Breastfeeding allows you to offer important nutrients, protective antibodies, and valuable bonding time with your baby. However, many mothers face a learning curve at first. If you intend to nurse your infant, these breastfeeding suggestions will assist you in navigating any concerns and obstacles that may arise.

1. Seek professional guidance.

If this is your first time nursing, you may have a lot of questions. For example, how do you obtain a good latch? How frequently should you feed? What is the best way to check if your baby is getting enough milk?

The more you know about breastfeeding, the more prepared and confident you’ll feel when your baby arrives, which can help you succeed.

2. Pay attention to your baby’s cues.

Infants should be fed on demand. So, what’s the deal? So, how can you know when your baby is hungry?

Experts warn that fussing is usually a late feeding signal — and after your baby is fussy, getting a good latch may be more difficult.

Instead, keep an eye out for the following signals that your baby is ready to eat:

• high alertness and activity
• Lips puckering or opening their mouth
• They are putting their hands in their mouths.
• If you stroke their cheek, they will turn their head towards your hand.

Every baby’s feeding habits will be different, and those patterns will alter as your baby develops, so instead of attempting to stick to a strict schedule, pay attention to these indications.

3. Check your personal eating patterns.

What you consume during nursing will support you. What you eat when nursing will assist to promote your baby’s growth, so consume a well-balanced diet rich in nutrient-dense foods.

Some of the best meals for breastfeeding include:

• eggs.
• B vitamin-rich leafy greens
• iron-rich beans
• Salmon, avocado, and full-fat Greek yogurt are examples of healthy fats.

Keep in mind that you’ll require an extra 330 to 400 calories each day on top of your pre-pregnancy consumption.

4. Consider taking a postnatal vitamin.

Did you realize that you still require extra nutrients while nursing, just as you did while pregnant? Your body is rebuilding itself after giving birth and supporting your growing kid afterward. That’s why physicians recommend taking a daily multivitamin for mom to guarantee you’re getting enough nutrients.

A multivitamin that contains important nutrients such as folate, choline, iodine, selenium, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and D.
Omega-3 fatty acids + DHA + EPA to improve your mood and the development of your baby
Collagen + biotin for skin elasticity, as well as biotin for healthy skin, hair, and nails
To assist preserve emotional equilibrium, combine ashwagandha and L-theanine.

5. Avoid poisons.

Along with all of those nutrients and antibodies, certain dangerous things can also be passed on to your baby through breastfeeding, so it’s critical to continue your non-toxic pregnancy practices as much as possible after delivery.

Here are some things to avoid during breastfeeding:

• Cigarette compounds, including nicotine, can be passed on to your kid through breastfeeding.
• Excessive drinking may have an impact on your baby’s development, while moderate use (up to one drink per day) is not thought to be detrimental. Before breastfeeding your infant, you should wait two hours after each drink. (If you’ve had more than a couple of drinks, you may need to use up some of your saved milk.)
• Fish high in mercury. While nursing, the CDC advises avoiding seafood with the highest mercury levels.
• Caffeine is generally safe when nursing, but keep your daily intake below 300 mg (2 to 3 cups of coffee). 8

6. Get the necessary gear.

Breastfeeding does not require any special equipment. There are a few tools, though, that may make nursing easier and more comfortable for both you and your baby.

Consider including the following items on your baby registry:

• Bras for nursing –  Nursing bras are elastic and supportive, having cup “flaps” that may be unclipped, folded, or pushed aside during feedings.
• Pads for nursing mothers –  These pads are put inside your bra to absorb any milk that may have escaped between feedings.
• Breast pump and storage bags – If you’ll be gone for a lengthy amount of time (such as a full workday or an overnight trip),you can preserve your milk in one of these. A breast pump can also aid in the relief of engorged breasts or clogged milk ducts. Breastfeeding cushion. These compact, supportive pillows bring your baby closer to your breast, reducing arm, neck, and back strain.

7. Switch up your technique.

When you think about nursing, you might think of the conventional cradle hold. However, after some trial and error, you may discover that an alternative position, such as the cross-cradle, football, or side-lying hold, seems more natural to you.

8. Seek assistance if necessary.

Breastfeeding does not always go as planned. You may have latching problems, broken nipples, plugged ducts, or an infection like as thrush or mastitis. If you’re experiencing any unpleasant symptoms or are concerned about your milk supply, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor.

9. Wean slowly.

The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages exclusive nursing for the first six months of your baby’s life, followed by a year (or more, if you like) of continuing breastfeeding while you introduce solid meals.

Remember that when you first start weaning, you may feel emotional changes like as melancholy, worry, guilt, or problems concentrating.

This can be attributed to the close link between hormones and nursing, including the “feel-good” chemicals oxytocin and prolactin, which your body produces when breastfeeding.

As these hormone levels begin to fall, you may experience a mood shift that lasts up to three months. (If it lasts longer or becomes unbearable, consult your doctor.) Weaning gradually, ideally by eliminating one feeding each week, can assist to smooth the transition.

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References

¹ Saieda M. Kalarikkal and Jennifer L. Pfleghaar; National Library of Medicine: Breastfeeding; Jul 2021

² Johns Hopkins Medicine: Managing Poor Weight Gain in Your Breastfed Infant

³ Office on Women’s Health: Preparing to Breastfeed

⁴ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Maternal Diet

⁵ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Tobacco and E-Cigarettes

⁶ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Alcohol

⁷ Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials; Alcohol and Breastfeeding: Is It Safe?

⁸ La Leche League International: Caffeine

⁹ US Food & Drug Administration: What to Know When Buying or Using a Breast Pump

¹⁰ Arthur I. Eidelman et al; American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk; Mar 2012

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and we recommend that you always consult with your healthcare provider. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views on WokeNation TV.