Breastfeeding – What All New Moms Should Know
Breastfeeding can be great, it allows you to bond with your baby while providing them with the nutrition they will need during their first year of life. However, if you have never breastfed before please read on! Here are some facts about breastfeeding every new mom should know.
Breastfeeding is NOT easy
All those pictures you see of a mother holding her darling newborn and gazing into their eyes while breastfeeding is doing all new moms a disservice. It makes breastfeeding look calm and beautiful, and most of all easy. It. Is. Not. Don’t get me wrong you will get to that point eventually, but it will be a rough road for most (read cracked and or bleeding nips), filled with frustration and the general feeling of wanting to give up. And this is normal! Breastfeeding is hard! Also, don’t be ashamed to use nipple shields (did I mention that breastfeeding can get painful?).
Breastfeeding is not for everyone
So you have gotten past the first few weeks and you and baby are on cruise control. Things are going great, but you are just not feeling it. Yes you love bonding with baby, but you may feel all touched out, may want your own space, may not want to be the only one feeding the baby, and perhaps feeling like your only interaction with your baby is feeding him or her! Not to mention pumping can sometime have you feeling less than human. Not everyone who breastfeeds loves to do it, some do it out of necessity (cost or convenience) or out of guilt because, after all “breast is best.” Breastmilk is great for babies, but so is formula, if breastfeeding isn’t for you, THAT is ok, and whether or not you breastfeed is your decision.
Breastfeeding is stressful
If you breastfeed you WILL get stressed out over it, its unavoidable. Here are the most likely culprits:
- Your supply
- Are you producing enough; is baby getting enough nutrition?
- How to increase your supply; what lactation cookies/natural remedies do you take; do you increase the amount you pump?
- Is what you are eating causing your baby any discomfort; do you need to eliminate things from your diet.
- Nipple confusion
- Do you give your baby a pacifier or bottle? if so, when?
- You may have waited too long to give baby a bottle, and now refuses to take said bottle
- Your boobs
- What is the difference between normal engorgement and mastitis?
- Blocked ducts
- Pumping
- What pump do you get?
- When is best to pump?
- Waking in the middle of the night to pump when baby starts sleeping in
- Pumping at work and fitting it into your schedule
Catch my drift? It is stressful!
The Weight Doesn’t Always Fall Off When You’re Breastfeeding
If you are one of the lucky few who this does apply to then that is awesome! I personally have not met one person who has dropped weight due to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding makes you hungry, like super hungry, and you need to eat in order to keep your supply up. For me, with each of my kids, I have actually gained weight while breastfeeding and it wasn’t until afterward that I was able to lose it. Don’t get discouraged if the weight isn’t melting off of you while your breastfeeding, not everyone’s bodies react the same way.
Lactation Consultants are Awesome
When you are in the hospital after you have had baby be sure to use the lactation consultant. Most hospitals nowadays provide this service to new mothers. It is priceless. They will watch you nurse baby, check the latch and give you pointers on how to make sure that baby latches properly every time and also answer any questions that you may have.
Also be sure to check out our Breast Feeding Must Have list here.
