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Top Eleven Breastfeeding Tips- Part One
Over 70% of American women start breastfeeding
their baby in the hospital but only 16% are still nursing a year
later.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be
breastfed for at least a year, and the World Health Organization
recommends two years of nursing.
So what's the problem? Many Moms know the advantages of
breastfeeding to Mom and baby, but run into challenges along the
way. Here are my top tips to help you make it to that one year mark.
Your breastfeeding relationship may be so satisfying that you decide
to go longer!
1) Build a support network
During your pregnancy, attend ongoing breastfeeding classes or La
Leche League meetings. (Ask your Doctor or Midwife for suggestions
if you aren't aware of any groups in your area, or search online.)
Find women who have or are nursing their babies and talk with them.
Befriend other nursing Moms.
In our society, it's rare to see women openly nursing their babies
and that's one of the reasons that new Moms have challenges.
Breastfeeding is an art, not a science, and it helps to have women
who have "been there, done that" to support you.
Keep the phone numbers of one or two of these women,
and a local LLL leader, with you when you go in to the hospital to
have your baby. Not all labor and delivery nurses are knowledgeable
about breastfeeding and may actually discourage you. After I had my
first, one of the nurses told me not to nurse my baby for more than
5 minutes or "you'll get sore". If I had listened, there is probably
no way I would have been able to bring in a milk supply adequate
enough for my son's needs.
Make sure your husband understands why breastfeeding is so important
to you. Studies show that the attitude of your baby's Father (as
well as your own Mom) are one of the most important factors in
breastfeeding success. If the going gets tough, it helps if he's on
your side!
It's also a good idea to make a list of things Dad can do with baby
(other than feed her) so he doesn't feel left out in her care.
Examples include:
Taking baby for a walk while Mom takes a nap or bath
Massage baby
Giving baby a bath
"Slinging" (wearing baby in a soft cloth carrier) baby to sleep
Reading stories
Changing diapers and making it a special ritual with tickles, songs,
etc-
you can be in charge of "input", and him, "output" ;)
Dads have been bonding with their babies without feeding them since
the beginning of time. He doesn't need to give baby a bottle
(and possibly damage the breastfeeding relationship) to bond with
her!
2) Find breastfeeding friendly health care
I cannot overemphasize this! I had to "fire" my first Pediatrician
because she was so ignorant of the importance of breastfeeding.
If your Pediatrician is only giving lip service to "breast is best",
then he is going to recommend formula at every sign of difficulty,
when formula is very rarely needed. What IS needed is accurate
information and support. Ask around at an LLL meeting or
breastfeeding class for recommendations.
Also- be aware that not everyone who calls themselves a
breastfeeding counselor has ever actually nursed a baby. They
may not even have more knowledge than a couple of hours of
instruction in breastfeeding management. Find an L.C. with the
initials IBCLC after her name, or contact a La Leche League leader,
who is herself a nursing Mom and is skilled in helping mothers
through common breastfeeding challenges.
Developing a relationship with an LLL leader or L.C. means that you
won't hesitate to call her when you, for example, need to take
medication and want to know if it is compatible with breastfeeding
(quick tip: the overwhelming majority of medicines are safe, and if
researchers are unaware of the safety, the medicine can often be
given in such a way so as to not disrupt breastfeeding needlessly).
3) Limit Artificial Nipples
Using artificial nipples (bottles of breastmilk or formula and
pacifiers) reduces the time your baby spends at the breast. Time
spent nursing at the breast tells your body how much milk to make,
so using artificial nipples can reduce supply.
Some babies get nipple confusion, and some don't, however, studies
show that using artificial nipples increases the likelihood that
baby will wean before one year. So, wait until breastfeeding is well
established and your supply is adequate for baby's needs before
introducing artificial nipples, and even then, limit their use.
Using a supplemental bottle can be a Catch 22 because it can lessen
the milk supply. Better to increase baby's nursings or time at the
breast when baby is going through a growth spurt. Your body will
send more milk because of the increased demand.
As a side note, the AAP recently issued a statement saying that
pacifiers can reduce SIDS risk. Interestingly, breastfeeding also
reduces the risk of SIDS. Perhaps further research will uncover that
it is the act of sucking itself that keeps baby stimulated and
breathing at night.
4) Appreciate Your Baby's Uniqueness
If you're nursing baby when she wants to and not worrying about
schedules, your baby will likely be the size she is supposed to be.
Don't be overly concerned if she isn't nursing the same number of
times per day as your friend's baby. Babies differ in temperament.
Some babies seem to want to be attached all the time. Others
get down to business and don't nurse much for comfort. Some are more
dainty with their meals and like to snack, nap, snack, nap. Some
babies are roly poly and huge, others, petite and perfect.
Stop worrying so much, enjoy your baby, and offer the breast
frequently. Also- don't be obsessed over baby poop. Some babies just
don't follow the "perfect" pooping schedule that you read about.
Some have
a small offering with each diaper change. Others go a few days in
between, but watch out when they do go-they typically make up in
quantity what they lack in frequency! If baby is gaining well and
growing, she's fine.
5) Get Cozy About Nursing In Public
Unless you're going to become a hermit for a year or want to pump
bottles (inconvenient and has the disadvantages mentioned above),
you need to be comfortable nursing in public.
Despite the horror stories you see people commenting on in the news
about Moms being asked to leave public places when nursing, it's
highly unlikely to ever happen to you. I've been breastfeeding
nonstop for the last 8 years in every place imaginable, and have
only ever had one person say something negative. I have,
however, gotten lots of positive feedback! Sometimes people will
approach and admire your baby and never realize she's nursing, or if
they do, express their approval or share that their own babies were
breastfed.
Wear nursing shirts, buy a baby sling and practice latching baby on
at home in front of a mirror. To buy nursing clothing, visit
Motherwear.com.
More
breastfeeding information
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