If you have decided to begin your breastfeeding journey you will want to do it so that you can be as successful as possible.
These breastfeeding tips for newborns are to help you get started on your way.
Breastfeeding is the most beautiful thing you can do for your child to give them a good headstart in life.
I understand that not every woman wants to breastfeed or is even able too but for those that would like to start breastfeeding, these 10 breastfeeding tips for newborns will allow you to settle into breastfeeding as easily as possible.
Breastfeeding Tips For Newborns
1. Good positioning when sitting
It’s very important that when you first begin breastfeeding to make sure that you are sitting as comfortably as possible.
Newborns can feed for varying amounts of time and the last thing you want is to be stuck in a position that is not comfortable for you.
Make sure that your arms and back are well supported as usually when it comes to breastfeeding those are the two areas that can get a little awkward and uncomfortable.
Make sure you have a pillow or anything else you may need close to hand before you begin to breastfeed.
If you want to be really successful with breastfeeding then you will want to make sure that it’s working well for you as well as your baby.
If you have the funds available I would suggest getting one of these nursing chairs.
I have used this chair throughout all my pregnancies and they have been a lifesaver to me.
There is a certain point in pregnancy where it can become uncomfortable to sit on a normal sofa.
This nursing chair makes sitting so much more comfortable, therefore you can use it from pregnancy up until you decide to stop nursing so it’s a worthwhile investment.
I still use my chair today for all kinds of things, even if I’m just working on my laptop.
2. Skin to skin contact
Skin to skin contact is one of the most beneficial things you can do for both you and your baby.
Having skin to skin contact requires you to have your baby lie naked alongside you or on top of you.
When you do this it helps your baby to get a good latch for breastfeeding and also for your body to begin its milk production to full capacity.
Skin to skin contact is great encouragement for bonding with your baby. It is especially helpful if you are having problems relaxing and getting to know your baby more.
When your baby is first born you will find that you will only be producing colostrum milk which is a yellowish type of milk.
After roughly 3 days or so this turns into the milk that you are usually used to seeing.
Taking the time to have skin to skin contact will make this transition to producing milk much easier.
3. Wait for your milk to come in
It’s really important to make sure you wait patiently as your milk comes in. As explained above it can take roughly 3 days before your colostrum turns into milk.
During this time there is no point in worrying about whether or not your baby is getting enough to eat. Stress at this point will do more harm than good to you.
Also, note that it is perfectly normal to see your baby lose a small amount of weight during the first couple of weeks.
After this, your baby should then be gradually gaining a steady amount of weight as time goes on.
If you are worried about your baby perhaps not getting enough milk then do seek the help of your doctor or midwife.
It never hurts to ask someone if you are ever unsure about anything.
We all need help when we first start breastfeeding so getting some good breastfeeding tips for newborns under your belt will help you on your journey.
Having patience is a big part of this.
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4. Don’t obsess over your milk supply
Babies tend to feed at varying intervals, one minute they will feed for 2 minutes they next they will be on the breast for 30 minutes.
This is not an indication of how much milk you are producing.
As you learn more about breastfeeding you will discover that the first part of your milk as your baby begins to feed is called the foremilk.
The foremilk is much more watery and is often somewhat of a thirst quencher.
The longer that your baby takes to feed they will get to the hindmilk which contains much more fat.
It’s this fat content that causes your baby to put on weight. If your baby does not stay on the breast for long enough then they will not be getting enough fat to be able to put on any weight.
Make sure you allow your baby enough time to feed on each breast beforehand switching.
As long as you are switching breasts at each feed your baby should be getting enough milk.
If you are ever unsure about which breast your baby last fed on, a nice little trick is to use the hairband method.
You basically put a hairband on the wrist that corresponds with the breast that your baby last fed from. All you need to do is to remember to switch wrists at each feed.
Just as a side note, you might find that as your baby grows they will have a breast that becomes their favorite. It happens.
If your baby does do this, don’t panic as your body is really great for knowing how to adjust to your babies needs.
All my children have done this and thankfully I have never had the issue of uneven breasts as my body always adjusts to whichever my baby favors.
If you want to know more about the benefits of breatfeeding and latching as well as storage and pumping if you are going back to work then you need to take a look at this Milkology course.
The course is excellent for taking you through step by step in what to expect when you begin breastfeeding. I can’t recommend the course highly enough.
It will literally walk you through all the questions that you may have.
5. Stay hydrated
The only way you can produce enough milk for your new baby is to make sure that you stay hydrated.
Make sure you are drinking enough water to keep your own bodies hydration up.
Breastfeeding can make you extra thirsty without you realizing it sometimes.
It is advisable to keep a bottle of water next to you as you breastfeed in case you get thirsty.
6. Know that it will take time to perfect your art
Perfecting breastfeeding is not something that happens overnight. it takes time.
You will have to learn how to breastfeed in public around strangers and during the night when you are half asleep.
The good news is that once you learn it you will know it for life.
Give yourself a break and know that it will take some time to get used too.
7. Nipple cream
Nipple cream will quickly become your best friend, especially in the early stages until your breasts get used to it.
This nipple cream is great for sore breasts. I use it when I first start breastfeeding and it does wonders for me.
Undoubtedly when you begin breastfeeding there will be a lot of sensitivity and nipple creams help you get through this stage.
Keep it next to you at all times and each time you finish a feed just apply a small amount to your breast.
8. Breast shells
Breast shells are also another amazing thing to have once you start your breastfeeding journey.
If you have sore breasts these breast shells actually stop any friction happening between your clothes and your breasts.
The other great thing about breast shells is that they collect any milk leaks that you may have so you don’t have to walk around with milk stains on your top.
If you do want an alternative to breast shells then you can just use breast pads to prevent milk stains.
They are pretty discreet too so no one will be able to tell you are wearing them under your clothes.
9. Good specialized bra
Having a good specialized bra is essential because it helps with being able to feed as quickly and discretely as possible.
I use one every time I’m breastfeeding and they are great for giving support and easy access too.
Final thoughts on breastfeeding tips for newborns
These breastfeeding tips for newborns will help you successfully achieve your goals for breastfeeding. They are simple and effective in putting you on the right track.
Just remember to give yourself a break. No one figures out all there is to know about breastfeeding overnight but these breastfeeding tips for new mothers are great!
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