From the article: Breast Compressions
When it comes to breastfeeding newborns, many moms face different challenges. What helpful tips can you offer to breastfeeding mothers? What breastfeeding advice did you receive that helped you get through the challenging first weeks of breastfeeding? Share Your Tips
Make It a Priority
- When my baby was a few months old, I decided to stop breast feeding and put him on formula. He rapidly became a mess! He broke out in a rash and had constant diarrhea. My pediatrician told me to put him back on the breast, although it had been days since I had nursed him. Sure enough, I put him to the breast as often as he would suck. I did almost nothing but breastfeed for several days. My milk rapidly returned. He stayed on the breast until he was well over a year old, and he never had any more problems. I think that experience helped me to realize that there is no higher priority than feeding your child. Let everything else wait, and just enjoy the experience.
- —Guest Siouxsie
Relax!
- I know easier said than done at first, but when you relax your baby relaxes too. When my kids were newborns and just getting started breastfeeding, I always made sure I was was in a relaxed environment when I sat down to nurse. I would put on a CD of instrumental music that I enjoyed listening to.
- —LaureenBrunelli
Get Ready Before Your Baby is Hungry
- I'd say it's best to try and anticipate when your baby is going to be hungry and start cuddling up and getting ready beforehand. Many times I was trying to get things done (sneak in one more load of laundry, do one more load of dishes, brush my teeth - as if!) and sometimes my son would be so hungry he'd get in a frenzy and have a hard time latching on. Then he'd start crying and we'd both be stressed out. My let-down reflex would kick in and I'd be spraying milk all over him as he wailed. Not pretty. :) So, as soon as you start learning to recognize those hungry cues, go ahead and get comfy and get started so it's less stressful for both of you. The dishes and laundry can wait.
- —Guest Stephanie
Give it three weeks
- At the breastfeeding class I took, the instructor urged us to keep trying for 3 weeks, even if we felt like giving up. I remembered that advice many times during the first days. By week 3, my baby and I had the hang of breastfeeding and it was very easy.
- —Catherine
Give it Time
- Three weeks. With all three of my kids, three weeks was the magic number time wise. Breastfeeding isn't always easy -- especially in the beginning (and even more so if this is your first). Hang in there and give yourself and your baby time to get used to one another and build a flourishing relationship that you will both enjoy and blossom from.
- —Guest Amanda
