breastfeeding: tips, advice, knowledge. O_o help! lol
I'm a first time mom and no one I know has ever breastfed. I'm 30 weeks right now but my dr says she more than likely be early. I'm compltely lost when it comes to breastfeeding! Is it easy? I need some advice. Wht are the best brand pumps (elec and manual), how often do u pump, when do u self express, how can u tell when they r latched correctly, what brand bottles work best, does anyone use nipple shields? I just need all the advice I can get. I plan on bf until my daughter is atleast 12 months old and want to know what I'm in for. Maybe you could help @HomeBirthAdvocate ?
Comments
http://www.lalecheleague.org/thewomanlyartofbreastfeeding/
if you plan staying with baby full time , you dont really need to invest on breastpumps. you can get a handheld one from medela for $30 or if you want medela has automatic ones for $100. it is recommended that you introduce the baby at 4 weeks to a bottle if you plan to. this is not a must, there is babies go straight to solid food after breastfeeding after a year.
latching correctly is very important , babies bottom lip has to be outward. babys shoulder , hip and legs must be in the same level . you will need to invest on agood bfeeding pillow ( my breast friend, more effective than boppy)
Also buy a good nipple cream ( motherlove nipple cream) i started using now. i used to not even be able to touch my nipples cuz it hurt so much now its in great condition. lanolin is also good but motherlove is less sticky and organic . i personally love it. i got a nursing bra. you only need 2 in the beginning and 2 later cuz your breast size will change. i have got nipple pads , disposable ones but if you like you can use shields too.
dont soap and scrub clean your breasts, natural oil in your nipples are very good. just wash it with water and make sure they are dry all the time.
another good source to learn the positions and right latch on is dr sears breastfeeding book. you can find it online. if you want i can email you my class notes that was presented in powerpoint and i can just scan and email them to you. i would highly recommend calling your hospital and finding about prenatal classes
also there will be nurses after birth that will come into your room and lactation consultant to teach you proper latch on. so dont worry. just relax.
first colosal milk is very little , it moght seem like nothing to you but dont worry it is plenty for a baby. it provides soo much. dont think that you need to supplement the baby with formula cuz you dont need to. real milk comes few days after you give birth. more frequent feedings the better milk quality and amount you will have.
newborns have feeding cues , that you need to follow. like they put their fist in their mouth or they bring both of their hands on their chest , almost like boxing:) when you see this feed her. dont wait till baby cries hysterically than there wont be proper latch on and you will hurt your nipples. the recommended amount of feeding during day is 8 to 10 times, if you achieve that most likely they will sleep through the night because they are full. dont think you can have a feeding schedule with a newborn because in first weeks that is not possibble. they even want your breast just for comfort.
baby also sucks on areola rather than actual nipple. if you have a sleepy baby , gently put her in burping position, gentle tap on the back and put her on the breats. relaxxxx while your feeding her , promotes more milk and drink plenty of water. there is more but i think this is the most important things, hope it helps
Search for these---
1- breastfriend pillow- $40 but i found inflatible one for $24 and it is more convient and could take it everywhere if you need to. comes with a cover you can wash. great support for your back and best feeding tool for baby. reviews are very good .
2- motherlove organic nipple cream-$10 better than lanolin. i used it and it is amazing improvement on my breasts. every review seems to agree:)
3- i got medela electric pump $ 120 cute , small, comes with two bottles, bpa free. reviews says it is the best pump out there.
4- lanolin disposable breastfeeding pads $ 6 - need to keep your nipples dry so you can maintain natural moisture which you will not have sore nipples
5- i got dr sears baby book which gives you AMAZING tips on how to bfeed , wash, take care of the baby for first two years. great tecqniques not to have fussy baby. Highly recommend it but i got the bfeeding book too since i came across it at a closing bookstore. that one is just as good. i get very frustrated with some of the language in the books, this one simple and straight to a point.
bfeeding class after reading that book was so helpfull. i feel so confident. i have noone to help me , no family or friends nearby so i need it to be very confident.
another thing is that have a feeding station. sounds funny but i think its a great idea. good nursing chair. oput your feed up, put the phone next to you, snacks, plenty of water. the reason why bfeedind takes time. make things easy for yourselff. relax because it promotes more milk that way. Do not give up because first of all bfeeding will put you in a great shape. you will loose approximately 500 calories a day , thats like jogging around the block
most important thou bfeeding babies are smarter and more confident and so many benefits , it will be too long. formula companies are just trying to replicate mothers milk and they will never be %100 successfull. they found a new mineral and vitamin everyday in mothers milk that they are amazed with. the best thing you could give your child is your milk and we are equipped with it. i used to have the same worries but really be really confident. if you have any other questions ill be happy to help you . also that le leche group suggested is a good source as well. i just couldnt go because their meeting times and places were kinda awkward for me. bfeeding class they also provided me emergency lines that i could call and speak with real lactation consulatant regarding everything, latch on, dry nipples you name it.