Breastfeeding Tips for New Mothers

Breastfeeding can be confusing the first time acan develop quickly and need medical
new mother attempts it. Although it is one of thetreatment.Postpone using artificial nipples - Some
most natural things in the world and manyexperts say that if you are going to be
mothers feel like they should be born knowingbreastfeeding your baby you should avoid
how to effectively nurse a child at the breast, itintroducing pacifiers or other artificial nipples too
can be hard to know exactly what to do or howearly. Artificial nipples require the baby to use a
to do it. Here are some essential breastfeedingdifferent sucking action than human nipples do and
tips to discuss with your doctor or midwife.Putmay hinder breastfeeding efforts - often referred
the baby to the breast as early as possible - It isto as "nipple confusion." It is usually best to try to
good to have your first breastfeeding sessionwait until after about two weeks of successful
within an hour after giving birth, if possible. This isbreastfeeding before introducing any pacifier or
the time that the baby is alert after the activitybottles.Supplements are not needed - Unless your
and work of being born and the sucking instinct isdoctor says otherwise, there is usually no need to
strong. You will not be producing milk this earlysupplement breastfeeding with sugar water or
but your breasts contain colostrum, which is a thinformula. Breast milk is made especially for babies
milky fluid that contains important antibodies toand is a perfect source of nutrition - it is also full
disease. It is a perfect first food for your newof helpful antibodies. Although there have been
sweetheart.Offer frequet feedings - It is a goodmany advances in formulas, they do not have the
idea to try nursing your baby every two to threesame nutritional complexity of your breast milk
hours. This can help keep your breasts soft andand may interfere with the baby's appetite for
aid in the prevention of engorgement. Pay closebreastfeeding and lead to a diminished milk supply.
attention to your baby for signs of hunger -If you worry that you are not making enough
changes in facial expressions, sucking sounds or lipmilk, breastfeeding your baby more often will
movements are usually good clues that he iscause you to produce more milk. If you think
getting hungry. By keeping an eye out for theseyour baby is not getting enough to eat or is losing
signs you can learn the cues to help anticipateweight, consult your doctor for advice on
your baby's hunger so you can start nursingwhether supplementation is necessary and to
before he is too hungry. A hungry baby can beensure that there are no other problems.Avoid
too impatient to latch on correcty and if yourengorgement - When breastfeeding first begins
breasts are engorged from waiting too longyou will be producing a lot of milk. This can make
between feedings you may be sensitive to hisyou breasts large, swollen, hard and painful. You
touch. Breastfeeding on cue will actually helpcan help to ease this engorgement by
stimulate your breasts to produce more milk -breastfeeding frequently or expressing some milk
the breasts make more milk based on thewith a hand pump or electric pump until your body
stimulation received by breastfeeding. Carryingadjusts to produce only as much as your baby
your baby in a baby sling can help foster moreneeds. You can also help relieve the pain by
frequent and convenient feeding as well as give aapplying warm, wet compresses or taking warm
wonderful closeness for both mom andbaths. Some over-the-counter pain relievers may
baby.Practice good positioning - Having the righthelp, but consult your doctor before taking any
positioning for breastfeeding is one of the mostsort of drug, since it may be passed through your
important aspects in avoiding nipple soreness. Youmilk to the baby.Stay healthy - A breastfeeding
should use your hand to support the infant's neck.mom needs to eat a healthy diet in order to
His mouth should be open wide with the lipsproduce nutritional milk. Ask your doctor about
puckered out, not folded in. Your nipple should goincreased calorie intake to ensure that both you
back as far into his or her mouth as possible.and baby get all of the nutrition you need. Most
Many hospitals provide lactation consultants tolikely you will need an extra 500 calories a day. It
mothers who choose to breast feed. If you dois very important to drink enough water and clear
not take advantage of this in the hospital, or needfluids when breastfeeding so you do not get
a refresher once you get home, you can get helpdehydrated. Avoid drugs, alcohol, caffeine and
finding proper positioning by asking a nurse,smoke.With support and persistence,
midwife, lactation consultant or other experiencedbreastfeeding can be a simple and pleasurable
mother for some help breastfeeding. La Lecheway to feed your child. Do not be afraid to ask
League is a nationwide network for breastfeedingfor assistance from your doctor, nurse, lactation
support and is in many communities.Nipple relief -consultant or midwife - successful breastfeeding
Some women get sore nipples when they firstdepends heavily on education and
begin breastfeeding and others have no problemspractice.Copyright 2005 Katie Rose Kids Clothing
at all. Most of the time the discomfort can beToys and Unique Keepsake GiftsKatie Rose is the
remedied by better positioning. If your nipplesowner of Katie Rose Kids - an online boutique for
start to become very sore try this - after eachclothing, toys and unique gifts for preemies,
time you nurse, rub a small amount of breast milkinfants, toddlers, preschoolers and moms too. We
on and around each nipple and allow it to air dry.have baby shower gift, as well as bath
This can help prevent cracking (which can lead toaccessories, baby slings, books, decor, educational
infection). In cases where your nipples do crack,toys and personalized clothes, blankets and
coat them with breast milk, vitamin E oil, or lanolinkeepsake gifts. Perfect for Christmas, Easter,
to help them heal. The lanolins sold forValentines and other Holiday presents and Katie
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positioning is the number one factor in avoidingsize woman.ATTENTION WEBMASTERS and
sore nipples.Be on the lookout for breastEZINE PUBLISHERS - Permission is granted to
infections - If you experience a fever or painfulpublish this article on your site or in your Ezine but
lumps and redness in your breasts, you shouldONLY if my bio paragraph is included and all links
seek medical attention immediately. Abscessesare hyperlinked.