Breastfeeding: What the Experts Want You To Know
Being a mother during this time can be hard. With the Covid pandemic still around, you have to make sure that you are healthy, not only for yourself but for your baby too. Whether you are a new mother or not, you should have the right tools when it comes to taking care of your baby.
When it comes to feeding your baby, the best choice for you would be to breastfeed him/her. You are considered to be one of the fortunate ones if you have no problems with breastfeeding your baby.
Some people have lost their jobs because of the pandemic, so being able to breastfeed means you do not need to buy milk for your baby all the time, which can be expensive. That means you can buy other tools to help take care of your baby, like buying a breast pump online.
It can sometimes be a hassle when you breastfeed your baby, especially when you are in public. Plus, when your baby is teething, he or she might accidentally bite you. So having a breast pump with you all the time is a good idea.
Whether it is your first time breastfeeding or already experienced, you can still learn many things, especially from experts. Below are some of the advice professionals give to breastfeeding mothers.
“The Birth Crawl”
This is the phrase that professionals use when a baby starts to feed on their mother’s breast. When your baby is born, it is the most important time for you to breastfeed them.
The birth crawl is when your baby starts to feed on your breast for the first time when being laid on your chest. It happens in the first half-hour of your baby’s life.
During this time, what will first come out of your breast will not look like milk, but a kind of lotion-like substance called colostrum. It may not look that much, but this substance contains important nutrients that will help your baby’s immune system to develop and shape up.
The hospital is ready to help you if you have some concerns regarding breastfeeding your baby. They will give breastfeeding support in the first few times when you feed your baby. It would be best to establish a flow during the first couple of weeks, so you need to feed and pump often.
Scheduling is not important
The first thing that might come up to your mind when you bring your baby home is to create a schedule for when to let your baby sleep and eat. Forget about that. Save yourself the hassle. When your baby wakes up, feed them immediately and when they are tired, let them sleep.
Your schedule will come to you eventually but what is important is that you can feed your baby when he or she is hungry. Your body will naturally adapt to how much milk you should produce.
Always pay attention to your baby’s cries and understand that he or she could be hungry. Once you get the hang of it, you will be able to feed your baby before they even start to cry.
Do your best to get comfortable
For you and your baby to enjoy breastfeeding, you must make sure that both of you are comfortable every time. Here are some tips you can use so that you will not have a hard time when breastfeeding.
- When breastfeeding, play around with what position you think you and your baby feels comfortable in. Having a breastfeeding pillow is also a good idea. It can provide support to both you and your baby when breastfeeding.
- Use your breast one at a time when feeding. This will ensure that when one of your breasts seems empty, you can use the other one. The drained-out breast will then have time to produce, ready to be used once your other breast drains out too.
- Make sure that you dress and smell consistent when you are breastfeeding your baby. Your baby can get uncomfortable when they feel like there is something different about you. You can do skin-to-skin contact if possible.
- Make a space in your house where everything you need to breastfeed can be located. Also, always bring with you a travel kit for your baby when you are going out somewhere. These will make sure that you have everything you need when it is time for you to breastfeed.
Breastfeeding can be hard during your first time, but it is worth it. You can buy a breast pump online to help you in feeding your baby. If you have some questions, do not be afraid to ask an expert. Just make sure that you are getting plenty of nutrition, and you will be fine.
