Breastfeeding Basics

I have seen it too many times. My friends say they are going to breastfeed. I offer to be there to help them if they need anything. They thank me and assure me that they will call me if they have any problems. A few months pass after the baby is born. I ask how breastfeeding is going and they say they were not able to do it. Usually it was milk supply issues . . . they didn’t make enough milk. If they had just known a couple things they could have succeeded. That is why I am writing this now. So, I can put some information together and hopefully help someone out there succeed that may have given up for lack of information.

Education

There are a lot of breastfeeding books out there. I have only read a couple but my favorite was The Nursing Mother’s Companion by Kathleen Huggins. I will try to give you some good information but I think it would be helpful to further educate yourself to prepare yourself for success.

When I first started breastfeeding, 12 years ago, it was less common. Thankfully, it has become more and more popular as people are starting to realize the benefits of it. Not only for the baby, but for mother as well. This is another reason it is helpful to read up on breastfeeding . . . maybe post some of the most compelling reasons you are choosing to breastfeed up where you can read it on a wall. It may help you stick with it when it becomes difficult in the first couple months.

Colostrum

The first three days after you give birth you give the baby a liquid called colostrum. During this time the baby is pooping out meconium. Colostrum is very beneficial to baby, and it is worth looking into on its own. But it can cause confusion because it is usually clear and not the usual white liquid we associate with milk. Also, it is not produced in the larger quantities regular breastmilk is produced.   

Engorgement

Engorgement is something that commonly happens on the third day when your milk comes in. It is helpful to get in a warm bath or shower (don’t let the water hit your nipples directly in the shower!) and massage any lumps away from the breasts. It is likely that you will leak milk a lot during this time. There are pads that help you stay dry but it might be helpful to sleep over a bath towel until the leaking subsides. When breastfeeding, in general, try not to avoid feeding because of pain. If you have a sore lump or are achey, even after the initial weeks, it is best to massage it or to breastfeed the baby. I think of it as clogged pipes. If you keep feeding the baby it will dissolve but if you just ignore it, it can get worse. I had a friend go years (!) ignoring a painful breast and just feeding the baby from the other side. It caused a nasty infection. It is not worth it. Just take a pain reliever and massage that sucker. Call a lactation consultant or someone with experience. As a last resort, you can also see a doctor.

Soreness and Products 

There is a right and wrong way to latch. I have read several times that if you do it right you will not experience pain or soreness. There are videos online and you can work with a lactation consultant to help you get a proper latch.

All that being said, I don’t think I ever get a proper latch at first. Either that or the baby starts too small and my nipples too big to be able to breast feed pain free. I am going to be honest it can be painful and, personally, I always have gotten sore. But I alway find solace in the fact that the soreness will go away. In the Nursing Mother’s Companion book it is mentioned that most soreness resolves by 4 weeks. I cling on to that four week mark on the calendar and it does usually go away by then.

You should keep yourself from any dry spots or cracking. There is a product called Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream that is really good at keeping things moisturized. 

If you notice any pink or really sore spot, nipple shields can be a lifesaver. They add an extra layer of something there that give your boobies a break. There are also some cold packs that are designed for those early days that are nice and soothing.

Cluster feeding

Some people think that they do not make enough milk because they have to feed all the time. It is common in the first days. maybe even weeks, to find yourself feeding on an hourly basis. Be assured that as long as the baby is outputting enough pee and poo diapers they are eating enough.

So, when the baby is eating very often in this way, it can be that they are in a growth mode, which they often are, and this cluster feeding, or nursing several times close together, serves to increase your milk supply because your milk supply increases or decreases by supply and demand.

Sleep

At the beginning, someone who breastfeeds might feel that they are getting less sleep because they have to wake up more often to feed. In just a small amount of time breastfeeding ends up being more convenient as you don’t find yourself making bottles in the middle of the night and you often don’t even wake up all the way to feed the baby. You will be able to go back to sleep even while nursing with a little practice. Co-sleeping is helpful, but not necessary, to help you get enough sleep. And is another subject worth looking into.

Pumping and going back to work

I don’t have much experience pumping and storing breastmilk to prepare for going back to work so I asked my friend Dayana if she could share some tips regarding this.

This is what she shared with me:

When the baby is first born and your milk starts coming in, it is best to start pumping and storing breast milk in between feedings. Each time you pump make sure you fully empty both sides. 

After 2 months of using this method, when I went back to work I had roughly a 3 months supply on hand. An electric pump will be essential. You will need storage containers or storage bags to keep milk in the freezer. Put dates on the milk. Remember that milk can stay in the freezer for up to 6 months.

When the baby is about 2 or 4 months, introduce a soft spout feeding cup that is age appropriate. Once you are back to work, use a portable electric pump to pump during your break and an ice chest for storing milk. Hope these tips help. Oh yeah, and drink lots and lots of water!