Breast Feeding 101

You have probably come across this because you're having trouble breastfeeding or are just curious. I am not here to tell anyone that you have to breastfeed or that you are wrong for not doing so. I simply agree with the "fed is best" motto. I am just here to give some insight into what has worked for me since I have started my breastfeeding journey!

The most important time to try and breastfeed is the day you give birth. You aren't going to produce very much at first but newborns don't need much. They need the colostrum that you first produce within hours after birth.

WHEN YOUR MILK COMES IN

Your milk will likely start coming in between the 24-hour mark and a couple of days. When it does, your breasts will be engorged. They are gonna hurt and feel like rocks. When this happened to me, my babe couldn't latch anymore. My nipple would not protrude because I was so full. I was crying and upset because I had only given birth a couple of days prior and I wasn't ready to give up.

That's when I learned that it was okay to start pumping. I pumped so much and I felt so relieved when I did it. My daughter latched so perfectly right after too. Not only did it help with her latch but I got to start building my milk stash.

GETTING COMFORTABLE FOR THE BOTH OF YOU

When you or your baby are uncomfortable it might frustrate one if not both of you. I highly suggest getting a breastfeeding pillow or dedicate a nice big one solely to booby feeding times. Here are some of the ways that worked for us!

-Holding your baby like a football- start by putting the baby's head in your hand and then wrapping their body around yours. their feet should be near your back and their body under the arm that you are using. Once you put a pillow under their head and body, this should be comfortable for both of you and can help get a better latch.

-Resting baby's head in the corner of your arm- With a pillow under the baby put their head in the crease of your arm by your elbow. Turn baby so you are belly to belly. Until your babe fully figures out latching it might be easier to grab you areola and pinch it just a little to help the baby get a better bite.

-Holding baby's head in your hand- again with a pillow put baby's head in your hand like with the football position, but this time, do the opposite. if you are going to feed with your left breast, hold the baby's head with your right hand. Again, hold baby belly to belly.

A couple of things I learned after a couple of weeks was that your baby is not going to suffocate on your boob, and if you think you're not producing enough, you are probably wrong.

Starting with suffocation, yes you can still accidentally suffocate your baby if you fall asleep laying down and feeding them. Why? Because you can freaking roll over on them! What I'm talking about is when you are sitting on the couch and have some big tatas and you are constantly pinching your boob because you think it will suffocate your baby. Babies will move their heads and unlatch if they can't breathe for whatever reason. Try to get comfortable, be aware of their little noses but don't freak out thinking they are going to suffocate.

Milk production is an interesting thing. Your body only knows to produce enough for the baby. But if the baby is having a rough day and just wants to cluster feed, it is not because you are not producing enough! It is more than likely just that your babe wants to be near you and at those long feeding hours, feel your comfort. They were inside you for 9 long months. They are still getting used to being away from you.

If anyone has any questions or would like a more in-depth post, please feel free to message me!