Breastfeeding
What I Wish I Knew Then
During my first pregnancy, my intent to breastfeed was a common conversation topic, and advice was readily offered. Stories painted breastfeeding as everything from an idyllic bonding experience for mother and baby (cue background music) to horrific medieval torture. While much of this advice was welcome, I assumed that since breastfeeding was the "natural" way to feed a baby, I would somehow instinctively know what to do. After all, mothers had been feeding their newborns for millions of years—how could something so natural be so hard?
After an uneventful pregnancy and birth, I had a rude awakening—breastfeeding wasn't "natural" for me. After many trials and tribulations, I went on to exclusively pump, and provided breast milk until my child was nearly two. This is now one of my highest personal accomplishments, eventually resulting in my current career in lactation.
Many mothers encounter similar difficulties that undermine their breastfeeding experience. The CDC reports nearly 80% of new Texas mothers attempt breastfeeding, but less than 15% reach the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months.
Expectant mothers often ask me what they need to successfully breastfeed. My best answer is not a long list of instructions or supplies, but short list of simple suggestions:
Build Your Support Network
Don't rely on strictly book knowledge or online resources. Making connections with other breastfeeding mothers is essential to establish a lifeline of support for your early postpartum period.
Before conceiving my first child, I spent hours online and reading books about pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. I had never actually seen anyone breastfeed, but I had played with dolls as a child, and I believed that I would instinctively know how to hold, feed and care for a baby. I was a smart, savvy woman with a successful career, how hard could this really be? I now understand that the real knowledge of how to breastfeed and care for a newborn is not just gained from reading a book, but is passed from one mother to another.
There is a deep instinctual knowledge that we, as women, can call upon, but new mothers often struggle with the practical application of this knowledge. In most cultures, new mothers learn these essential skills from other experienced mothers. Many of our own mothers did not breastfeed – resulting in a generational gap in breastfeeding know-how. Add geographic separation, common in many extended families, and overall new mothers are often isolated in our society.
Try to connect with experienced mothers in your local community. Mother's groups, La Leche League groups, and lactation professionals are all good resources.
Trust Your Instincts
Your specific situation should be assessed with care and compassion by someone with current training in lactation support.
During my breastfeeding difficulties, it seemed that everyone told me something different. Even trusted medical advisors often did not give the same advice, so it was difficult to decide who was right.
Now I know that lactation, from a medical perspective, is not held in the same regard as other areas of medicine. Many hospitals and medical facilities do not require lactation training for their staff. As a new parent, it is your right to expect adequate lactation support and your responsibility to question any advice that seems inappropriate for you and your child.
Save Your Pennies
Preparing for breastfeeding does not require extravagant purchases.
Newly pregnant, one of our first purchases was an expensive personal breast pump. Unfortunately I ended up needing to rent a hospital-grade breast pump for over a year while the personal pump stayed in my closet gathering dust.
I recommend mothers wait until after delivery before deciding to rent or purchase a breast pump. If breastfeeding is going well, a pump may not be needed. If it is needed, mothers can get help from lactation professionals to ensure they obtain the right pump for their situation and that they know how to use the pump correctly.
The few items I feel are necessary in the first days are nursing/sleep bras, nursing gowns and nursing pads. Most everything else can wait until after the birth.
Know When to Ask For Help
If you are having concerns or difficulties with breastfeeding, don't hesitate to ask for help. Breastfeeding should be a positive experience for both mother and baby on many levels. When nursing, endorphins released in both mother and child results in an improved bonding experience.
Breastfeeding should not be stressful, painful or torturous. But unexpected problems can sometimes arise when the baby's latch changes as the milk comes in. Pain is the body's indicator that something is wrong and is the most common reason for early weaning.
While most latch problems self-resolve by about 6 weeks, no mother should be expected to endure weeks of discomfort. Nipple pain can often be corrected with simple instruction on correct positioning and latch, but it sometimes takes an experienced eye to see what's not right.
New parents often are concerned about how much milk their baby is getting when nursing. Milk supply issues (real or perceived) are the second most common reason for early weaning, and lactation professionals can be very helpful in those situations.
Your provider or pediatrician can provide a referral or you can find lactation resources online:
Breastfeeding your baby should be one of the most rewarding experiences of motherhood, but it can also be one of the most difficult. Success in breastfeeding is defined not by reaching an arbitrary goal set by the AAP but by each mother's experience along the way. Breastfeeding is hard for many women; don't be afraid to ask for help and guidance. Remember that you are not alone, and in the end, you will not regret making the effort.
