Our lives completely transform when a new baby arrives. You get a plethora of information from your medical staff at the hospital and from the family. Anyone who comes to meet you probably brings a new piece of unknown information to bestow on you.
So many things happen at the same time, while you are still coping with the joy of having a child to fighting the constant body pains or your changing body, the overwhelming feeling of the new responsibility, the rush of relatives constantly coming and going – and the endless free advise you keep getting and you are learning everything at lightning speed.
Here are a few pointers related to breastfeeding that can surely help a new mother if followed properly –
- The more you feed, the more you will produce.
- When a baby is born, your body starts producing milk. You will only get 2-3 drops initially, but do not worry, that is how your body is designed. In the first few days – it is very important that you have maximum skin to skin contact with your baby.
- If you had a vaginal delivery – your body will probably start producing milk right away, but if you had a C-section, you probably would have to wait for 1-2 days.
- Most women freak out at the thought that they are not producing milk and the baby will remain hungry
- Rest assured – in the starting that’s how milk comes and it’s absolutely normal.
- Before you start feeding drink one glass of any warm liquid like – milk, soup or plain water. Keep a warm cloth on the breasts to open any closed milk ducts
- Many mothers when try to press their nipple and not to have them leaking milk worry that they are NOT AT ALL making milk. The way we express milk or the way a milk pump works cannot replicate a baby’s sucking action. When a baby is cupped properly on the areola and sucks, that action stimulates the body to produce milk. The hormones work accordingly, which a hand or a pump action may not replicate.
- You can feed in 4 different positions. If you find the child is cranky and is not accepting feed – try and change the position. You can try cradle hold, seated position, cross cradle position, and side lying hold. Experiment to see what works for you and the baby the best.
- Support your breast with your thumb on top, well back from your areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple) and the fingers underneath. Your fingers should also be well back from your baby’s mouth.
- Your breasts work on the simple technique of demand and supply. The more the demand the better the supply. When you give a bottle to your child that reduces your supply. WHY? Because the formula is heavier than breast milk. It fills up baby fast and easily – so baby remains full for a longer duration of time. The body gets the signal – that baby does not need milk and so the supply adjusts itself accordingly.
- For the first 20 minutes – our body produces water based milk (foremilk) and then after that weight gaining milk (hindmilk) starts flowing. It’s very important for the baby to have both for the overall development of the body.
- There is nothing called low supply; unless you had a major surgery in the past or have a hormonal imbalance and you were/are undergoing treatment for the same OR your lactation specialist has confirmed the same. Supply purely depends upon a child’s feeding pattern. Our breasts have been designed in such a manner that it understands the regulation very well. After initial 2-3 weeks (yes, it’s a struggle in the initial phases) the pattern is set. Your body works in perfect tandem to feed your baby.
- Have plenty of liquids – One liter of milk and 3 liters of juice, soup, water is recommended daily. Have a healthy nutritious home cooked food. Avoid any junk, oily and extreme sugar. Try and walk after every meal – may be for 15-20 minutes. This will help you remain active and help you get rid of any acidity and flatulence. If you had a C-section, then this helps bowel movements and helps heal your stitches better and faster.
- Include more of Jeera, garlic, and oats in your diet to stimulate the milk production.
- If you feel engorged ( a condition where breasts feel hard and lumpy and you feel pain), the best and the easiest way to relieve yourself is to gently massage your breasts. You can use coconut or olive oil to do this. You can also use crushed ice wrapped in a cloth to gently press on breasts to get a relief from engorgement
Last but not the least – breastfeeding is a mind game. Convince yourself that you will and are making milk and you surely will. Else, if all fails, please do meet a lactation specialist to rule out any medical issues and look for alternatives. Best of luck and happy feeding!
This is a guest post is by Harneet, wife, mother of 2 beautiful children. A bookworm, busy bee, traveler, foodie, cheerful crazy, blogger and an optimist. At home by choice, and constantly trying to explore the new facets of this amazing life. She believes that every situation that one ever faces – has 2 sides to it, either you take it up as a challenge and learn something or you give up and lose an opportunity to learn. She writes at https://sublimemessagesblog.wordpress.com/
November 15, 2017 at 3:44 pm
A comprehensive list! A very good resource for new mothers…
Absolutely agree that breast feeding is mind game and a mother needs to be relaxed at the time of feeding.
November 16, 2017 at 3:29 pm
A very helpful guide for mom’s to be . I wish I had read something like this during my pregnancy
November 16, 2017 at 3:37 pm
Thanks Neha
November 16, 2017 at 5:41 pm
This is an awesome post, in fact a perfect guide for new moms who have doubts related to breastfeeding or are struggling with breastfeeding itself. Thanks to Harneet for making it easier for new mom and moms-to-be.
November 16, 2017 at 6:42 pm
Thanks Neha.
November 16, 2017 at 5:48 pm
A very well written and understandable guide for the mom who are nursing!
Would have helped me a lot too!
November 16, 2017 at 6:42 pm
Thanks Zainab.
November 16, 2017 at 10:06 pm
You have explained all the points about breastfeeding so well. I’m bookmarking this. This is a must read for all women…
November 16, 2017 at 10:29 pm
Thanks Joshita
November 16, 2017 at 11:04 pm
Harneet has reminded me my days of feeding. All these tips are the same given by my mil and mom
November 16, 2017 at 11:58 pm
That’s very helpful and step by step learning guide for breastfeeding
November 17, 2017 at 12:11 am
I recommend this post to all new mums. Such a well written detailed post on breastfeeding. I am sharing this with a neighbour who was really confused and stressed about breastfeeding , this will be very helpful post for her. And will reduce her anxiety too.
November 17, 2017 at 12:48 am
But I did have a horrid experience bfing my kid, he hated it and threw up every time!!
November 17, 2017 at 12:54 am
A very well written and explanatory guide for first time mom..the writer has covered almost all aspects and also answered all the questions a first time mom would have in mind..
November 17, 2017 at 1:56 am
Great tips from a mothers point of view . Agree with staying positive and trying. Seeing a lactation consultant is best advise
November 17, 2017 at 7:17 am
Nice post.
November 17, 2017 at 8:49 am
This is an awesome read….really useful for the new moms…every issue covered
November 17, 2017 at 10:49 am
Thanks Dhanya
November 18, 2017 at 3:19 am
Thanks for sharing such an informative post for mom’s to be and mom’s who are struggling related to breastfeeding.And great tips.
November 18, 2017 at 9:43 am
Thank you. Glad you liked it.
November 18, 2017 at 6:30 pm
you have covered it all! I am definitely sharing it with new moms for sure <3
November 18, 2017 at 7:11 pm
Thanks Gayatri
November 19, 2017 at 11:25 pm
Very informative post for mothers. Thanks for sharing.
November 20, 2017 at 8:29 am
This is an informative and useful article for new mommies. Would definitely share it with them.
November 20, 2017 at 12:22 pm
Thank you
November 20, 2017 at 9:29 am
A must read blog for all the new moms. I struggled a lot with breastfeeding and reading online did help me to overcome the challenges. Thank you for sharing this.
November 20, 2017 at 12:22 pm
Thnaks.