My daughter and I now have six months of breastfeeding (BFing) experience under our belt.  Not to say that we don’t have our ups and downs, (more on that in another post) but we pretty much have got the hang of it and feel like we are ‘pros’ now.

She now knows that the “boob” is coming before I even take time to prepare to nurse. I guess it’s all in how she is being held, that signals to her ‘food’s coming, and not from a bottle’.  She opens her mouth wide and awaits the “boob” to find its way to her.  It’s all quite funny honestly.

Once she has latched on, one of two scenarios may occur – she may be alert, interested in playing while eating, or she may be very calm and close her eyes. If she is alert, it can be quite fun (and funny too). She’ll try and reach my face, slapping it absentmindedly while I aim to kiss her little hand. She may hold her leg (which I will also kiss!) and swing it at me or have her foot climbing up my shoulder. It truly is an adventure -playing with your baby while they BF.   I recommend it!

On the other hand, if she is sleepy or calm, it is a completely different experience. All of a sudden I get a chunk of time (where I have no play partner) and a free hand. Thankfully, I usually know in advance which of the two scenarios is more likely to occur, so I can plan for it. Regardless, I always make sure to have a bottle of ice water handy, because BFing makes you thirsty!

After my daughter has claimed her post at the “boob”, with a nursing pillow to support her and one hand holding her comfortably, I can get to ‘my business’. What you can do with only one free hand and a baby in your lap, you ask? Well, ironically you can get quite bit done actually. As long as your baby is comfortable and secure in his/her position, use your judgment and see what works for you.

From both personal and friends’ experience, here are some suggestions of how to use this time: You can – watch TV, read a book / magazine (when was the last time you did that?), browse the net (you don’t need two hands for that!), have a phone conversation, meditate, relax (you forget to do that when you are a new Mom! Here’s your chance). You can also take advantage of this peaceful time and nap (you can BF lying on your side, this way both you and your baby are comfortable).

If you have older kids, this can be a good time for a board game that does not require you to move much, or time to read a book together or practice your child’s reading. If the weather permits, you and you baby can enjoy the outdoors while supervising your older kids as they play.

One friend even confessed she used to cook light meals while BFing! It’s all about how creative you can be as well as how capable you are of multi-tasking.  Never fear if you aren’t comfortable doing more than one thing while breastfeeding – you certainly don’t have too.

Who would have thought there could be two people battling over… your boobs? Yea, I said ‘boobs’. Strange, isn’t it? But it is possible that one day your husband (who may originally have been the number one advocate for breastfeeding in the household) would suggest that you should give up nursing. Confused, you may wonder where this is coming from. Well, your husband misses having you to himself! It can and does happen that your other half is jealous of the intimacy you have with your baby, and may fear that he can no longer share that part of you.

While you may not feel the same, Daddy may be all about introducing a bottle to your baby just after a few months. You don’t have to cave immediately, nor do you have to attack him for these feelings. Remember, parenting is new to the both of you, and having someone new in the family, who takes up so much of the attention, can be hard on both of you. Talk about the reason for his suggestion and see what steps you can take that will suit all of you.

Before you make accusations, make sure Daddy isn’t just jealous that you are the only one feeding the baby. If this is the case, you can extract (pump) milk and let him experience feeding your newborn as well.

Also, don’t assume that your husband has ‘boob jealousy’. Your husband may suggest you consider switching over to formula for other reasons as well. One of which can be his acknowledgment that breastfeeding is tiring (which it is!) and you are stretching yourself too thin. If this is the case, you may want to listen to the logic behind this idea and consider your options. You can try and rest more, or depending on your baby’s age and nutritional needs you may consider increasing the amount of milk or even introduce solid foods. Certainly if you have doubts about what is best for your baby you can always consult your doctor in effort to find the best solution for you and your baby.

If you chose to breastfeed, there are a few things you should know. First, you should know that you do NOT have “milk” right away – you have Colostrum.  Colostrum is sticky substance that is yellowish or clear in color and may come in BEFORE you give birth (it is possible for a woman to start producing colostrum any time after about 14 to 16 weeks of the pregnancy). Colostrum, or ‘first milk’ is just right for your baby’s brand new digestive system. It contains maternal antibodies that give your newborn protection from disease you have developed immunity against.

Your milk will usually come in within 4-5 days after delivery. If you chose to breastfeed, you will want to start breastfeeding right away (after delivery) to stimulate breast milk production. Your milk will not come in on its own, your baby’s roll is to stimulate your body to produce it. If the situation allows, you should introduce your baby to the nipple right away. If you plan to deliver in a hospital, check if they have lactation consultants and seek them out for help.  Lactation consultants can help to ensure your baby latching on correctly, learning to recognize if he/she is eating, and what to do if things aren’t going smoothly or as you planned.

As a new mother, breastfeeding for the first time can seem somewhat foreign – leaving many mothers unsure of what or how to breastfeed.  A good position to start with is baby belly to your belly, with your arm supporting your baby’s head & body. Your baby’s mouth should cover a big part of the areola, and your nipple should be far back in your baby’s mouth. Do not panic if your baby doesn’t seem to be eating right away and keep in mind that it is hard work for your newborn.  Both you and your baby need to adjust to the experience and learn how to breastfeed. If you find that you are having difficulty and/or have concerns, ask to see a lactation consultant for help.

Breastfeeding is a new experience for both mother and child.   Making sure your baby latches on properly is important in helping you avoid cracked nipples.  If you are a new mother you should use the creams recommended by your doctor if you experience any bleeding or soreness.  Generally, if you are having a hard time (which you may not!) it gets easier after the first month or so.  So don’t give up too quickly it’s to your babies benefit for you to give it a chance.

You may also like:

* Breastfeeding First Steps

* Breast feeding dry spell – Tips!!

* Things to do while breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, you must have been asked at least once or twice (or a gazillion times…) if you are planning on breastfeeding or use formula. Well, it certainly is a good question (not to say that it gives people the right to nag you in the matter).  Obviously, you have to find an answer once your baby is here.  Why not prepare now?

As a first time Mom, I faced the same question during my pregnancy. An interesting thing is that you may find that you and the father to be may not see eye to eye about this, or have different expectations. My personal hubby wanted me to BF (Breastfeed) for a year. I said “I want to BF for 6 months if all goes well.” But in actuality I didn’t really know what I wanted. I wasn’t sure what to expect. There are so many horror stories on one hand, & on the other are fairytales (and you can never know which are true). The two polls are too extreme to make any knowledgeable decision, especially when it is really a very personal thing. Mothers who have more than one child find that their breastfeeding experience differs child to child.

Deciding whether you want to breastfeed or use formula should be a personal decision you want to make with your life partner. Do not let others pressure you one way or another. Researching the topic & hearing from other moms is key in making an educated decision.  Take a class (ask your doctor about classes offered by your health group), go online, talk to people. And most importantly, listen to your inner self. If you are still not sure, I’d try BFing first. You can always choose to switch over to formula, but not always the other way around.

More on this topic next time.

August is Breastfeeding Awareness months! This is a good time to consider your options once you meet your little one.

Have you taken the time to research how long your maternity leave will be? If you are planning on breastfeeding you will want to know this information so you can plan ahead.  There are no national standards for maternity leave. Check your state’s guidelines and familiarize yourself with your rights and privileges. After you have this information, and you know better when or if you will return to the work place, you can get ready accordingly. If you ARE going back to work, you should start looking at pumps and decide if expressing milk is for you.

Regardless of your return to work, you want to learn the basics of breastfeeding and be ready BEFORE you deliver. Yes, your baby is born very intuitive, but it never hurts to help her by knowing a thing or two yourself. There are many breastfeeding classes you can choose from (check with your hospital if they offer any), or you can speak to a lactation consultant for information as well. Knowing how the recognize your baby latching on properly will save you from cracked nipples, helpful tips about relieving engorgement will eliminate unnecessary pain, etc. Another resource is learning from other mothers’ experience how to get started or use the internet. Choose your method and get yourself familiarized with what’s to come and how to deal with possible hard times. Having the number for your local La Leche League or a lactation consultant may be helpful when in need.

Remember, knowledge is power!