Breast-Feeding TipsGeneral TipsTell a Friend to Visit These General Breast-Feeding Tips are the ones that I get asked about a lot. Further down the page you will find more information on Nipple Care, Positions, Hunger Cues, Feeding Frequency and Supply. -Try different positions until you find one that is right for you and your baby (more on this below). -Drink plenty of fluids. -More fluids = more milk. -There is less chance of dehydration the more you drink. -Always have a glass of water when you sit down to feed your baby. 
-Get a good pump. I love the Avent Isis Manual Pump. I am able to pump more milk in 20 minutes with this pump than I was able to pump with a hospital grade, double, electric pump. It is also small enough to throw in my diaper bag and use when we are out of town and might need to be away from the baby. -If baby doesn’t seem to be gaining enough weight make sure you are feeding on one breast long enough for baby to get the hind milk. -There are two types of milk, the fore milk and the hind milk. The fore milk is watery and takes care of baby’s thirst that is why it is not necessary to give your baby water. The hind milk is creamy and has more substance. This is what feeds your baby. The hind milk comes when your milk lets down. I prefer to feed from one breast at each feeding. This way I know that my babies get enough hind milk and that they are satisfied. To keep track of which side I need to offer my baby I like to put a safety pin on my bra strap or shirt marking which side they fed on last. Nipple Care-Never wash your nipples with soap.-Gently wash nipples with plain water and let them air dry. -Leave milk on nipples after feeding and let it air dry to prevent cracking and infection. Latching On-Make sure baby latches on to the entire nipple and most of the areola.To get a good latch: Place your fingers and thumb on either side of your breast. Tickle baby’s lower lip with your nipple. When he opens his mouth put the nipple and as much of the areola as you can into his mouth. Make sure your breast isn’t covering baby’s nose. If it is just press down on the breast with your fingers to allow baby to breathe. If he didn’t latch well place your finger on the corner of his mouth and press gently. This will break the suction. Try again, changing positions may make it easier for baby to latch on properly. Positions-Cradle HoldSit in a comfortable place. Put baby’s head in the crook of your arm and the face to your breast. Have baby’s tummy to yours. Make sure baby’s head, back and legs are all in a straight line placing the knees under your breast.
-Football Hold Cradle baby’s head in your hand, and place the body toward your elbow. Support your breast with your other hand. This is the perfect position to use if your baby is having trouble latching on properly.
-Side Lying Lay on your side facing your baby, and your baby on his side facing you. Lay tummy-to-tummy. Make sure baby’s body is straight so that his head is not turned looking over his shoulder. Place the breast in baby’s mouth. This is my favorite position for the first few weeks because I tend to fall asleep feeding my babies, and it is the safest position if you do fall asleep so that you don’t drop baby.
Hunger Cues-Moving his/her eyes rapidly behind closed lids.-Putting his/her hands to his/her mouth. -Licking his/her lips and make sucking sounds. -Stretching and increased movements of upper body -Crying They will cry only if nothing else seems to get your attention. Once they are upset it makes latching on much more difficult. Try and catch the cues early on before baby gets upset for an easier time breast-feeding. Feeding Frequency and SupplyNewborns will feed around the clock. Since breast milk is digested more quickly than formula you will need to feed your baby every 1 to 2 hours for the first few week, even at night. After that usually every 2 to 3 hours.Your milk supply is based on your baby’s needs and the frequency they want to feed. It is best to feed baby on demand rather than sticking to a strict schedule. The first few days after birth you produce colostrum. Colostrum helps baby pass the meconium out of your baby’s system and it helps to boost their immune system. Then around day 3 your milk will come in and your breasts will be engorged. They will be tender and hard because the tissues in the breasts are not used to the milk ducts being full. After a few days the tenderness goes away as your body becomes accustomed to the milk being there. You may worry that you are not making enough milk, but don’t worry, you are making more than enough. The more you feed your baby the more milk you will produce. Please don’t start supplementing until your baby is 6 weeks or older. Your body needs this time to build an adequate and constant milk supply. You do not want to “trick” your body into thinking that it is making enough milk when your baby is telling you and your body that it needs more. During growth spurts your baby will also need to feed more often. These occur around 2 weeks, 2, 4, and 6 months. Do not worry that you are not making enough milk go ahead and let him feed when he needs. Your body will increase your milk supply within a day or two and your baby will go back to his “regular” feeding schedule. Make sure you get plenty of rest, eat right, continue to take your prenatal vitamins, and drink plenty of fluids. Producing milk takes a lot of energy. Sleep when baby sleeps, and if you can get help with the housework. Take care of you so that you can take proper care of your baby. Good Luck to you and enjoy this precious time in your journey as a parent.
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