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Breastfeeding Tips for a First Time Mom



For a lot of first time moms, choosing to breastfeed or not is one of those choices you learn to make when time is already of the essence for the matter. There are physical, mental, spiritual, financial, and emotional benefits in choosing to breastfeed for both the baby and the mother. The better prepared and confident the expecting mom feels before having to start the breastfeeding journey, the greater the chance for longterm success. This preparation and confidence boosting can begin in the prenatal stage of motherhood.


Here are 3 Tips for Moms to Prepare for A Successful Breastfeeding Journey:


1- Look for a Free Breastfeeding Class in Your Area


I was so grateful to have access to a free breastfeeding class via the WIC program at Harlem Hospital while I was pregnant. I knew I wanted to breastfeed, but I didn't know there was so much to learn about it. I encourage anyone who is pregnant or interested in learning about breastfeeding to look for a free class in their area. This is the number one advice I give to women who ask me for any pointers on successful breastfeeding.


The WIC program in particular allows you to take part in a one hour long class complete with a pack of printed resource guides to take home with you months before your due date. Preparing to breastfeed- both mentally and physically before baby arrives helps to jump start a successful journey. Taught by women who have breastfed their children for multiple years, they use a baby doll, a plush breast- which displays both the inner and outer makeup of the breast, and marbles which replicate the sizes of a growing newborn's stomach to help you truly understand how to physically breastfeed. One of the most valuable takeaways for me was to not watch the clock when choosing to breastfeed exclusively. Especially in the first two weeks, sometimes baby wants to eat after 45 minutes, sometimes after an hour and a half, sometimes after 4 hours. This is one of the many reasons moms may give up early on-because they think since the baby is eating often, they must not be supplying enough. When properly prepped and nourished, YOU ARE ALL YOUR BABY NEEDS. In fact, the more often you feed, the more milk you make. It was also extremely helpful learning about the right time to introduce a bottle and pacifier- 2-4 weeks after birth so they are accustomed to the mother's nipple first and foremost. Did you know you can actually spoon feed your expressed milk versus giving them a bottle during those first few weeks?!


2- Pick Herbs to Start Drinking Daily


It is helpful to do some personal research on what herbs you can take to help prepare your body to build your milk supply. These herbs can help keep your body's vitamin, mineral, and nutrient levels at an optimal place for breastfeeding. Some herbs which helped me before and during my breastfeeding journey include fennel seed, red raspberry leaf, nettles, oat tops, alfalfa, dandelion leaf, and rose hips.

When I have the time and space to prepare mixed herbal infusions I prefer loose leaf teas steeped overnight in a french press, then transferred into a container that keeps in the fridge for a few days. I can then heat up the tea when I want, but I especially love the option to drink it cold with a meal so it seamlessly fits into my day. When I don't have the time to prepare my tea that way, I use organic tea bags and drink it hot.


3- Put Up a List of Milk Stimulating Foods to Embrace on Your Fridge


As a post partum doula, I print out copies of foods to embrace in order to stimulate breastmilk while nourishing the body, and put it on my client's refrigerator. This makes grocery shopping way easier during the postpartum period. The meals I prepare are different remixes of all the ingredients listed ranging from teas, to smoothies, protein and grain bowls, hearty meals, snacks, desserts, and more. There will be different lists available to you in books or online based on your personal dietary preferences. The list I went by is from Chinese-American author Heng Ou, in her book The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother. Her particular recommendations are for an omnivorous diet, which is typical for most traditional postpartum diets. If this does not fit your diet, I encourage you to look for alternatives that will also encourage nurturing, warmth, and comfort for your body during the postpartum period. The book Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year has a list of herbal sources for vitamins and minerals in its Appendix that could be helpful for you. This is key to being able to produce milk and aid in your body's recovering.


While breastfeeding, I became obsessed with coconut water. It helped replenish all the energy and hydration it took to breastfeed on demand. Drinking herbal teas, eating lots of oatmeal, and a newfound obsession with pecans also helped my supply. It seemed like my body started to naturally crave food that was meant to help stimulate the production of my liquid gold, but having the list up at all times helped me choose them more and more.



Extra Tip- Get a One Piece Manual Pump

After 3 months into breastfeeding, I was introduced to a one piece manual pump (Haakaa breast pump) which turned out to be heaven sent. I began to pump my other breast during each feeding since all I had to do was plop it on as opposed to hooking up the electric breast pump which felt like it had a million parts. It was also super simple to wash the one piece pump unlike the electric pump. This helped me build up my freezer stash incredibly quickly and I wish someone introduced me to the manual pump from the day my son was born.

Breastfeeding Benefits to Consider

The benefits of breastfeeding are tremendous. It saves you a lot of money- anywhere between $800-$3000 just on formula by the time a formula fed baby turns one. Your breast milk is specifically formulated according to your baby's gender and health needs, making it the optimal defense mechanism against all new bacteria and viruses floating around that your baby may be exposed to. Breastfeeding is also reported to increase confidence in women. I can attest to the fact that being able to breastfeed for 2 years has definitely made me incredibly proud of myself and my body. While I was breastfeeding, despite my new mom pouch, I didn't care who saw my breasts or belly while I was feeding. Four years after giving birth, I'm the most confident I've ever been in my life and that goes for being confident in the way my body looks as well as confidence in my ability to commit to a goal and succeed. It also taught me that I can surely trust my intuition. Breastfeeding wasn't the only reason I became confident but it was definitely a huge factor in that journey. It was also reassuring to know that breastfeeding alone burns up to 500 calories a day since having to create milk also meant having to eat and drink more.

There are so many benefits to breastfeeding. I asked a few other new moms about their experience to help paint a better picture.

 

Jesselle

Q: How long did you breastfeed?

A: 19 months strong! (& counting)

Q: What did you love most about breastfeeding?

A: What I loved most was the eye contact I made with my daughter. It really made me feel like she knew I was doing right by her. I also loved the fact that it helped us sleep better. I didn't need to get out of bed to make a bottle, ever. I would latch her, or she will latch herself in the middle of the night, allowing me to rest better! It would also knock her back out if she ever woke up before she was ready.

Q: What did you love least?

A: What I loved least was the mom guilt I felt when I wasn't around to feed her. After she was a little older, it began to feel uncomfortable to latch her at certain times. I just wanted to be left alone but she insists. Breaks my heart to say no.

Q: What do you wish you knew about breastfeeding before you started?

A: I wish I knew that at first I would be hungry and extra thirsty while breastfeeding. I was caught off guard and was not prepared to eat as much as I needed to. I also wish I knew that once the baby is used to the nipple exclusively, it's harder to introduce a bottle.

 

Antoinette

Q: How long did you breastfeed?

A: I breastfed for 10 months. And pumped for one month 'til I was fully dried up.

Q: What did you love most about breastfeeding?

A: What I loved most about breastfeeding was the bond I had with my child. I felt like more than a mom but that I was his supply for nourishment, comfort, and a healthier immunity.

Q: What did you love least?

A: What I liked least... it's draining during the night. As much as I loved it I was super sleep deprived. Waking up at 3 am whether he was up or not to pump or release my full breasts.

Q: What do you wish you knew about breastfeeding before you started?

A: I wish I knew to feed more than to pump more. You have a bigger supply from skin to skin contact than from pumping.

 

Aja

Q: How long did you breastfeed?

A: 1 year!

Q: What did you love most about breastfeeding?

A: The idea that I was nourishing her (like the GODdess I am lol no but for real). I also loved the intimate bond we had when she was nursing and would look up at me and I would watch her perfect mouth suctioning and those big brown eyes staring up at me and then she would pull off and smile.

Q: What did you love least?

A: What I loved least was how demanding it was.

Q: What do you wish you knew about breastfeeding before you started?

A: Not much but I guess the painful engorgement. I was NOT prepared that first week or two for how bad just the slightest touch would hurt.

 

Chasity


Q: How long did you breastfeed?

A: 5 months

Q: What did you love most about breastfeeding?

A: What I loved most about breastfeeding was that bonding time I shared with my son. I would just stare at him and become so emotional. I couldn’t believe he was mine!

Q: What did you love least?

A: What I loved least about breastfeeding was how demanding and sleep deprived I was.

Q: What do you wish you knew about breastfeeding before you started?

A: Before I started breastfeeding I wish I had more general knowledge on it. I feel like I was trying to teach myself as I went and ultimately ended up drying my supply due to over pumping thinking that would increase my supply. I would have definitely loved to maybe take a class to help with latching, how to increase supply, feeding positions, etc.

 

Of course, fed is best. What's also important is making a mom feel supported in whatever choice she makes. As the mother-child psychic connection is still so strong throughout the baby's life, a confident mom- whether breastfeeding or not, is the best mom. For those moms out there who don't know where to start on their breastfeeding journey, I hope this helps. In addition, some online resources are listed below.

La Leche League International- www.llli.org

History of the Breastfeeding "Debate"- http://time.com/5353068/breastfeeding-debate-history/





 

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