Many people discover that breastfeeding isn’t always ‘easy’, painless, or comes naturally.  There is often a learning curve your first time and with every new baby.  

My biggest tips are to give yourself grace, slow down (especially if you are getting frustrated), and remember to check the basics: tummy-to-tummy, nose-to-nipple, and following your breath to maintain calmness. 

• Giving your baby the opportunity to feed within the first two hours after birth is ideal. Often time’s babies are hungry within the first hour of birth, and then go into a resting period.
• Colostrum is the best first food your baby can have.  It has laxative qualities and pre-biotics.  If breastfeeding is not available, you can hand express or use donated milk to be fed to your baby.

Here are some additional tips to set yourself up for success: 

• First, get comfortable. Have you used the bathroom in a while? Do you have food and drink available? What position are you in: sitting up, lying down, slouched over? Do you have some pillows for your arms, back, or knees?
• While holding your baby, breathe and relax. Your baby will respond to your cues.
• Watch for signs that your baby is ready to be fed. She will lick her lips, move her head, and bring her hand to her face.

Often times the fundamental positions are being overlooked.  Double checking the basics when you and your baby are learning.   

• A good position to start with is tummy to-tummy. The baby placed with his tummy diagonally across your tummy. Baby’s body is best supported by the opposite arm than the breast he is on. You hand can support his shoulders and neck with one hand and the other hand can support your breast.  
• A more advanced position to try is side lying.  Some babies get this position right away, whereas for others it’s more of an advanced move.  This position has you lying on one side and the baby’s body is facing yours.  It’s convent for nighttime feeding and resting.  

The latch is important.  In the first 24 hours you and baby are experimenting, learning, and practicing.  Soreness can be normal.  Cracking, bleeding, and extreme pain are warning signs.   

• For the first 3-4 days after birth, some infant weight loss is considered normal. When breastfeeding is established babies tend to regain their birth weight within 10-14 days.
• For the first 3-4 months, weight gain is about 4-6 ounces per week. After that weight gain slows, but length and head circumference are also important measurements of growth.

When your milk comes in baby will need to adjust to that as well.  The first week can have successes and stumbles.  By the second week, the latch should be more solid and milk should be flowing.    

The baby’s mouth should be taking in a considerable amount of breast tissue. As the baby comes to the breast, have your nipple in line with the baby’s nose. Then as she opens her mouth wide, bring her whole body in a little closer. That way she can take in most of your nipple and depending on your nipple size she may take in some of the outer breast tissue also.

• If the latch isn’t right for you, it’s not going to be right for baby either. Simply place your finger under the lower lip to break the suction and try again. You and your baby are learning this together.
• Your baby responds to milk. As your milk flows, your baby will be able to regulate the quantity he needs. Switching sides may or may not be necessary.
• Allow your baby to let you know when she is hungry. Avoid waiting until she is crying because calming her down will expend more energy and delay her from getting the food she needs.
• Your baby may be hungry every few hours. Be sure to rest, eat, and take care of yourself in between those times.
• Supplementing your baby in between feedings can be counter-productive to breastfeeding. Formula takes a much longer time for your baby’s body to digest. This could create engorgement for you because your body knows that it is time to feed the baby, but the baby is not hungry.  If breastfeeding is your goal, but baby isn’t gaining well or you need to use formula, then use it as a tool to get back to meet your breastfeeding goals.  
• Pacifiers and bottles pose another risk to breastfeeding. Pacifiers can disturb your baby’s feeding cues and your response to them. Pacifiers and bottles can also get your baby into the habit of sucking that isn’t the same as breastfeeding. If hand expressed milk, donated milk, formula, or another type of supplementation is necessary for your baby, it is better to spoon or cup feed rather than bottle feed unless bottle feeding is how you are choosing/needing to feed your baby.  

A big question is how to know if my baby is getting enough.  To determine if your baby is getting enough milk, watch him while he’s eating and his behavior afterwards. During the feeding, his temple should be moving, then pausing. The movements are allowing milk to enter his mouth, whereas the pause is a swallow. After the feeding, you baby should be content and maybe sleepy.  Your baby will also have several wet and poopy diapers (after the first week). 

If your baby is breaking the latch often, fussy, or overly sleepy, then you may want to seek additional help to pinpoint the problem.

• Only take professional breastfeeding advice from someone that has watched you and your baby nurse. If someone is simply telling you what you should be doing without seeing how you and your baby breastfeed first, then they aren’t giving accurate information.

References:

Mohrbacher, N., & Stock, J. (2003). The Breastfeeding Answer Book (3rd ed.). Schaumburg, IL: La Leche League.

Newman, J. (2011, October 14). Reclaiming normal: the latest in breastfeeding information and support strategies. Lecture presented in Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

Renfrew, M., Fisher, C., & Arms, S. (2004). Bestfeeding: how to breastfeed your baby. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts

***This is general information. Please speak to your health care provider about your unique health needs.