Breastfeeding can be a huge decision for some mothers and it’s not as easy as just popping your baby on your boob either! Here is some information and tips to help you on your journey into motherhood.

The first 3 days your breasts produce an early supply of milk called Colostrum, this is an important source of antibodies and nutrition for your infant/s.

There are great benefits too! It helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size quicker and reduce bleeding, burning an additional 500 calories a day and help your body return to its natural shape. Its cheap and easy, especially for those night feeds!

It’s important to understand that your baby doesn’t automatically know how to latch onto your breast immediately (I wish someone told me this with my first child!)

So here are a few tips you can do to help you: 

·         Ask for support during your pregnancy and if you can see a breastfeeding support worker who can pop over to yours to give you some tips before you give birth. Ask around your friends who have breastfed and meet up with them to get additional support, but try not to take the horror stories too personal and voice your concerns with your midwife.

·         Try and breastfeed within the first hour of birth if you are able to and having skin to skin contact will help the bond between you and your baby.

·         If you are unsure, while you are still in the hospital ask your nurse or midwife, don’t be shy they want to help you!

·         Start by getting comfortable. Support yourself with pillows if needed. Then cradle your baby close to your breast — rather than learning forward to bring your breast to your baby. Support the baby’s head with one hand and support your breast with the other hand. Tickle your baby’s lower lip with your nipple to encourage your baby’s mouth to open wide. He or she will take in part of the darker area around the nipple (areola). Your nipple will be far back in the baby’s mouth, and the baby’s tongue will be cupped under your breast. Look and listen for a rhythmic sucking and swallowing pattern. If you need to remove the baby from your breast, first release the suction by inserting your finger into the corner of your baby’s mouth.

·         On day 3 or 4 your milk should come in, you will notice this because your breasts will become bigger and fuller and sore to touch, once your baby feeds the tenderness should reduce.

·         Buy some good nursing bras and tops, nothing worse than struggling when you are tired and have a crying and hungry baby, being prepared will help your confidence.

·         Your baby will let you know they are hungry by rooting around searching for your nipple, sucking on their hand, winging and being more alert. Feed your baby on demand and on the early days your baby will need to feed 8-12 times. It is not possible to overfeed a breastfed baby by breastfeeding. Feed until your breast feels soft, burp your baby and then try with your other breast to see if your baby is still hungry.

·         Try not to introduce a dummy or a bottle as this will confuse your baby until you have fully established breastfeeding and you are comfortable.

·         Stay hydrated and eat well to keep a good supply of milk and keep your energy, those first few weeks are tough!

·         Try and stay calm, your baby will feel your emotions and if you are stressed, your baby will become stressed.

·         set up a breastfeeding station, those first few weeks it will feel like that’s all you do so have a comfy place, an ipod, book, notebook and pen, magazines, a bottle of water, snacks, fan, nappies, breast pads, pillows ect.

·         Don’t be afraid to breastfeed in public, if your baby needs feeding- feed them! It’s perfectly natural and normal.

·         You’ll know it’s working when your baby is latched on successfully, you’ll feel a gentle pulling sensation on your breast — rather than a pinching or biting sensation on your nipple. Your breasts might feel firm or full before the feeding, and softer or emptier afterward. Look for your baby to gain weight steadily, produce at least six wet diapers a day and be content between feedings. Your baby’s stools will become yellow, seedy and loose.

·         Practice makes perfect! Try not to compare yourself to other mums, your doing your best and we are all unique and if breastfeeding is not for you, then bottle feed. It doesn’t matter as long as your baby is getting fed! Trust yourself though it takes 6-8 weeks to establish breastfeeding.

How do I know my baby is feeding properly?

Your baby’s sucking causes milk stored in your breasts to be squeezed down ducts towards your nipples. This is called the let-down reflex.

Some women get a tingling feeling, which can be quite strong. Others feel nothing at all.

You’ll see your baby respond when your milk lets down. Their quick sucks will change to deep rhythmic swallows as the milk begins to flow. Babies often pause after the initial quick sucks while they wait for more milk to be delivered.

Occasionally this let-down reflex can be so strong that your baby coughs and splutters. Your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter can help with this, or see some tips for when you have too much breast milk.

If your baby seems to be falling asleep before the deep swallowing stage of feeds, they may not be properly attached to the breast. Ask your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter to check your baby’s positioning and attachment.

Sometimes you’ll notice your milk letting down in response to your baby crying or when you have a warm bath or shower. This is normal.

Common Breastfeeding Challenges:

1.   Sore and cracked nipples: Check the position of the baby when they latch on; smooth lanolin or other creams over your nipples after each nursing session; and let your nipples air dry after each nursing session. Also, alternate which breast you start on for each session. Put a safety pin or plastic bracelet on your wrist on the side of your bra that was just used to help you remember. And limit nursing to 5 to 10 minutes on each side initially until your nipples toughen up (just a few days). You should also not hear any clicking or sucking sound. If you do, the baby isn’t positioned right. Bring Baby closer to you, and hold his head firmly so his mouth covers as much of the areola as possible.

2.   Engorgement (overly full breasts) or blocked milk duct: Warm compresses, letting warm water run over your breasts in the shower, or laying cabbage leaves on your breasts can help relieve some of the pressure. You can also try pumping some milk between feedings.

3.   Mastitis or breast infection: If you feel like you have the flu and one breast is red, hot and sore, you probably have mastitis. You’ll likely need an antibiotic to clear up the infection. In the meantime, keep nursing and/or pumping on that side as much as you can, even though it hurts. To prevent mastitis, make sure you empty your breasts regularly. If you do take antibiotics, add a probiotic (good bacteria such as lactobacillus) supplement, or eat a container of live culture yogurt every day, to help prevent the next complication: thrush.

4.   Thrush: Thrush is a fungal infection that can form on the breast and be passed between your breast and the baby’s mouth. Overly moist breasts, sore or cracked nipples, following a diet high in sugar or yeasty foods or taking antibiotics, birth control pills or steroids can all throw your body’s natural yeast levels out of control and lead to thrush. Symptoms are very sore nipples, achy or painful breasts or pink, flaky, shiny, itchy or cracked nipples. Your baby may have little white spots in her mouth, or a diaper rash that won’t heal. You will need to treat both your breasts and the baby’s mouth with a prescription antifungal or with the over-the-counter antifungal gentian violet. To prevent thrush, air-dry your nipples, use nipple pads in your bra, wear a clean bra every day, and reduce the amount of sugar and yeasty products in your diet.

5.   Leaky breasts: Sometimes, breast milk may leak unexpectedly from your nipples. Press the heel of your hand gently but firmly on your breast when this happens. Wearing breast pads will stop your clothes becoming wet with breast milk. Remember to change them frequently to prevent any infection. Expressing some milk can help if you produce too much milk.

Increasing Milk Supply:

Breastfeeding is a basic supply-and-demand activity. The more you nurse, the more milk your body makes. So when your baby goes through a growth spurt and seems to be nursing all the time, keep in mind she’s signaling your body to up the milk production for her new nutritional needs.

What to eat:

Try to eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, whole grains and white starches like Brown bread, rice, and sweet potatoes.  Pulses, beans and lentils contain plenty of protein and fiber as well as nuts and seeds.

Some traces of your food or drink can sometimes pass into the breast milk and your baby may have an intolerance, symptoms to look out for are: Bloating, rashes, swollen eyes or lips, wheeziness, diarrhea, constipation, reflux, a poor appetite, changes in their nappies and failing to thrive.

Avoid having drugs and excess alcohol and caffeine consumption as this will effect the baby. How fast alcohol enters your bloodstream, and then your breastmilk, depends on how much you weigh, and whether you have a full or empty stomach. The amount of alcohol in your blood usually peaks between 30 minutes and 90 minutes after you have the drink. You’ll need to allow an hour or two for your body to be clear of one unit of alcohol. So if you want to have an alcoholic drink when you are breastfeeding, feed your baby before having the drink. Two or three hours later, when it’s time to feed your baby again, the level of alcohol in your blood should be low enough not to affect your baby.

You should take 10 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D supplements.

Foods to avoid: (please note these particularly before your newborn photoshoot)

·         Caffeine (Over stimulates your baby)

·         Fish (Contains high levels of mercury which is poisonous)

·         Chocolate (Causes laxative effect with your baby)

·         Parsley and peppermint (Reduces your milk supply)

·         Cows milk (It’s not natural and babies can’t process it)

·         Spicy foods.(Can irritate your baby, cause nappy rash or eczema)

·         Citrus foods: Lemons, limes, oranges, pineapples. (Can irritate your baby, cause nappy rash or eczema)

·         Garlic (Can cause your baby to not wish to nurse due to its strong odor)

·         Wheat and Gluten (These man made products are not good for you)

·         Gassy vegetables such as: Broccoli, cabbage, onion, Brussels, sprouts.

·         Cherries and prunes (Cause a laxative effect)

Understanding your newborn’s poop:

·         Your newborn will have regular dirty nappies in the first month, but can have less frequent poos after the second month going up to 10 days without popping, unlike bottle-fed babies which can poo several times a day.

·         If your baby poop looks like it has seeds in it, this is left over hind milk that they do not need, this is perfectly normal and your baby is well-fed.

·         Your babi’s poop will come out with different colors, from yellow, brown and greenish!

·         To test if your baby is properly urinating, poor 4 large tablespoons into your nappy and that’s what it should feel like for a newborn.

Advice on baby gas can be found here: http://www.breastfeeding-problems.com/baby-gas-pain.html

So I really hope this information helps you, love, and light Victoria.