfeeding?

Answer 1

yes eat healthy food and plz remember that your intake is your baby intake as well no drugs not even a sip or a hit eat lots of fruits and if you see like a yellow discharge come out that means your not eating enough food gl its healthier and to me it makes the kids smarter

Answer 2

First, get help! People are telling you breastfeeding is natural, but the truth is both you and the baby need to learn how to do it effectively. Talk to your OB, pediatrician, find a lactation consultant and join a breastfeeding support group like Le Leche League. A lactation consultant is great, they can help you make sure your latch is correct, your position is correct, help you with your diet, and there's probably one or two at the hospital where you delivered.
Don't give up! It can be difficult and frustrating for you and the baby at first and it can feel like the most unnatural thing in the world.
Wear a bra with good support, stay away from gassy foods like broccoli and cabbage, and alternate holds (cradle, football, etc) so the baby can pull milk out of all the milk ducts to alleviate pain and clogging. Familiarize yourself with thrush, plugged ducts and mastitis as well as their symptoms to help you notice issues quickly before they really start hurting. Buy a Boppy pillow or My Breast Friend to help you support the baby when they're really young. Avoid sage and mint, they diminish your milk supply and are everywhere during the holidays. Drink water all the time, it makes a huge difference when you're trying to build up a supply.
If you're really having troubles with supply, look at renting a hospital grade pump for a while and pump after every feeding. Take Fenugreek (an herb, available at GNC and stores like that) to help your milk supply. You'll smell like maple syrup, but it really does help. Stay away from Reglan (perscription you may get to help your milk) except as an extreme last resort, it has incredible side effects (it knocked me out so hard no one could wake me no matter what they tried).
Finally, if nursing is just not in the cards, if you've tried absolutely everything and you're about to pull your hair out, formula is not the end of the world. Lots of smart, healthy, beautiful kids were formula fed as babies.
And most of all, hang in there! There are so many mothers who have been through this, and we're all here for you!

Answer 3

Contact your local La Leche League group for information and support. The Leaders are really knowledgeable and it's good to get to know a group of other nursing moms who can encourage you and give you tips.

In the early weeks, sleep when the baby sleeps! Don't count on getting all your rest at night.

Watch the baby, not the clock. The baby knows best when he is hungry. Don't put him on a schedule as that can harm your supply. Nurse any time you think the baby is giving you cues to feed.

Make sure baby is well supported in your arms, especially his head. This will help insure a good latch and help protect you from sore or damaged nipples.

If your nipples are sore or damaged, use Lansinoh cream on them. You don't have to wash it off before nursing.

There are no specific foods you need to avoid while nursing. There are no specific foods that you need to eat while nursing. (You don't have to drink milk to make milk, as many people seem to think. HELLO! Cows don't drink milk either people.) Just eat a varied diet in as close to the natural state as possible.

Stay well hydrated. If you feel thirsty, you are already getting dehydrated. Some caffeine is OK, but remember that it doesn't really count towards your daily fluid intake so you should drink some extra juice or water if you drink caffeinated drinks.

Answer 4

jeez i hate people that answer without knowing what they are talking about. make sure that the baby's body is positioned properly. if not, they might not latch on correctly and that can lead to some very sore nipples. it's going to hurt for the first few days. babies are born knowing generally what to do, but they need coaching just as much as the moms do. so be patient for a few days. if your nipples get sore you can buy this stuff called purelan at wal-mart or target. it's just purified lanolin and it really helps cut down the soreness between feedings.

Answer 5

I just had a baby 8 days ago and I'm having trouble breast feeding. I use a breast pump 3 times a day to get the milk to start coming. Everyday there is a little more so soon I will be able to toss the breast pump.

Answer 6

don't be afraid to break suction and try again if you don't get a good latch. make sure your whole areola is in the baby's mouth, not just the nipple. air your breasts as much as you can. be on the lookout for thrush, it looks like cottage cheese stuck to the baby's cheeks or tongue, and it will transfer to your nipples and make nursing extremely painful if it's not treated properly. Don't use a scissor hold on your breast (holding it between index and middle fingers) you'll get a bad latch which will cause pain. Always use a C hold (fingers underneath and thumb on top).

Answer 7

The main piece of advice I can give is to relax. The baby will be tense if you are too and will have a hard time latching on. This is the best time of your life with your new baby. And it's the best thing you can do for your baby. Relax, take your time and enjoy.

Answer 8

get a nursing pillow like boppy, cuddle-u, or my brest friend. I like cuddle-u. They are so much better than a regular pillow. Try to breastfeed in a quiet private place so you and your baby will both feel comfortable and relaxed. Don't get frustrated, sometimes it is painful at first but the better you both get the better it will feel. Just keep in mind that you are giving your baby what's best for him/her right now.

Answer 9

get a bottle of vitamin E oil for sore nipples rub some on after nursing its safe for the baby used it with both my kids and checked Worth the Dr. its also good to rub on to the stretchmarks you have and the more you will get. and when no one is around let your Ladies get some air and Change your nursing pads often the wetness makes sore nipples worse good luck.

Answer 10

Use lanisoh/lanolin. It not only heals and protects, it helps the baby suck a larger amount of the aerola in it's mouth.