4 Effective Breastfeeding Tips for New Mothers

If you are a new mother, even if you have all the help, there’s still a ton of things that only you can do for your child. Breastfeeding, for instance, is all you. Because of the tons of benefits, more and more mothers opt for breastfeeding, at least for the first six months.

However, no matter how satisfying the process is, it is a challenge in the beginning and can cause a ton of distress to parents. To help mothers adjust to this new task, here are the tips for breastfeeding that make life much easier. Read on.

The preparation for breastfeeding starts way before you give birth. Consult with a lactation expert and your OBGYN on the various things you need to do to prepare for lactation so that you don’t leave anything to chance. Read on to find four valuable tips and tricks that can help you nurse your baby without any hassles.

Skin Contact with your Baby is Key to Starting Lactation

Certain hormones in your body that increase in concentration after childbirth trigger lactation. Although most women have functional mammary glands, they usually don’t lactate unless they have given birth. Some mothers face issues in milk production right after birth, and skin contact with your baby helps release copious amounts of this hormone.

So, keep your baby close to you as much as you can.

Find the Optimum Position for Latching and Feeding

Even if the world lets you otherwise, breastfeeding is not something every woman knows in her gut. It is a learning opportunity for both you and your baby that takes time to perfect. Lactation consultants can help ease you into the process by the actual doing; it’s all you. So, be patient and try out different positions to choose one that suits your baby the best. Also, choose different types of baby feeding products like bottles, spoons, burp pads. Available both online and offline these days, they will make the process of breastfeeding extremely easy for both mothers and the infant.  

Keep the baby in the room to understand feeding needs

In the beginning, babies need frequent feeding – between 7 to 12 times a day. Every child has a different requirement, and while your doctor can help you understand the needs, it is only after some experience that you will know the feeding needs precisely. One great way to understand your baby’s needs is by keeping them in the same room as you.

Steer clear of treats or complementary feed

Breastfeeding needs time to master, even for the baby. So, do not give them treats or complementary feed to encourage them to suckle. It can confuse a baby and fill their stomach and they might not want to latch on and suckle.

Summing Up

Being a mother is one of the most rewarding experiences in anyone’s life. Bringing life on Earth (after hours of painful labor) is the greatest joy. However, a new mother’s journey while they nurse the baby is not all rainbows and butterflies. Here’s hoping these tips will help make breastfeeding an enjoyable experience for you and your little one.

Happy parenting!