hoosing to breastfeed is a personal choice, one that can be a wonderful bonding experience and a great way to boost your baby’s immune system. There are a few tips and tricks that can help you make this experience easier for both you and your baby.
Latching on
To avoid sore nipples, you’ll need to get the hang of the ‘deep latch technique.’ For more information on this technique, visit our friends at The Pump Station.
You (and Your Baby) are What You Eat
• Try to fill your diet with green leafy vegetables, calcium, whole grains, and plenty of water to keep hydrated. And keep taking your prenatal vitamin!
• Be aware of some common tummy-ache culprits: cow’s milk, spicy food, acidic foods (tomatoes, citrus), chocolate (in large quantities), onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, garlic, and caffeine. If your baby is fussy after a feeding (trust us, you’ll know), try eliminating potential culprits one by one until you can decipher the cause of his trouble.
• When it comes to alcoholic beverages, enjoy your glass of wine or beer after you’ve nursed – or at least an hour (per drink) before you breastfeed again so the alcohol has time to metabolize and burn off. (No need to 'pump and dump' since alcohol isn’t stored in breastmilk. But you should still wait a while after consumption before nursing your baby.)
Solving Some Common Problems
Engorgement
• Wash, dry, and refrigerate cabbage leaves (yes, cabbage leaves – these seem to work even better than ice packs!) and place on the breasts for about 20 minutes.
Soothing Sore or Cracked Nipples
• Use lanolin, especially after feedings, and invest in breast shells to keep your nipples from rubbing against your bra. (If you have cracked nipples, hydrogel dressings should be worn at all times to promote moist wound healing.)
Low Milk Supply
• Feed frequently, especially in the first days after birth. (It’s recommended that a baby should nurse 8-12 times in a 24-hour period.)
• Pump for 15-20 minutes after you nurse, especially in the morning when your milk supply is at its highest.
• Add ground fennel seeds to your tea, or choose a tea whose main ingredient is fenugreek – this spice increases milk supply.
• Our favorite: dark ale has been said to help relax mom and assist in the ‘let down’ of milk. Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, a cold pint of Guinness might be just what the doctor ordered after all those alcohol-free months.
• Stay hydrated! Drink water, water, and more water!
For more information on breastfeeding, read The Cradle’s article, Breastfeeding 101.
