If you know me, you’ve probably realized that I absolutely adore everything related to being a mommy. From being pregnant to breastfeeding, I have never felt so connected to God and in touch with my femininity as I have during these phases of my life. Saying it that way makes it sound so dreamy, so simple, so pain-free. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. With a lot of grace and shed tears, here are a few tips I learned while setting myself up for a successful breastfeeding journey from Day 1.
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#1 Prepare Yourself Mentally for the Breastfeeding Journey
Breastfeeding protects against allergies, sickness, obesity, diseases, infections; the list goes on and on. Although breastfeeding is as natural as blue skies, it feels everything but natural in the beginning. I had to not only commit to breastfeeding, I also had to tell myself that this might be hard and I would need help. Okay, I didn’t really have to say to myself that it might be hard – I had enough people around me telling me how painful, time-consuming, and downright impossible it would be to breastfeed. Sure they meant well, but it scared me. It scared me enough that I began to look into every tip and trick to make sure I could do this. What I found was it may very well be difficult, but I could do this.
#2 Make Room for Errors
The big day had finally arrived, and everything was perfect. My husband didn’t pass out; my mother-in-law graciously agreed to support me while my mother was en route. I had my doula, more family waiting in the lobby, and a phone full of prayers and encouragement. After only 40 hours, we finally welcomed our baby girl into the world. My mom made it right when she wanted to (which was a blessing considering she had a 6-hour trip), and I was ready for the moment I had been preparing for the last nine months. Baby girl was alert, healthy, and so beautiful. But she refused to latch. See while I came packed with my herbal teas and pineapple juice, I wasn’t prepared for her not to latch. No one had mentioned that this would be a problem. What baby doesn’t know how to latch?!? Most of them. Breastfeeding is a learned art that takes time and patience to perfect. Luckily, I had support from my doula and lactation consultants on staff at the hospital. Together they worked with me and showed me tricks to get her to latch from tickling her upper jaw to get her to latch properly to holding her like a little football and guiding her where she needed to go. I could have given up right here, and I thought about it, but I decided to make space for the errors and learn with my baby girl.
#3 Breastfeed Often
From day one, it is essential to nurse often. I like to think of myself as a passionate person. Others may call it OCD or borderline insanity…I call it passionate. So, with all the passion I had, I set a timer to pick up my baby and nurse her every 2 hours. On the dot. Even throughout the night. I realize, now, that I didn’t have to be quite so OCD about it, but I was on the right path. Nursing is all about supply and demand. The more you nurse, the more milk you produce. With baby #2, I wasn’t quite so crazy… um..passionate. This time I listened and watched for his clues and set a schedule based on this. I still wouldn’t let him go longer than 4 hours in the beginning, but at least I could sleep for longer than 2 hours at a time.
#4 Drink Plenty of Water
“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” — W. H. Auden
Number 4 of my 5 quick tips for breastfeeding success is often overlooked. Considering I had finally been consistently drinking the recommended amount of water, this was the one thing I had down pact. Water is so important, even more so when you’re a breastfeeding mama. I had a hard time nurturing this habit. I had to trick myself into meeting the requirements. As crazy as it sounds, cute water bottles with time marks did the trick. I personally love this one. I liked carrying it around and found myself drinking more water since I always had it.
#5 Rest
Okay, I know this one is hard. Especially as a new mama with a tiny human who doesn’t quite understand that nighttime is for sleeping. You’re going to have to be intentional, and my best advice here is to sleep when the baby is sleeping. It isn’t always possible, I definitely had my moments where my babies were sleeping, and I had a two-week-long to-do list I needed to tackle. I get it. Take the time wherever you can. It’s vital you are rested. Not only to meet the demands of breastfeeding but for anything you want to do well in life.
Breastfeeding is such a wonderful time of giving your child the very best while forming a beautiful bond.
Good luck mama!
XOXO JD
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