Secrets for Breastfeeding Success.

It is Tuesday!! Starting today Tuesday's are going to be Titty Tuesday!! LOL Titty Tip Tuesday will be geared towards breastfeeding tips, facts and information as well as healthy feeding tips when breastfeeding is not appropriate or desired. Plus some parental tips, support and so much more!!

Today is Secrets for Breastfeeding Success.

1. Prep and meet with experts before you deliver.

Meet with certified lactation consultants or other breastfeeding experts before delivery. Attending prenatal classes are a wonderful start to be introduced the basics and to ask questions in the beginning. Breastfeeding is natural but does take work. Having a basic understanding of what you are going to experience and what to expect really helps.

2. Create a comfortable supportive environment for breastfeeding at home.

After learning about what your experience may look like, before delivery create a place in your home that will be your breastfeeding/pumping station. Have a comfy chair, breastfeeding pillow, end table with storage and add a little changing basket full of diapers, wipes and burp cloths. Stock up with snacks, nursing pads, nipple cream charger, books or anything that you may need easy accessible. You will be hungry and you will be thirsty (get a large water bottle or cup ready).

3. Request help from nurses and consultants while in the hospital around the clock.

At the hospital this is the best place for wonderful and expert breastfeeding assistance 24-7. Nurses and staff will be in and out at all hours of the day. Speak up and ask all the questions. If the nurse states your latch looks good but it hurts or just doesn’t feel correct to you tell them. Call the IBCLC. If baby needs to be supplemented due to any medical issues ask for assistance in pumping and providing to your baby. Don’t want to give a bottle to supplement, ask about other methods of feeding without introducing artificial nipples. Remember this is your journey and you have the say in your journey and care.

4. Skin to skin is very important right after delivery for at lest the first 2 hours post delivery.

Skin to skin helps stimulate the release of your colostrum as well as boost immune system of the baby, calms the baby, regulates heart rate and temperature of your baby and releases hormones to decrease stress for you an baby. Skin to skin continued for the first 2 week after delivery can help increase your milk production as well. So continue skin to skin as much as possible.

5. Your number one supporter and helping hand can/will be your partner/significant other or even your mother.

Having someone present is beneficial for remembering information and also learning how they can assist when your in need. Breastfeeding can make you extremely sleepy and sometimes you need assistance holding baby and keeping baby safe if you fall asleep. They also can change diapers before and after feedings and put baby in a safe place for safe sleeping.

6. Latch should not be painful.

Baby should always have a deep latch but having the a mouthful of breast tissue, not just the nipple. If the latch is painful, suction needs to be broken and reattempted. There are many different positions to hold your baby but deep latch is always number one.

7. Avoid Pacifiers.

Artificial nipples should be avoided for the first month if possible. We want the most breast stimulation to help establish appropriate milk supply for your baby as well as we don’t want any nipple confusion. Using artificial nipple the baby doesn’t use the same feeding/sucking actually massaging technique as at the breast. They can sometimes become lazy and not effectually express milk while nursing.

8. Feed on demand.

Feed your baby anytime they show signs of hunger. Hunger Cues include rooting, sucking on hands and fingers, looking for the breast or crying. Crying can be a late sign of hunger so we want to make sure we start nursing before they are actually upset. When baby is upset they can get frustrated and have a hard time starting because they are mad. Feeding on demand helps with milk production and helps establish a supply according to their needs. Be aware that sometimes very young/new babies may not show feeding cues. In some cases babies need to wake up and encouraged to nurse.

9. Don’t watch the time.

Every baby nurses at different speeds. Some nurse 10 mins on each breast and some nurse 30 mins. You want to nurse until your baby comes off the first breast on their own then offer the other breast. They may only take one breast or both. This will differ between feedings. Just be aware which breast was offered when and try to switch up between both to keep your production some what even and not lopsided. One breast will always make more than the other.

10. Reach out for support any time during your breastfeeding journey.

IBCLC’s are available at any time during your journey. You may not need much assistance at the beginning but need tons in the middle or towards the end. Complications can happen at any time, such as mastitis, and need to be addresses as soon as possible. Transitioning back to work can be a totally new different experience, pumping education and storage of breast milk are always common concerns.