As any mother will tell you, breastfeeding comes with its challenges. It can be beautiful and a lovely bonding experience, not to mention the nutritional value for your precious little one. But, it doesn’t come easy for some and that’s okay.
In this post, we have provided you with the best expert breastfeeding tips, given to us by midwives, to help you get the best start in breastfeeding that will last for as long as you’re comfortable doing it.
The benefits of breastfeeding
Once your new addition to the family arrives, the colostrum (the initial milk produced during pregnancy) that your breasts naturally produce for your babe is the best nutrition you can give them. It has everything your little one needs to grow, and it’s also packed with antibodies that’ll help protect them and boost their immune system.
But that’s not all! According to Healthline and the NHS, there are plenty more benefits to breast milk not just for your baby but for you too.
Benefits for you
- It can lower the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and obesity
- It can reduce the chance of developing postpartum depression
- breastfeeding will prevent your breasts from becoming too full, which helps avoid mastitis (swollen, painful breasts)
- Helps your uterus contract back to its precious size prior to pregnancy.
Benefits for your baby
- Contains all the nutrients needed for at least the first 6 months
- Reduces the risk of illnesses such as ear infections, colds, allergies and cardiovascular disease in adulthood
- Helps promote healthy weight gain
- Positive impact on long-term brain development
- Contributes to building a strong bond between mum and baby.
Breastfeeding positions
One of the most challenging things about breastfeeding is finding the right positions so your baby can latch properly and so you’re both comfortable. Here are some tried and tested breastfeeding positions and tips that new mothers love when breastfeeding their babies.
One great tip is to make sure you’re lining your baby’s nose up with your nipple instead of their chin/jaw. This will help them open their mouth wide and get a good, deep latch, so they can get all those yummy nutrients from your breast effectively and comfortably.
Another tip is that you don’t always need to be holding your baby to breastfeed. Lie back. This helps your bub get into a comfortable position and stay there, so you can have your hands free and relax whilst breastfeeding. You can either do this whilst perched on a chair with a cushion or in your comfy bed.
All you have to do is lay your little cutie in full body contact and line their nose up with your nipple. Do this by lieing them vertically, but if you’ve had a c-secion or your baby is very long, angle them across your body to latch onto you. Now you’ve got your hands free to snuggle your little one or move them into a position where mama is comfortable too.
Now try the following positions:
Cradle hold
- Lie your baby across your lap, facing you.
- Place your baby’s head on your forearm- nose towards your nipple. Your hand should support the length of their body.
- Place your baby’s lower arm under yours.
- Check to make sure your baby’s ear, shoulder and hip are in a straight line.
Lying on your side
- Start by getting comfy lying on your side. Your baby lies facing you, so you are tummy to tummy.
- Check to make sure your baby’s ear, shoulder and hip are in a straight line – not twisted.
- Put some cushions or pillows behind you for support. A rolled-up baby blanket placed behind your baby will help support them – remember to remove it after you have finished feeding. If you’ve got a pillow under your head, make sure it’s not too close to your baby’s head or face.
- Tuck the arm you’re lying on under your head or pillow (ensuring your baby’s position isn’t altered by the pillow) and use your free arm to support and guide your baby’s head to your breast.
Rugby Hold
- Sit in a chair with a cushion or pillow along your side.
- Position your baby at your side (the side you want to feed from), under your arm, with their hips close to your hips. Your baby’s nose should be level with your nipple.
- Support your baby’s neck with the palm of your hand.
- Gently guide them to your nipple.
Practising self-care while breastfeeding
Sometimes you can struggle to feel like yourself whilst you’re breastfeeding and this is where self-care comes in. Yes, you’re a mother but you’re also yourself and it’s okay to take some time for yourself even if it’s just a few moments a day while your babe sleeps.
You may feel guilty about self-care, but just know that taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury – it’s an essential part of being a good mum. We assure you that all it takes is getting an extra pair of hands to take your cherub off you, so you can have some well-deserved downtime. And yes dads – we’re looking at you!
Simple self-care
We know that as a new mum, it can be impossible to get time to yourself so just start simple, with things that don’t take up a lot of time or effort but will make you feel like you again. Maybe lie in bed for 10 minutes with a face mask on or take a little extra time in the shower to deep condition your hair.
Start by having a half-hour bath instead of a quick 10-minute one. We know it can be difficult to leave your baby, especially in the beginning but your partner or a trusted family member will be happy to take them off your hands while you get some you time. Light a candle, put on some calming music, read a book and in no time you’ll feel like you again even if you do feel like a human milking machine when breastfeeding.
Dealing with breastfeeding soreness
Breastfeeding shouldn’t be painful, however at times it can be if your little one’s teeth are coming through or if you’re cluster feeding. Part of your self-care is taking care of this and fear not mamas, we have a couple of tricks up our sleeve to help reduce discomfort.
- Some mothers swear by using their own breast milk on their nipples to soothe soreness
- Or choose other remedies such as natural-based nipple creams and balms
- If the soreness you’re experiencing is because your nipples are engorged or you have a clogged milk duct, applying a cold or hot compress should do the trick
- If you’re experiencing soreness and develop a fever or chills, seek medical advice.
Breastfeeding in summer
Many mothers ask for tips on breastfeeding during the summer months, particularly if you have a summer baby, you’re not only contending with how to learn to breastfeed but with the heat and stuffy weather too. In this section, we have provided you with our top tips to make breastfeeding easier in the summer.
- Wear light clothing. Light, floaty clothing with easy breast access is best.
- Find shade. If you’re out and about with your little one, it’s always best to find somewhere shaded to feed your baby so you and them are protected from the sun and kept cool.
- Stay hydrated. This is so important! Your baby may feed more in the warmer weather to meet their hydration needs so it’s important that you drink plenty of water.
- Keeping yourself cool. Try carrying a handheld fan, water spray bottle and add ice to your drinks to keep you more comfortable. Invest in a little paddling pool for the garden for you to dangle your feet in, it can be the world of difference.
- Keeping baby cool. Temperature regulation in babies is really important because they can’t do it as well as adults. Keep them shaded, in light clothing and check their temperature regularly.
We hope you have found this post helpful and interesting so you feel more confident about breastfeeding your babe. Remember that the way you wish to feed your baby is your choice so do what is best for you. If you want to try breastfeeding, use the positions and tips in this post to help you get off to a great start.
