If Breastfeeding is Natural, why is it so hard?
I've nursed three kids for at least 10 months each. Each one has been vastly different to nurse and came with their own challenges. There were problems on the baby's side and were problems on my side that went untreated for months. It's hard to talk to people about it, since it is such a private thing. Here is a list of tips for both the new breastfeeding mother and the seasoned one.
Tip #1 Be strategic about going out in public.
Most places you go to will not have a designated breastfeeding area. Many places don't even have a place to sit down. If you have older children, it can be hard to keep them still long enough to breastfeed your little one.
You'll want to feed your baby before leaving home, so that you have the most time possible to run errands. This means that you have to get ready to leave and then sit down to breastfeed. If you have to go to the post office, grocery store and your parents' house, you will want to do the least breastfeeding friendly place first.
Tip #2 Have a nursing cover
Blankets are very useful when breastfeeding your little one in those first few months, but will become a play thing once your child is about 4 months old. A good nursing cover is a shawl that is fully enclosed. You'll want it to be close to your neck but not tight, and able to cover your full torso. If you don't have a nursing shirt/dress, you'll have to pull your shirt all the way up. When I didn't have a nursing shirt, I would sit on the nursing cover and then pull my shirt up underneath.
Tip #3 Have a nursing shirt/dress
These are a big game changer, especially in winter. There are a lot of different styles out there, but the best ones give you the most coverage while still giving you easy access. My favorite style has been a v-neck with an extra layer over the top. This gave me easy access without worrying about exposing my stomach and back.
Tip #4 Relax
The best way to get the milk flowing is to drink water and relax. Your baby should be at nipple level, which means that your back will hurt if you don't use some sort of support. I love boppy pillows, as they bring the baby up closer for me. A comfortable seat also makes a big difference. You'll be sitting still for at least 20 minutes and any movement can cause your baby to get in an uncomfortable position.
Tip #5 Get in touch with a lactation consultant
Lactation consultants are my heros. After I had my oldest daughter, I got a pretty nasty infection. My daughter had a really poor latch and it made me cry whenever she nursed. I had seen the lactation consultant before leaving the hospital, but had been too scared to ask every question under the sun. I spent months battling infections and blisters. It sucked and I wanted to quit breastfeeding. Luckily, W.I.C had lactation consultants that I could talk to and I got things sorted out.
Tip #6 Take care of your nutrition
Your nutritional needs are higher than a menstruating woman and different from a pregnant woman. You still need at least 300 extra calories and your baby still demands a lot from your body. You need more Choline and Selenium. You need more protein and water. Pregnancy drains your body of Calcium, Vitamin D, and B vitamins.
If you are showing symptoms of brain fog, exhaustion(even when your baby sleeps through the night), and mood swings, you may be depleted of several essential nutrients. Check out this postpartum multivitamin and see why many women experienced an increase in energy and mood.