Preparing to Succeed When You Breastfeed

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We had our two online CNML meetings this month and our topic was “Preparing to Succeed When You Breastfeed.”  We had several moms join us.  If you would like to join us for our February meetings, register here: St. Croix Birth and Parenting

I thought I would write up a little summary of what we discussed.

During pregnancy:

(1) Pray about your hopes for your birth and for breastfeeding.

(2) Find a health care provider supportive of breastfeeding and find out if there is an IBCLC in your area.

(3) Read about breastfeeding from good books such as The Breastfeeding Book by Martha Sears and read about the topic of ecological breastfeeding in Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing by Sheila Kippley. Also visit websites with accurate breastfeeding information such as Ask Dr Sears and Catholic Nursing Mothers League.

(4) Try to find a supportive community of nursing moms through your church, town, and through the Catholic Nursing Mothers League online meetings and Facebook group.

(5) Wherever you are having your baby, let your health care provider know you plan to breastfeed and do not want your baby given sugar water or formula unless medically necessary.

(6) Although years ago women were told to prepare their nipples before birth, there is nothing you need to do to prepare them ahead of time.  If, however, you think you may have flat nipples or some other issue, ask your doctor or midwife to examine you.  Then read or ask for suggestions on how to handle the situation during breastfeeding.

(7) You might consider purchasing nursing bras and other nursing clothing if desired.

(8) Some moms who do not have a history of preterm labor choose to express colostrum while pregnant.  If you might be interested in this, talk it over with your healthcare provider or lactation consultant first.  Also, you can read more about it here.

(9) Arrange to have your husband or a family member help out at home after your baby’s birth.  Some mothers’ groups will even set up a meal train for you and your family.  Remember, your main job after your baby arrives is to rest and nurse your baby!

After birth:

(1) Breastfeed soon after birth.  Nursing will help your uterus contract and get back to its normal size more quickly.

(2) Keep baby skin to skin with you as much as possible.

(3) Room with your baby.

(4) If you are giving birth in a hospital or birthing center, ask the lactation consultant to visit you and to watch you nurse.  This will help build up your confidence.  She can also answer any questions you may have.

(5) Watch for early feeding cues from baby such as turning her head to look for the breast, putting her hands in her mouth, and making sucking motions with her mouth. 

(6) Keep your baby close to you and follow her lead when she wants to nurse.  If your baby is sleepy, you will want to wake her often to nurse in the beginning.  However, once she is more alert and does not have jaundice, she should wake up often to nurse.  The general guideline is 8-12 times in a 24 hour period but some babies nurse more often than that.

Happy Baby Moon!