Tips On Breastfeeding

Tips on breastfeeding ~ Your tips for breastfeeding success

My breastfeeding tips and advice given below are things that a new breastfeeding mom should know, don’t get discouraged if you read about them, not all moms struggle with problems while breastfeeding…but it’s always good to know about these tips on breastfeeding.

Random tips for breastfeeding moms

- Breastfeed on demand and co sleep to build a good breast milk supply. Breastfeed as much as you can in the first six weeks for building supply.

- Latching on ~ Make sure baby has a large portion of your areola in your mouth as well as the whole nipple. Read more on breastfeeding latching tips

- Looking to prepare for breastfeeding? Use lanolin on your nipples while pregnant so that you can soften them…this prevents some cracking or bleeding of nipples. Read more on tips to prepare for breastfeeding.

- Breastfeed baby before he starts crying, look for early signs of hunger

- One of the best tips to successful breastfeeding is to relax while breastfeeding, moms that relax usually don’t have breast milk supply problems.

- If you have small or inverted nipples it would be best to use a plastic nipple. Read more advice on breastfeeding with small or inverted nipples.

- Using a breastfeeding pillow can help support baby and support your back, making breastfeeding much more comfortable.

- For dry cracked nipples you can apply some of your own breast milk as a moisturizer! Just remember not to do this if you have thrush as thrush thrives on milk.

- Engorgement is common in the beginning. Read more on how to deal with clogged milk ducks.

- Keep a handy nursing tool kit nearby ~ Get a special bag for breastfeeding, add things like a burp cloth, lanolin cream, a book, a snack (energy bar or fruit), water and don’t forget your cell phone.

- If you think baby is latching on fine, but still suffer from terrible nipple pain, it's best to get baby checked out by a doctor to make sure that he doesn’t have tongue tie. It can be corrected with a simple procedure and will fix the breastfeeding problem.

- Try expressing a little milk with a breast pump every time just before breastfeeding, this will help decrease encouragement, get your milk flowing and pull your nipple out a bit making it much easier for baby to latch on and stay latched on.

- Learn as much as you can about breastfeeding. Read our sitemap for all the info and tips on breastfeeding you will ever need.

- Always let baby empty one breast before offering the other one. Too much foremilk (milk in the front of the breast) can cause fussiness and gassiness…that’s why if you let baby finish one breast with each feed he will be receiving the more substantial hind milk. This will also help signal moms body to produce more milk.

- The easiest breastfeeding position for most first time breastfeeding moms, is lying down while breastfeeding.

- Mom should try to breastfeed exclusively without introducing an artificial nipple until baby is at least 6 weeks old, this will prevent nipple confusion.

- Need tips on breastfeeding while working? Moms who are going to be returning to work should start pumping a few weeks in advance to stock up on milk that can be given to baby during the day while mom is at work. Read more on breastfeeding while working

- Keep some snacks and water nearby during breastfeeding as most moms become really thirsty and hungry while they nurse.

- Make it clear at the hospital that you intend on breastfeeding, this is so that they do not give baby any supplements.

- This is connected with the point above. Do not supplement baby with anything, breast milk will see to all baby’s needs, baby does not even need water!

- Remember that your baby’s tummy is very small the first few days and the little bit of colostrum that you produce is enough to fill his tummy. As you continue to breastfeed your milk supply will increase to meet baby’s growing needs.

- Make sure baby is facing you so that his neck is not turned. Baby’s face and whole body should be facing mom’s body.

- Make sure that your back is supported by plenty of pillows to prevent back ache.

- Don’t introduce solids until baby is at least 6 months old, this will ensure that he doesn’t get unnecessary gas pain and it will keep your milk supply from dwindling. Read breastfeeding weaning tips

- Drinking lots of water can help build a good milk supply and help keep it. This will also prevent the common breastfeeding headache.

- Need tips on breastfeeding baby less at night? Express the extra morning milk for night feedings. The milk in the morning is fattier and will get baby sleeping longer at night.

- If you feel that your milk supply is a little low you can try taking galactagogues to increase supply. Some moms don’t even know about these.

- Need tips on breastfeeding nipple pain? Breastfeeding with breast shells can help a mom with terribly sore nipples, this will give them a chance to heal.

- Do not bend forward to breastfeed, but rather bring your baby to your breast, this will help prevent back ache.

- Wearing baby has many advantages and can even help increase your supply...Read more about baby-wearing here.

- Don’t worry too much about the foods that you eat, each baby is different and most babies are not allergic to any foods, but just have an underdeveloped gut. Read more on food allergies in the breastfed infant.

- Try to have a birth that is as natural as possible. Medications given to mothers especially during an epidural can affect baby by making him sleepier and even weakening his suck for up to two weeks after birth.

- Nurse as early as you can, the earlier you start the quicker you will start to produce more colostrum and milk.

- Newborns should be breastfed at least every two hours and more if possible. After about 4 weeks you can start breastfeeding on demand. Read more on newborn breastfeeding tips

- Jaundice does not mean that you need to forget about breastfeeding. Your baby will actually get over jaundice quicker if you breastfeed more often.

- Most moms worry about whether baby is getting enough breast milk. You should be able to see baby actively sucking and swallowing during breastfeeding.

- Look out for some good nursing bras before your baby comes…read more on how to choose the perfect nursing bra for you.

- Most new moms will introduce a bottle because of fear of breastfeeding in public…read public breastfeeding tips.

- If your baby starts to become distracted at your breast you can buy a breastfeeding necklace to keep him busy while breastfeeding.

- Know what oral thrush looks like and how to prevent and treat it. Read more about oral thrush in the breastfed infant.

- An oversupply of breast milk can cause a lot of breastfeeding problems. Read more on tips for breast feeding moms on how to handle oversupply of breast milk.

-  Growth spurts will occur during a few times while breastfeeding, this

can totally change the frequency of feedings and sometimes a breastfeeding mommy might even think that her milk supply has decreased.

-  If you are pumping daily to increase milk supply it's best to get an electric, double action, hospital grade pump. Read more on how to choose the best breast pump for your specific needs and breastfeeding pumping tips.

- A sleepy baby is sometimes difficult to keep awake for breastfeeding. Read tips for breastfeeding mothers on how to keep a sleepy baby awake for breastfeeding.

- Try to stick it out, the first few weeks can be very difficult…but it does get much easier as you go along.

Other pages on “breastfeeding problems” in connection with this page

-    Tips for breastfeeding in public

-    Breastfeeding twins tips

-    Nutrition tips for breastfeeding moms

-    Breastfeeding diet tips on foods to avoid

-    Tips on breastfeeding ~ Videos

-    Tips for breastfeeding stress

-    Breastfeeding myths

Want to share your own breast feeding advice and breastfeeding tips for new mothers?…

Leave a comment

Want to share your stories? Ask a question or just say hello...