You have decided to embark on the journey
of breastfeeding but you have reservations. For a new mom, breastfeeding can be
largely intimidating as it is completely foreign and you have no idea how your
body will work and react. Are you going to be able to breastfeed? Is it going
to hurt? What should you expect from baby? How can you be sure baby is getting
what baby needs? These are all questions the new mom wants to find answers for
due to navigating uncharted waters.
Is Breastfeeding a Real Possibility?
Simply put, breastfeeding is a commitment
that you make to your baby and to yourself. Sometimes, it will be inconvenient
and sometimes you might not want to deal with the round-the-clock feedings in the
beginning or during grown spurts. Do not be afraid to ask for help if you need
it and sleep whenever you can when baby feeds during the night. Nap when baby
naps.
If you need help, look to your family and
friends. They will be more than happy to help where they can, especially if
they have kids and know exactly what you are going through. The only time you
might not be able to breastfeed is if you are on antibiotics that could be
harmful to baby, in which case if you want to breastfeed, your best course of
action is to pump and dump in order to keep up your milk supply.
Does Breastfeeding Hurt?
The simple answer is no, it is not supposed
to hurt. There are various reasons as to why breastfeeding might hurt, but when
everything is normal and done correctly then no, breastfeeding does not hurt.
There are only a handful of reasons that can cause pain while breastfeeding
with the most common culprit being a bad latch from baby. If baby has a bad
latch, what happens is that your nipple can rub up against the roof of baby’s
mouth. This causes soreness, bleeding, and cracked nipples. If a bad latch is
your problem, find a lactation consultant to talk to about what you need to do
to fix the problem. Lactation consultants can be found through organizations
like La Leche League or your local hospitals and birthing centers.
Other issues that can cause pain during
breastfeeding include clogged milk ducts, yeast infections, or mastitis.
Clogged milk ducts occur when milk is not expressed thoroughly and your milk builds
up causing a clog. Clogged ducts are tender to the touch, and the best way to
get them out is to massage the painful spot while baby nurses. Baby’s suction
will help break up the clog and pull it out. Warm compresses can also help. If
you think you have a yeast infection or mastitis, see your doctor as soon as
possible to get it treated.
What is Expected in Breastfeeding?
For new moms, a learning curve is not
uncommon, especially if you have to deal with anything that is not quite
normal. C-sections, multiples, and premature births are all births that are
considered outside of the norm. In a normal situation, once baby crosses the
placenta, hormones are triggered that cause the release of colostrum from
mommy’s breasts. Then baby latches on without any issue and ingests the
colostrum to encourage the first bowel movement and to receive mommy’s
antibodies. The only thing you may worry about is whether or not baby is
getting enough milk. This can be done by weighing baby before and after feeding
to see how much milk baby actually takes in. Scales that are sensitive for that
purpose can be found at the doctor’s office or with a lactation consultant.
Keep in mind that breastfeeding can be different and sometimes complicated
whenever breastfeeding is combined with anything out of the norm.
When you have a C-section, it is sometimes
difficult to breastfeed due to the tenderness of the incision site. As a result, you may have to learn
alternative positions to hold baby in during feeding. The best position is what
is called the football hold. Baby’s feet go parallel to your side while on his
back in the crook of your arm. Your hand holds baby’s head where the breast is
fully accessible to baby. From there, baby is encouraged to latch on. This may
feel awkward at first, but it does get easier.
Alternatively, you could choose to pump if
holding baby proves to be too difficult, and instead, bottle feed breast milk
to baby until you feel strong enough to attempt breastfeeding. Multiples are
another special situation because multiple babies have to feed off of the only
two breasts you have. While this may seem an insurmountable obstacle, just
remind yourself, there have been plenty of twins that survived throughout
history before formula was ever invented, and they did not all have wet nurses.
In the beginning, your breasts will feel so
full and engorged, but remember, this is a good thing! An abundance of milk in
the beginning assures you that your body is capable of making enough milk to
nurse more than one baby. You may have to cycle feeding times or learn how to
hold one in each arm so that they can feed at the same time, but it can be
done. Patience and practice will make it happen. If you need help, search for a
lactation consultant at your local hospital or birthing center and they will be
more than happy to help you breastfeed in any situation.
This guest post was written by Tanya Allsop. Tanya owns and writes for BreastPumpReviewSite.com , a website dedicated to breast pump reviews , buying guides, and breastfeeding information.
