**Disclaimer: This is what worked for me and although
most of this is research and/or professionally based, I realize this won’t
cater to everyone. Please know that I am supportive of your feeding journey no
matter what that looks like. Every baby, mom, and situation is vastly
different. Do what is right for you and your baby! Fed is best!
Background story: My mom
and sisters had a hard time breastfeeding their babies and when I had my first
I tried not to have too many expectations for success, but I think every
expecting mother envisions things going perfectly smooth at one point
regardless. Well my first baby came in 2015 and my nursing experience was
never enjoyable, I had mastitis within the first week, and then again around 3
months. When it came the second time we were in the middle of moving to a new
state and I decided that it was time to do part formula and pumping. Oh yeah,
did I mention that my son didn’t latch well and that he got frustrated at the
breast because the milk isn’t ready right away like it is in a bottle? The
pumping life is hard, but some moms love that life. It didn’t feel fair to my
newborn or me to feel such dread and resentment so by 4 months old he was
completely on formula.
Fast-forward
three years and I am about ready to have my second son. This time my
expectations are very realistic and I am pretty confident that things will be
much better even if he ends up switching to just formula at day one. I can
handle that; I know how that life goes. Knowing the benefits of breast milk for
mom and baby I don’t give up on learning more and providing myself with tools
to succeed. My 2018 baby is now 5 months old and he has never had a bottle or
formula and I am so grateful and shocked at the difference in experiences.
However, I know that the tools I discovered during my pregnancy are 100%
responsible for my breastfeeding success. I am sharing them here for any first
time moms, or moms who maybe didn’t have the journey they imagined with their
other baby or babies.
8
Breastfeeding Tips
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First and foremost is
Lactation Link. No, this is not sponsored. She is
qualified and experienced and MUCH better at helping you succeed than the
lactation consultants that visit you in the hospital post delivery.
Unfortunately, in my experience the lactation
consultants I had did more damage than they did help. If you can’t afford her program,
just know that most of my advice comes from things she teaches; I just don’t
have the same credentials she does. Plus she goes into a whole lot more detail than I do in these simple tips.
à
Get a big enough bra! I can’t say this enough – just please take this to heart.
It will save you the heartache of clogged ducts and mastitis. No one deserves
to deal with those things especially when you have a newborn and your body just went through
giving birth to said newborn. The bra should be
very loose. You do not need the support, just
trust me. 5 months in and wearing a tighter bra almost always
results in me getting a clogged duct. It’s just not worth it!
Here is the bra I
love, and
another one that I use now that my boobs aren’t engorged every
day.
One more bra that gives a bit better shape and has padding.
Tip: size up in band and cup size for how big you are while
you’re pregnant.
Example: I am normally 32A or 32B but while pregnant I was 34B
or 34C. I got a medium at first and tried it on while pregnant. It was a bit
snug so I returned it and got “medium busty” and it has been great! I think a large
would have probably worked, too.
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Melaleuca oil!! You can get it from DoTerra, Walmart, Amazon, or Melaleuca. DoTerra is definitely my top pick, but just get it! Use it
every feeding until you are no longer engorged. This
prevents infection AKA mastitis. I have had 3 clogged ducts this time around
and clogged ducts can turn into mastitis very fast. As soon as the clogged duct
comes on I use Melaleuca oil like crazy. I have not had mastitis once!
Hallelujah!
Expert tip: to be used right after baby is done eating - just put
the oil on your finger and then put the oil straight onto your nipple. You do
not need to wash off your nipple before feeding baby 2-4 hours later. It is
safe for baby and the only reason you would have to wash it beforehand is if it
is causing irritation to you or baby.
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Milk catchers were my best friend. I leak about 1-2 ounces on the side that
baby is not feeding on. I had to dump the milk (into a storage bag to freeze
and save) twice per feeding session. Not to mention sore nipples. The milk
catcher sits perfectly in your bra and lets your nipple be free from any
contact whatsoever. Heaven sent!!
Tip: When you are away from home using the milk catcher you will most likely have to just dump that milk. I also dumped my milk for night feedings so that it was one less thing to do in the middle of the night. When you have enough storage OR when you are sick of using the milk catcher apply pressure to your nipple when your let down comes. This teaches your other breast not to have a let down every time the breast baby feeds on has a let down. But again, 5 months into this and I am still having to press firmly on my opposite side in order to not leak - thank goodness for my amazing
breast pads though! PS I love reusable items and tried reusable pads this time around. I leak too much for them to be as reliable. Medela was terrible in catching anything and Kindred Bravely did okay.
àBreast pad ice packs were also my best friend! Being engorged with my first was a
miserable experience! This second time I never had the crazy engorgement pain
and I give complete credit to the ice packs!
Expert tip: when
you are done feeding baby, put your oils and creams on your nipple then go to
the freezer and put the ice pack on the side you just fed from. If you switch
sides put it on the side you started on. Stick it straight into your bra
(should be plenty of space still) and let it sit for 15 min MAX. Do not exceed
15 minutes as it could poorly affect milk supply. After 15 minutes switch it to
the other side if necessary. Another 15 minutes max, but the pack will not be
as cold, so it’s not as strict. Stick it back in the freezer under the other
breast pad ice pack. Rotating packs for best results and cooler packs.
Why does this help?
The reason this works so well is because when your milk comes in – it comes in if you know what I mean. It is
like a war happening in your boob and there is just so much milk. The ice pack
tells your boob to “cool down.” After baby is full your boobs will keep making
milk, but the ice pack regulates it and sends the message, “my baby is full
with how much milk just came out, slow down, stop producing more on this side –
COOL IT!” I brought it to my other side after 15 minutes because I was getting engorged
on that side and still had an hour and a half to feed baby. If you’re worried
about your supply, do NOT use the ice packs. But know this: my second baby was
15.5 pounds by 2 months. That is double his birth weight. Also DO NOT use ice
packs until your boobs are sore and engorged i.e. there is milk coming in.
à
Feed your baby! The best way and the only scientifically proven method to
increase your milk supply is to feed your baby/stimulate the breast. I pumped
from day one with my first baby – huge mistake - but I realize that for some of
you it is absolutely necessary for various reasons. With my second I hand
expressed if he wasn’t willing to latch or if he was having issues (latching,
too sleepy, etc.). I would just hand express onto my finger and stick my finger
in his mouth. If your husband is willing and able this is a great chore for
him!
Note: baby should
be peeing and pooping as many days as they are old until 8 days and then it
remains at 8. (Example: day 1=1 pee diaper, 1 poop, day 2=2 pee diapers and 2
poops, etc.)
Expert tip: feed
your newborn every 2-3 hours. Always! Wake up baby to feed if they are
exceeding 3 hours. When they are a newborn they will probably sleepily eat
anyway. Don’t worry about the sleep. Worry about the feeding and the sleep will
follow! Once they are 12 weeks old 2.5-3.5 hours is acceptable. (I am getting
this information from experts; this is not my opinion. Visit
this website to
help you figure out sleep.)
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While your mind is on those first few days of baby’s life, skin-to-skin is HUGE. This goes along with breast stimulation i.e.
increasing your milk supply! I didn’t feel a close bond to baby #1 until around
9 months. Baby #2 and I bonded within hours. As soon as he was born he was laid
on my belly, they sucked out his mouth, cut his cord, put a diaper on him and
dabbed him off with a towel. Then for the next 3 hours he was on my chest or in
my arms. He did not leave me. When they came to check his heart rate and put
bands on him, etc. he stayed with me. This means he didn’t get weighed until he
was almost 4 hours old. It is so important to do this granted that
circumstances allow it. And then for the first 24 hours (minimum) to keep them
within arms reach (this means no nursery) and guess what happens? Better
sleeper, calmer baby, more milk supply, well-fed baby, etc. The benefits are
worth it!
Side note: I also didn’t bathe baby #2 until he was 2 weeks old. Read
this article to see if you want to do the same! Side note: he was so soft and smelt
amazing the entire two weeks. I was honestly shocked!
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Realize that if you have to use a nipple shield that is totally okay! My first
I felt shameful and determined to get him off the shield and directly on me. This just became another area that was adding stress and robbing me of my love for my baby and our breastfeeding
journey. This time, baby is going 5 months strong with loving the shield. We
are okay. We are surviving and baby is thriving! No really. He is almost 20 pounds. Every now and then I will offer him the breast without the shield and he
can latch, but he quickly pulls off and stares at me with questioning eyes. "Are you my mother? What is this betrayal?" So I laugh and put the shield back on and we go about our day!
Tips if you are using
a shield: make sure it is the right size. Keep it clean – I wash it every
time I wash my hands. Just rinse with water only and scrub with your freshly cleaned hands. The hotter the
water, the better! Air dry. I store the shield right in my bra. It goes
everywhere with me! The opening in the shield goes by baby’s chin, not by their
nose. This provides more contact for mom and baby to touch and to get the
breast stimulated more which means more milk! The nose shouldn’t touch the
breast; therefore the opening does not need to be by their nose. This is what
the instructions on the box say. Again, it is not my opinion. It can be
inconvenient to use a shield, so read
this if you want tips on weaning it.
Please feel free to ask me questions at any time during your
journey! It takes a village to raise our kids, and in this world that village
is sometimes on the other side of the country, your backyard, or your handheld
devices. I wouldn’t have had the experience I did if it wasn’t for other moms guiding
me and supporting me. I am here to support you in whatever feeding journey you
have!
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