The American Academy of Pediatrics and U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend that babies be breastfed exclusively for the first six months. Prenatal breastfeeding education is a vital step when preparing for breastfeeding. It’s crucial to educate yourself and prepare for breastfeeding before your baby’s birth. While preparation cannot guarantee successful breastfeeding from day one, it will certainly help! And knowing about any potential pitfalls ahead of time lets you know what to expect and limits surprises. So, what are the most crucial breastfeeding preparation tips, and how do new and expectant moms find support? We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to breastfeeding basics with tons of breastfeeding tips for new moms!
Benefits of Breastfeeding
The pregnant body is preparing to give your baby exactly what it needs. While your little one is developing inside you, you provide them with all the nutrition they need to grow! Your body does the same after they’re born, too!
Breastfeeding, even for a short time, is beneficial. Experts recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding for 12 months or more. Breastmilk gives your baby all the nutrients needed to survive and thrive during the first six months of life by providing the ideal amount of fat, carbs, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, breast milk provides some crucial antibodies that protect your baby until it receives its vaccinations.
Breastmilk also contains DHA and fatty acids crucial for brain development. Breastfed babies digest their food better than formula-fed babies, experiencing less constipation, diarrhea, and spit-up.
Moms benefit from breastfeeding, too! Breastfeeding can help you shed excess baby weight quicker because it burns extra calories; it can also reduce postpartum symptoms and reduce high blood pressure. Breastfeeding is also linked to a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
No matter how you look at it, breastfeeding is beneficial! Understanding the positives is the first step in successful breastfeeding!
How to Prepare for Breastfeeding
To prepare for breastfeeding, educate yourself on the benefits. Understanding how good breastfeeding is for you and your baby will help alleviate any doubt or trouble spots along the way.
Breastfeeding, like being pregnant, requires proper nutrition, so plan to have plenty of healthy foods and snacks in the house when you arrive home with your new baby!
You’ll also need to keep track of your baby’s meals. Download the Baby Daybook app before your baby is born so you’re comfortable with the features and how it works!
The Baby Daybook Feeding Tracker is a convenient spot to record all of your child’s feeding details, including which breast you started on, what time they started eating, and how long they nursed.
It’s also a good idea to track their wet and dirty diapers, which is one way to ensure they’re getting enough to eat.
Lastly, you’ll need to stock up on some supplies! The following steps outline potential breastfeeding supplies, list potential problems and concerns, and explain how to create a solid support system.
Breastfeeding Supplies
While breastfeeding is a natural occurrence, it does require some additional supplies. These items promote the comfort and ease of breastfeeding and may prevent common problems.
You may decide you need all or only some of these supplies as you prepare for breastfeeding. For example, if you want to express milk so your partner or other loved ones can feed the baby, you’ll need a breast pump and bottles. Also, if you’re returning to work after a few months, you might want milk storage bags to save up some milk in advance.
- Breast pump
- Milk freezer bags
- Bottles
- Nipple balm
- Cooling gel nipple packs
- Nursing bras and tops
- Nipple pads (for milk leakage)
- Breastfeeding pillow
- Glider or rocking chair
- Nursing cover
- Reusable water bottle
Breastfeeding Tips
Breastfeeding involves some trial and error. One of the things you’ll experiment with is breastfeeding positions. You won’t be able to practice different positions until the baby arrives, but once they’re here, try a few different positions out to see what feels the most comfortable!
You will also need a comfortable place to nurse your baby and pillows for added support if sitting up. The goal is to be as comfortable and relaxed as possible to make breastfeeding enjoyable for you and your baby.
Don’t worry if breastfeeding doesn’t happen as naturally as you thought it would. Sometimes, it takes a bit of practice and help until it synchs!
Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms
- Experiment and try out various positions.
- Use pillows to support you and your baby.
- Start each nursing session on the opposite breast.
- Use the Baby Daybook to record each nursing session’s length.
- Apply lanolin or a doctor-approved nipple cream before and after nursing.
- Avoid giving your baby a pacifier or bottle for a few weeks until they have achieved a consistent and comfortable latch.
- Keep a beverage nearby, such as water or a smoothie. Breastfeeding can make you thirsty, and it’s important to stay hydrated.
- Listen to music or an audiobook to pass the time. Some babies can nurse for 30-45 minutes at a time!
- Follow your baby’s cues and signals that they are hungry.
- If your breasts are too hard and your baby can’t latch, hand-express some milk to soften them.
- Take a warm shower to soothe sore and hard breasts.
- Wear a supportive nursing bra or top even when sleeping.
Breastfeeding Problems or Concerns
Concerns about breastfeeding will pop up, but most things that happen are typical and not a cause for worry. If you have any questions, speak with your OBGYN or pediatrician about how best to handle any issues that arise.
- Latch problems
- Measuring your baby’s intake
- Low milk supply
- Sore nipples
- Hard and sore breasts
- Leaking milk
- Returning to work
- Weaning your baby
When to seek professional help:
- Your nipples are painful, cracked, or bleeding.
- Your nipples are inverted or flat.
- Your breasts are engorged and painful.
- Your baby is having trouble latching correctly.
- You don’t feel like nursing is progressing well.
- Your baby typically stops feeding after 10 minutes.
- Your baby develops jaundice (a yellow tint to the skin and lethargy are signs).
- Your baby demonstrates frustration when trying to feed: crying, fussing, finger sucking.
Support for Breastfeeding
There are several places you can look for breastfeeding support for new moms. Having a support system in place can make all the difference in achieving successful breastfeeding from day one. You can talk to your doctor, friends, or look online for information. The key is not to be afraid to ask for help; even if you think your question is silly, chances are other parents have already asked it or wondered it a thousand times before! A strong support system can make a big difference in how successful you are at breastfeeding from day one.
Places to Find Support
- Talk to your OBGYN or Pediatirican about any concerns.
- Visit the Baby Daybook Blog to learn more newborn and baby tips.
- Make an appointment with a Lactation Consultant.
- Find an online support group for new and nursing moms.
- Talk to your friends or other moms you know to get breastfeeding tips for new moms.
- Visit La Lache League for additional breastfeeding information and support.
Takeaway
Breastfeeding requires some preparation, but so does everything that accompanies being a new parent! The more you understand about breastfeeding, the better prepared you’ll be for successful breastfeeding from day one. Be sure to explore breastfeeding tips for new moms and stock up on any supplies you might need. Also, learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and some potential common problems so you’ll be prepared to face them head-on! Breastfeeding is a journey, but it is an enjoyable one for you and your baby to take together.Â
Sources
La Leche League USA. lllusa.org [accessed July 2024]
Meek JY, Noble L (2022). Section on Breastfeeding. Policy statement: Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics, 150(1): e2022057988. publications.aap.org [accessed July 2024]
U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2020). Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th Edition. www.dietaryguidelines.gov [accessed July 2024]
