HOW TO PREPARE FOR BREASTFEEDING
Here are the top three ways to prepare for your breastfeeding journey!
Breastfeeding is natural but not necessarily easy for every mother. Every baby is different, every mother is different, and every nipple is also different. You and your baby can be 100% normal and still have issues with breastfeeding, which, of course, can be fixed with the help of experts. Hence, it is important to prepare yourself well to ensure a successful and comfortable breastfeeding experience.
First, attend a breastfeeding class by a lactation consultant so you can understand the fundamentals of breastfeeding: how it works, proper latching technique, positions, usage of the breast pump, common breastfeeding challenges, etc. Secondly, make a breastfeeding list of the products or materials you would need for your breastfeeding journey, such as a nursing bra, nipple cream, breast shells, etc. Finally, building a breastfeeding support system before the birth of a baby It is so important to communicate with your partner and your support system, such as your spouse, mom, confinement lady, or lactation consultant, about your plans to breastfeed, and also discuss ways they can assist and support you the best in your breastfeeding journey.
BREASTFEEDING POSITIONS AND LATCHING TIPS
Latching and breastfeeding position are two key factors in successful breastfeeding. A good latch ensures the breast is stimulated and allows the baby to effectively transfer milk from the breast, while a comfortable position allows the mother and baby to enjoy direct latching without any discomfort and at the same time, supports the milk flow.
There are a few common breastfeeding positions used by mothers, such as cradle hold, cross cradle holds, football hold, and side lying position. In all breastfeeding positions, it is important to support the baby’s head and neck while bringing them to the breast to latch. Remember, if the baby is not comfortable, there will be lots of crying and fussing during latching.
To achieve a good latch, which is crucial for good milk transfer, we need to ensure the baby’s mouth is wide open when attempting this, so the baby gets a deep latch. The baby needs to latch on the areolar and not the nipple itself. We don’t expect the baby to take the whole areolar in, but at least part of it. The baby needs to be close to the breast, where their chin touches the mother’s breast and their nose is free to breathe. We would expect the baby to latch comfortably, without any clicking sounds from the mouth, and of course, the mother should be pain-free too. Painful latching is a red flag; it is a sign of a shallow latch, so the mother should attempt to latch again, or seek help from a lactation consultant.
Maintaining good milk supply
Maintaining good milk supply is important for successful breastfeeding. Here are some tips that you may follow:
- Ensure a proper latch, as it is crucial for breast stimulation and effective milk transfer, which indirectly promotes a good supply of breast milk.
- Nurse frequently on your baby’s demand. Avoid formula in between feeds, as this may lead to less breast stimulation throughout the day, which may signal the breast to produce less milk.
- Utilise a good breast pump to empty the breast as and when you are away from your baby to maintain its supply.
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
- Have a balanced diet rich in nutrients with a proper portion of carbohydrates, protein, and vegetables.
- Rest when you can. Getting enough rest and reducing stress may help with milk production.
COMMON BREASTFEEDING CHALLENGES
Breastfeeding is a beautiful and rewarding experience, but it may come with its own set of challenges. Some of the challenges are as follows:
Sore nipples
This is a common challenge faced by most mothers and is caused by poor latching or positioning. This can be managed using a good nipple cream and a breast shell. While the soreness heals, it is also important to find out the root cause so it doesn’t repeat itself. For instance, if a poor latch is causing the nipple soreness, the mother needs to work on getting the right latch while healing her nipple; otherwise, the nipple would continue to be sore and even bleed in some cases.
Breast engorgement
Breast engorgement happens when your breast is overly full due to poor milk transfer, an oversupply of milk, or even skipping a pumping session. This can make latching difficult; hence, mothers need to massage the breast gently with a warm towel to loosen the milk ducts, soften the areolar area, and attempt to latch her baby or pump her milk out to get it flowing. The only ways to manage breast engorgement is by draining the breast, either by nursing your baby or by pumping. If breast engorgement isn’t managed well, it may lead to a breast infection known as mastitis.
Low milk supply
There are various factors that may lead to low milk supply, such as poor management of breastfeeding in the early days postpartum, medications, illness, or even hormonal issues. If a mother is experiencing low milk supply, it’s best to consult a lactation consultant as soon as possible to identify the cause and come up with solutions.
WEANING? WHEN AND HOW SHOULD YOU STOP BREASTFEEDING?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and even when a baby starts off on a weaning diet, breastfeeding should continue up until the baby is two years old. However, weaning is a personal decision that should be made when both you and your baby are ready. Weaning off breastfeeding should be a slow and gradual process, so it doesn’t impact your relationship with your baby, and breast milk downregulates slowly as well. Any drastic change in your pumping routine or skipping latching for hours may lead to clogged ducts or even mastitis. Some of the tips you may follow are:
- Go slow. Start by eliminating one feeding at a time over the course of a few weeks.
- Don’t refuse a feed if your baby demands it, but don’t offer it to the baby if he or she isn’t asking.
- Offer alternative sources of nutrition to your baby by substituting breast milk with a bottle or a cup.
- Distract baby if he or she wants to comfort latch; offer other activities, or nurse for a shorter time instead.
- If you are pumping, gradually reduce the frequency and duration of your pumping sessions.
- Be patient; weaning can be an emotional process for both mother and baby, so take your time.
- Seek support from other mothers who have weaned their babies to understand the process better.
- Consult your lactation consultant if you have trouble weaning off, so she can work out a routine or schedule for you to wean off comfortably.
Breastfeeding is a beautiful bond shared between a mother and her child. It provides numerous benefits to both mother and child but comes with its own set of challenges along the way for some mothers. Do seek help from your lactation consultant to get back on track if you have issues with breastfeeding. Remember, breastfeeding is a learned skill and should not hurt. If you are experiencing any kind of pain or discomfort while breastfeeding, it’s a red flag, and it’s time to seek expert advice.
Ms Simranjit Kaur
International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC),
Pantai Hospital Cheras (PHC)
