Tips For Successful Breastfeeding

A Few of My Favorite Things

Charlotte is very well-fed, and every soft roll on her thighs can attest to that. She is at the breast almost every hour during the day, and she wakes up once or twice throughout the night to chow down. My daughter is six-months-old and exclusively breastfed (aside from the two vegetables she has been introduced to so far).

One of my closest friends is expecting a baby girl in a little over a month. She also plans on exclusively breastfeeding her baby for at least the first year, and I couldn't be more excited to share helpful tips that aided Charlotte and me in breastfeeding.

I already shared my early breastfeeding experience in a previous post, but I figured it would be best to list additional breastfeeding tips here. Hopefully I can help other mothers have a more successful, enjoyable and convenient breastfeeding experience. After all, not only has breast milk been called a perfect food for babies, it can also be the perfect convenience for mothers. 

Tips for Successful Breastfeeding:

1. Hold off on introducing the pacifier—be the pacifier. Sitting in as a human pacifier doesn't necessarily sound like a fun gig (and it's not), but it proves to be great for your breastfeeding success. Our lactation consultant at the hospital following Charlotte's birth gave me so many amazing tips. One of the best pieces of advice she shared was telling me to withhold the pacifier until the baby was at least three-weeks-old. Especially during the first couple weeks, the time your baby spends at the breast is what my lactation specialist would call, "Placing the baby's order." The more my newborn fed, the more she signaled my body to produce more milk. I followed this advice, and in the end I had so much milk, my body had to decrease the supply. That was a great problem to have.

2. Invest in a Great Pump. Having an electric single or double pump is absolutely essential for breastfeeding moms that dream of having lives outside of motherhood. If you work out of the home, go to school or would simply enjoy the freedom of a couple hours away from the baby here and there, then you are going to need an electric pump. A nice pump will cost you, so I recommend registering for it for you baby shower, renting it or inquiring with your insurance about getting a free or discounted pump. 

3. Pump Often. I'm not sure if all mothers despise the task, but pumping is not something I enjoy. The process isn't difficult, painful or time-consuming . . . it is just a nuisance. However, it is absolutely necessary. You'll be surprised how often you will have to pump just to feed your baby for a couple hours. I pump one breast every morning while my baby empties the other. I will get anywhere between one and five ounces each session, depending on how often she ate the night before. By pumping everyday around the same time, you're telling your body when to produce the "extra" milk.

4. Familiarize Your Baby with More than Just Breast. Breastfeeding can be your best friend, but sometimes it can also feel like your worst enemy. Breastfed babies are notorious for being clingier to mom, but don't fret. Be sure to introduce your sweet little baby to the bottle around five weeks to avoid nipple confusion. Also, be sure to have your babysitters practice feeding your baby to ensure you get a little free time now and again.

5. On Demand. While a new baby should not go longer than three hours without eating, trying to get your newborn on a feeding schedule is very outdated. Instead, breastfed babies should be fed on demand. I remember the first week of breastfeeding being very exhausting. I was constantly in a sleepy haze, because Charlotte decided to eat every hour throughout the night . . . 1a.m., 2a.m., 3a.m. . . . and so on. Just remember that if you're exhausted, there is nothing wrong with letting dad give the baby a bottle so you can get some sleep. (I wish I had taken my own advice!)

6. Stay Hydrated and Well-Fed. It seems like growing a human outside of your body requires just as much water and food as it did when you were pregnant. This is because you can burn between 500-1000 calories a day breastfeeding. That means you need additional water for all the extra work your body is doing, as well as extra calories so you can keep some energy for yourself. I weigh 10 pounds less than I did before I got pregnant, and breastfeeding is one of the biggest reasons for it.

7. Baby Hunger Cues. The easiest way to keep your baby happy and not crying is by anticipating his or her demands before they have to cry about it. It is a lot easier said than done the first couple weeks, but before you know it, you will be able to decipher the differences in your baby's cries. When it comes to feeding, it is a lot easier to breastfeed a happy, hungry baby than one who is starving and frustrated. Typical hunger cues of a new baby are smacking of the lips, rooting around (opening their mouth, looking for a nipple), licking or sucking on lips, tongue, hands, toys, etc. Remember, a baby should never have to cry in order to communicate that they are hungry.

I hope these breastfeeding tips help. Please consult with a lactation consultant if one is available at the hospital, and don't be afraid to reach out to great breastfeeding support organizations like La Leche League.

Please feel free to ask questions or share any additional breastfeeding tips that I missed below.

Click HERE for more early breastfeeding advice