Breastfeeding
The Best Things in Life are Free
If breastfeeding had its own commercial it would go: diapers: $30, onesies: $15, stroller: $150 and breastfeeding: priceless. There are truly some things that just can't be bought. Not only is breastfeeding a balanced diet for your baby but it creates the most special bond between the two of you and is the greatest gift you can give your newborn.
Benefits are numerous and continue to grow as research increases. Breast milk is the perfect nutrition for your new baby. It contains living cells and other substances that protect baby from infections for as long as you breastfeed, and also provides life long benefits. It's convenient, always available at the right temperature, and it is a special way to nurture your baby.
There are many frustrations a new mom goes through with her changing body, hormone fluctuations and most importantly, her fear of the unknown. Like most new mothers, nothing seems more daunting than the idea of bringing your baby home for the first time. The first week is like the uphill part of a marathon – it may be difficult at first, but after your milk supply is established, things start to get easier. You're over the hump and it's downhill from there! Before you run a marathon, there are preparations that have to be done. So – let's start at the beginning.
Pick your team- Interview your obstetrician and pick a pediatrician or family medicine physician that promotes breastfeeding. Deliver at a hospital that offers breastfeeding support for inpatients as well as outpatients. Follow up with a lactation consultant after you go home to resolve any problems early and to lift your confidence on how well you are doing. Your partner, extended family, and friends are also important team members. They can have a calming effect when you are anxious and cheer you up when you experience hurdles.
The next step would be stretching and building your muscles. Build a foundation that you can grow on. Before birth talk to your doctors, read books and search the Internet to get facts that will help you make an informed decision on whether breastfeeding is best for you and your baby. Take a prenatal breastfeeding class to get ideas of what to expect and how to get off to the best start. Attend a La Leche meeting to observe and talk with other breastfeeding moms who enjoy the benefits of nursing, and later you may even attend meetings as a nursing mom.
Have a positive attitude- Know you are going to enjoy breastfeeding even though there may be a learning curve in the beginning. Be committed, and place your priorities in the right order. You need to recover after birth mentally, physically and emotionally so you can care for your new baby. Plan ahead, sign up volunteers to bring meals and help with household duties for the first 1-2 weeks after baby is born.
After birth- Breastfeed as soon as possible. Babies are the most wakeful the first two hours after birth. Ask your nurse and doctor to delay procedures until after you breastfeed the first time. Put baby under your gown skin to skin until breastfeeding is going well. Keep baby in your room so you can learn his/her feeding cues, practice latch-on and positioning skills, and rest at the same time baby rests. Communicate with hospital staff any concerns or problems you encounter so a feeding assessment can be done, and a plan be made especially for you and your baby before discharge. Rent a pump to express your milk and stimulate a good milk supply if your baby delivers early or is not nursing well before you leave the hospital. Communicate your desire to breastfeed according to baby's feeding cues and request no formula or supplements be offered to your baby unless medically indicated with your knowledge. Exclusive breastfeeding gives more benefits to baby than partial breastfeeding. Breastfeeding only during your hospital stay will help you establish a milk supply and ensure your baby gets the benefit of all the colostrum and exclusive breastmilk.
Home at last- Family and friends can nurture and replenish you when you're tired for an extra boost of energy. This is where your marathon truly begins. The first few weeks some babies sleep longer intervals during the day and are more wakeful at night. Plan on sleeping during the day when your baby sleeps to get enough rest for nighttime feedings. Tell friends you may be napping when they come by, but in a few weeks once you and baby are in sync, visiting will be even more fun than it was before. This will help you stay focused on the finish line and the prize, knowing you are giving the best to your baby.
Breastfeed as frequently, and as long, as your baby desires. Running your marathon you would stop, every so often, to drink and replenish. Think of breastfeeding your baby as those pit stops along the way. Milk is made as much, and as often, as milk is removed from the breasts, so it is important not to put your baby on a feeding schedule. However, if your baby isn't waking often to breastfeed, it is a good idea to wake baby at least every 3-4 hours, timing feedings from the beginning of the last feeding until birth weight is regained and breastfeeding is going well.
Many parents feel unsure their baby is getting enough because they can't see how much milk is in the breasts. The first few days 1-3 wets and /or 1-3 stools in a 24-hour period is expected because baby is getting colostrum, a small amount loaded with everything needed and more immunological factors than mature milk. Colostrum, often called liquid gold, allows baby to gradually get accustomed to more volume as the milk comes in. Remember, "What goes in must come out." Baby is getting enough after milk comes in if he/she is nursing well, acts satisfied after nursing, and has 6-8 wets and 3-5 stools in a 24-hour period.
Have a "can do" attitude, be committed, set priorities, pick your team, talk before the event, follow a plan…and breastfeeding will be as joyful and rewarding as winning a marathon!
