Essential breastfeeding tips for you and your baby

If you can choose to breastfeed your baby, you’re giving them the gift of protection and a strong life. Breastfed babies have a lower rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), Type 1 diabetes, obesity and asthma, according to the Centers for Disease Control. When you breastfeed, you’re sharing antibodies with your baby to help them develop a stronger immune system. And the benefits go both ways. Breastfeeding can reduce your risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes.

Plan before your baby arrives

Consider who you want supporting you. They may be your spouse or partner, relative or a friend who has experience breastfeeding. Make sure you talk to your support system ahead of time. Share with your loved ones:

• Why breastfeeding matters to you
• What they can expect
• How they can help you so you can rest and breastfeed
• Not to give your baby anything but your breast milk, otherwise it could create issues with your milk supply.

Start right away

When your newborn enters the world, skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding within the first 30 minutes to an hour is crucial. Once you start breastfeeding, your brain receives signals to create breast milk. At this moment, your infant may instinctively move toward your breast to begin feeding.

Find positioning that works and get your baby to latch well

It’s a new experience to hold your little one, but you don’t have to be afraid. Firmly and carefully, bring your baby to your breast to make sure their latch is good and you don’t feel pain. You may even eventually want to wear your baby in a sling or wrap to aid in breastfeeding and give your arms a rest.

You can tease your baby’s mouth open by pushing your nipple against baby’s top lip. Your baby’s head will lift and their mouth will spread open, helping to latch onto the areola and the nipple.

Your baby should be latched onto your whole breast, not just the nipple. The lower area of your areola should be in your baby’s mouth, with your nipple toward their palate.

It’s important to get the latch right so your nipples won’t be damaged and so that the baby can drain the milk ducts around your nipple.

Remember, breastfeeding should not hurt. Others can help with positioning, but trust what feels good for you and your baby.

Know the different kinds of breast milk

In the beginning, you’ll produce a small amount of golden breast milk called colostrum. Since your baby’s tummy is quite small this early, they only need a few drops. Next, your milk will transition as you feed your baby. Lastly, your breast milk will be the mature stage, always producing just what your baby needs. Remember to pump and store your milk!

Feed often and on demand

Remember, feeding on demand is good. The more your baby feeds, the more milk you make. Don’t worry about your breast size. It doesn’t influence the amount of milk you produce.

When your baby finishes one side, offer the other. If you pump or hand express after a feeding to draw out the rest of your milk, it will help your body make more milk. Babies often curl their hands tightly and are alert when they’re hungry. When their bellies are beginning to feel satisfied, their hands soften and open.

Each infant is different, but many need to eat at least every two to three hours, spending about 10 to 15 minutes on each breast, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Listen to your baby’s cues. Your baby will let you know when it’s time to eat.

When your newborn is drowsy, relaxed and “milk drunk” you’ll know that they’ve had enough to eat. Plus, their diaper will show it. If your child is having less than four wet diapers a day or irregular bowel movements, let your pediatrician know.

Talk to your doctor or lactation consultant if you’re concerned your baby isn’t gaining enough weight. If they are not, you may need to supplement with formula or donor milk (breastmilk that has been donated by someone else) while you build your breastmilk supply.

Drink well, eat well, sleep well

It may be hard to let go, but let others help you as you establish breastfeeding your baby. You don’t need to be stressed with a lot of laundry, housework and diapers. Ask your support system to help you so you can focus on breastfeeding well and taking care of your needs and your baby’s. Try to sleep when your baby sleeps. When your family or friends are helping you, sleep! Go to bed early when you can. Every little bit counts when you’re having to wake up in the night for feedings.

Make sure you have plenty of healthy food on hand. A 2016 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found a connection between diet and breast milk and emphasized the importance of foods rich in healthy fatty acids (like nuts, olive oil and fish) and vitamins (including vitamins A, C, B6 and B12). You’ll find the nutrients you need in:

• Walnuts
• Carrots
• Leafy greens
• Citrus fruits
• Avocados
• Eggs
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole grains
• Healthy proteins
• Some fortified cereals
• Fish, especially salmon and sardines

Stay away from fish with high amounts of mercury (shark, swordfish, king mackereland tuna). A postnatal vitamin can often help fill in additional nutrition gaps, but check with your doctor on what’s best for you.

When you breastfeed, you’ll notice you’re thirstier, so keep a water bottle within reach during nursing. After all, breast milk is mostly water.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics keep in mind that can include hydration from foods, such as fruits, vegetables and soups.

You can tell you’re drinking enough water if your urine is light yellow. If it’s dark yellow, that’s a sign to drink more water. For variety, try creating a fruit-infused water or mixing it up with herbal tea.

When it comes to caffeine, don’t drink more than two 8-ounce cups of coffee per day. Too much caffeine could overstimulate your baby.

What you eat can affect your breast milk and in turn affect your baby. If you notice your child has a rash, stomach problems or is fussy after you eat a particular food, they might have an allergy to that food. If your baby seems to have an allergy, you can try removing that food from your diet. You can also talk to your doctor about any questions you have.

Know your galactagogues (foods that produce breast milk)

There are herbs that can be taken as teas or supplements and specific foods that people have used throughout history due to their lactogenic properties. Known as galactagogues, (Greek for “leading to milk”) many of these have been used for hundreds if not thousands of years traditionally. Many moms swear by them.

However, there are few studies on their efficacy. Ask your lactation consultant about the best way to safely add a galactagogue such as fenugreek, blessed thistle, alfalfa or goat’s rue if you want to try to boost your milk supply.

Remember, although most worry about making enough breast milk, you likely don’t need to. If you’re making sure your little one has a good latch, are breastfeeding and pumping often, you’re already doing a lot. You could add some lactogenic foods if you wish (barley, strained yogurt, oat, flax, hemp, chia seeds, sweet potatoes and so on).

Look for tongue (or lip) tie

It’s important to know early on if your baby has a tongue or lip tie. A lip tie is when the frenulum (the tissue behind the upper lip) is too big or inflexible, that can keep the lip from moving the way it needs to. If there’s a tongue tie, too, that restriction of movement could be even more problematic.

If breastfeeding is always painful and your baby has difficulty gaining weight or getting enough milk (and if your milk supply is decreasing), ask a lactation consultant to check for a tongue or lip tie. An outpatient laser surgery for your little one can mean a difference of night and day for you and your baby.

Protect your breasts

If you’ve unfortunately obtained some nipple damage, you might want to consider using a nipple shield for a while as you feed your baby. Talk to your lactation consultant about what will work best for you and your baby along with what the benefits and risks may be.

Lanolin can help with tired breasts, especially nipples. If you think you have an infection such as a fungus or mastitis, talk to your doctor or lactation consultant.

Engorgement can be uncomfortable, but it’s normal especially when your milk “comes in”. Nursing on your baby’s cues and expressing your milk when needed can help minimize engorgement.

If your nipples are flat or inverted, you may need to pump to help pull your nipples out and/or increase your milk supply while baby learns to latch and feed.

Breastfeed as long as you can and want to

Breastfeeding exclusively is recommended for around six months, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Breastfeeding and complementary food is recommended up to 2 years old and older. Breastfed children even perform higher on tests, according to the World Health Organization.

Breastfeeding and birth control

Around six weeks postpartum, your doctor may give you the okay to start having sex again. Remember, it’s okay if you don’t feel ready yet. Everybody has their own timeline.)

Keep in mind that although breastfeeding can act as a natural form of birth control, you could still get pregnant while breastfeeding. There are many circumstances that can affect how well breastfeeding-as-birth-control works, including how often your baby feeds in a day,plus your menstrual cycle history. So if you are having sex and not planning to be pregnant again right away, consider a birth control method that works for you. Our doctors, midwives and lactation consultants can answer questions you may have about breastfeeding and birth control.

Breastfeed anytime, anywhere at your convenience

You have the legal right to breastfeed in public in all 50 states, whether or not you choose to use a cover-up. Do what is comfortable and feels right for you and your baby.

When you breastfeed your new baby in front of children, they may be very curious, ask questions, and even want to get a closer look at what’s going on. You can explain that your body produces milk to feed your baby. You can also emphasize how incredible our bodies are. By reminding everyone that breastfeeding is a natural process, you’rehelping them understand how the human body works without shame or embarrassment.

Can I breastfeed if I had breast surgery?

If the nipple and areola (the dark-colored skin surrounding the nipple) were not removed from the breast during surgery, for example, you’re less likely to have issues with producing breast milk. Talk to your doctor or lactation consultant about the concerns you have.

Our lactation consultants at HCA Virginia Health System are ready to support your breastfeeding goals, celebrate its rewards and walk through its challenges with you and your baby.

If you’re a new or expecting mom and need guidance on any part of pregnancy and postpartum, HCA Virginia Health System offers a range of support. Learn more about our newborn care classes, breastfeeding classes and postpartum support.