If you’re a first-time mom, one of the most nerve-wracking things to look forward to is breastfeeding.
Sure, it has plenty of benefits, like a healthy immune system for baby and a great bonding experience, but you’ve probably also heard plenty of horror stories (mastitis, anyone?).
So, we know that telling someone who is already stressed not to can only exacerbate the situation, but it’s a good idea to take a deep breath and remember that your baby will get fed.
Some other breastfeeding tips to try are:
Play around with positions
For first-time moms, we recommend getting comfortable. You’ll spend a significant amount of time breastfeeding, and you’ll get uncomfortable pretty quickly if you get stuck in an awkward position. Plus, if you’re comfortable, you’re more likely to be relaxed, which will only help. Remember: Breastfeeding is yet another trick of the hormones (oxytocin is what helps trigger your let-down reflex), so comfort is key.
Two easy and comfortable positions for first-time moms are:
- Laid-back position or “biological nursing”: For this position, you’ll want to lean back on a bed or a couch, somewhat reclined and supported by plenty of pillows. Rest baby on you in whatever position is comfortable, as long as their whole body is resting on yours and their mouth can reach your breast. Your baby can latch naturally to the nipple, or you can provide a little guidance by pointing the nipple toward your little one’s mouth.
- Side-lying position: In the side-lying position, both mom and baby should be lying—you guessed it!—on their sides. Once you’re both lying on your side, use the hand that you aren’t leaning on to cup and support your breast.
Of course, these aren’t the only two positions worth experimenting with—but they’re good ones to try if you’ve never breastfed before. Check out this article for even more breastfeeding positions.
Once you’ve found the right position…
It might take you a few tries to find the right position for you and baby, and that’s completely normal. Pay attention to the positions that your baby seems to have an easier time with and don’t force anything if it isn’t working.
In the meantime, there are a few breastfeeding tips you can follow while you experiment:
- Make sure your baby’s mouth is level with your nipple.
- Regardless of position, they shouldn’t need to turn their head to be able to reach your nipple.
- Their head should, however, be tilted slightly backward.
- If it is possible, make sure that your baby is latched to the entire areola, not just the nipple.
- Make sure baby is lined up so their nose is clear, so they can breathe through it while they feed.
Pay attention to the signs your baby is giving you
Just like you should be paying attention to the positions where your baby has the easiest time latching, you should also be paying attention to when they’re hungry. Babies know their needs better than you do at first, so if they’re hungry, you can let them eat. If they’re asleep, but you’re worried they haven’t eaten enough, do not panic or wake them unless your pediatrician advised that (which they often do in the early newborn days, especially if they’ve lost a certain percentage of birth weight). Generally speaking, babies will let you know when they’re hungry, and they might give you some signs other than crying, too.
- Repeatedly turning or raising their head
- Continuing to open and close their mouth or even sticking out their tongue
- Sucking on whatever is nearby
- Waking up and acting restless
Stay hydrated
Perhaps the most important tip of all the breastfeeding tips we can give you is to stay hydrated. It’s one of the key components of the milk you’re producing. You’re drinking for two now, after all. It’s a good idea to have a glass of water nearby when you breastfeed or grab one right after to refuel your body. The more you breastfeed, the more milk your body should naturally be producing, but you have to be sure you’re feeding your body the right stuff, and one of the most important things for your milk supply is water.
Don’t worry, leaking is natural
In the first few weeks of breastfeeding, it’s common for milk to leak from your breasts. Don’t be alarmed; this is completely natural and nothing to worry about! But it is messy. You’ll find that leaking can happen when you hear a baby cry (even if it isn’t your own!), when your baby hasn’t nursed for several hours (or if you haven’t pumped for several hours), when you think about your baby, or when you feel a strong emotion.
The leaking will eventually lessen as your body regulates how much milk you actually need to keep up your supply. In the meantime, you can place a nursing pad in your bra to absorb any leaking milk. Here’s our guide on buying a nursing pad.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
This may seem like a lot to focus on all at once, especially if your baby is crying and hungry! So don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Lactation classes are taught by lactation consultants and they can give you the closest thing to hands-on experience you can get before your baby is born. Plus, nurses are trained to check in on you and make sure your baby is getting fed.
If you have any other concerns, a lactation consultant can come visit you in the hospital and give you advice before you head home with your newborn. In addition, you can find a lactation consultant to work with once you’re home. They can help measure the milk your baby is getting so you have a clearer idea of your supply, help get you into good positions based on your home setup, and offer other tips personalized to you and your family.