Helpful Breastfeeding Tips and Tricks for Expecting Moms
Best Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms
How To Begin Your Breastfeeding Journey with Confidence
If you’re like many expecting mothers, the idea of breastfeeding your baby seems intimidating. Maybe you’re afraid you won’t be able to produce enough milk to fulfill your baby’s hunger, or perhaps you just don’t think you have what it takes to stick with it.
Even though breastfeeding isn’t easy, it’s not as hard as it looks. Especially when you have the right support. So if you’re worried about how to breastfeed your baby, explore these tips from the experts on nursing your new baby.
Enroll in Breastfeeding Classes
It used to be that new and expecting mothers would learn about breastfeeding by observing other women. Unfortunately, first-time parents spend little time around breastfeeding mothers or young babies before their babies arrive, which means many expecting mothers are missing out on a lifetime of learning how to successfully breastfeed their baby.
Breastfeeding classes can give you accurate information on feeding your baby that will increase your confidence and give you realistic expectations for breastfeeding.
You’ll also learn how to create a healthy supply of breast milk, learn tips on latching, and get experienced with different nursing positions that help you stay comfortable when you breastfeed.
Find a Lactation Consultants and Set Up Support
You can learn a lot of breastfeeding tips in class, but nothing is better than the personal touch of a lactation consultant. They have the skills and patience to help you through the most frustrating moments of learning how to feed your baby, and can facilitate essential bonding between mom and baby.
The right lactation consultant can also provide new moms with an unmatched sense of security, because even on your worst day, they’ll be right there to help you persevere.
Talk to your OB/GYN in Madison, Indiana, about how you can find a lactation consultant before your due date. That way, you’ll be prepared to feed your baby when it’s time to breastfeed.
Discuss Your Health History with Your Doctor
Certain health conditions and medications can prevent you from breastfeeding, which is why it’s essential to talk to your OB/GYN about your entire health history. For instance, mothers who are diagnosed with leukemia should avoid breastfeeding.
There are few medications that interfere with nursing your baby. However, your health care provider is the best person to weigh the risks and benefits of prescription and over-the-counter medications during your pregnancy.
When there are reasons you can’t breastfeed, that’s OK! Not all women can breastfeed their babies, and formula is the next best thing to breast milk. All that matters is that your baby is happy and healthy with a full belly.
Get a Breast Pump That Suits Your Lifestyle
If you plan on heading back to work or leaving your baby in someone else’s care, you’ll need to find a breast pump. There are many styles and sizes of breast pumps, and you might find it difficult to know which one is right for you.
Here are some quick tips on how to choose a breast pump that meets your needs and lifestyle:
- Manual breast pumps work well for mothers who only plan to pump rarely, and occasionally need a quick get away for a few extra hours of sleep.
- Purchase an electric breast pump if you plan to head back to work or only bottle-feed your baby.
- Discuss flange sizes with your lactation consultant and decide which size is right for your pumping needs.
- Double breast pumps cut your time expressing milk in half and give you about 18% more milk on average.
- If you plan on traveling with your breast pump, make sure you can safely transport it and your expressed breast milk between locations.
Before you purchase an expensive breast pump, contact your health insurance. It may cover part or all of the cost of your breast pump.
Choose Foods That Increase Your Milk Supply
Your diet can have a huge effect on your milk supply, and some foods can either increase or decrease the amount of milk you produce. For example, avocados, barley and sweet potatoes have all been shown to increase breast milk supply.
The good news is that you can easily find prepared foods and snacks that have all the right ingredients for increasing breast milk production without spending a fortune at the grocery store.
You also need to be aware of foods that have a negative effect on your supply. Common ingredients like peppermint, parsley, and sage can decrease your breast milk production, and foods like beans, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli can make some babies with colic extra gassy.
For a complete list of foods to avoid during breastfeeding, talk to your OB/GYN or lactation consultant.
Norton King’s Daughters’ Health Is Here to Help
Many women struggle with breastfeeding their babies alone. That’s why Norton King’s Daughters’ Health in Madison, Indiana, is here to help new moms with highly trained and compassionate lactation consultants. Contact us to request more information about our programs and maternity care. We can’t wait to help you and your baby thrive through breastfeeding!