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SARAH AND SUZANNE’S
TOP TEN TIPS for Successful Breastfeeding
 
There’s no shortage of breastfeeding bibles, and we think every nursing mom should own one. So rather than repeat the information you can find there—about pumping, nursing positions, boosting your milk supply, and a thousand other topics—we’ve compiled our best advice, based on our own experiences, the latest research, and conversations we’ve had with breastfeeding experts.
 
1.Remember: Just because it’s natural doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy
 
For some women, breastfeeding is a breeze and a joy from the get-go; their babies latch on within minutes of birth, and a calmness fills the mother and seems to flow into the baby. For others, those first few weeks, maybe even more, are a struggle. Maybe your little guy falls asleep on the job, clamps his mouth shut, or confuses your nipple with an ice-cream cone, licking instead of sucking. It may seem like he’ll never get the hang of things, and you may feel downright dejected. Take heart: This is common!
 
Virtually all babies are capable of breastfeeding, and virtually all moms can produce enough milk. But it just may take more time and effort than expected. You may experience road bumps, like sore nipples or having to supplement with formula for a short while, even though you vowed to exclusively breastfeed.
 
Remind yourself that breastfeeding is a skill that you and your baby will work on, and ultimately master, together. Some babies seem like natural breastfeeders, the way some people are natural skiers or musicians. Others need on-the-job training. Expect a learning curve for both you and your baby. If you’re feeling discouraged, talk to other women—friends or women you “meet” online—who have tackled the same issues, rather than women who gush about how easy and blissful breastfeeding is.
 
You might also experience ups and downs later in your breastfeeding adventure. Things may be proceeding swimmingly when, suddenly, at four months, your little love-dumpling starts nipping you or, at 5 months, becomes so aware of the world that he stops eating if Dad dares walk in the room or if you turn the page of a magazine while he’s suckling. Like sleepless nights, these phases pass.
 
2.Educate yourself
 
The more you know about breastfeeding, the better.
 
•Classes. Sign up for the breastfeeding class offered by your hospital, if only to get thinking about the journey ahead. Bring your husband or partner, so that he or she gets a clue about what’s involved and about the importance of breastfeeding. While you may not remember a heck of a lot that you learn in class—say, how do you get your baby to open her mouth?—you may be inspired by learning about the benefits of breastfeeding. Plus, some vital information might sink in and then suddenly come back to you at 3:48 am on night nine with your newborn.
 
•Books. Those biblical tomes we mentioned? Buy one and keep it handy as a reference. Unless you desperately want to know the ratio of fat to glandular tissue in breasts, there’s no need to read the entire volume. But these books can be helpful if you have a specific question, like what medications a breastfeeding mom can safely take or the most comfortable nursing positions following a C-section. Read reviews on amazon.com or other websites, and choose a book that suits your parenting philosophy. See Resources on page 219 for a list of popular breastfeeding guides.
 
•Websites. The Web is a great place to get advice on a wide range of breastfeeding topics, and you can easily compare advice or keep looking until you find something that sounds right to you. Also, you can join chat rooms and check in with other nursing moms who are in your boat, whether you have a preemie in the neonatal intensive care unit or a 6-month-old who seems to be self-weaning. See Resources on page 219 for a list of helpful sites.
 
3.Remind yourself of the benefits
 
When breastfeeding seems challenging, frustrating, or emotionally draining, lift your head and look at the big picture. The health benefits—for both your baby and you—are priceless.
 
For your little one, breastfeeding:
 
•Bolsters her immune system, helping ward off short-term illnesses like colds, flu, diarrhea, and ear infections
 
•Reduces her risk of chronic diseases later on, including asthma, diabetes, and childhood leukemia
 
•Lowers her odds of becoming obese later in life
 
For you, breastfeeding:
 
•Reduces the amount of bleeding following childbirth and causes your uterus to contract more quickly back to its normal size
 
•Burns up to 500 calories a day!
 
•Decreases your risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers
 
•Lowers your risk of developing type 2 diabetes
 
•Releases brain-calming chemicals that ease stress
 
•Saves you more than $2,000 in the first 6 months
 
4.Get the gear
 
Sure, all that is really required for breastfeeding are breasts—even one breast will suffice, if that is what you have. But there are plenty of accoutrements that will make the experience easier and more enjoyable for you. We recommend investing in:
 
•A reliable breast pump. Even if you plan to breastfeed exclusively, pumping the occasional bottle of breastmilk allows you the freedom to go to your book group or to a movie. (Yes, there can be life after a baby!) Also, in the first few weeks postpartum, pumping after a breastfeeding session can stimulate your milk supply, if you need a boost. This is especially true for mothers of multiples or babies who don’t initially get the hang of breastfeeding.
 
•A few good-quality nursing bras. Or better yet, get hand-me-downs from a friend since they’re expensive! The more adjustments the bras have the better, since your body will slim down as the months go on. Your first nursing bra may look like it would fit Dolly Parton on steroids; 6 months later, you’ll look a lot more like yourself. Seek help in fitting an underwire bra, so the wires aren’t pressing against ducts. If you are smaller busted, consider breastfeeding tank tops, which offer nursing-in-public modesty. Whether you choose synthetic fabrics or cotton is a personal preference, but cotton feels more “breathable,” and milk-producing breasts generate heat like a blast furnace!
 
•A supportive nursing pillow. While some moms use a plain-old bed pillow or sofa cushion or simply hold their babies in their arms, we find that a made-for-nursing pillow minimizes shoulder and neck strain. The two most popular pillows are the Boppy and the My Brest Friend (which was invented by a bachelor—go figure!). Many women find the Boppy too floppy and flimsy, while others find it offers good support and comfort even while nursing older, heavier babies. The My Brest Friend pillow scores points among many moms for its firm backrest and adjustable waist strap, which fits a wider range of women than the Boppy. If you have twins, be sure to invest in a Double Blessings (www.doubleblessings.com) pillow, which we dubbed the “life raft.”
 
•Lanolin for breastfeeding women. A dab or two per day of this thick fat derived from wool keeps nipples supple and prevents cracked skin. You don’t need to wipe it off before breastfeeding. (And, in a pinch, we found it makes excellent lip balm!) If wool makes you itch, test lanolin in the crook of your elbow before using it on your nipples.
 
5.Call in the pros
 
While books and websites are extremely helpful, sometimes you need to speak directly to a real, live expert. Many U.S. hospitals have lactation consultants on staff who can offer advice and hands-on help during your postpartum stay. Also, ask the nursing staff for guidance; they’ve been around more than their share of new moms and newborns. If you’re having difficulties after you return home, schedule a visit with a certified lactation consultant, either through your hospital or the International Lactation Consultant Association website (www.ILCA.org).
 
The important letters to look for after the person’s name are IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) or IBCLC RLC (Registered Lactation Consultant). Some postpartum doulas double as registered lactation consultants.
 
Sometimes it just takes a calm, knowledgeable expert to listen and offer proven solutions. Lactation consultants have seen new moms with every situation under the sun, so your problem—whether it’s a latch that feels like a vise grip or low milk production—won’t seem daunting to them.