Guide to breast feeding

Next to giving birth, choosing to breast feed your child might be the most challenging undertaking of your life. For some women, it’s completely natural. For others, it’s a torment. Don’t let anyone kid you into believing it’s easy. Training yourself and your child in this wonderful process takes time, effort and lots of patience.

The rewards are amazing. That sweet little face, those tiny hands pressing against your chest, and the total sense of well being is incredible. Choosing to breast feed your child is a woman’s absolute personal decision. Your care and comfort are paramount. Your peace of mind must be considered. If for some reason you decide to feed formula, your child will grow up healthy and happy. Please recognize that guilt has no place in a new mother’s world. So read on before you make your decision whether to breast feed or not.

Benefits to both child and mother

Medical information confirms that breastfeeding is great for a mother and her baby. Studies have shown that breast feeding helps prevent breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and aids in preventing osteoporosis as you age. Mother’s milk helps boost your baby’s immune system and possibly limits the instance of SIDS and diabetes.

Breast-feeding checklist

Cloth breast pads
Larger bras—nursing or regular bras—1 cup-size larger
Breast cream
Breast pump—stimulates milk production or relieves engorgement (rent or buy)
Baby bottles, nipples and bottle brush
Frozen bags of veggies or soft ice packs

At the hospital

You’re tired and sore from giving birth. Right before birth, your breasts begin to produce colostrum; the precursor to breast milk. Colostrum contains many nutrients for your baby. Since your milk hasn’t “come down” yet and won’t for 2 to 5 days, it’s the perfect time to learn to breast feed.

Tickle baby’s feet, rub his cheek, or unwrap his blanket to wake him up. Babies have tiny mouths so gently compressing your nipple will help baby latch on. Press gently or you will bruise yourself. Your baby is latched on correctly when you see him swallow or his cheeks move in a sucking pattern. Learning to latch on takes lots of practice for Mommy and baby.

Nurse your baby every 2 to 3 hours and ask the nurses for help if you need it. In your exhaustion, you just might get discouraged. Remember that you are learning something new and wonderful that only you and your child can share.

At home with baby

You’re even more tired and sore and home from the hospital. Add two painfully sore breasts to the mix and it’s the perfect recipe for frustration. Despite your discomfort, you need to continue nursing your baby every 2-3 hours. Remember to wake your baby up if he’s lethargic about nursing or latching on. Again, be careful not to press too hard or you’ll just add to your soreness.

Sometimes, women can experience engorgement. This is incredibly painful and frankly, causes many women to give up breast feeding. It’s caused by swelling in the breasts if milk isn’t expressed or your baby doesn’t nurse. Make sure you completely empty your breasts when feeding or pumping.

Dealing with discomfort

If you become engorged, don’t panic. Get into a hot shower or apply warm compresses to soften your breasts before nursing. Use your breast pump to soften your breasts right before feedings. If nursing is just too painful, pump some milk and bottle feed your baby. Try ice packs (or frozen veggies bags) to alleviate soreness between feedings. For severe engorgement, use ice packs regularly to reduce the swelling.

Whatever you decide about breast feeding, welcome to being a mother. There is nothing else as marvelous in this world.