As a new mother if you have made the decision to nurse your baby, you are encouraged to learn and read as much as you can about breastfeeding. The knowledge and advice from others that you gain will give you confidence to breastfeed your baby. Review these BREASTFEEDING TIPS for NEW MOMS and commit them to practice from day one after birth of baby. Take a breastfeeding class before delivery or soon afterward. Also prenatally, let your medical professionals know that you plan to breastfeed. Ask for breastfeeding help from your doctor, midwife, and nurses soon after birth of baby at the hospital or birthing center. Contact a lactation consultant (IBCLC) for assistance and support as you begin your breastfeeding journey, especially if you are having difficulties. Early and continued lactation support will help you reach your feeding goals.
- Take care of yourself first. Eat a variety of healthy foods, drink plenty of water, and get exercise in moderation (just walking is fine!).
- Get comfortable. You might want to sit up in bed or on the couch with pillows behind your back. Use as many pillows as needed to support your body, especially your arms to hold baby. Use a breastfeeding pillow for support if desired. Remember to bring baby to your breast, and not lowering your back/body to baby.
- When latching, point your nipple toward the roof of baby’s mouth. Fill his mouth with as much breast as possible. Baby’s lips should be wide open and flanged outward like a fish; baby’s chin snuggled in your breast. You should feel tugs and pulls with suckling: NO discomfort or pain.
- Change your breastfeeding positions per feeding session, to drain milk from all areas of the breast. Massage and do breast compressions especially when baby starts to slow down or falls asleep. This will keep milk flowing and baby drinking.
- Breastfeed baby on cue or demand, at least 8-12 times per 24 hours, and as long as baby desires. If it has been three hours or more since baby’s last feeding, and he is uninterested or sleeping, hand express your colostrum onto a spoon, baby feeding cup (or small medicine cup), or colostrum collection kit. You may also double pump (pump both breasts at the same time) for 15 minutes for stimulation. The collected breast milk may be fed to baby later. Frequent stimulation and removing milk from the breasts are essential for establishing and increasing milk production.
- After feeding, hand express some milk and apply all over your nipples and areolas. Allow the breast milk to dry before covering up with bra or clothing. Breast milk will heal any skin irritation or soreness. Use of nipple cream, coconut oil, or olive oil can also make nursing more comfortable.
- Contact a lactation consultant (IBCLC) early for help and support as you begin your breastfeeding journey!
REGISTER at our website under “Classes/Events” for our SPECIAL OFFER, “NEW MOM MINGLE” (2 Services, $100 fee), which INCLUDES a BREASTFEEDING CLASS to be held by appointment or date to be announced in Waco, AND an IBCLC CONSULTATION to be scheduled by appointment at a future date. Learn about breastfeeding in a group class, meet and talk to a local IBCLC (Waco), and at a later date, schedule a lactation consultation for you and baby to get additional breastfeeding help one-on-one. Whether pregnant or postpartum mom, we invite you to join us for “NEW MOM MINGLE.”
We also have a BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT CLASS available to you. The BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT CLASS ($40 fee) will be held by appointment or date to be announced in Waco. Learn about breastfeeding in a group class, meet and talk to a local (Waco) IBCLC, who is also a mother-baby RN, get tips and advice, and ask questions about any concerns or problems you may be having in your breastfeeding journey. THIS CLASS IS MORE THAN A BASIC BREASTFEEDING CLASS! Whether pregnant or postpartum mom, we invite you to join us for a breastfeeding support gathering!
Here are some recommended breastfeeding and parenting books to check out for more information and references:
“Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers” by Nancy Mohrbacher and Kathleen Kendall Tackett: https://amzn.to/3z0s6Fn
“Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding: From the Nation’s Leading Midwife” by Ina May Gaskin: https://amzn.to/3yOHtAJ
“The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: 8th Edition” by Diane Wiessinger, Diana West, and Teresa Pitman: https://amzn.to/3VhBH2k
“Your Baby Skin to Skin: Learn to Trust Your Baby’s Instincts in the First Year” by Rachel Fitz-Desorgher: https://amzn.to/4e66bNc
“Heads Up Mom: The Early Years with Baby and Toddler” by Lori Arnold: https://amzn.to/3z11eoJ
“LATCH: A Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage” by Robin Kaplan, M.Ed., IBCLC: https://amzn.to/4aVm06w
“Three in a Bed: The Benefits of Sleeping with Your Baby” by Deborah Jackson: https://amzn.to/3yQ76Bt
“Sleeping with your Baby: A Parent’s Guide to Cosleeping” by James J. McKenna: https://amzn.to/3VyUMhG
“Nurturing Wellness and Joy from Bump to Birth: A Guide to Care and Wellness Through Pregnancy” by Amber Reese: https://amzn.to/3Vdcs0V
“Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby’s First Years, 2nd Edition” by Walter Cook, MD and Kelsey Klaas, MD: https://amzn.to/3Ri2Tg6
“Your Baby’s Microbiome: The Critical Role of Vaginal Birth and Breastfeeding for Lifelong Health” by Toni Harman and Alex Wakeford: https://amzn.to/3V9DAho
The video “The Magical Hour: Holding Your Baby Skin to Skin in the First Hour After Birth” produced by Dr. Brimdyr, Dr. Widstrom, and Kristin Svensson is a good resource as well: https://amzn.to/4c8o9wP
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