Tips and tricks for a successful and beautiful breastfeeding journey
Breastfeeding is a beautiful experience for both the mother and the baby. However, it can be challenging in the beginning. In this post, we will discuss some tips and tricks for a successful and beautiful breastfeeding journey which will help make it easier for you.
Tips and tricks and my essential
Breastfeeding has been linked to numerous health benefits for both the mother and infant. It is recommended by health professionals as the preferred feeding method for infants. But it comes with its challenges and sometimes we are lacking of resources to have a succesfful journey. In order to have the best chances to succeed on the long term you need to be fully equiped.
Be Informed
My first recommendation will be to inform you by reading books, listening to podcasts, or watching documentaries. The more you are informed the better you will be prepared to face the difficulties. You will not be surprised when you have a milk flow, you’ll be able to tell the difference between early breastfeeding pain and mastitis, know the different breastfeeding positions, and so forth.
Book recommendation (in French):
1- Mon allaitement sur mesure, by Carole Hervé
2-Manuel très illustré d’allaitement, by Caroline Guillot.
3- L’allaitement – De la naissance au sevrage, by Dr Marie Thirion.
Correct Latch and Comfy Position
The correct latch is crucial to preventing sore nipples and ensuring your baby is having the right supply of milk. Your baby’s mouth should be wide open and their lips should be turned outwards when latching on. If you’re having difficulty, a lactation consultant can help you find the correct position and latch and you can also have a look at the illustrated book by Caroline Guillot.
I can’t emphasize enough the importance of a comfortable position for both you and your baby while breastfeeding. You can try different positions such as the cradle hold, football hold, or side-lying position. Experiment until you find one that works best for you and your baby. If you do not have one, choose a comfy sofa in the baby’s rooms.
It is an absolute must, a nursing pillow! At the beginning of my breastfeeding journey I did not understand why it was so important and why I should put the price on it. But after a while me and my back understood that you need to have a good one if you want to breastfeed easily.
Breast and Nipples care
Your breasts will experience many changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is essential to take good care of them. Wear a supportive nursing bra and breast pads to prevent leaks. Also, try to avoid tight-fitting clothing that can restrict milk flow and cause blockages. Sore nipples are a common problem during breastfeeding. You can apply Lanolin cream, and breast milk, or use warm compresses after feeding to soothe sore nipples. Try to avoid chemicals and body soap that contains sents as it can become irritating.
My recommendation:
- Cleanable cotton (way better than the one time ones as it way less iritating and way cheaper and ecological)
Breastfeeding Frequency and hydratation
Newborns need to breastfeed frequently, about 8-12 times a day. Indeed you need to breastfeed at demand, which means every time your baby asks for it. It can be exhausting at first. As your baby grows and becomes more efficient at feeding, the frequency will crease. To be less tired, you can invest in a co-sleeping bed so you will not have to switch rooms on the night for the night feeding.
My recommendation: Co-sleeping bed by Bébéconfort :
As you will have to breastfeed frequently, you have to always be hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is essential for milk production. Make sure to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day to keep your body hydrated.
Recommendation: Take an herbal tea in the evening to boost your lactation, you have options from green anise, fennel, basil, cumin, and caraway. Always have a water bottle for your night feeding or when you are outside, choose one that will keep your water cold 🙂 I personally really like the brand Qwetch where you can find many different patterns and sizes.
Breastfeeding in public and at work
Breastfeeding in public can be stressful for some mothers. However, it is your right to breastfeed your baby wherever you are. It is still really complicated to find a private place to breastfeed (not every place is like Ikea)! To still have your privacy you can buy more practical clothes and a nursery cover.
My recommendation: breastfeeding clothes. I always go for the beautiful brand Tajine Banane, tablier and nursing collar and apron for intimacy
If you are working you should still pump every at least 4 hours to continue your milk production. You need to pump it for a certain time and in a certain way (read the recommended book 🙂 ). You should do it also to avoid mastitis. Once you pumped you need to put your milk in your fridge in a clean and disinfected bootle.
My recommendation:
- A good breast pump machine, which can be transportable so you can still do things while pumping. This one is tested and approved 😉 I also recommend Haaka Milk Saver for a manual one which was a must for me.
- Conservation bag to store the milk and a bag to keep it cold
Restriction
As you breastfeed you should be aware that not all the essential oil can be used (on your beauty care or your housecare), also as a breastfeeding mum alcohol is not restricted but you should have a gap of a few hours from your first drink till your feeding. Finally, be conscious about the amount of coffee and tea that you drink.
Why breastfeeding is good?
Baby Benefits
Breast milk is known to be the best source of nutrition for infants, containing all the necessary nutrients they need to grow and develop. It also has immune-boosting properties that can help protect the infant from infections. Always at the right temperature, always in the right quantity, and always best suited to th baby’s needs. Breastfeeding not only ensures the best conditions for growth and development but, also reduces the risk of obesity and illness.
Mum Benefits
Breastfeeding is not just beneficial for babies, but it also offers a multitude of advantages for mothers.
- Bonding: Breastfeeding promotes a strong emotional bond between the mother and her baby. The skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding releases oxytocin, a hormone that promotes feelings of love and affection. This intimate connection can have a positive impact on both the mother’s and the baby’s emotional well-being.
- Postpartum Recovery: Breastfeeding stimulates the release of hormones that help the uterus contract back to its pre-pregnancy size. This process, known as involution, can help reduce postpartum bleeding and favorise the mother’s recovery.
- Weight Loss: Breastfeeding can aid in postpartum weight loss. The act of breastfeeding burns calories, helping the mother shed those extra pounds gained during pregnancy. Additionally, breastfeeding stimulates the production of the hormone prolactin, which helps the body return to its pre-pregnancy state.
- Reduced Risk of Illnesses: Breastfeeding has been linked to a lowered risk of certain illnesses for mothers. Research suggests that breastfeeding can decrease the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, as well as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The longer a woman breastfeeds, the greater the protective effect against these illnesses.
- Convenience: Breastfeeding is convenient for mothers, as it eliminates the need for bottle preparation and sterilization. Breast milk is always readily available at the right temperature, making it easy to feed the baby on-demand, whether at home or in public. You will not stress about the bottle of milk that you forget to buy for the night or carrying milks for a trip. Looking for a trip breastfeeding friendly? Check my post on a family trip in Sweden 🙂
- Delay period: breatsfeedind delay your periode ; Let’s just be honnest that is all something we loved during our pregnancies! However you should be aware that you can still be pregnant if you are not proctecting yourself. In doubt consult a gynecologist.
- Cost Savings: Breastfeeding can save you a significant amount of money. Formula feeding can be expensive, as you need to purchase formula, bottles, and other feeding supplies. Breast milk is free and readily available, making it a cost-effective choice for feeding your baby.
- Long-Term Health Benefits: Studies have shown that breastfeeding can have long-term health benefits for mothers. It has been associated with a lower risk of developing osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain types of cancers later in life.
In conclusion, breastfeeding offers a wide range of benefits for mothers. Embracing breastfeeding can be a rewarding and beneficial experience for both mother and baby.
Breastfeeding challenges
I would be lying to say that there are only benefits of breastfeeding. Some difficulties are also present.
For certain women, breastfeeding can lead to a loss of firmness or even a loss of breast size, which can be an esthetic issue for some.
To breastfeed means you can’t delegate only to a limited extent (e.g. cleaning breast pump equipment) but it’s not possible for the father or co-parent to take over bottle-feeding at night, etc. which can lead to exhaustion for some women.
In conclusion, breastfeeding can be challenging in the beginning, but with patience and the right techniques, it can become a fulfilling experience for you and your baby. Remember to listen to your body and seek help from a lactation consultant or healthcare professional if you’re experiencing difficulties.
No pressure, each woman have to do it if they wants it and to be afraid to ask for help or to stop if it’s too challenging for her and strat to act on her mental state.
You’ve reached the end of your adventure and you’re sure you want to turn the page, but you don’t know how to go about it. Let me know in the comments if you want me to do an article on How to stop breastfeeding? 🙂
