This is my first blog ever so bare with me ladies <3
For those of you wanting to breastfeed (bf) or those currently bf, here are some helpful tips
First thing is to be comfortable, I like to put a pillow behind me so I have something to rest against. Being relaxed is really important to get your "let-downs" to come. Also, putting a pillow on your lap for baby to lay on really helps because you don't want to slouch when nursing. Boppy pillows are really good for this and it also helps your baby sit up later on. A pillow under the arm supporting baby also helps at least until your arms are used to holding you baby. There are multiple ways to hold your baby while nursing: cradle (using same arm as breast you are on to support baby) cross-over (using opposite arm to breast you are using) football (baby's body goes along side or behind you on the side you are using) laying down (you on your side and baby flat on back under your breast). Be sure to push your shoulders down, as you get into position and especially if still painful, it is very easy to tense your shoulders up. In return this tenses everything up and it is harder and longer for your let-down to begin. Once you are comfy and in position be sure your baby opens his/her mouth very wide and the lips are flanged outward not inward. Having a good latch is probably the single most important thing when it comes to bf. It may take a few minutes for your let-down to begin or in between let-downs. What will really help that is to let your baby cry for a few minutes before beginning to nurse or even get into position for nursing. When your baby cries it sends a message to your brain to get ready. So if you let your baby cry for about 5 minutes when you get into position your body should be ready to go. It may be quite painful at first to nurse, your nipples may crack, bleed and scab like mine did but after that it was smooth sailing for me. Don't get discouraged, it takes a few weeks (4-6) to really get comfortable and happy about nursing. Be sure to drink a ton of water (64+ oz/day) we have a list in our files of good foods for healthy lactation, mothers milk tea, fenugreek or fennel pills also help. Try to limit or stay away from things like caffeine, chocolate, dairy, citrus foods, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber and other gassy foods as it will make baby gassy as well.
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