So You’re Going to Breastfeed?
Breastfeeding is quite the controversial topic these days. Whether you choose to do it or not, someone will have something to say about your choice. Back in December, I confessed my true feelings about breastfeeding. I am not one to criticize anyone for their decisions – so take note that this post isn’t anything but some tips for a new mom who wants to BF.
Breastfeeding 101 by mrsbearh on Polyvore
Taking a breastfeeding class while I was pregnant never appealed to me. How could I learn to breastfeed without already having 1. breast milk and 2. a baby to feed?? Once I delivered Annabelle, I literally called for the lactation consultant in the hospital as soon as they told me it was time to nurse. If you’re going to breastfeed, don’t be afraid to ask for help! You can inquire about the hospital’s lactation services at your hospital tour. The lactation consultant was my hero. I honestly had no idea what I was doing when it came to BF, just that I wanted to do it. Who knew there were various holds while BF and proper latch requirements for a good feed? With that being said, don’t be afraid to have your husband stick around during these consultations. B became a pro at how the baby was supposed to latch on, how to wake her if she fell asleep during a feeding, and took note of how I should hold her in case I forgot. He was quite the handy helper after the consultant left me on my own to nurse. I was still half asleep and in recovery when she visited, so he helped me position the baby correctly when it was time for her to eat. Use nipple shields. I was so excited that I didn’t have any issues the first day that I nursed Annabelle. Then she started mashing my nipple downwards against the base of her mouth with her tongue and I developed quite the painful cut on my left side. I had heard of nipple shields from a friend – she said she used them because she had small nipples and the baby had trouble latching on. I didn’t know that these lovely plastic shields could be used to protect you from a baby with a strong tongue though! I bought them a week after I got home from the hospital and they were life changing. After two days of using them, the baby was latching on quickly, correctly, and staying latched on the entire feed. Breastfeeding takes a lot out of you – eat lots and drink more water. The reason that moms who BF may lose their baby weight more quickly than other moms is because breastfeeding requires an extra 500 calories a day. I noticed that while my appetite increased after I delivered, my weight decreased. I also noticed that I was extremely thirsty! I am on week 10 of BF and still drink at least 2 bottles of water during my nighttime feedings. Speaking of nighttime feedings, after two weeks of wet tank tops and bras, I invested in disposable breast pads. I tried using washable pads, but they would be soaked within an hour and I went through all three sets that I owned in just a few hours. I have found that the disposable pads seem to hold more leakage than washable cotton pads. You can also fold them down with your bra during a feeding and let the extra milk that drips out of baby’s mouth collect on the pad. A lot of milk seems to spill out of Annabelle’s mouth. I started tucking a burp cloth in my bra and under A’s chin to soak up the extra milk. Someone should really invent tank tops that have extra padding to soak up this milk though… A nursing bra is a must. Get one that is comfortable – because comfort outweighs style! I found my favorite bra after buying four various kinds and asking for recommendations from friends. Now I own the bra in three colors and plan on getting a few more!
There is so much to learn and know about breastfeeding that I think it would take me multiple posts to share all the information I have acquired over the past 10 weeks. We talk a lot about BF in my Mommy and Me group on Thursdays, so every week I gather a few more helpful tidbits. What kind of tips do you have to offer first time BF Mommas?! or What do you want to know about breastfeeding?
Taking a breastfeeding class while I was pregnant never appealed to me. How could I learn to breastfeed without already having 1. breast milk and 2. a baby to feed?? Once I delivered Annabelle, I literally called for the lactation consultant in the hospital as soon as they told me it was time to nurse. If you’re going to breastfeed, don’t be afraid to ask for help! You can inquire about the hospital’s lactation services at your hospital tour. The lactation consultant was my hero. I honestly had no idea what I was doing when it came to BF, just that I wanted to do it. Who knew there were various holds while BF and proper latch requirements for a good feed? With that being said, don’t be afraid to have your husband stick around during these consultations. B became a pro at how the baby was supposed to latch on, how to wake her if she fell asleep during a feeding, and took note of how I should hold her in case I forgot. He was quite the handy helper after the consultant left me on my own to nurse. I was still half asleep and in recovery when she visited, so he helped me position the baby correctly when it was time for her to eat. Use nipple shields. I was so excited that I didn’t have any issues the first day that I nursed Annabelle. Then she started mashing my nipple downwards against the base of her mouth with her tongue and I developed quite the painful cut on my left side. I had heard of nipple shields from a friend – she said she used them because she had small nipples and the baby had trouble latching on. I didn’t know that these lovely plastic shields could be used to protect you from a baby with a strong tongue though! I bought them a week after I got home from the hospital and they were life changing. After two days of using them, the baby was latching on quickly, correctly, and staying latched on the entire feed. Breastfeeding takes a lot out of you – eat lots and drink more water. The reason that moms who BF may lose their baby weight more quickly than other moms is because breastfeeding requires an extra 500 calories a day. I noticed that while my appetite increased after I delivered, my weight decreased. I also noticed that I was extremely thirsty! I am on week 10 of BF and still drink at least 2 bottles of water during my nighttime feedings. Speaking of nighttime feedings, after two weeks of wet tank tops and bras, I invested in disposable breast pads. I tried using washable pads, but they would be soaked within an hour and I went through all three sets that I owned in just a few hours. I have found that the disposable pads seem to hold more leakage than washable cotton pads. You can also fold them down with your bra during a feeding and let the extra milk that drips out of baby’s mouth collect on the pad. A lot of milk seems to spill out of Annabelle’s mouth. I started tucking a burp cloth in my bra and under A’s chin to soak up the extra milk. Someone should really invent tank tops that have extra padding to soak up this milk though… A nursing bra is a must. Get one that is comfortable – because comfort outweighs style! I found my favorite bra after buying four various kinds and asking for recommendations from friends. Now I own the bra in three colors and plan on getting a few more!
There is so much to learn and know about breastfeeding that I think it would take me multiple posts to share all the information I have acquired over the past 10 weeks. We talk a lot about BF in my Mommy and Me group on Thursdays, so every week I gather a few more helpful tidbits. What kind of tips do you have to offer first time BF Mommas?! or What do you want to know about breastfeeding?
The post So You’re Going to Breastfeed? appeared first on Confessions of a Northern Belle.
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