Breastfeeding Baby: Simple Tips for New Moms
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Breastfeeding can be intimidating if you’ve never done it before. If you’re stressed about it, don’t worry; you’re not alone, and the tips I’ve given you here are simple. I’ve researched to ensure I’m not talking nonsense. Even though this article is about the tips I got from the experts at the hospital, I know each woman’s experience and situation is different. The last piece of advice I can give you before I start is not to feel guilty if you can’t breastfeed or don’t want to. This article is for informational purposes only.
1) The first feeding:
Let’s get straight to the point to get you started: Breastfeed your baby within the first hour after birth. I’m from Canada, and I got help from the nurses at the hospital I gave birth to. They were also pro-breastfeeding. I don’t know how it is in other countries or places. To be honest, I was not prepared to breastfeed, and I also got a nurse who was following up with me to help me out when I got out of the hospital. Knowing if you can check at your hospital if they offer this service will be helpful.
The first milk your baby will drink is Colostrum; if you can get him to drink that, it’s perfect because it’s full of nutrients and will help protect your baby from multiple illnesses.
That’s cool, you’ll say, but how do I get my baby to drink from me? That’s the second point.
2) Latching Techniques:
If you can get help breastfeeding from the nurses, I’ll 100% recommend that you don’t be shy and ask for it. It’s worth it. You don’t have to struggle by yourself with this. A good latch is vital for comfortable feeding and helps your baby get enough milk.
Here’s some tips:
- Hold your baby close, tummy to tummy
- Aim your nipple at their nose
- Wait for a wide-open mouth
- Bring baby to breast, not breast to baby
- Make sure their chin touches your breast first
Your baby’s lips should be flared out. Their mouth should cover most of your areola, not just the nipple.
If it hurts, break the latch and try again. A good latch shouldn’t hurt after the first few sucks. One thing that helped me the first night ( because my nipples were cracking and hurting so bad) was this product from Amazon.
- Breastfeeding Positions
Another thing that I learned was that there are different positions to find how your baby can latch.
Here are some common ones:
- Cradle hold: Baby’s head in the crook of your arm
- Cross-cradle hold: Similar, but switch arms
- Football hold: Baby tucked under your arm like a football
- Side-lying position: Both you and the baby lie on your sides
You can use any pillow. The most important thing is that you should ensure that your baby is comfortable and that you’re relaxed, too. This breastfeeding pillow helped me during my first breastfeeding session. I used it, making the process easier for me and my baby. You can use any pillow to support your arms and back, but you and your baby must be comfortable. Ensure your baby’s ear, shoulder, and hip are straight.
My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow:https://amzn.to/3AmROoC
Frequency and Duration
Breastfeeding schedules vary for each baby. You must pay attention to your little one’s hunger cues and growth patterns. Let’s look at how often and how long to feed your baby.
3) Newborn Feeding Schedule
It’s preferable to respect a breastfeeding schedule of every 3 hours. Each feeding session can also last from 20 minutes to 45 minutes. It’s normal if it takes much time at first because newborns are usually sleepy and need more time to adjust. By 2-3 weeks old, your baby will start to take 2 to 3 ounces of milk per feeding for 15 to 25 ounces daily. By 2-3 weeks old, your baby will likely take 2 to 3 ounces of milk per feeding.
4) Signs of Hunger and Fullness
Your baby will tell you when they’re hungry. Look for these feeding cues:
- Smacking or licking lips
- Opening and closing mouth
- Sucking on lips, tongue, hands, or toys
- Rooting (turning head and opening mouth)
- Fidgeting or squirming
Crying is a late sign of hunger. Try to feed your baby before they get upset.
You’ll know your baby is complete when they:
- Stop suckling and swallowing
- Turn away from the breast
- Relax their hands and arms
- Fall asleep at the breast
Growth Spurts and Feeding Changes
Your baby will go through growth spurts. During these times, they may want to eat more often. Typical times for growth spurts are:
- 7-10 days old
- 2-3 weeks old
- 4-6 weeks old
- 3 months old
- 6 months old
Don’t worry if your baby suddenly wants to eat all the time. This is normal and usually lasts a few days. Keep feeding on demand to meet your baby’s needs.
As your baby grows, feeding patterns will change. By 4-5 months old, your baby may feed every 2½ to 3 hours during the day. At night, they might sleep for one 4-5 hour stretch.
Sources:
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/breastfeeding-your-baby/breast-feeding-getting-started
- https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/hcp/diet-micronutrients/maternal-diet.html
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/breastfeeding-nutrition/art-20046912
- https://med.stanford.edu/newborns/professional-education/breastfeeding.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/InfantandToddlerNutrition/breastfeeding/how-much-and-how-often.html
- https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/frequency-feeding-frequently-asked-questions-faqs/
- https://med.stanford.edu/newborns/professional-education/breastfeeding.html
