Breastfeeding: What to Expect
- Breastfeeding is natural and beautiful, but it's still a learning experience for both baby and mom. After birth, you'll hold your baby and they will be able to smell and feel their way to your breast and nipple. They already have the instinct to find food from their mom. The rooting reflex is when your baby will turn their head and open their mouth to find your nipple. If your baby doesn't show this reflex during the first feeding, don't worry; you'll still be able to latch your baby onto your breast.
- How your baby latches onto your nipple is very important. If the latch is incorrect or too shallow, it can cause pain for you and an improper feeding for baby. Your baby's mouth should cover most of your areola, and your nipple should be towards the back of your baby's mouth. You shouldn't feel any pinching on your nipple with a proper latch. If their is an improper latch during the beginning of nursing that is not corrected, it can cause your nipples to crack and possibly bleed.
- It will be uncomfortable and slightly painful in the beginning. Breastfeeding is a new experience and your nipples will have to get used to it too. For the first couple of weeks or so, during the initial latch, it may feel slightly painful, but it will go away after the first few seconds. If the pain continues throughout the feeding, there is most likely an issue with the latch.
- Be patient with yourself and your baby. Your baby is learning just like you are, so they may stop several times while nursing. Sometimes when they take breaks, they may unlatch or slip forward on your nipple. Just fix the latch and continue nursing.
- Take care of yourself. There are several products made specifically for breastfeeding moms, such as lanolin, nipple shields, nursing pads, heating and cooling pads, and many other nipple-care products. Here is my article on breastfeeding products.
- It can take a few days for your milk to come in. Don't worry though, you'll have colostrum. If breast milk is liquid gold, then colostrum is like liquid platinum. It is the best stuff for your baby once they're born.
- In most cases, mommies know when their milk comes in. Your breasts can feel very full and hard from the sudden production of milk. It can also cause engorgement, which is when your breasts are full of milk to the point of being painful. Don't worry though; you can pump, hand-express, and massage your breasts so they don't hurt as bad.
- Cluster-feeding will be one of the hardest thing to make it through during the breastfeeding journey. Newborns will eat very often with short breaks in between during the first week, sometimes the first couple of weeks. This doesn't give your nipples much of a break between feedings, which can cause them to be irritated, but your baby will settle with a better schedule soon. This is normal for newborns, so don't be worried that they are not getting enough to eat.
- You will be exhausted. All new parents have to deal with not getting much sleep, but when your baby is eating every two hours, or more often, you're the one having to get up and feed them. And they may not go straight back to sleep after nursing, so you'll be up even longer. Trying to sleep when they sleep isn't as easy as it sounds either.
- Worrying about your milk production and supply will drive you crazy. It's in every mother's mind. Most people quit breastfeeding because they think their supply is too low for their baby; in some cases this is true, however, a little over half of the people I know thought their supply was low just because their baby wanted to eat all the time during the cluster-feeding stage. In reality, they had enough milk for their baby, and if they didn't their baby still nursing would have told their breasts to produce more milk. Low supply is possible, but supplementing is always an option.
- Pumping your milk can very important. It's always a good idea to pump your milk and freeze it in case anything happens to you and your baby needs milk. This will also allow you to go out to date night or let someone watch your baby for you for a while. If exclusively pumping and bottle-feeding your baby is better for you, then that is definitely an option. Pumping is still breastfeeding!
- Ask for help and support from family, friends, experiences mothers, or anyone you feel can help if you need it. It makes this journey easier when you feel like other people support you and can help you when you need it. Lactation consultants are easier to reach out to than ever before as well; hospitals, WIC offices, some pediatricians, and many websites online offer lactation consults if needed. A simple call or email can help more than you think. If you know any mothers who have had experience in breastfeeding, their advice is golden.
Breastfeeding is so beneficial for mom and baby. It is such a beautiful bonding experience and such a natural act. The truth is that it can be very difficult in the beginning, but do not give up if you really want to breastfeed. Something else that is important to remember is that if you feel like you can no longer do it or keep up with your baby and everything you try isn't working, do not be ashamed to supplement or even stop breastfeeding. It does not make you any less of a mother if you have to stop breastfeeding; as long as you feed your baby and take care of them, you are an amazing mother.
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