Breastfeeding 101

So you're having a baby and you are thinking about breastfeeding, or rather, you're planning to breastfeed because well, its the most natural thing to do for your baby right? Well here is my take on breastfeeding based on my experiences.

1. Breastfeeding hurts, a lot. I mean really a lot in the beginning. I'd say the first 4-6 weeks, it is pretty painful. You'd think that it wouldn't because it is the natural progression of what you're body goes to do once the baby comes out. But turns out that your body needs to be trained. It hurts because you've never done this before, your nipples are soft and supple and sensitive, and not ready to be yanked on by a hungry infant. Make sure you are getting a good latch every time, this will help to make it less painful. Once your baby gets the latching on thing down, your nipples have to toughen up. You'll build up calluses on your nipples after several weeks, which will be the beginning of the painless phase. It does get better after a while, and will become painless. So stick with it. I can remember hearing people say (and reading) that it should not hurt, and my nipples were so sore, even just wearing a bra or toweling off after a shower hurt my nipples! So invest in some really nice soft towels and some nice soft material nursing bras - nothing with lace! Note: Your nipples may crack in the beginning. If this happens make sure you let them air dry, this will help them heal faster. You can put lanolin cream or APNO (all purpose nipple ointment - prescription) on to help sooth and heal, I'm not really convinced they do much.

2.) You have to feed your baby every 2 hours in the first few weeks & months. This will teach your body to produce more milk (some people have trouble with making enough milk) The more you feed your baby, the more your body will produce. Sometimes your baby will want to feed every hour and a half some times the baby will be able to eat every 2.5-3 hours. Watch your baby, not the clock...its approximately every 2 hours! This tends to make living your life a bit tricky with this every two hour thing. Its ok, you can still go out and do things even though your baby needs to eat frequently. Plan to go out right after your baby eats so you can maximize your time out - whether you are grocery shopping, or just going out for a walk. If you are out for longer than 2 hours, don't panic! You can feed your baby anywhere, from a mall family bathroom to your car in the parking lot. It will be a little scary the first time you go out, but don't think you are trapped in your house all day because of the baby!

3.) Get a breast pump. You may over produce milk and your boobs will become rock hard, so you'll need relief from the pump. You may not produce enough so you'll need to pump and feed to tell your body to produce more. You may find that it is easier to give the baby a bottle in the evening before bed - or when you venture out of your house to run errands!

4.) You will wake up soaking wet from your boobs leaking milk at some point. You're body will learn when to produce milk and when you need it as your baby gets on more of a schedule. You may also leak or shoot milk out after a warm shower!

5.) Sometimes your milk ducts can get plugged up. This can be really painful. If you get a plugged duct it will feel like a lump and be tender to the touch. Make sure you let your baby feed on this side as much as possible first each time. Your babies suck is the strongest in the beginning, this will help to unclog the duct. Also putting a warm wash cloth or compress on the breast with the clogged duct before having the baby feed on that side will help to loosen it up as well. It can get more serious and more painful  - if this is the case call your doctor as soon as possible as it could be mastitis.