Breastfeeding Tips for First Time Mothers

Before I start to write about anything, I need to congratulate you on becoming a mother. You wouldn’t have stumbled on this article if you were not looking for tips for successful breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is a skill that both babies and mothers have to learn together and over time.

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Why is Breastfeeding important?

Before I go into details of why breastfeeding is important. I will have to dig into the details of what breastfeeding is all about.

Breastfeeding is a fundamental aspect of taking care of your newborn by providing essential nutrients and antibodies needed for your baby’s growth and development through breast milk.

As a new mom, you need to breastfeed your newborn at least 8-12 times per day in the first month.  Newborns are always hungry because breastmilk is digested easily.

Breastfeeding frequency may vary from babies but typically, babies should be breastfed 8-12 times daily. Breastfeeding is important for both the mother and baby for certain reasons.

Here are some important reasons why breastfeeding is important for the babies;

1. Breastmilk provides all the essential nutrition that your baby needs for the first 6 months of life.
2. Breastmilk is packed with essential nutrients and antibodies needed to fight against infections, and allergies and boost the immunity of the white blood cells.
3. Reduce the risk of contracting infections or illness, diabetes, sudden infant death syndrome, or other medical conditions.
4. Breastfeeding can impact the cognitive development and better long-term health outcomes of your baby.

Reasons why Breastfeeding is important for the mother

1. Reduce the risk of having breast or ovarian cancers
2. Release certain important hormones that help the uterus shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size.
3. Fosters a strong emotional connection between the mother and the baby
4. Eliminates the need to buy expensive baby formula.
5. It is environmentally friendly meaning that it is a sustainable source of nutrition, minimizing waste caused by the production and packaging of infant formulas.

Getting Started with Breastfeeding Your Baby

There is usually a strong connection between the mother and the baby as a result of skin-to-skin contact. This contact triggers a connection that is linked with breastfeeding success.

In the first few days after giving birth, you try to learn to breastfeed your baby. During this time,  there was a production of initial breast milk known as Colostrum. The colostrum is highly nutritious,  rich in antibodies, and capable of preventing your baby from any diseases whatsoever.

During this time, your breast remains soft and as your breast milk comes in, it changes from Colostrum to Mature milk. Its at this time that things may become quite challenging for both you and your baby. But with time, you will get over it.

Essential tips on how to get started with breastfeeding your baby

1. Try to educate yourself by joining pre-natal classes, and workshops, reading nursing mother books, and seeking resources online. Doing this will make you more confident before your baby arrives.
2. Seek support from lactation consultants, health care professionals, or experienced mothers. They can offer valuable support as you navigate your breastfeeding journey.
3. Invest in nursing bras, breast pads to absorb leaks, and breast pumps if you plan to express milk. These accessories will make breastfeeding comfortable for you and your baby. Feeding your baby enough breast milk
4. Try to focus on proper latch and positioning. Hold your baby close to you with their mouth at the level of your nipple. Try to ensure that your baby’s mouth covers the areola part of the breast so that your baby can extract breast milk efficiently and prevent nipple pain.
5.  Try to feed your baby on demand by watching out for cues such as rooting, sucking motions, or hand-to-mouth movements. Feeding your baby enough breast milk will ensure that your baby receives enough nourishment. Two to three hours of breastfeeding is okay.
6. Check your baby’s weight during the first few weeks after birth to ensure they are gaining weight. This weight gain signifies your baby is getting enough milk. Also,  monitor their diaper output, having at least 6 wet diapers a day is another indicator that your baby is feeding well.
7. Maintain a healthy diet by eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and lean proteins to support milk production.
8. When it comes to breastfeeding your baby in public, you can invest in a lightweight nursing cover for privacy.

How Often Should I Breastfeed My Baby

In the first few weeks, it’s recommended to feed your baby every 1 to 3 hours because they have tiny tummies. Frequent feeding helps to establish your milk supply

As weeks progress, your baby and their stomach capacity grow. During this time, feeding may space out to 2-4 hours during the day. During nighttime, frequent feeds within a short time is more often.

Breastfeeding Challenges

There are quite some challenges you face while breastfeeding your baby. These challenges are;

1.  Nipple pain: This is a common challenge among new mothers but proper latching and seeking help from a lactation consultant can ease discomfort.
2. Low milk production: Taking an adequate balanced diet and staying hydrated will help with milk production.  If a low milk supply persists, seek the help of a healthcare provider.

What if I can’t breastfeed?

As a mother, it’s okay to feel disappointed when you can’t feed your baby. You may have some mixed feelings about this, you can talk to your baby’s healthcare provider or a pediatrician about this.

You can also confide in your partner, and seek support from groups of mothers who have similar situations.

The most important part is to focus on your baby’s well-being by ensuring that he or she receives proper nourishment regardless of the feeding method.

However, some recommended solutions are;

1. Opt for formula milk, and choose infant formulas that mimic breast milk for babies between 0-6 months.
2.  Donated breast milk, milk banks offer pasteurized breast milk that has been screened. This can be another option for you.

When Can I Stop Breastfeeding?

There’s no single answer to exactly when you can stop breastfeeding because it’s a very personal decision between you and your child. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, after which you can introduce them to solid foods like cereals.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding your babies for at least a year for as long as both mother and child desire.

Wrapping Up

A research by the World Health Organization, well brestfed children perform better on intelligence tests and are less likely to be overweight or obese, and less prone to diabetes later in life.

Breastfeeding is the best standard for infant nutrition, offering an irreplaceable source of essential nutrients for both mothers and babies.