You are pregnant and whether you are planning to breast feed or not your body is doing the work for you. Breastfeeding has been shown by many published research studies to be the form of nutrition best for your baby to provide the needed antibodies to prevent infection and the correct amount of nutrients to feed your baby’s growing body and brain.
But if you haven’t breastfed before you might feel a little intimidated. After all, breastfeeding is a natural event. But it is also a learned art. Women aren’t born knowing how to breastfeed their little babies.
And learning how to breastfeed the correct way will decrease the woman’s discomfort and increase the likelihood that the mother and baby will have a successful experience.
There are many different ways to learn the art of breastfeeding. One important way is to take a prenatal class designed to answer your questions and give you information that will decrease your anxiety. Believe it or not, anxiety will actually inhibit milk let down and therefore sabotage your breastfeeding experience.
During the preparing for breastfeeding class you’ll learn several of the different ways to hold your baby while breastfeeding; how to support the baby while sparing your back; and how the baby should properly latch on which will decrease any discomfort you may experience. You may also be introduced to the hospital lactation consultant who is an expert at breastfeeding and can help you through any rough patches you might experience.
If your hospital doesn’t have a lactation consultant be sure you look for one in your area and get her phone number. This resource may not be necessary but when a problem or difficulty arises it is good to have the number handy and not have to search for a consultant who may or may not be available.
There are a couple of things you can do preparing for breastfeeding before the baby is even born. During your third trimester you should consider taking that breastfeeding class or at the very least get a good resource book on breastfeeding and read it. Again, breastfeeding is a natural act but it is definitely a learned art.
You should also get one or two bras that are a size larger than you are wearing to accommodate your breasts for the first week since they will probably be a little engorged when your milk first comes in. You will also want two or three nursing bras which you can purchase before the baby is born. Many women using nursing pads inside the bra to absorb any leakage during the day. These pads can be disposable or washable, the choice is really yours.
If you are planning to return to work you may want to rent a high quality breast pump. The breast pumps that you can purchase in the store are generally good for the occasional pumping if you are going out to eat and the sitter has to feed the baby but if you are returning to work and need to pump for a bottle or two each day then a high quality pump that you can rent for a couple of months will really save the day. Look for the rental agency and pump you’ll want at home then keep the information as a resource. You’ll want to start pumping about 1 week before you return to work so if you have a 6 or 12 week maternity leave there isn’t any need to pay for a pump you aren’t using yet.
There is also some basic nipple care you’ll want to do during the third trimester. First be sure that the nipples are everted and not inverted. Next, stop using soap around the nipple or areola since this is drying to the skin. If you find that your skin over your breast is drying use a light cream or ointment. It isn’t necessary to do exercises to toughen your nipples. In fact if you do these exercises you are at risk for injuring or hurting yourself and making the whole first week painful. If your nipples are inverted or flat call a lactation consultant for specific massages that you can use for your individual case. And remember, in this case, more isn’t necessarily better.
Nursing can be done discreetly. In fact many women may be nursing public when their babies heads are covered and you think they are napping. You’ll get so good at latching them on and getting them situated you’ll be able to do it in the dark, not looking or when they are covered up!
Preparing for breastfeeding is more about education and learning all you can rather than doing anything specific. Enjoy these last few weeks before baby is born and your life suddenly becomes something very different from what you were used to.
Natures Milk is a natural remedy containing herbal ingredients chosen especially for their abilities in increasing the production of breast milk and promoting healthy flow. Regular use of Natures Milk drops after delivery will help to get your breast-feeding routine running smoothly as soon as possible, helping both you and your baby to enjoy the special health and emotional benefits that breastfeeding brings! Formulated by a clinical psychologist, Nature’s Milk is pharmacetuically manufactured to the highest standards.
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