All About Breastfeeding. Answers to the Questions You Wouldn’t Ask
You may consider that breastfeeding is a beautiful, wonderful, miraculous experience, but it might not feel this way. You probably think that breastfeeding is a unique moment when you are cuddling up to yourself with your tiny baby, whip out your breast and your small bundle of joy just attaches to it and drinks your milk. Breastfeeding is the simplest thing envisioned in your imagination. But it is not nearly as simple as you have imagined it. Breastfeeding can be hard. And it can be also painful. If you had been warned by your doctor that it would be, you would have thought that maybe your doctor was exaggerating. Nope, not at all. You were told the truth. There are many tricks to try, but you should be lucky that your breasts produce enough milk and that you don’t get a clogged milk duct or any of the myriad of ailments that hinder breastfeeding. Sometimes the newborn cries, and doesn’t latch on your breast. It’s frustrating and hard experience.
When your small bundle of nerves is a few days old and it feels like you haven’t slept in months, and it’s 02.00 A.M. and you have already gotten up three times to feed him or her since you went back to your bed and fall asleep, it’s REALLY HARD. But it shouldn’t be.
Therefore, we collected the EFFECTIVE TIPS how to make BREASTFEEDING the wonderful experience.
1. Invest in Nursing Bras
In late pregnancy, in preparation for breastfeeding, your breasts produced a substance called Colostrum, a yellowy substance that is packed full of good vitamins and nutrients for your baby. The Colostrum is a thick substance, which is leaking from your breasts. And your wonderful breasts now are something to be absolutely embarrassed about because of Colostrum leaking.
Your Regular Bras are not designed for Colorstrum leaking.
Expertly–designed nursing bras adapt to your changing body, while features like the drop–down clips and easy access make them ideal for breastfeeding. When trying on different styles of nursing bras, remember to open and close the bra cup. Most nursing bras open for feeding and some are easier to manage than others. Power fabric panels will ensure extra support, especially at the breastfeeding stage as your breasts become heavier. A perfect sleep maternity or nursing bra should feel like a warm hug: it should fit you well, keep your breasts in place, and allow for a little give. Why should you invest in Nursing Bras?
The Newborns are Constantly Bursting into Tears and Screaming.
Their first ‘UNFOLDING’ after their debut starts with screaming. They scream and burst into tears all the time, and when they are not bursting into tears and screaming, they are casting the utterly gorgeous, deeply wistful, or absolutely withering glance at you. Their screaming resembles the blend of anxiety and frustration, which makes them numb. Their emotions are turned up to the maximum and they feel on edge and completely terrified. It’s taking tiny gasps of air, wondering if this is how everyone breathes.
Just imagine that your hungary baby is loudly screaming, and you are in a great hustle to remove your Regular Bra to feed your small bundle. And by the moment you have eventually done that, your newborn screams, you are trying to soothe her, but nothing helps. And while you small bundle screams you cannot feed her at all.
2. Invest in Nursing Cover
The Nursing Cower was designed specially to make breastfeeding possible even in the public places. It is ideal nursing accessory for you not to feel the utter confusion while breastfeeding your baby in cafeterias, boutiques, parks, etc.
3. Invest in Nursing Pillow
The Nursing Pillow is a brilliant idea for you because the nursing pillow will help you to cuddle up to your bundle into a good nursing position that is comfortable for both of you.
4. How Often Should You Breastfeed your Newborn?
Your newborn should be nursing 8–12 times per day for about the first month. It is not recommended to nurse too often, or too little. Don’t neglect breastfeeding time even if it is night.
5. Don’t Neglect Breastfeeding after Your Crying Baby Has Finally Fallen Asleep
During first weeks of living with your newborn, you will experience the sleepless nights. Having a frustrated dream of embracing your charming baby cuddled up to you and sleeping without screaming, bursting into tears, and crying, it will be tempting for you not to wake up your small bundle of nerves to breastfeed after your little one has fallen asleep. wake your baby to nurse if 2 hours (during the day) or 4 hours (at night) have passed without nursing.
6. If Your Small Bundle is Constantly Sleeping, Wake Him/Her Up to Breastfeed
Some newborns are excessively sleepy, they just cuddle up against your curled in the ‘croissant–position’ or curl themselves up in their cot and fall asleep. Don’t ignore the breastfeeding time if your little one is one of them. wake your baby to nurse if 2 hours (during the day) or 4 hours (at night) have passed without nursing.
7. Nurse Your Newborn at the First Signs of Hunger
Constant twisting, turning, turning his/her head, opening mouth, sucking sounds, sucking on anything nearby, hands to month, worrying, fidgeting, squirming, breathing fast, positioning for nursing, fussing, agitated movements; crying, screaming, and turning red. Have you just noticed one of these signs? Nurse your little one – don’t wait until your small bundle is crying.
8. How to Start Breastfeeding?
Start by placing your small bundle on one side, toward your breasts. Make sure your baby’s whole body is facing your bosom. Your newborn’s head should be straight in line with his/her body. Use a nursing or regular pillow to bring your cuddled baby to your bosom.
9. What Are the Best Breastfeeding Positions?
The Cradle Position
Bring your baby across the front of your body, making tummy to tummy ‘BONDING’. Accurately position your baby so his/her head rests in the bend of your elbow of the arm on the side you will be breastfeeding, with the hand on that side supporting the rest of his/her body. Cup your breast with your other hand, placing your thumb above your nipple.
The Crossover Position
Hold your baby’s head with the hand opposite to the breast you will be nursing from (if nursing from the left breast, hold the head with your right hand). Rest your wrist between your baby’s shoulder blades, your thumb behind one ear, your other fingers behind the other ear. Using your free hand, cup your breast as you would for the cradle hold.
Football Position
It is perfect position for breastfeeding if you had the Cesarean section because your baby does not lay across your tummy. Position your baby at your side, facing you, with baby’s legs are tucked under your arm on the same side as the breast you are nursing from. Use your other hand to cup your breast as you would for the cradle hold.
Laid–back Position
For breastfeeding in this position, you need to use the pillows to support yourself and the baby. Lean back on a bed or couch, well supported by pillows, so that when you put your baby tummy-to-tummy onto your body, head near your breast, gravity will keep him or her molded to you. Your baby can rest on you in any direction, as long as the whole front of the body is against yours and he or she can reach your breast. Your infant can naturally latch on in this position, or you can help by directing the nipple toward your little one's mouth. Once baby is set up at your breast, you don’t have to do much besides lie back and relax.
Side–lying Position
The side lying position is ideal when you are tired and want to nurse while lying down. It is also perfect when you are breastfeeding in the middle of the night. Both you and your baby should lie on your sides, tummy to tummy. Use your hand on the side you are not lying on to cup your breast if you need to. You may want to place a small pillow behind your baby’s back to hold him/her close.
10. Allow Your Little One Unlimited Time at the Breast
Allow your little one unlimited time at the breast when he/she is sucking actively, and then offer him/her the second breast. Ideally, at least one breast should be drained fully. Wait until your baby seems ready to quit on one breast, then offer the other breast. If baby drains one breast and doesn’t want any more, start with the other breast at the next feeding.
11. Wait When Your Baby Lets Go of Your Nipple
Wait for baby to signal he’s/she’s done. End the feeding by waiting for baby to let go of the nipple.
12. Soothe Your Crying Newborn Before Breastfeeding
Sometimes it takes more than one hour for your small bundle of nerves to be soothed. Constant screaming, bursting into tears, and crying of your small bundle of nerves sometimes will drive you crazy. What is more frustrating is that breastfeeding is hard while your little one screams, cries, and breathes heavily. Soothe your baby before breastfeeding.
You will cuddle up against your curled in the ‘croissant–position’ small bundle of nerves, you will try to soothe your small bundle of nerves, you will hug your small bundle of nerves, but nothing will help. Sooner, you will start to understand this little creature you created, and instead of being baffled by every cry and whimper, you will be able to anticipate his/her needs. You may even be able to distinguish what each cry means. And finally, your small bundle of nerves will sleep at night, for the most part of the night time after breastfeeding.