Tips and tits
Here are a few pointers I have learned in the past 5 months about breastfeeding.. Its not all inclusive, its just a few things I have run in to. This is in no way supposed to be instructional.. it is mostly things that people dont tell you, but things that I have found to be true in my own experience.
First things first, Its amazing, one of the only things I would really stand behind as a "you really need to do this" thing for babies. For the most part Im very, do it how you want to, kind of mom but I feel like each mom should at least make an attempt to introduce breastmilk into their baby's diet.
Here goes: (the stuff you have heard)
Its good for baby, lots of good stuff to help baby fend off germs and so many other good medical advantages
Its cost effective, the most expensive thing is a pump (which I reccomend getting a good one) and that is WAY less expensive than what you would spend on formula
It is fantastic for baby/mommy bonding and as a way to really take the edge off some of that postpartum blues
(Stuff they didnt tell you)
It hurts. Lactation consultants will drill it in your head that if it hurts youre doing it wrong.. thats bull. It hurts like crazy for the first two weeks, but if you can tough it out it eventually does not hurt in the least. If you want to give up, call up a friend that knows about breastfeeding and talk about it, chances are they went through the same thing. If you dont have one, there are ALWAYS breastfeeding support groups, this is also a good way to meet moms with babies around the same age.. play dates anyone?
A note about lactation consultants, they are a great resources but I think sometimes they forget what is like to be a nursing mother, especially if its your first time. They can be abrasive, matter of fact and some times down right inappropriate. They may touch you without asking, tell you that youre doing it wrong, get frustrated with you when youre already frustrated with the situation... etc.. Just keep trying and be an advocate for yourself, ask whatever questions you have and know that you are trying to do something beautiful here and negativity is NOT ALLOWED!
Within those first two weeks; Lanolin is good to have, but it will by no means "take the pain away" or even fix the problem. This time is simply your body getting used to breastfeeding... THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
Growth spurts suck.. you feel like your breasts are out all day and you never put your baby down. Just feed your baby when they are hungry, lounge in bed all day if you have the opportunity.. your baby depends solely on you. Soon; THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
Eat, sleep and drink.. keeeep those calories coming, and if your loosing weight too fast (yes this happens) have your significant other keep you in check. I know my wonderful husband cracks the whip when I havent had a really good meal all day. Its understandable, you are a new mom, taking care of a newborn or infant and at some point you also add going to back to work in the mix.. its not easy to remember to take care of yourself.
Your breasts get big, real big.. some people find that one will get bigger than the other and that can be fixed or lessened by good feeding management or a few extra pump sessions. If you have any questions about milk management please feel free to ask, I feel like a breastfeeing pro at this point.
When you pump, dont assume what you are getting out is all you have.. pumps are no where near as effective as your little one at getting the goods.
When bottle feeding your exclusively breast fed baby, remember, they will over eat if you let them. They dont have to work as hard to get the milk out of the bottle, so they will drink the same amount faster and their "Im full" receptors wont have caught up yet. Also sometimes bottles will allow little drips to come out when the baby isnt actively sucking but this stimulates their suck reflex and they will finnish off that bottle in no time.
Some breastfed babies eat every two hours.. or three.. or four; breast milk is metabolized in 90 minutes which is faster than formula. A good rule of thumb, feed your baby when they are hungry, common sense is a beautiful thing. Some people like to "train" their baby to last longer, if you want to do that, its your prerogative.
Exclusively breastfed babies poop a lot in the beginning.. like every feeding, but after the first month their habits change. Every kid is different but mine for example has gone 10 days with out a bowel movement. As long as your baby has plenty of wet diapers, seems happy, has a soft tummy and is passing gas regularly, I wouldnt start to worry right off the bat. Exclusively breastfed babies have much less trouble with constipation than do formula fed babies.
I have heard people suggest things like juice and suppositories but I didnt feel like I needed to result to that since he seemed comfortable. What I did do was take his temperature once a day, rectally, lubricated with vaseline. Another key thing is to bathe your baby, lather him with some really good smelling lotion and dress him in one of your favorite outfits... see where Im going with this? It seems like the universe will only let a baby be clean and good smelling for a short period of time.
Another note about poop, keep an eye on it but dont stress over it. Liam's turned green.. so I researched what it could be, and used my noggin to narrow down what I thought it was. I ended up cutting out dairy and he has been A-OK, basically I thought it was a food allergy and all the resources I looked at said dairy was the most common. Since then I have reintroduced dairy and he has tolerated it wonderfully, a lot of people wait until a year to do this or 6 months off dairy. I have been told its a all or nothing response, so if you have just a little dairy one day and baby's poop is green again or he is super fussy.. you know its not time.
If you get sick, it is almost always recommended that you continue breastfeeding, you will give your little one antibodies to the bug you are fighting off and no one wants to battle engorgement or mastitis along with whatever cold you already have. Not to mention, this kind of "cold turkey" weaning would be an emotional roller coaster for both mom and baby I would imagine.
Finally.. formula is NOT the enemy.. many babies thrive on formula, hell I never had one drop of breast milk and I am happy, healthy and pride myself on my awesome immune system :) Attempt to breastfeed but dont put so much stress on yourself that your milk supply is affected. Make sure your baby gets fed when they are hungry and you are doing a lot more than some people in this world.
If you have any questions or need support you can always contact me or your local la leche league representative. A lot of hospitals also have lactation consultants that can help.. but remember what I said about lactation consultants :). There is always plenty of online and local support.
Good luck!!