The first week of August is World Breastfeeding Week and we are celebrating by sharing breastfeeding tips for new and expectant mothers! At Essex County OB/GYN we’re dedicated to making your breastfeeding journey as smooth and simple as possible. Here are some tips from our team to enhance your breastfeeding experience!
Use Different Breastfeeding Positions
Experimenting with different breastfeeding positions can help you find the one that is most comfortable for you and your baby. There are quite a few you can try, including:
- Cradle hold: Works best in a chair or in a seat with armrests, for babies of any age.
- Cross-cradle hold: Works best sitting up straight in a chair with armrests, for newborns.
- Laid back position: Works best if you are reclined rather than lying flat, best fit for newborns and moms with smaller breast size.
- Side-lying position: Great choice for resting, may work best when you and your baby are accustomed to breastfeeding.
- Football/Clutch hold: Great choice if you are recovering from a C-section birth or breastfeeding twins.
Skin-to-Skin Contact
Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and during the postpartum period can regulate a baby. It also helps increase oxytocin production in the mother, which aids milk production and bonding. Consider trying breastfeeding positions that offer more skin-to-skin contact!
Watch for “Active Sucking”
Learn to distinguish between active sucking and comfort sucking. This can prevent prolonged breastfeeding sessions that might only be for comfort and not nutrition, helping avoid nipple soreness. If you notice your baby nursing for comfort, consider offering them their thumb, hand, or pacifier to suck on instead. Before giving your baby a pacifier, though, you may want to be sure breastfeeding is well-established.
Manage Engorgement
Breast engorgement can make breastfeeding painful for the mom and difficult for the baby to latch. You can manage engorgement by expressing a little milk either manually or with a pump before feeding to soften the breast. To help milk flow, gently massage your breasts before and during your feeding sessions. To reduce swelling, apply ice for 15 minutes at a time in between feeds.
Care for Your Nipples
Keeping your nipples dry and applying lanolin can prevent and heal sore nipples. After feeding, express a small amount of breast milk and rub it on your nipples, then allow them to dry naturally for 10-15 minutes. The natural properties of breast milk can aid in healing. It is also best to avoid using soap on your nipples when bathing, as this can dry out your skin and cause cracking while nursing.
If your nipples are sore after feeding, likely, your baby is not latching correctly. Try new positions to correct this and make it easier for your nipples to heal.
Track Feeding Output
Keep a diary of feeding times and duration, and note each diaper change, whether it is wet or soiled. This can provide useful insights into whether your baby is feeding well or if you should make changes to your routine. You can manually record this information or use an app to help you identify patterns and habits more easily.
Did you know Essex County OB/GYN has lactation consultants available on our Beverly campus? If you’re trying to breastfeed and are facing challenges, have questions, or need support, our lactation consultants are here to help. Additionally, our doctors, NPs, and midwives are also available and always here to provide you with the comprehensive breastfeeding support and guidance you need.
Remember, while we’re here to help make breastfeeding as smooth and successful as possible, it is not the only way to feed your baby. Whether you breastfeed, bottle feed, or mix both, “fed is best” and we support your choice fully. If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact our office today.