You are counting down the days until baby makes their appearance. You have made the decision to chest/breastfeed your baby, but you are anxious about those first few days and weeks. You’ve heard about the struggles of others. Not enough milk? Pain? No sleep? Your partner can’t help? and now you are WORRIED. Here, I will share some of my top tips as an IBCLC to help you through these early days of chestfeeding and breastfeeding.
Tip #1: Set up your resources and support to have on hand.
It’s impossible to know what challenges, if any, will come up in those early days. My biggest advice is to become familiar with your resources and have them lined up, ready to go! Compile a TRUSTED list that both you and your partner can easily find through the brain fog sleepless nights. Include things like local lactation consultants, local support groups such as your local La Leche League, maybe have some trusted websites on hand such as kellymom.com or La Leche League. This will mean if an issues arises, you don’t need to spend your precious energy on finding this information or digging through the depths of a google search. Having the infant risk hotline number easily on hand for any medication or supplement questions is also ideal 1-806-352-2519.
Tip #2: Discuss ways your partner can support you ahead of time.
This will look different for everyone, which is why it is important for you to discuss this ahead of time. Brainstorm ways for your partner to help. Often they WANT to help, but are left feeling unsure of how. Burping and changing baby, bringing baby to you or rocking them back to sleep after a feeding, bringing you a fresh full water bottle and snack during a feed, keeping your nursing station stocked with nursing pads, nipple crem, diapers, wipes, snacks, portable phone charger, etc. Know that needs may change once you are in it.
Tip #3: Don’t struggle through a poor latch!
Baby latches on finally, but OUCH! It hurts. But they are on so you struggle through it thinking “next time we will get a good latch” but before you know it, your nipples are sore and raw or maybe baby isn’t gaining weight as hoped. A poor latch can lead to both of these. You are both learning and you know what they say, practice makes perfect! Don’t be afraid to practice that latch. If you can feel or see the latch isn’t great, don’t wait! Gently slip a finger in to break the seal and try to relatch. This is where support from a lactation professional may come in handy if you are regularly struggling to get a proper latch or don’t know where the problem with the latch is coming from.
Tip #4: Watch the clock, not the baby
There’s a big misconception that babies need to eat every 2-3 hours. While statistically speaking, it works out to be about that, it isn’t quite so uniformed at every 2-3 hours. Ideally we want to see baby eating 8-12 times in a 24 hour period so yes, the math says that’s about every 2 to 3 hours. What happens is baby’s can’t tell time and they may be asking to eat only 30, 45, 60 minutes after their last feeding and you are wondering- but you just ate?! It’s not time! Go ahead and feed your baby! Listen to their cue’s not the clock. The frequent nursing, especially in the early days will help bring in your milk and help your body create a great supply!
Tip #5: Give yourself grace!
Parenting is hard. Infant feeding can be hard. You’ve got this! You and baby are both learning. Even if you have chest/breastfed a baby before, this is a new relationship, and may be a different experience! Go back to tip #1 and add some support people that you can reach out to for support, maybe not for lactation specific support, but that you can vent to, that will come hold your baby so you can shower, eat, NAP. Family, friends, doulas, volunteer postpartum support such as the Good Beginnings Postpartum Volunteer Angels in Central VT are amazing to have around to remind you that you’ve got this while giving some practical support so you can focus on you and baby.