Below are some of breastfeeding tips from Doctors, nurses, and professionals on how to successfully breastfeed your baby. Also you will find tips from women that want to share their experiences of what they found helped them learn how to relax when they began their experience of breastfeeding.
1. If you feel uncomfortable when starting out to breastfeed don’t give up. Hang in there.
Give yourself more time to adjust. Many women wished they would have hung in there longer before moving on to bottles.
2. When nursing don’t watch the clock for the time to start or the time to put the baby down and stop nursing. If the baby is crying then nurse it. If it seems hungry nurse it. Later you and your baby will find a good routine to fit the both of you.
3. To keep your nipples from cracking, use lanolin ointment in the morning and at night.
4. Some mothers have problems with nursing pads being too big and clumsy. One new mother said, what worked better for her was to cut and use thin sanitary pads. She said they not only worked better but also cost less.
5. Find a quite place in the home, just for you and baby to nurse. Make it a comfortable place with a soft rocking chair or easy chair.
6. By the side of the nursing chair have a basket of supplies you can grab with one hand. Fill it with your things you might need, such as your cell phone, reading material, burping cloth and any other items that you may like to have at close reach.
7. Read, read, read. Some have found that reading a variety of articles or books, and magazines on breastfeeding gave them a big heads up before beginning the new experience of breastfeeding. So by the time the baby came they were well equipped and more self confident.
8. This is a keeper, get a nursing pillow. This will support the baby on your lap, plus support your arms and back. Second best would be to allow the baby to rest on a standard size bed pillow across your lap.
9. Visit a La Leche League meeting in your area. Here is where you can find how other mothers have successfully nursed their babies. You will get encouragement and support, plus find some new good friends.
10. One Doctor suggest expressing your milk over the nipple if they become dry. He says, this works better than expensive ointments.
11. Sleep when the baby sleeps. You need to let your body recover. Get all the sleep you can.
12. If you have a mother, sister or close friend that offers to help, let them! This will provide more time for you and baby to bond.
13. Drink a lot of fluids, and continue with your vitamins. Eat balanced meals. Don’t worry about gaining weight. Breasting uses up a lot of calories.
14. RELAX……….It’s not the time to worry about the floor needing scrubbed or visiting aunt Jane, This is the time for you and baby to enjoy the breastfeeding experience together. You will be glad you did.