5 Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms
Navigating life as a new mom is far from easy. You’re juggling taking care of a brand-new baby, managing your household, and squeezing in time to feed and bathe yourself, all while feeling sleep deprived. Adding breastfeeding difficulties on top of this already strenuous load can be extremely stressful.
Breastfeeding has tons of benefits for both mom and baby, but it doesn’t come naturally to everyone. “I think sometimes as new moms, we feel like we have to do everything perfectly or something terrible is going to happen,” says Margaret Solomon, MD, an internal medicine physician and pediatrician at 91鶹ֱ. “We recommend being kind to yourself, giving breastfeeding your best shot, and recognizing that it takes time for both you and baby to figure it out. It’s okay for it not to go perfectly right away.”
If you’re experiencing nipple pain, latching issues, or low milk supply, here are five tips to help you set your breastfeeding journey up for success.
1. Feed frequently to keep your supply up
According to the (CDC), newborn babies may want to be fed every one to three hours. A newborn’s stomach is about the size of a marble and can hold about a of milk, so they don’t need much in one feeding. The key to promoting increased milk production is frequently expressing your milk, whether via baby or a breast pump. This will encourage your body to keep producing more by releasing prolactin, a hormone responsible for milk production.
“If mom and baby breastfeed within the first hour after birth, and then mom removes milk every two to three hours after that, mom will produce the most milk possible for that particular child,” says Becky Evans, IBCLC, a lactation consultant at 91鶹ֱ. “Whatever amount of your breastmilk you can give to your baby is going to protect their immune system because it gives passive immunity. Any milk a mom can give is like medicine.”
2. Initiate skin-to-skin contact
There are many benefits of skin-to-skin contact in the first few hours and days after birth. One of them is that it promotes breastfeeding. If your baby is directly on your bare chest, it can encourage them to try to nurse, which releases prolactin. It also improves bonding between mom and baby due to the release of oxytocin (the “love hormone”). Oxytocin also causes the milk to let down.
3. Ensure baby is latching correctly
Latching difficulties are often a driving force behind why mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than they intended. Breastfeeding with a correct latch should not hurt, but a poor latch can cause mom to have sore, cracked nipples and breast pain, which makes the nursing experience painful and unpleasant.
“We want baby’s mouth to be really wide open with the lips flanged, and a deep, asymmetrical latch with the nipple and much of the areola in the mouth,” Solomon explains. “When a baby isn’t latching effectively, it can reduce stimulation to the breast and make it harder for that milk supply to get started in the first few days.”
4. Adequate nutrition for mom is important too
When you’re in the throes of postpartum life, it can be hard to remember to take care of yourself. Breastfeeding mothers need an extra 300 to 400 calories per day and proper hydration. Drink plenty of water and choose whole, nutrient-dense foods like leafy green vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and plenty of protein from lean meat, beans, nuts, eggs, or dairy. Your doctor may recommend continuing to take a multi-vitamin throughout your breastfeeding journey. Eating and drinking enough will give you the nutrition you need to feel energized.
5. Utilize a lactation consultant
Lactation consultants are a valuable resource for moms experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding. If breastfeeding is painful or baby isn’t gaining enough weight, look for a board-certified lactation specialist.
“People think they’re supposed to figure this out by themselves or feel like it’s supposed to be something that’s automatic, and that’s not always true,” Evans says. “You’d be surprised at how much can be figured out in one session with a lactation specialist.”
You don’t have to wait until after baby is born to consult a professional either. Many breastfeeding classes and are available for pregnant people before they give birth.
“Babies are unpredictable, and we never know how it’s going to go,” Solomon says. “But when moms have a chance to meet with someone and learn about breastfeeding and its challenges before they give birth, it’s easier to avoid problems once baby is here. That can make a huge difference in their journey.”
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