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Protect Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is one of the most precious ways to enjoy being close to your baby. There's no greater feeling as a mom than knowing you are helping your baby grow and become healthy with your milk. It's a gift that lasts a lifetime!
All babies are born with the drive to breastfeed, but they need to practice to develop the skill. As a new mother, you may feel like you need practice, too. Frequent feedings at the breast in the first days after birth help mothers and babies work together to get it right!
Babies were born to breastfeed. It’s not hard to get off to a good start when you follow some simple steps.
FOR THE BABY
FOR THE CHAMPIONBreastfeeding goes better when mom’s champion is there to support her.
When your baby is positioned and latched well, feedings are comfortable for both of you!
You can breastfeed your baby no matter how you gave birth. If your incision is sore in the first few days, try holding your baby in the “clutch” hold. You can also lay your baby across your chest sideways so his knees and feet do not push against your belly.
If you want to breastfeed and use bottles later, try to start out just breastfeeding at first. Your baby will need around 3 or 4 weeks to learn how to breastfeed the right way. If you give bottles too soon she may prefer the faster flow of milk from a bottle and get frustrated at your breast.
When a baby cries it can be hard for him to focus on latching. Don’t try to force the baby to latch. Instead, calm the baby first. Hold him skin-to-skin. Sway him gently. Talk softly. Ask your champion to help you calm the baby. Once he is calm, he will be able to latch more easily.
Newborns often sleep a lot in the hospital, especially if you had medications during labor. If the baby does not wake to feed on her own after about 3 hours, go ahead and wake her. Your milk is digested after an hour and a half or so, and she needs your milk to grow. Watch for baby’s active sleep phase when her eyes flutter or she moves her mouth. Hold her skin-to-skin. Change her diaper. Talk to her, or gently try to wake her.
It’s natural to feel a little shy about exposing your breasts in front of other people. Speak up about what you want. You can ask your champion to help you get the privacy you need. Once you and baby get used to nursing, you may feel better about feeding in front of others.
Both you and your baby will learn how to breastfeed together. It may take a little time! If baby will not latch easily, try holding him on your chest skin-to-skin and lie back a little. Most babies will latch on their own when they are on mom’s chest skin-to-skin. If baby still has trouble figuring it out, ask your nurse to help you.
A new baby needs to eat often to gain weight and grow. Watch for baby’s cues she is ready to eat. When she sucks on her hands or shows other signs she is hungry, offer the breast. Offer the breast at least 8 to 12 times every 24 hours.
New babies often take a while to nurse at first. As they get a little older they get better at getting the milk. Rather than timing your baby’s feeds, watch your baby instead. When he gets sleepy, gently compress or squeeze your breast to make the milk flow a little faster. Once he falls off the breast on his own, he is through with that side. Change your baby’s diaper or wake him gently and offer the other breast.
Some moms say their breasts are a little tender at first. But pain is a sign that something is wrong. If you feel pain or pinching, it may be a sign that your baby is not latched well. Ask for help!
Women have been breastfeeding since the beginning of time! You have everything you need to do it, too.
Your best tools as a nursing mom are as simple as your own hands. Expressing your milk by hand helps you make more milk and keeps you comfortable. Best of all, you’ll soar with pride when you see those first drops of milk and know you are giving your baby your very best.
Expressing your milk by hand is easy to learn. You can do it anywhere, anytime, and no fancy gadgets are needed. You only need a free hand. Here’s how...
FOR THE BABY
FOR THE CHAMPIONHand expression is often much easier with the support of mom’s champion.
Prepare to be awed when the first drops of milk you’ve made for your baby appear right before your eyes. That’s when you’ll know you have just what your baby needs!
It can feel a little strange the first time you express milk by hand. Your body is amazing, and it will get easier with practice!
Expressing milk by hand should not hurt if it is done right. A common mistake some moms make is pinching their nipple to squeeze out the milk. Milk is not stored in the nipple, so pinching it might hurt. Instead, place your fingers further back near the outside of the dark area.
Most moms do not want others to see their breasts. Ask your champion to help you monitor visitors. They can step out of the room for a while to give you some privacy. You can also ask your nurse to put a sign on the door asking visitors to wait.
Hand expression is a great tool no matter how you are feeding your baby. Nearly all moms will bring in milk after a few days, even if they do not plan to breastfeed. This can be very painful if the baby is not removing the milk by nursing. Hand expression will help you get some quick relief from overfull breasts.
If your baby is not able to breastfeed in the first hour, you should hand express for the first time then. This tells your body to start making more milk. The milk you express can be fed to your baby when she is able. Your nurse can suggest other times to hand express your milk.
Each time you breastfeed the first day or so, your baby gets about a teaspoon of milk. This is perfect for your baby’s very tiny belly because it can only hold that much. That means when you express milk you will only get drops at first. The more you practice, the more milk you will be able to express.
Your milk needs to “let down” or release before you can express it. To help it release, relax and take slow, deep breaths. Place a warm (not hot) compress on your breasts. Massage them. If none of that works, gently roll your nipple between your fingers.
Hand expression is a simple skill that’s easy to learn and do. Moms the world over have expressed their milk by hand for centuries. Your amazing body will give you what you need, too!
Download Coffective’s free mobile app and We’re Prepared Checklist and start Getting Ready right now.
Everyone can use these tools to ensure all families Fall in Love.
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