At The Hospital

Whether you have a natural birth or a c-section, it's important to have your baby's first feeding at your breast.  I have two children, 3-1/2 yrs and 9 mos, both were breastfed.

With my son, the older one, I was a new mom who had been through 15 hours of labor then had an emergency c-section.  To say the least I was tired physically and emotionally.  The videos I watched on breastfeeding prior to my son's birth were romantic scenes of moms who knew what they were doing and of babies who knew how to latch - blissful!!

This was not my initial experience!!

My son had trouble latching and cried at my breast.  The nurses were pushing formula and bottles at every turn.  They told me that my son lost weight and would get an IV if he didn't eat.  I was scared.

I spoke with the pediatrician regarding this and he assured me that my son's weight was COMPLETELY NORMAL and would eat when he's hungry.  He assured me to be patient with my son and myself.  Thank God for him!!

I say this because I have found that this is common in many hospitals.   Most nurses, and sometimes doctors, will attempt to scare new moms into bottle feeding their babies.  It is important to be informed ahead of time!!  Be Firm on your wishes to breastfed.  Some nurses will sneak a bottle to your baby, it does happen.  You can request your baby stay in your room, my daughter did and it was great!!  Contact La Leche before you have the baby, and even after for support, and speak with a mentor at length regarding your questions and concerns.  Find out what the first three days are REALLY LIKE.

From my experience, my milk did not come in for 3-4 days.  What was there before the milk was colostrum.  Colostrum is vital for the health of your baby - they need it!!  Your milk is formulated for your baby - it's perfect.  Know that breastfeeding will probably be painful at first, especially if there are latching issues.  Your baby should have your entire nipple in his mouth for a good latch.  Have a lactician help you as often as you need it.  Don't be afraid to get all the help you can in the hospital while you are there. 

When the milk was about to come my breasts were heavy and hot and I was engorged for about a day.  Cabbage on your breasts helps.  Also, a nurse told me to squeeze out some milk and lay bare breasted with the milk on my nipples for relief - it helped. 

At Home - The First Week

Do on-demand feeding.  Your baby is not using you as a pacifier, she is building up your milk supply.  Some feedings at this time will last anywhere from 10-45 minutes.  You and your baby are learning to breastfeed, be patient and enjoy this time.  You can use this time to read a book or watch some television.  If you are stressed out it will lower your milk supply and stress out your baby - RELAX!!

Get the nipple cream, you will use it for 1-6 weeks. 

If you feel like you are not producing enough milk try the following:

• Increase your water intake.  Water = breastmilk.  8-12 8oz. glasses per day.
• Increase your food.  You are still providing the sole nutrition for your baby and she is getting bigger.  Eat like your pregnant!  Eat healthy!!
• Do not wear a bra.
• Drink Fenugreek tea between each nursing session.  There are also supplements of this herb you can take (pills).  You can find this at any health/organic store.
• Pump and store your milk in the freezer.  Be sure to date it.  This is like GOLD.  This is ideal since your little one may sleep through a feeding and you can pump the milk and your body will produce more.  When you first pump do not be discouraged if only 1/4-1/2 oz. comes out...if you keep it up you'll soon pump 3oz or more milk!!

DO NOT offer a bottle at this point unless it's life or death if you want to promote breastfeeding.  Otherwise you run the risk of nipple confusion.

You may want to keep a journal of your feeding sessions for a few days or so.  Also, be sure to use both breasts at each feeding and switch off.  I had a snap bra and would use the snaps to signal which breast to use at the next feeding so I would not get confused.

If your baby prefers one side over another, don't worry that's normal.  Many babies will prefer the side you don't write with since it's your stronger arm.  My daughter preferred the left side (I am right handed).  What I did to avoid the right breast shrinking was to offer the right breast first more often so she would nurse off that side too.

At Home - 6 to 8 Weeks

This is when your baby will have his first big growth spurt. 

By now you and your baby are beginning to master this breastfeeding thing, when all of the sudden you're not supplying enough milk.  She wants to nurse every 1-2 hours.  What's going on!?!

Well, she's going through a growth spurt.  Do not get frustrated or stressed.  Go with the flow.  It will only last a couple of weeks or so.  You can make it.  You can do it, don't give up!!

If you find you are having a hard time keeping up with her appetite, try the suggestions above. 

Also try:

• When you pump and store your milk now is the time to introduce the occasional bottle (no more than 1 per day so your milk supply does not diminish).  This will give you a break.
• DO NOT USE FORMULA.  DO NOT USE FORMULA.  DO NOT USE FORMULA!!  You must go through this time of increase breastfeeding/pumping so that you produce enough milk to satisfy your baby's appetite!! 

If you have not already done so, join a mom's group.  You will likely find other women who breastfeed too and have a great support group.  I suggest MOPS.

At Home - 4 Months

By now you and your baby are pros at the technique and are bonding in a very special way!!

You may now notice that your baby is getting hungry for more than just milk.  Now is a great time to introduce solids.

If you have a breastmilk supply in the freezer you can use that in your baby's cereal.  This way she is getting even more of your milk.

You may also find that your baby does not seem as interested in breastfeeding.  No longer can she eat uninteruppted in a noisy room under a blanket.  She wants to play - let her!!  At this point if you are still nursing in public places you may find she will pull away and expose you (oops, sorry mom).  I have heard of Nursing Necklaces which allows her to play with something while she eats.  That's worth looking into.  Also a small toy.  Don't worry about inturrupted nursing sessions, just go with it.  She'll eat when she's hungry.

There are also nursing tops which are double layered.  You will not expose your tummy if you wear these, but they are hot in the summer!!

At Home - 9 Months and Beyond

At this point some babies are eating all types of solids.  They are very aware of what the family is eating.  They'll see their favorite food on the counter and start to make noises for it.  We actually have to hide strawberries from our daughter until she's done with her meat/veggie or she would only eat those.

Because of this increase interest in solids you may find that she is not nursing as much and often and your milk may be running out.  Here is another tip.  In addition to your other feedings, always breastfeed before she eats a meal.  Milk is supposed to be a baby's primary source of nutrition for the first year.

If your baby has avoided the bottle by now, it's a good idea to bypass it completely and just go straight to the sippy cup.

More Tips:

• Many of the books will give you a schedule for breastfeeding.  They will tell you that a 6 month old should nurse 4-5 times a day.  Don't let those books rule your life.  Breastfeed as much as your baby wants!!  Mine was eating 7-10 times a day at that age and we were all doing great!!
• Try not to go more than 8 hours between feedings.  My daughter sleeps for 11 hours at night so I try to pump each night before bed.
• You may want to invest in the Medela double breast pump (~ $250) if you're in this for the long haul and are expecting more kids. 
• Don't worry if your baby is at the lower end of the percentile chart at the doctor.  Many breastfed babies will eat until they are full and then stop.  Usually, bottle-fed babies are force fed their bottle because the person feeding them wants to make sure they drink the whole thing.  Many babies in the US are bottle-fed so that's who they are being compared too.

FYI:

• Pediatricians are finally admitting that breastfeeding your baby for a year or TWO YEARS is best!!  They're finally getting it!!
• Know your legal rights.  Go to La Leche League to find this out!!
• Did you know that most countries around the world have moms who breastfed for two years and it's completely accepted and embraced :)