Making a space in your home where you are comfortable and stress-free is important whilst breast feeding.
Here are some suggestions as to how to prepare to breastfeed
- Set up a nursing station.
- Create a space in your home where you can quietly and comfortably breastfeed your baby.
- Decide if you’d like to nurse in a large chair, recliner, or sofa.
- Keep healthy drinks or snacks nearby since you’ll be spending a lot of time breastfeeding in the early weeks.
- If you can, set up the breastfeeding space near your baby’s crib so you can feed and return the baby to the crib, especially in the middle of the night.
- Consider stocking your breastfeeding station with:
- Breast pads and lanolin-based nipple cream
- Changes of clothes for the baby and a clean shirt for you
- Blankets and pillows
- Burp cloths
- Learn to breastfeed before your baby arrives.
- While you and your baby will learn a lot about breastfeeding together, it can be helpful to read breastfeeding books or take an instructional class before the baby is born. Many birth classes even include sessions on how to breastfeed.
- You can take breastfeeding classes after your baby is born, but you might find that you’re more relaxed and able to concentrate better before the birth since a hungry or crying baby can make the situation tense.
- Get comfortable clothes for nursing.
- Since you’ll be breastfeeding a lot in the first weeks and months of your baby’s life, you’ll need to have clothes that give your baby easy access to your breasts.
- Purchase nursing bras, tanks, or comfortable button-down shirts.
- Keep in mind that skin to skin contact can encourage your baby to breastfeed.
- You can also look for wrap-around dresses or cross-over tops.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Since your baby is relying on you for nutrition, it’s important for you to eat a balanced diet.
- You’ll need about 500 extra calories a day because your body is making milk.
- Eat a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, protein, and healthy fats to get the most vitamins and minerals.
- Since breastfeeding will actually burn a lot of calories, avoid cutting calories or dieting to lose weight.
- Stay hydrated.
- Plan on drinking whenever you feel thirsty.
- Since this can be difficult if you’re busy caring for the baby, keep drinks nearby and drink throughout the day.
- You can drink water, decaf tea, or fresh, home-made juices.
- While you can have a little caffeine every day (about 300 mg or one small cup of coffee), you should limit your intake while breastfeeding because caffeine can be transmitted through breast milk. Younger babies are more sensitive to caffeine and can be irritated by it.
- Avoid consuming alcohol
- If you decide to ignore this advice and still choose to drink, stop alcohol intake at least 2 hours before you breastfeed.
- A single (25ml) shot of spirits (25 ml), an 8-ounce (230 ml) glass of beer, or a small (125 ml) glass of wine each count as one drink.
- It is our opinion that alcohol should not be imbibed AT ALL.
- You should also avoid smoking.
- Smoking can change the way your breast milk tastes and your baby might refuse it.
- Your breast milk might also be lower in iodine and prolactin which will make it less nutritious for your baby.
- Check with your doctor about medications.
- If you take medication, ask your doctor if it’s safe to take while you’re breastfeeding since some medications can be transferred through breast milk.
- In some cases, your doctor may be able to recommend different medications that are safe to take while breastfeeding.
- Check with your doctor if they are interfering with your milk production.
- Avoid using hormonal contraceptives right after your delivery.
- Remember to ask your doctor about herbal supplements too. Many of these aren’t regulated or tested and some can actually reduce your milk supply.
- It is important NOT to self-medicate whilst you are breastfeeding – using food as a source for all nutrients is far superior to taking supplements and is healthier for both you and the baby.
- Use the right bra.
- Wearing a tight bra that compresses your chest area or one that is rigid around the band can restrict and affect milk flow.
- The wrong bran can lead to clogged ducts, blocking milk production.
- Nurse frequently and efficiently:
- Milk production is a demand and supply process.
- The more the baby drinks, the higher is the production.
- Nurse once every two hours.
- Position the baby properly while nursing so that he latches on well.
- Express milk: If the baby is unable to empty your breasts, express the milk after nursing to maintain the milk supply.
- Spend time just nursing your baby for two to three days and do nothing else. Of course, you have to feed yourself and be relaxed.
- Switch sides: Make your baby drinks from both the breasts.
- Switch sides twice or thrice every time you feed.
- But let the little one finish one breast and then switch to the other.
- This technique gives fatty ‘hindmilk’ to the baby.
- Using breast compression helps the baby feed longer.
- Avoid dummies and nipple shields.
- Rest well: Besides eating well, rest well. You will need your strength.
