Breastfeeding Tips for First Time Moms

As a first time Mom, you probably will have a million questions about the care of your baby. One of the first acts of nurturing as a new mother will be feeding your little one. For many women, this will mean breastfeeding. A common misconception is that breastfeeding is something you just “know how to do.” Breastfeeding is a learned process by both the mother and the baby, no one is born knowing how to do it.

It is normal to have anxieties about breastfeeding and your milk supply. To help alleviate some of your concerns, the following is a list of the breastfeeding tips from mothers for new mothers:

Ask for Help: You’ve probably been prepping for your new baby by reading and taking classes but learning about motherhood and living motherhood can be very different. When it comes to breastfeeding on your own, don’t be afraid to ask for help. After birth, your little one will generally rest a little and enjoy the close proximity to mom that skin-to-skin allows, after that hunger takes over and they will begin seeking out your breast. This first hour after birth has been proven to be key in initiating breastfeeding with your little one and if you have any concerns or issues, don’t feel embarrassed to seek guidance (most mom’s will need some direction and pointers). Most hospitals have a lactation consultant readily available who will come to see how your baby is latching on. They provide guidance and advice for how best to position your baby and your body. Once you are home, it can sometimes feel like a completely different situation to when in hospital and you may feel alone and like breastfeeding is a hopeless situation, again, don’t be afraid to call on help. There are many lactation consultants, midwives and nurses who gladly will do home visits or video calls to offer assistance.

In addition to seeking professional help, friends and family can be a great resource. Turning to your Mom, Aunt or friends who have been in your shoes can bring great comfort. There is a reason why they say “it takes a village” to raise a child!

Rest: While it seems like the opposite piece of advice to give a mom of a newborn who is waking up a million times a night, rest is vital to keep you healthy, sane and keep milk production up. Try to rest whenever possible while your little one is sleeping, especially in those early days. The washing and cleaning can wait.

Stay Hydrated: This might sound like a no brainer, but when you’re a new parent and figuring out your new normal forgetting to drink water is very common. Drink lots of water! A good rule of thumb is to drink a glass of water every time you breastfeed or pump. Your body needs liquid to produce milk, and you’re drinking for two!

Smart Food Choices: The food that you choose to consume provide nutrients to your little one. You’ll want to choose foods that that will help promote their overall health and growth. Opt for protein-rich foods, such a lean meat, eggs, beans, or lentils. Additionally, include a variety of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Did you know that the foods you eat will change the flavor of your breast milk and help expose your baby to different tastes? This can help them to accept solid foods easier down the road. You should also consider eating some good quality fats each day like Avocado, as this creates "Full cream” milk for your baby to flourish.

Helping Breast Milk Production: The production of breast milk primarily depends on your baby’s needs. The more your baby nurses, the more milk you’ll have. When you’re looking to aid in an increase of milk supply, there are a some “old wives’ tale” tricks that can help:

• Nurse often and to give your milk production a big boost, try power pumping in between feeds if necessary.

• Let baby feed fully on each side. When your breast is emptied, it sends a message to your brain to produce more milk, and as a bonus is when each breast is completely emptied your baby is getting the full benefits of the foremilk and the fatty hindmilk.

• Oats are great for breastmilk production, so eat a bowl each day.

• Herbs such as Fenugreek and Brewer’s Yeast are great galactagogues, or food that increase breast milk supply.

• Flaxseed is also really great. Try sprinkling some over oats or add it to smoothies.

• There are specific lactation teas with all the herbs in them. The taste can be difficult for some, so you can always make the tea, let it cool and then mix in a little fruit juice and down the whole cup versus sipping on a "lovely" cup of tea.

• Lactation cookies are a great alternative. Usually they are made up of oats, flaxseed, other seeds and various great ingredients to help your body in milk production.

With anything that you’re doing for the first time, it’s good to remind yourself that this is a brand-new experience for you and your baby. It will take time to get into a rhythm but being relaxed and giving yourself grace is so important. Also, for many mom’s it takes some time. Don’t get discouraged if it’s not happening right away, try to persevere and seek help if needed.