Breastfeeding for New Moms

Breastfeeding for New Moms

Top 10 Tips

Breastfeeding offers a wide range of health benefits for both mom and baby. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), breastfeeding is important for optimal infant health and development. Babies who are breastfed are better able to fight off common infections, such as diarrhea, ear infections and certain lung infections, and they are sick less often. Breastfeeding can also protect against allergies, asthma, obesity and childhood cancers. It also helps some moms lose weight faster, reduces the risk of osteoporosis and some forms of breast and ovarian cancer, and can help the uterus return to its normal size more quickly. Breastfeeding also offers regular bonding sessions with your baby. Learn more from these breastfeeding tips:

1. Be prepared. Learn as much as you can about breastfeeding before your little one arrives so you'll feel prepared. Buy a comfortable nursing bra and nursing shirts with buttons or snaps in the front and remember to pack them in your hospital bag.
    
2. Start early. Nurse as soon as possible after giving birth, within the first hour, if possible. If you've had a cesarean section, your health care provider will probably want you to wait until the anesthesia wears off. Some moms find rooming-in—keeping your baby with you in your hospital room—easier, though this might not be possible if you’ve had a cesarean section and don’t have a family member with you in the room at night.
    
3. Review breastfeeding techniques with a lactation consultant or nurse before you leave the hospital. Practice how to position your baby so he/she is properly latched on to your breast. This will improve your confidence when you return home and will allow the baby to get milk more easily.
    
4. Breastfeed often (eight to 12 times every 24 hours) and any time your infant seems hungry. Early signs of hunger include increased alertness or activity, mouthing or putting hands to his or her mouth and rooting (moving his/her head in search of your nipple). Crying is often a sign that your baby is overly hungry.
    
5. Know your baby is getting enough. Many new moms worry about whether their babies are getting enough milk. You can rest assured that your little one is getting enough nourishment if he or she nurses every two to three hours, has six to eight wet diapers per day and is gaining weight appropriately.
    
6. Be patient. Take the time you and your baby need to find comfortable feeding positions.You may want to use a pillow under your breasts or your arm for support. If you feel any discomfort, gently remove your nipple and start again. Remember; breastfeeding can be challenging. Nursing is an art, and it comes with practice.
    
7. Delay using bottle nipples or pacifiers early on, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Your baby needs time to get used to your nipple and to become comfortable with the routine of breastfeeding. Rubber nipples may confuse your baby and make breastfeeding more difficult.
    
8. Breastfeeding shouldn't hurt, so get help if you need it. Breastfeeding isn't always as easy as it looks. Common problems during the early stages of breastfeeding may include sore or cracked nipples, engorgement, blocked milk ducts or breast infection. If you experience problems, talk to your health care provider or a lactation consultant.
    
9. Continue to breastfeed for as long as you can. Leading health experts recommend breastfeeding exclusively (no formula) for the first six months of life and ideally continuing until the baby is one year old or beyond.
    
10. Take care of you, too. This may be easier said than done, but it's important to stay healthy and strong. Get plenty of rest, drink enough fluids and eat well-balanced meals to regain energy. Joining a new mom support group and leaning on your partner, family and friends for support can also help.
     

Remember: breastfeeding can be challenging, and problems are common during the beginning stages of nursing. Most of these issues can be resolved with patience, practice or treatment, so don't get discouraged. Lactation consultants can help you overcome difficulties and are available through hospital-based referral lists or by asking your health care provider. For moms who can't or don't want to nurse, infant formulas have advanced over the years to mimic many of the benefits found in human milk.

If you plan to return to work, the good news is you can continue to breastfeed thanks to breast pumps. Speak with your employer or human resources manager before heading back so you can discuss your plans.

© 2012. National Women's Health Resource Center, Inc. All rights reserved. All content provided in this guide is for information purposes only. Any information herein relating to specific medical conditions, preventive care and/or healthy lifestyles does not suggest individual diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for medical attention.