Best Breastfeeding Tips – 5 Things All New Mothers Should Know About Breastfeeding
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As an expectant mother, you may be struggling with whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed your new baby. While the decision is a personal one, you must remember that whatever you choose, the important thing is that your baby is well-nourished and happy. If you do decide to breastfeed – exclusively or not – there are a few things you should know.
1. Supplementing with Baby Formula Won’t Diminish Your Supply
There is a common myth that supplementing with baby formula while breastfeeding can diminish your breast milk supply. Sticking to a regular breastfeeding schedule will ensure your supply keeps up with demand. Your body will automatically produce as much breast milk as is being demanded of it. So, as long as you’re feeding your baby or pumping regularly, you shouldn’t experience any supply problems if you supplement periodically with baby formula.
2. Headaches are a Side Effect for Some
Some women experience headaches while breastfeeding. This is because breastfeeding encourages a specific hormone combination that produces headaches. For some new mothers, the headaches can diminish the experience and cause them to give up on breastfeeding altogether.
If you experience headaches while breastfeeding, talk to your doctor to find out what you can do to avoid the discomfort. With medical attention, you may still be able to enjoy the nursing experience with your baby.
3. Breastfeeding is Good for Moms as Well
It’s a given that breastfeeding is good for your baby, but did you know it’s good for you too? When you breastfeed, your body releases oxytocin and prolactin, hormones that elicit a calming response. These hormones also contribute to postnatal recovery, encouraging your uterus to return to its normal size much faster than non-breastfeeding women. An additional benefit of breastfeeding many women find pleasant is the fact that it delays the return of your menstrual cycle for a while.
4. Breastfeeding is a Learned Skill
While breastfeeding is a natural thing, actually doing it is anything but. In the beginning, many new moms find breastfeeding to be difficult. It can take days or even weeks for both you and your baby to get the hang of it.
A lactation consultant is often a new breastfeeding mom’s best friend as she can teach the ins and outs of breastfeeding to help minimize discomfort and make the experience enjoyable for both mom and baby. If you’re struggling with breastfeeding or your little one seems unhappy or unsatisfied after feeding, talk to your doctor to figure out what the issue is and how to fix it. Don’t give up on breastfeeding right away, but if you discover you just can’t do it, don’t feel guilty. You and your baby will still share a special bond.
5. You Can Breastfeed with a Bottle
Feeding baby breast milk via a bottle is more common than you’d think. While most people think of breastfeeding as nursing a baby at the breast, it’s possible to exclusively breastfeed your baby using a bottle.
Many new moms pump their breast milk and bottle-feed it to their babies rather than nurse them at the breast. This is a popular choice for various reasons. A demanding work schedule, an inability for the baby to latch on properly, or pure preference can all be reasons to bottle-feed breast milk.
If you decide to breastfeed your new baby – whether exclusively or not – be sure you’ve read the content above carefully for things every new mother should know about the process.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
