Sunday, January 10, 2010

Ten Tips for New Breastfeeding Moms

1. Be prepared! Some moms have a difficult time getting into the swing of breastfeeding. Being prepared will help you meet your breastfeeding goals, whether it's for 1 month, a year, or beyond!
2. Find a comfortable place to nurse. Having a comfy gliding chair and a nursing pillow can help alleviate the strain on your back and arms.
3. Have resources in place in case you need help. If you used a doula, arrange a follow up visit for nursing support. Or make an appointment with a lactation consultant to get one-on-one help with any challenges.
4. Drink enough fluids! Drinking 2 bottles of Mamatini each day will help keep you hydrated and support your body's ability to produce milk. Drink plenty of plain water as well whenever you feel thirsty.
5. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. A glass of wine once in a while is fine, but overindulgence in either can interfere with your sleep patterns ability to nurse and can be harmful to your baby since these substances will be present in the breastmilk.
6. Maintain a healthy diet. Extreme calorie reduction can interfere with your body's ability to produce milk. A healthy diet and the herbs and micronutrients in Mamatini will stoke your metabolism naturally and allow you to lose weight while still producing sufficient milk for your baby.
7. Be prepared for the pump! If you know you need to return to work before you plan to wean your baby, practice pumping milk in the weeks before you need to return. Having a healthy supply of breastmilk will help you cope with getting used to pumping at the office and any supply issues the stress of returning to work might induce.
8. Nip sore nipples in the bud! Sore nipples can be a common complaint among new moms. Working with a certified lactation consultant from the start to help perfect your technique and baby's latch can help you avoid any tenderness or discomfort.
9. Enjoy this time with your baby. No matter how long you plan to breastfeed, it is one of the most unique and pleasurable bonding experiences you will have with your baby. Enjoy every minute of it!
10. Don't forget how important it is to your baby's health. A major motivator to stick with breastfeeding for the first year is to concentrate on the immeasurable health benefits your baby is getting from your milk. Keep focusing on the fact that you are giving your baby something that no one else in the world can ... milk that is custom designed by your body for your baby!

4 comments:

  1. Excellent response to Kathleen's suggestion, Erica. I think you have a minor typo in the last part of #8, though. :-) Should that be "help you avoid ANY tenderness or discomfort"? Thanks!

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  2. Thanks to Kathleen and Ceeinjax for your helpful comments. I appreciate it!

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