While breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience for both you and your baby, breastfeeding tips for beginners are often overlooked when you’re in hospital holding a newborn.
Rich in bonding and health benefits, it’s impossible to deny the positives of breast milk. The milk your body produces is designed for your baby: it’s high in nutrients, convenient and free. I have breastfed all four of my babies, but the early days are rarely as simple as plonking a baby on your boob! These are some breastfeeding tips for beginners that can help you both succeed in your feeding journey.
While breastfeeding should be celebrated in it’s own right, there are many women who can’t or choose not to breastfeed their babies. I truly believe fed is best.
If you have chosen to breastfeed, here’s what I wish I had known:
1. Ask for support
This many sound obvious to some, but a scary thought to others. I used to be terrible at asking for help! Whether it was because I thought I should be a natural at anything motherhood-related, or because I didn’t want to inconvenience anybody – the thought made me want to curl up into a ball.
I can’t stress this one enough: push for the support you need until you are completely comfortable with what you’re doing.
If you’re a pregnant mum reading this for research, it might be worth making enquiries at your local hospitals now. Many hospitals like to send you home within a few hours of giving birth, so finding out what support they have in place can make all the difference to your breastfeeding experience. Some even recognise the importance of having lactation specialists on the ward.
Unfortunately it seems to be luck of the draw, but either way, they can point you in the direction of the right services.
2. bras, bras, bras
In recent years, I have seen so many companies marketing sexy nursing bras. Ignore them.
Comfort is going to be your best friend. We’re talking big, ugly bras that grandma would approve of. You’re going to be sore, bleeding and leaking. Then your milk ‘comes in’ after a few days and you may feel like you’re wearing somebody else’s body.
Comfort, comfort, comfort! I found these did the job and ended up ordering several (Product linked)
I like my hospital bag to be full of big, soft, squishy bras that are going to support me at the time I need it most. Think Mrs Doubtfire style.
Whether you have given birth naturally or by c-section (I’ve done both) you will be healing. If you’re still feeding in a few months you may want to add some lace to the mix! When that time comes, I find stepping away from the nursing department and picking up some cute bralets works for me.
3. experiment with different holds
When we think of breastfeeding, we tend to picture a mother cradling her baby. While this is the most common position, it can really help to experiment with different positions.
After my c-section, cradling my baby was too painful against my wound. The rugby hold saved us in those early days. My youngest two were real night-feeders, so my health visitor suggested I lie on my side and feed so I could still doze. It was life-changing!
4. get a feeding pillow
Nobody recommended any equipment to me with my first baby and it took me years for my back to feel normal again! Whether my friend plans to breast or bottle feed, I rock up to every baby shower with a feeding pillow.
You will spend days, weeks and months gazing at your baby as they feed, and discovering the BB HugMe Nursing Pillow (product linked) as a real game-changer. My last baby was so sicky that I ended up ordering two spare covers (product linked) which I didn’t actually mind as they’re the softest thing on planet earth… and possibly beyond.
While I would say that it’s optional for a natural birth, it’s an absolute must-have for c-section mums. Even the thought of anything touching my scar was unbearable for months, let alone the weight of a baby pressing against it. That pillow saved breastfeeding for me and my youngest, and we went on to feed for 15 months!
5. everything is a season
Make no mistake, breastfeeding is a commitment. While I think it’s crucial that breastfeeding tips for beginners are made readily available, it should also be pointed out that it’s a huge commitment.
It’s likely that you will be the only one able to comfort your baby, at least for the first few months. Breastfeeding is a round-the-clock job that takes it’s toll on your body, your hormones and your energy levels. While the benefits by far outweigh the negatives for me, it should be recognised that it takes a lot out of you.
That being said, if you’re sat in bed with engorged boobs and a baby who is cluster feeding, remember that everything is a season. Babies chop and change feeding routines and you will settle into it together. Don’t let those difficult early weeks discourage you – you’re both new at this!
You’ll be glad you stuck at it when you have a happy baby feeding from you, their chubby hands cupping your breast.
Tip: While your nipples are adjusting (or ‘toughening up’ as my midwife so eloquently phrased it!) Lansinoh Nipple Balm is excellent, and safe to use while your baby feeds. (Product linked)
6. Milk supply
Firstly, there is no connection between breast size and milk supply. As a member of the itty-bitty-titty-committee, I spent most of 2005 worried that I wouldn’t be enough to fatten up my baby when she arrived. Thankfully, when my milk came in I was producing enough to feed a small village.
It then shocked me when I had my forth and my milk supply dipped. I discussed it with my doctor, who explained that our bodies need to be rested to prioritise producing milk to sustain another human. When we’re pregnant, our bodies would become seriously malnourished before our growing babies lacked a single nutrient. That just isn’t the case after birth – our bodies start looking after our needs again.
A few quiet days of rest and a big bowl of oats for breakfast each morning should give your supply a boost. If you’re worried, speak to your healthcare provider.
7. Skin to skin
Skin-to-skin contact (lying a naked baby directly onto their parent’s skin) can regulate heart and breathing rates, improve maternal bonding and transfer good bacteria.
While I always knew about the importance of skin-to-skin after delivery, I never knew there was a connection to breastfeeding. When I had my third baby, I considered myself a pretty confident breastfeeder – but he just wasn’t interested in latching?! A nurse walked past and noticed. She told me to undress him and pop him down my top. About 20 minutes of his sleepy nuzzling later, he latched straight on and stayed there for a year!
The World Health Organisation released a study which found that 90 minutes of uninterrupted skin-to-skin after birth maximises the chance of babies being physically ready to breastfeed.
I was a mum for nearly 8 years before anybody told me that. This is exactly why I think breastfeeding tips for beginners should be shouted about!
8. it’s all about the latch
Once your baby gets in the habit of getting a good latch, you’re both going to find breastfeeding worlds easier.
Tickle your baby’s nose and upper lip with your nipple. They will usually open their mouth wide. If not, express a little milk onto your nipple and repeat. Tip your baby’s head back very slightly, so they lead with their chin when you pull them towards your breast. Ensure they can still breathe comfortably.
The key is to get as much boob in their mouth as possible. If they are just sucking on the end of your nipple they are going to get frustrated, and you will end up sore. If their latch isn’t comfortable, use your little finger to gently remove them and try again. They will likely cry when unlatched, which is actually ideal as their mouth will be wide open!
A Good Latch
A good latch will involve your nipple being against the roof of your baby’s mouth. It should look like your baby is biting your breast. Rather than their lips sucking, you should see their jaw bone working. If you aren’t sure, there’s some excellent demonstrations on YouTube.
I really think it’s worth asking for your baby’s latch to be checked before you leave the hospital. If you’re new to breastfeeding, you might feel self-conscious. There is absolutely no need to be. Not only is breastfeeding natural, but these are medical professionals who are there to help you. Utilise that!
It isn’t standard practice to check newborns for tongue-tie at birth in the UK. For that reason it isn’t talked about in breastfeeding tips for beginners. I strongly recommend you ask for them to be checked as it only involves a quick and painless finger in the mouth. My son’s tongue-tie was missed for six weeks of agonising feeding where I dreaded every feed. Once it was sorted I loved breastfeeding him, and was actually very sorry to stop at one year!
Tip: If you do get sore, try Lansinoh Gel Pads (product linked) they gave me so much relief.
9. now is not the time to diet
While your jeans might be sat in your closet, calling you sweetly, trying to seduce you with their shapeliness – now is not the time to diet.
It takes time to establish your milk supply. You need an extra 500 calories a day when you’re breastfeeding. That’s a chocolate bar and slice of toast with peanut butter… if you’re looking for suggestions. Or two hardboiled egg with a small avocado, I suppose.
Breastfeeding has it’s advantages for those jeans though! Firstly, during those early feeds you’re likely to feel period-like pains – that’s your uterus shrinking back to normal. Secondly, breastfeeding burns a pretty decent amount of calories.
Leggings are rather more comfortable postpartum though… my youngest is 20 months and I’m still content with my stretchy waistbands!
10. What goes into you, goes into your baby
I am fully aware that this sounds unbelievably obvious! But it took three doctor visits and two weeks of keeping a food diary to realise that my morning orange juice was causing my baby’s red-raw bum. All of my children have sensitive skin, but I had no idea that my morning cereal and nightly hot chocolate were the culprits causing my daughter to be sick every minute of the day!
I have seen this often mentioned in breastfeeding tips for beginners, but only when talking about alcohol and caffeine.
Tip: If you have a sicky baby, these muslins by Aden & Anais (Product linked) are phenomenal.
If you have a baby with sensitive skin, we have found (after a lot of trial and error) that this is the only body wash and bubble bath (Products linked) that don’t aggravate it. We have them on subscription! They also make your baby smell like a pot of honey. A definite win.
11. Don’t become obsessed with your baby’s weight
There’s a lot of talk between new mums about weight gain in the early days. While breastfed babies tend to lose more weight after birth than those who are bottle fed, it’s really not worth your time to worry about it.
The biggest breastfeeding tips for beginners should always point out the if the health professional looking after you and your baby is not concerned, you don’t need to be.
I really think these numbers can cost you your mental health.
Just focus on what you’re doing and find a way to drown out the noise – even if that means not speaking to people who give you negative feeling for a while. It may sound harsh, and I doubt anybody is making you feel that way on purpose. I’ve always had one friend who tells me their baby is doubling in weight by the hour and my hormones would have me worried… you do you.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
12. wind!
I can’t tell you how often I’ve heard that breastfed babies don’t need winding and it’s categorically not true! I quickly learned to wind my babies for as long as I fed them as it would result in much better sleep!
As a little girl watching Disney films, I never thought my adult life would result in my husband and I sat on the sofa getting excited about the length of another person’s farts. Welcome to parenthood.
While most newborn babies will have one boob and be full, it’s always worth winding then offering the other side.
13. don’t even entertain the idea of a feeding schedule
Ignore everything you have seen on Pinterest! All of those pretty printables promising you more sleep and a happy baby if you get them on a feeding schedule while you’re still being stitched up. Every medical professional who I have spoken to over the last decade agree that newborn babies should be fed on demand.
As often as they like, for as long as they like.
A new baby’s stomach is very small, therefore they will digest what they have eaten very quickly, resulting in an empty stomach and some spectacular full nappies.
If reading that makes you sob, I promise it won’t be forever. You will get more sleep and some freedom from your little boob fiend – as I said, everything is a season and this too shall pass. Get breastfeeding established for a couple of months then you can do some research into whether you are comfortable with a feeding schedule.
I promise you, breastfeeding is a beautiful act and can be wonderful for the bond between you and your baby. While I am a great advocate for breastfeeding, I am a greater advocate for looking after your mental health. If breast is how you choose to feed your baby, I hope these breastfeeding tips for beginners help you along the way.
If you’re a breastfeeding mum then I would love to hear your wisdom on the matter!
I am not a medical professional – these are my own thoughts, experiences and opinions. If you are struggling, please contact your healthcare provider.
Love, Helen
Be sure to check out Motherhood and Mental Health: A Toolkit
Disclosure – some items may be gifted and links within this post may be affiliate links. This means that if you purchase through the links, I earn a small commission though this is at no expense to you. As always, I appreciate your support and would never recommend a product we have not tried, tested and loved.
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