"This is so much harder than I expected."
"I don't think I'm doing it right!"
"How do I know how much he is eating?"
"Am I starving my baby?"
In all my postpartum visits, these are the kinds of complaints and concerns I hear most from breastfeeding moms. It's not all flowers and daisies as expected. Many are just downright frustrated. The "biological" way to feed your baby. The way "nature intended." The "smart" thing to do. But, why is it so complicated? Why is that free sample of formula you got in the mail and tossed to the wayside suddenly tempting and taunting you?
Breastfeeding is not always as easy as it's cracked up to be. In fact, many times it's the new mother who ends up feeling cracked. I suppose, as with many relationships in life, the breastfeeding relationship can sometimes get off to a rocky start. Moms expect to latch baby on and watch him get fat right in their arms, but it is not always the case!
The good news is, it's nothing a little persistence, good support, and encouragement can't fix!
For starters, here are a few breastfeeding basics for expecting and new moms;
1. Directly after birth, you will only produce colostrum, which is very thick and filling to your tiny. It may take a few days for your actual milk to come in.
2. What goes in must come out--expect at least one wet diaper per day of life, capping off at 5-6. This will reflect that baby is getting just what he needs. (i.e., 3 wet diapers on day 3) It is the same expectations for dirty diapers with a cap of 3-4 dirty diapers per day. As long as your tiny is keeping up with diapers, rest assured he won't be tiny forever! He is getting plenty to eat and will be gaining weight in no time.
3. Just about all babies lose weight after birth. This is not because you are not feeding him. It is typical, and should be gained back very quickly. Keep counting diapers!
4. Get a good lactation consultant to double check your tiny's latch. Lips should be flanged out like a fishy, and a good bit of areola/breast (depending on the woman) should be in baby's mouth. One big mistake I see is baby is latched only on the end of the nipple, which is inefficient for baby, and can cause great damage/pain for mommy! Yikes!
5. After birth, your tiny is, well, tiny! He will want to eat all. the. time. Get some comfy pillows, a giant jug of water, a good magazine or book, the tv remote, etc. and camp out! Kick your feet up and relax! Any time baby starts rooting (turning head back and forth, mouth open, sucking on fingers/hands) nurse him! Keeping him close to your chest will encourage your body to start making milk for him, as well!
6. Babies are more efficient than pumps; do not panic if you cannot get a whole ounce from a pump. Again, it is not a good indication of how much milk you are producing. See #2, count diapers if concerned about production.
7. Watch baby's chin for swallows. If he starts to "nibble" and not make any major swallowing motions, feel free to take him off. If he is still giving hunger cues, try switching sides. Do not worry about the clock; worry about your tiny! He'll tell you what he needs.
8. Nurse ON DEMAND. Clocks, books, nurses, mothers, husbands--nothing--NOTHING can tell you when your baby should eat. Your baby should eat when your baby is hungry. Some feedings he may fall asleep during. Some he may eat quickly and be finished. Others he may hang out for and take slowly. As mentioned in #7, do not worry about the clock, but simply, pay attention to your baby.
9. It should not hurt. Nursing itself, with a good latch, should not hurt. However, after birth, some women experience pain in their breasts during letdown. It may feel like pins and needles from the inside all the way to the nipple. This, too, shall pass. After nursing for about thirty seconds (to get past letdown) it should subside. It may come back if baby stays latched long enough to get a second letdown, but breathe and count and it will subside again. This pain goes away once breastfeeding is well established.
10. You are not doing anything wrong! It is the best thing for you and your baby, and after you get breastfeeding well established, it IS as easy as everyone says! There is no packing for a trip around town, you will never run out of milk and have to rush home for more, (or out to the store, for that matter), and it NEVER goes bad or gets recalled. The only way to get through this part, though, is to persevere. Get help. If it doesn't feel right, get it checked. Find a good lactation consultant in your area.
Keep in mind, this is not just your first time with the whole breastfeeding thing, but it's also your tiny's first whack at it, too! It'll take a little time to get you both in sync. That's what I'm here for! To answer questions, offer support, and help you get to that breastfeeding field of flowers and daisies.
Photo Credit: http://www.peterboroughandstamford.nhs.uk/page/?title=Breastfeeding&pid=12941
What were some of your unexpected struggles as you worked to establish breastfeeding? What helped you through them?
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