How to breastfeed properly
Which position and technique should I choose? How long for? How often? And what should I eat during this period? Learn everything about breastfeeding and what you will need for it.
Most first-time mothers look forward to breastfeeding. But it’s also true that they have all sorts of distorted ideals about breastfeeding, and are then often thrown off guard when not everything about breastfeeding goes exactly to plan.
Getting Started
It’s a good idea to put your newborn baby to the breast immediately after birth; at that moment its sucking reflex is very strong and there’s a good chance that the baby will latch on without any problems. Don’t be surprised if latching on hurts for the first few days (sometimes weeks); your breasts are simply not used to breastfeeding and need time to adapt. For this reason, stock up on healing nipple cream, a cheaper alternative to which is pure lanolin, which you can find in every pharmacy.
Initially, the mammary glands produce colostrum, a completely unique cocktail of vitamins tailor-made for your baby. After a few days, breast milk production starts, and that’s the most natural nutrition for the baby in the first months of its life.
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And what if there’s not enough milk?
As stressful as it can be for you if you don’t have enough milk, don’t panic. Try to snuggle and cuddle with your baby a lot, as it is often the contact between mother and baby that triggers breastfeeding. And don’t hesitate to call a lactation consultant, who will be more than happy to help you.
Yet sometimes it happens that the milk does not start at all, or you just don’t have enough. In this case, the market nowadays has a large number of high-quality formula milks. Don’t worry about it needlessly and try to approach the situation pragmatically. The most important thing is that your child is not hungry.
How to eat or not eat when breastfeeding
At first, try eliminating foods that make you feel bloated. Maybe your baby’s going to be fine with broccoli soup followed by pease pudding and fresh bread, but it’s more likely the case that after a meal like that you’ll have a sleepless night full of crying because of the trapped wind.
Introduce foods that might cause bloating gradually and you’ll soon know yourself what’s best for your baby.
When you eat, remember that what you eat, figuratively speaking, your baby also eats. So eat good-quality white and red meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, rice, potatoes or porridge oats. Drink breastfeeding teas, still water and fresh fruit juices.
How long should I breastfeed for?
No one can answer that question for you. You will hear opinions such as that with the growth of their first teeth, that’s nature signalling that it’s time to start switching to solid food and gradually stop breastfeeding within the year. Other mothers breastfeed up to three or even five years old and are also happy.
It’s just as important to mention that it’s also perfectly fine if you don’t want to breastfeed. It’s your decision alone and no one has the right to judge you for it. Breastfeeding is a very natural thing, but at the same time it can be a source of sadness or even depression. Always use your own judgement and don’t be afraid of standing up for yourself.
How to make breastfeeding easier
The first days and weeks with a newborn are emotionally very stressful. This manifests itself, amongst other things, by the fact that whenever you hear a baby crying (whether it’s your baby or someone else’s), hear a touching story about a puppy, or see an idyllic family in an ad for washing powder, your milk starts flowing spontaneously. For times like these, it’s a good idea to have disposable or washable breast pads in your bra to catch the milk and stop your shirt from getting wet.
A nursing bra is another great invention that makes breastfeeding much quicker and easier. So are nipple shields, which can provide relief from painful breastfeeding or help with inverted or flat nipples.
If you have too much milk, a breast pump will bring you relief the fastest. However, the rule of thumb is that supply responds to demand, so the more often you pump, the more milk you produce. Paradoxically, a breast pump can also therefore be the solution to a lack of milk.