One of the best things you can do to give your baby a strong start in life is breastfeeding. As a new mother, breastfeeding will be an important part of the nursing routine for your baby. Your breast milk can actually strengthen your baby’s immune system, and it is also easier to digest! For a new mother, it’s natural to get overwhelmed and worried about breastfeeding and providing the right nutrients to the baby. Having said that, you as a mother can do a lot of things to turn your breastfeeding into a success. Read on as we take you through breastfeeding tips for new mothers.
1. Ask For Help From A Lactation Consultant
It’s good if you start reading and knowing more about breastfeeding while being pregnant, especially if you’re a first-time mother. The best way to know more about breastfeeding is by asking for help from a lactation consultant. It can get overwhelming when your baby first latches on. It can also be stressful when they don’t seem to be latching on at all.
Breastfeeding can be overwhelming at first. Asking for help can make the process a little easier.
So if you’re having any problems in the hospital, you should seek help from a nurse or a professional. A lactation consultant will show you how to position your baby and offer other breastfeeding tips. Whether you’re experiencing pain while breastfeeding, it’s making you cringe, or your baby isn’t feeding well, ensure you get the help you need.
2. Breastfeed Right After Birth
It’s important that you breastfeed your baby soon after birth. The yellow-colored thick milk during the first few days after birth, also known as colostrum, is very nourishing for your little one. It’s full of proteins and antibodies that’ll help in the growth and development of your baby. An interesting thing to note is that a hormone called oxytocin gets released into your body while breastfeeding. Known as the “love hormone”, it helps you be more confident about nursing your baby and also strengthens your bond with your baby.
3. Watch Your Baby To Know When To Breastfeed
In your first few months post-delivery, keep a close eye on your baby’s actions and movements. As a mother, noticing tell-tale signs like your baby raising their head, opening the mouth and crying is important. These signs show that your baby might be hungry.
Once you establish an intimate relationship and routine with your little one, you won’t have to wait for your baby to cry in order to breastfeed. Some other signs that your baby can give for breastfeeding are sticking out the tongue or sucking anything near their mouth.
4. Try Different Positions To Latch
In order to ensure that your breastfeeding is successful, you need to see that your baby latches on. When you notice them attached to your breast, with their mouth wide open over your nipple and almost covering your areola, you can be at ease. Just make sure that your little one’s mouth, nose and chest are skin-to-skin with your breast. To help your baby suck the milk, you can cup your breast with your hand. Then take your nipple closer to their mouth. You can help with the milk flow by gently massaging your breasts.
5. Take Care Of Your Nipples
It shouldn’t come to you as a surprise that your nipples can be tender during the first few weeks of pregnancy. That’s why you need to take certain precautions while and after breastfeeding. When you breastfeed your baby, see to it that your baby’s mouth is not only covering your nipple but also your areola. And don’t forget to change your baby’s breastfeeding position while feeding.
After you’re done breastfeeding, it’s good if you let the milk dry out on your nipples. Do keep in mind that using any kind of cleansers or even soap on your breasts can sometimes cause you irritation. That’s why it’s best if you clean your breasts with water. In case you experience sore, cracked or bleeding nipples, consult a professional and get a prescribed ointment that’ll soothe them.
Taking care of your nipples and overall health is especially important when you’re breastfeeding.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding can be challenging, especially for a new mom. That’s why you need to give it time as feeding a newborn every few hours can be exhausting for you. Breastfeeding will come naturally to you when your body produces more milk and when you do it often. If you’ve read our breastfeeding tips for new moms, you are surely going to get a hang of it. In no time, this will become more like a special experience for you because of the strengthening bond between you and your baby. As a new parent, it’s important that you keep a record of your child’s vaccination records and you can do that on our ImmunifyMe app. Our app helps you keep digitized vaccination records so that you don’t lose them.
FAQs On Breastfeeding Tips For New Mothers
How Long Should A New Mother Breastfeed?
A new mom should breastfeed during the first 6 months after giving birth. After that, you can continue breastfeeding along with other complementary foods for your baby for one year.
What Should You Not Do While Breastfeeding?
You should avoid alcohol, smoking or using any harmful drugs while breastfeeding. Also, before taking any medicines, consult your doctor and ask whether they are safe for you and your baby.
How Can I Make My Breastfeeding More Successful?
One of the best ways to make your breastfeeding successful is by speaking to a lactation consultant and getting to know different positions for lactation. There are other things you need to take care of like breastfeeding right after birth and understanding when your baby is hungry. Don’t forget to take care of your nipples to make your breastfeeding successful.
What Foods Should New Moms Avoid While Breastfeeding?
New moms should avoid foods that have caffeine, highly processed foods, fish that are high in mercury, alcohol, etc, that can be harmful for the baby.
