I have been wanting to do this post for a long time but I have been afraid of giving people the wrong impression. I am not trying to shame you if you couldn't or didn't want to nurse your baby this post is just my experience and what I have learned along the way that might be helpful to people currently pregnant or already have their baby who have asked me questions.
Here are the things that worked for me to get started and keep going:
-STOCK UP- Before you have your sweet baby start using lanolin (about a month early) it will help get you into shape, purchase a breast pump and buy a good one the high price tag will save you tons of time in the end I love love medela freestyle double pump http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/category/breast-pumps I bought with my first baby, get several bottles with whatever system you use and at least 6 of the accessories that attach to your breast so you do not need to wash one every two hours, several good nursing bras for day and some wireless comfortable ones for night in a slightly bigger size than you wear near the end of your pregnancy, also it is good to get several nursing nightgowns that have low neck lines (not slits) for easy access during night feedings, breast pads are a must to prevent leaking in your clothes, and finally you will need a few day nursing tops just to wear around the house.
-PUMP PUMP PUMP- After your baby is born try to nurse your baby every 1-2 hours if your baby latches good and only attempts to nurse every two hours then pump after he/she is done. This should help ramp your milk up! If your baby needs formula to supplement for them to maintain weight ask for a sucking catheter to place on your nipple so the baby is still sucking on you
-LATCH- make sure your baby has a good latch that doesn't sound like a loud sucking sound because if they do not latch properly they are getting air and/or they might be pinching your ducts causing you to have a clogged duct (not fun)
-Burp your baby every time you switch breasts and after nursing plus some babies might need to be burped during one breast if they start showing signs of being fussy while sucking
-DRINK and EAT. Make sure you have a glass of water everywhere you go! With my first baby I actually landed back in the hospital a few weeks after we got home because you can dehydrafe so quick nursing. When my kids are under six months old my house looks like a glass of water museum I have so many sitting around. It is also very important to eat a balanced diet of fresh foods and not starve yourself to drop the baby weight. I love oatmeal (not the instant kind) and ate it a lot some say it is good to encourage a healthy milk supply. I've also heard of a dark beer but I never tried that so I'm not sure about that rumor.
-Focus. Focus on your baby even thinking about how much you want them to eat well can get your milk to let down quicker. Also focus on making sure you start with a different breast each time you sit down plus you need to track the time you feed your baby even if you are like me and allow them to nurse on demand it is important those first few months to know how often they want to eat.
-Get Support! Since your husband or significant other is not doing the feedings they can still support you by telling you how awesome you are doing, by bringing you water, by making you a snack, and by bringing you frozen peas/ice packs/ heating pads to help if you do experience pain (which don't be alarmed it only lasts a short amount if time)
-Ask someone. I always find it helpful to ask someone. Do not be afraid to call a lactation consultant, phone a friend, or chat with a family member about it because you might be surprised to get very candid and helpful tips!
-Position is a personal choice because it is however it is most comfortable for you and the baby. Since I had an emergency csection everyone thought I should do what they call the football hold but my babies and I hated that so I like the cradle hold. Here is a link that discusses each hold http://youtu.be/s1gmBVrwAs8
-RELAX. I'm not a calm indivdual so it is hard for me to relax but when I'm nursing I think some angels are hovering around helping because I am always relaxed nursing. I find a nice chair preferably with arms and rocking ability then snuggle the baby I love so much!
-HOLD. I think it is so helpful, now that I had a baby that got acid reflux, to hold your baby after nursing and burping in an upright position for at least 10-15 minutes especially if they have fallen asleep because it does help their little bodies keep their food down better.
-ENOUGH- How do you know your baby gets enough to eat. The main ways you know is if they are calm and seem content after eating, they almost fall asleep, and they have a good amount of wet and dirty diapers throughout the day
-ROUTINE- My routine is around the time I think the baby will want to eat I grab a cup of water, make a little snack, make sure the phone/remote is near me, grab a light blanket if the baby doesn't already have one, sit in the recliner or glider, and start nursing then burping
I think this is the main questions I'm asked all the time, but this post might evolve as more question arise or when I actually read this post back to myself later realizing I forgot several good tips! I just finished putting both of my babies down for a nap and holding my three month old because she just nursed so I'm sure when I proof read this I will find a ton of errors as well but hopefully you will be able to get the main points I'm making here.
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