Breastfeeding can be overwhelming. If you decide to breastfeed here are a few things I have learned after spending most of the last 3 years breastfeeding (15 months with the first and 18 months with the second). These Breastfeeding Tips are a few things that I wish someone had shared with me when I had my first baby.
Breastfeeding Tips
There are a few products and tips that make breastfeeding so much easier and more enjoyable especially with your first baby.
1. Ask for Help
Asking for help is one of the biggest breastfeeding tips I can give you about breastfeeding. Having someone to talk to when you struggle or need help is the key to successful breastfeeding.
In the hospital talk to the lactation consultant. With my first I needed tons of help from the lactation consultant with my second it was a lot easier.
When you go home see if there is a consultant at your doctor’s office or a breastfeeding group in the community that can offer support. There are also some great online resources from lactation consultants sharing tips and advice.
For me having friends that were also breastfeeding made it easy to have someone to talk to that was going through the same thing!
2. Get Nursing Pads
This was kind of unexpected for me. I don’t know I guess I just figured that the milk was there when the baby needed it and it never crossed my mind that milk would leek or you could have too much milk.
But let me tell you, milk will leak and you will need nursing pads. You might only need them a couple of times right at first or you could be like me and need them the entire time you breastfeed your babies.
At first, you might want to try disposable nursing pads, but if you need them the whole time you breastfeed I recommend getting fabric nursing pads you can wash. (these are my favorite)
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3. Purchase A Good Nursing Bra
More specifically a good nursing bra. A good nursing bra can make a huge difference in both your comfort and how easy it is to nurse.
When shopping for a nursing bra be sure to get something that fits comfortable that is a little too big if you’re purchasing it before having the baby. Your size will change once your milk comes in.
Also, make sure that it’s easy to use for nursing, it’s best when you can use one hand to adjust the bra and the other can hold the baby.
4. Consider Using a Pillow
There are tons of nursing pillows out there, so do your research and see what you like the best. For my first, I used a nursing pillow a few times but because of the position I was nursing him in, I found that a pillow from my bed was easier.
With baby 2 the nursing pillow and the pillow from my bed both worked great, so I used whatever was closer.
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5. Get a Water Bottle
When your breastfeeding you need to drink so much water. I have found that getting a water bottle with a straw makes it so much easier to drink a lot of water.
Plus then you have water with you wherever you go and you don’t have to worry about it getting spilled.
6. Try a Nursing Cover
With your first baby, the thought of nursing in public can be so stressful, especially the first few months when you’re still trying to figure everything out. Don’t try to use the nursing cover until you have been breastfeeding for a little while and have it somewhat figured out.
A nursing cover makes it easier to relax and nurse while staying covered. The Baby Benjamin nursing cover is awesome because it not only keeps your front covered but all the way around and the baby can’t push it off. Plus it’s big enough to use with an older baby or toddler.
The Baby Benjamin also works as stroller and car seat cover and it even works for grocery carts and high chairs.
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7. Coconut Oil or Other Cream
For sore nipples be sure to use coconut oil or an organic nipple cream that is safe for you and the baby.
8. Snacks
When I’m breastfeeding I can eat so much food. Eating regularly and having little snacks in between meals is key to keeping your energy and milk supply.
During the first few weeks, I snack during the night when I’m up nursing. If I don’t eat when I’m up multiple times during the night I feel sick in the morning.
Some of my favorite snacks that are quick and easy to grab with no prep time are Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars, KIND Bars, and Cliff bars.
There are tons of other healthy snack options and many things you can make at home.
I like the above bars because I can easily have them in my diaper bag or grab one when I’m nursing at night. Other awesome snacks are fresh fruits and veggies with hummus.
9. Don’t Stress If you Need A Nipple Shield
With my first baby, I could not get him to latch for anything and I ended up using a nipple shield for the first few months before being able to get him to nurse without using it.
I was frustrated that I had to use the nipple shield and I felt like I should be able to nurse without that “crutch”. But I later realized having to use the nipple shield isn’t anything to be embarrassed about. It’s just a tool that can help you have a successful breastfeeding experience.
It was hard to get the little man to switch from using the nipple shield to nursing without it, but even though it took several weeks it was worth making the switch since it made nursing so much more convenient without it.
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10. Relax! You will Figure it Out!
Relax, it might seem that nursing is easy for everyone else, but that’s not true. We all go through the same learning curve when we breastfeed. The first baby was definitely the hardest, but each baby is different so there is a learning curve each time.
Just remember, don’t stress it, you will figure it out.
The shields helped me get everything started and helped me ease into the process.
Excellent. Absolutely loved reading and very helpful at the same time 🙂
Thanks I’m glad you enjoyed it!