POSTPARTUM
10 THINGS I WISH I ’ D KNOWN ABOUT BREASTFEEDING
Photo courtesy of Karen Edwards of Apple Tree Doula & Birth Photography karenedwards @ shaw . ca
T
he transition to motherhood is rewarding and challenging . Those early days of breastfeeding are sometimes marked with frustration , sore nipples , sour milk stains and tears ( not just the baby ’ s ). I ’ ve been there . However , I made it through those early weeks and have found joy and intense love with breastfeeding . With experience , it ’ s so easy to look back and say to myself , “ if only I knew then what I know now .” Of course , I can ’ t go back , but as soon as someone invents a time machine , I will travel back to my younger self and whisper sweet breastfeeding tips in my ear . Here ’ s what I will say :
1 . Have no fear . Your body is perfectly designed to make milk . The process begins during pregnancy and will be perfected when your baby arrives .
2 . You don ’ t need to , nor should you , wait for your milk to “ come in .” Colostrum is milk . Don ’ t worry about its small amount or yellow tinge . Think of it as precious liquid gold ! It is concentrated with antibodies , provides all the nutrition your little one needs and baby will love its sweet taste !
3 . Your newborn ’ s tummy is small , about the size of a shooter marble . It doesn ’ t stretch , so your baby needs to have small , but frequent meals of mommy milk , colostrum style .
4 . I know it ’ s hard and you ’ re exhausted , but your baby needs to breastfeed at least 8-10 times in a 24 hour period . Your baby needs the nourishment and more breastfeeding now , means more milk later . You and your little one are working
12 together to establish an ample milk supply . So , take comfort , all this hard work WILL pay off !
5 . While breastfeeding is natural and normal , it takes time to perfect this new relationship . When you ’ re getting frustrated , take a deep breath , lay back and let your baby take the lead . Your little one is hardwired to breastfeed !
6 . You might be told to breastfeed every three hours . Often , your newborn will want to ( and needs to ) breastfeed more often than this . Don ’ t worry , your baby knows when he is full . Follow your baby ’ s cues .
7 . Take a “ babymoon .” Enjoy your precious little one at home , inhale that sweet newborn smell ( did you know breastfed babies smell sweet ?) and breastfeed , breastfeed , breastfeed .
8 . Surround yourself with supportive people . Become part of a breastfeeding community . The advice and support from other mothers who have experience with breastfeeding is invaluable .
9 . Need help ? Get it ! Don ’ t feel embarrassed or guilty ; we all need help sometimes . There are trained breastfeeding professionals in our community who can make suggestions to improve your breastfeeding experience .
10 . Remember sweet mama , it gets better ! The dedication you put in during the early weeks of breastfeeding will pay off ! One day , very soon , you will appreciate how easy breastfeeding makes life . Yes , it will make life easy ! Breastmilk is always available , it ’ s the perfect temperature , it meets your baby ’ s nutritional and immunological needs and it comes in two attractive containers !
While I don ’ t have a time machine to go back and make my early days of breastfeeding easier , at least I can share my experience and knowledge with other new moms . My husband also insists that if they invent a time machine , that I deliver a hoverboard to his 9 year old self . Until Doc Brown finishes the Delorean , join us at Kelowna Breastfeeding Cafe .
Contributed by Lisa Ford , Doula and co-founder of Kelowna Breastfeeding Cafe . kelownabreastfeedingcafe . com
2013 Okanagan4Kids . com Baby & Toddler Guide