So Why Is The Breast, The Best?

1. Breastmilk is always ready!  No preparation involved, simply, latch Baby on.
2. Breastmilk is FREE!!  Enough said!
3. Breastmilk contains all the nutrients a Baby needs, including antioxidants, vitamins, carbohydrates, protein, fat (the good kind), hormones and digestive enzymes.
4. It is easier! There is no measuring or pre-heating needed.
5. It helps with Baby’s brain development.
6. It helps Mom’s uterus shrink back to size and also helps Mom’s weight go back to pre-Baby weight.
7. It makes night time feedings easy.
8. It makes traveling easy.
9. It changes according to Baby’s needs.
10. It reduces risk of diseases.
11. It reduces risk of infections.
12. It promotes bonding with Baby (always keep eye contact, while breastfeeding Baby.)
13. It lowers Mom’s risk of postpartum depression.
14. It lowers Mom’s risk for ovarian and uterine cancer in the future.
15. It prevents having a period! *(Please know that just because this monthly visitor is absent, a woman is Highly Fertile and CAN get pregnant immediately). So discuss birth control methods with your Husband/partner and Provider.
16. It lowers risk of allergies for Baby.
17. It causes less constipation, as compared to formula.
18. It reduces the risk of S.I.D.S. (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
19. It reduces the risk of osteoporosis for Mom.
20. It reduces the risk of obesity for Baby.

Hang In There

Those first days are difficult and there are always exceptions. For example, if your Baby ends up in the NICU, Baby will be introduced to using your breastmilk, with a bottle. That later could produce a preference for a bottle, but even so, it is reversible. Keep trying to latch Baby.  Hospitals always provide a Lactation Specialist to help.   While Baby is in the NICU, I also recommend that you ask to see a Lactation Specialist.  It is best during your hospital stay, but there are always classes or one-on-one appointments that can be made, even after the baby has been discharged.  Another reason some might want to give up is due to having an inverted nipple. Yes, this happens, but it is still possible to breastfeed Baby. One suggestion might be to use a nipple shield.  This is fine, but should not be used long term.

Breastfeeding Setbacks

Engorgement could occur. This is when a woman’s first milk comes in.  The breasts are so full of milk that the baby simply can’t get a good latch. Don’t give up.To help ease pain from engorgement get some breast ice packs. I recommend buying some BEFORE you give birth. Place them on your breasts 20 minutes before breastfeeding or during.  This helps reduce inflammation and Mastitis.

I highly recommend getting a Haakaa Manual Breast Milk Extractor before giving birth.  Another option is using a breast pump.  Pump for no more than one minute, first.  With engorgement, some babies are able to latch on, but the force of the let down milk can be so strong when coming out, that it causes a Baby to start choking on it and makes the baby give up. Just place the Haakaa onto the engorged breast or pump out the fore milk, first (about one minute). Then, re-latch Baby.

Pain can happen, while breastfeeding, which causes women to give up. This is a natural and normal process a woman’s body is going through. As you breastfeed, the uterus contracts (like the beginning of labor pains). Make sure to order some Post Part Tincture Drops that are for uterine contraction pain that are organic and more natural.  Order this before going into labor.  Tincture drops can be placed in 8 oz. of water.  Mix it up and drink 30 minutes before breastfeeding. If a postpartum tincture is not a favorite, use an over the counter pain reliever, but check with your Provider to discuss it. Don’t give up!

Remember, it is going to be Baby’s first time learning the ins and outs of breastfeeding, so be patient. Once a successful latch has been established while breastfeeding, you are going to be so proud of yourself! You’re doing your best and you are a wonderful Mother!  The key is knowing what to expect beforehand! Sometimes, a baby that is angry and crying because they are hungry.  It can be emotionally overwhelming, especially two weeks after giving birth and hormones are not balanced yet. There are natural tinctures for your hormones, to help bring back balance. It is good to have someone present when baby becomes frustrated.  Hand the baby to that person (husband, partner, Mother, Mother-in-Law, friend, – whomever)!

Take a slight break to get control and calm down. Babies can pick up on a Mother that is upset and frustrated.  One must be calm before picking Baby up again.  By doing this, an example is being set for Baby to learn how to self-regulate themself.  Self-regulation can begin with breastfeeding and is key to dealing with temperaments and emotional behavior in babies. Have someone place a pacifier into the baby’s mouth. This forces the baby to slow down their breathing (since they can only breath through their nose at this point). Once they slow their breathing, they are calm, then have someone hand Baby back and try again.