Breastfeeding for New Mothers

Breastfeeding, while the best nutritional option for feeding a newborn, is often a daunting and difficult experience for new mothers. This blog delves into the common pitfalls of nursing and gives information regarding proper positioning, hunger cues, milk output, and numerous other topics regarding proper breastfeeding. Armed with the facts and useful tips, new mothers can gain confidence and insight into an incredible bonding and nurturing feeding experience with their children.

There was a day in the not-so-distant past when bottle feeding formula was the norm for the majority of American mothers. As time marched on, study after study came to the same conclusion- our mothers may have been wrong. "Breast is best" has become the unofficial mantra of pediatricians, lactation consultants, and new moms the world over. It's nothing new women have been giving their children this white gold for centuries.

The time has come to return to our roots, and although the road is rough for many mothers, with some knowledge and tips, breastfeeding can be a joy and can once again provide the next generation with the immune building, nutrient-rich building blocks to a healthy life. The store will confirm - there are mountains of information to be waded through that all give you the secrets to using what nature gave you. But reading all the literature in the world doesn't mean it will come easy. In practice, what seemed so simple in-text becomes a daunting task.

In the uterus, unborn babies have no need to acquire food through anything but the umbilical cord tethering them to their mommy, who provides all the necessary nutrients via that cord straight to their tiny tummies. No suckling is required, and that is the only life they have known thus far. Therefore, the art of nursing is an entirely new concept that must be learned through trial and error and not simply an inborn skill that they will take to upon being delivered. Luckily, you're not alone- doctors and nurses are more than willing teachers, and your stay at the hospital will yield plenty of opportunities to ask and receive lessons for both you and your baby.

Some problems breastfeeding stem from the way the baby is positioned. While the standard hold- baby cradled with the body being supported by the mother's forearm and the head supported by the hand- is perfectly fine, infants do not always do well feeding on that position. Creative holds are then required, such as the 'football hold," where the mother holds the baby as she would a football, with slightly with the hand. It takes patience to perfect hold, and it's not an easy thing especially when the child, who has not had time to perfect his end either, is struggling, but with perseverance, a correct hold will be accomplished.

Pillows aid positioning, making sure the mother isn't leaning forward or bending over but instead is bringing the baby closer to the breast, to stave off back problems later on and allowing proper positioning of the child's head and neck.

When a proper and comfortable position is achieved, the next hurdle is the latch. It's a common belief that the baby will be latching onto the nipple itself, but that is a false assumption. Instead, a latch is successful if the baby opens wide enough to get the entire areola into his mouth, with his tongue under the breast. The nipple should be placed fairly far back in his mouth and suction should be present. Enticing a baby by tapping the nipple on his lips typically does the trick, although some babies will need to be guided to open wide and have their tongue gently released from the roof of their mouth with a finger.

Once a latch has been established, a ticking and swallowing pattern should be audible. Hearing the baby take deep breaths between swallowing is a telltale sign the latch is successful. If it's not, gently inserting a finger in the corner of the child's mouth breaks the suction, so it can be attempted again.

If a perfect latch is proving to be near impossible, there are products designed to help. While some admonish the use of these and claim they cause nipple confusion, when the odds are stacked against a breastfeeding relationship due to inverted nipples or similar problems, these products can be the tipping point in favor of success.

Nipple shields are pliable plastic guards that are placed on the nipple and surrounding area with a slight suction that provides the infant with a larger surface to latch onto when the mother has inverted nipples. Even if inverted nipples are not an issue and the child refuses, nipple guards can be the bridge that gets the baby kick-started, and later in the feeding be removed until it is no longer needed.

Another useful tool in the new mother’s arsenal is the breast shell, a hollow plastic disc with holes surrounding the nipple creating mild suction. When worn throughout the day inside the bra, inverted nipples are drawn out making for an easier latch. With new advances in product design, mothers can even find shells and bra nursing pads that collect leaked milk for later use.