What information I found out useful, what were my experiences
Is it natural
Yes it is, but you and the baby have to get use to it. I had problem to get my LO attached. I always asked the nurse to help. I took breastfeeding class before the birth, so I knew a little bit about it and how to do it and it helped a lot, but even so, I needed help from someone with more experiences at the beginning. So don't be afraid to ask about it every question that will come to your mind. It's important to feel comfortable while doing it and know why and how.
How to recognise that your baby's hungry
Baby might be moving mouth like during sucking, putting hands to the mouth, and if you try to touch its cheek it will move the head towards your finger. It might be even searching for your breast if you hold your baby and of course if it's very hungry it will probably cry as well.
How to attach baby to breast
The best is to watch some video or see somebody to do it. It takes time to master this part of breastfeeding, so don't get frustrated if it doesn't work straight away. You have to have good timing skills and be quick. When the baby open it's mouth wide you have to put as much nipple and areola into it. If the sucking hurts the baby is not attached properly and you should try again. If you say to yourself, that it doesn't matter, that you just want to get the baby eat, you're wrong. The more you baby will take your breast this way, the more it's going to hurt you, you might get cracked nipples, the baby wouldn't get enough milk and will detached and you would need to do it again and it might be already pretty grumpy, because it could be very hungry. Remember the baby is learning how to do it as well and if you teach it wrong, that's just going to be hard for both of you.
How to detach baby
When your baby is sucking wrong, it hurts, it's not getting enough milk and it's pinching your nipple. In this case don't wait too long, just slip your little finger (of course it has to be clean) to your baby's mouth just next to the nipple and it will let go. You then just wait for the right moment and try again.
How to get your baby to open the mouth wide
You can tease your baby a little with your nipple close to baby's nose, when it smells the milk it will usually try to open the mouth. You might need to try a few times or change the position of your nipple next to our baby's face. It will usually work.
How to recognise that your baby's hungry
Baby might be moving mouth like during sucking, putting hands to the mouth, and if you try to touch its cheek it will move the head towards your finger. It might be even searching for your breast if you hold your baby and of course if it's very hungry it will probably cry as well.
How to attach baby to breast
The best is to watch some video or see somebody to do it. It takes time to master this part of breastfeeding, so don't get frustrated if it doesn't work straight away. You have to have good timing skills and be quick. When the baby open it's mouth wide you have to put as much nipple and areola into it. If the sucking hurts the baby is not attached properly and you should try again. If you say to yourself, that it doesn't matter, that you just want to get the baby eat, you're wrong. The more you baby will take your breast this way, the more it's going to hurt you, you might get cracked nipples, the baby wouldn't get enough milk and will detached and you would need to do it again and it might be already pretty grumpy, because it could be very hungry. Remember the baby is learning how to do it as well and if you teach it wrong, that's just going to be hard for both of you.
How to detach baby
When your baby is sucking wrong, it hurts, it's not getting enough milk and it's pinching your nipple. In this case don't wait too long, just slip your little finger (of course it has to be clean) to your baby's mouth just next to the nipple and it will let go. You then just wait for the right moment and try again.
How to get your baby to open the mouth wide
You can tease your baby a little with your nipple close to baby's nose, when it smells the milk it will usually try to open the mouth. You might need to try a few times or change the position of your nipple next to our baby's face. It will usually work.
If you have in family low milk supply it doesn't mean you have to have it as well
I had plenty of colostrum and milk, even if my mum never breastfed as she didn't have milk and one sister had problems as well.
Is it worth it
It was for me, I loved the time with the baby, the cuddles. It was definitely cheaper and always ready at the right temperature and amount. The breast milk is the only food you baby needs up to 6 months, it has all what your baby needs except for a vitamin D3 in some countries it's recommended to give it to the baby, but every country is different, so check with your doctors.
What other benefits does breastfeeding have
It protects the baby's health, helps the baby grow and develop, and it protects its digestive system. Breastmilk contains antibodies to protect your baby from illness and helps him to build his immune system. Also helps brain development. Breastfed babies have usually less ear, nose, throat infections, they vomit less and don't usually have diarrhoea (but the poop of breastfed babies is softer than the poop of bottle-fed babies). Babies don't usually develop asthma, eczema, it helps them prevent later obesity and diabetes and some infections like kidney and chest infections.
It's also helpful for you. It protects against ovarian and breast cancer and helps with the weight loss, you also heal after the birth faster as the sucking your baby does creates reaction in your uterus and you get small contractions as it helps the uterus shrink down. Sometimes, usually at the very begging it could hurt a lot and you might not now what it is, but usually when the feed finishes, the contractions ease down.
Does it help to loose weight
I think so, it certainly helped me. I lost most of my pregnancy weight withing about 4 months. I tried to do some exercises, but didn't last for long, so I believe the breastfeeding helped a lot.
How to have the right milk for your little one
Just feed on demand. When the baby's hungry. During the growth spurts it will be more often, you'll be more tired and the baby might be grumpy, because he/she wants to eat all the time, but within a few days the milk will adjust to your baby needs and everything will be normal.
How to increase milk supply
Eat plenty of food, variety of food, drink a lot of water and some teas, we have special tea for breastfeeding mums, these help increase milk supply if needed, contains fennel to ease wind in babies etc.
How to know if your baby is feeding well
Baby's mouth is wide open, cheeks are full and rounded, it's jaw is moving up near his hears. Usually the sucking starts with short sucks, then to change to long deep sucks with pauses. This is due to the type of milk. The first part is more for drinking, the longer baby sucks the more thick milk it gets and the back milk is more like cream and it's full of all necessary nutrition and this type will keep your baby fuller for longer. You should also hear swallowing, that's a great sound. I always loved that sound. I felt very proud when Alex started the deep sucks and was eating well. And of course if your baby is eating well it has plenty of wet and dirty nappies. Alex used to have dirty nappy after each feed. Breastfed babies digest the breastmilk easily and usually have softer poop.
Best positions for breastfeeding
The most important thing is that you feel comfortable. If you have back pain, you won't be able to feed your baby in that position for a long, so always make sure, you are sitting or lying as you like. Hold your baby close, I used a pillow underneath my arm with the baby when I was sitting. When Alex became bigger, I used only the pillow to support her as my arm sometimes got numb. Baby should be able to reach your breast easily without twisting head. Always support baby's head, neck, shoulders and back. You can breastfeed while sitting, lying, or even when you have your baby in sling or wrap. Some of them are made for it, some carriers not.
Does the food I eat affect the milk
Yes, it does. If you eat a lot of sweet things, your milk will be sweeter, it can even change a colour a little bit due to some food, like carrots etc, but I didn't see such difference, probably didn't eat that much of it. Also items that get fast to your blood stream will probably get through to the milk, like caffeine, alcohol, drugs etc. Some food might make your baby more gassy, but I found out that cabbage made gassy me, but not the baby, even if many women swear it affects the milk. It probably really depends on your baby's digestive system. Also I avoided allergens like peanuts, chocolate (in large amounts) and some fruit. My little one reacted to the milk after I had fresh strawberries. She developed rush, so always watch your baby and eat healthy. I didn't avoided most of the vegetables and Alex loved them when we started weaning her, but my friend didn't eat nearly anything from fruit or vegetable section, she thought everything will affect the milk. Everywhere they are saying eat healthy and wide variety of the food. It helps your baby get use to different tastes from the milk and you will have less fuzzy eater when you start with solids.
My baby doesn't go to sleep unless I feed him
It's a comfort think as well. Your baby feels relaxed when it smells your skin and gets warm milk. That's normal, but the older the baby is the better to try to get it sleep by itself. We started during the day, I fed Alex, we played a little and then we put her in her cot. Eventually she felt asleep by herself even an hour or so after the feed. During the night I usually fed her and burp her and put her to sleep. When she started on solids, she fed a little less during the night, until she stopped feeding during the night completely. We didn't push her to sleep through night without food. She managed by herself, it took maybe a bit longer, but it happened and after 6 months she wasn't feeding during the night. She woke up multiple times but fell asleep again. I know some mummies, who breastfeed their 1 year old babies and still do it during the night. It really depends on the baby and you, what would you prefer.
What other benefits does breastfeeding have
It protects the baby's health, helps the baby grow and develop, and it protects its digestive system. Breastmilk contains antibodies to protect your baby from illness and helps him to build his immune system. Also helps brain development. Breastfed babies have usually less ear, nose, throat infections, they vomit less and don't usually have diarrhoea (but the poop of breastfed babies is softer than the poop of bottle-fed babies). Babies don't usually develop asthma, eczema, it helps them prevent later obesity and diabetes and some infections like kidney and chest infections.
It's also helpful for you. It protects against ovarian and breast cancer and helps with the weight loss, you also heal after the birth faster as the sucking your baby does creates reaction in your uterus and you get small contractions as it helps the uterus shrink down. Sometimes, usually at the very begging it could hurt a lot and you might not now what it is, but usually when the feed finishes, the contractions ease down.
Does it help to loose weight
I think so, it certainly helped me. I lost most of my pregnancy weight withing about 4 months. I tried to do some exercises, but didn't last for long, so I believe the breastfeeding helped a lot.
How to have the right milk for your little one
Just feed on demand. When the baby's hungry. During the growth spurts it will be more often, you'll be more tired and the baby might be grumpy, because he/she wants to eat all the time, but within a few days the milk will adjust to your baby needs and everything will be normal.
How to increase milk supply
Eat plenty of food, variety of food, drink a lot of water and some teas, we have special tea for breastfeeding mums, these help increase milk supply if needed, contains fennel to ease wind in babies etc.
How to know if your baby is feeding well
Baby's mouth is wide open, cheeks are full and rounded, it's jaw is moving up near his hears. Usually the sucking starts with short sucks, then to change to long deep sucks with pauses. This is due to the type of milk. The first part is more for drinking, the longer baby sucks the more thick milk it gets and the back milk is more like cream and it's full of all necessary nutrition and this type will keep your baby fuller for longer. You should also hear swallowing, that's a great sound. I always loved that sound. I felt very proud when Alex started the deep sucks and was eating well. And of course if your baby is eating well it has plenty of wet and dirty nappies. Alex used to have dirty nappy after each feed. Breastfed babies digest the breastmilk easily and usually have softer poop.
Best positions for breastfeeding
The most important thing is that you feel comfortable. If you have back pain, you won't be able to feed your baby in that position for a long, so always make sure, you are sitting or lying as you like. Hold your baby close, I used a pillow underneath my arm with the baby when I was sitting. When Alex became bigger, I used only the pillow to support her as my arm sometimes got numb. Baby should be able to reach your breast easily without twisting head. Always support baby's head, neck, shoulders and back. You can breastfeed while sitting, lying, or even when you have your baby in sling or wrap. Some of them are made for it, some carriers not.
Does the food I eat affect the milk
Yes, it does. If you eat a lot of sweet things, your milk will be sweeter, it can even change a colour a little bit due to some food, like carrots etc, but I didn't see such difference, probably didn't eat that much of it. Also items that get fast to your blood stream will probably get through to the milk, like caffeine, alcohol, drugs etc. Some food might make your baby more gassy, but I found out that cabbage made gassy me, but not the baby, even if many women swear it affects the milk. It probably really depends on your baby's digestive system. Also I avoided allergens like peanuts, chocolate (in large amounts) and some fruit. My little one reacted to the milk after I had fresh strawberries. She developed rush, so always watch your baby and eat healthy. I didn't avoided most of the vegetables and Alex loved them when we started weaning her, but my friend didn't eat nearly anything from fruit or vegetable section, she thought everything will affect the milk. Everywhere they are saying eat healthy and wide variety of the food. It helps your baby get use to different tastes from the milk and you will have less fuzzy eater when you start with solids.
My baby doesn't go to sleep unless I feed him
It's a comfort think as well. Your baby feels relaxed when it smells your skin and gets warm milk. That's normal, but the older the baby is the better to try to get it sleep by itself. We started during the day, I fed Alex, we played a little and then we put her in her cot. Eventually she felt asleep by herself even an hour or so after the feed. During the night I usually fed her and burp her and put her to sleep. When she started on solids, she fed a little less during the night, until she stopped feeding during the night completely. We didn't push her to sleep through night without food. She managed by herself, it took maybe a bit longer, but it happened and after 6 months she wasn't feeding during the night. She woke up multiple times but fell asleep again. I know some mummies, who breastfeed their 1 year old babies and still do it during the night. It really depends on the baby and you, what would you prefer.
Leaks
Yes, I had to wear breast pads, but not that often. Just to tell you, your body can feel your baby. My boobs usually leaked when the baby was nearby, sometimes you just have to talk about your baby or think of it. The closer it is to the usual feed time, the easier this can happen, so if you go out and your baby sleeps in buggy, you want to have breast pads or extra top to change, just in case.
A friend of mine asked me what should she do, that she has no milk coming, if she should ask the nurse to pierce her nipples
Well no! The milk will find its way out, our bodies are built for it.
Blocked ducts
Keep breastfeeding, even express if you have to. I usually heated a little towel in a microwave for a few seconds before the feed. And used it as a heat pad on the place where it hurts, then I massaged the place a little and let the baby feed from that side. I kept massaging the place during the feeding until it was soft or softer and the boob empty. If I had too, I took a breast pump and finished it that way. Some people say you could use cold pack as well. I didn't like it cold. Another way st to go to shower with warm water and massage it there, but you have to count with some leaks. The feeding worked best for me.
If it get worst you might need to see your doctor, because it could be mastitis. That would need a medication, so be careful and try to keep your breasts soft and without blocked ducts. The massage could help if you use it during every feeding to prevent such thing.
How to store your milk
In order to store some milk you first need to express. You can hand express, I did this in a hospital to get the colostrum ready in case Alex wouldn't take it from me and once we had to give her that expressed colostrum through syringe, because she didn't want to stay attached and was very hungry. And I continued to express the colostrum just in case, the more you feed your baby the more colostrum or milk you create, so I knew, it could not harm to express a little bit and it kept me calmer, because there was a back up plan in case Alex wouldn't take my breast again. When I had the right milk and needed to express either because my breasts were too full or we planned to go somewhere, where I wouldn't like to breastfeed, I used manual breast pump. I didn't try the electric one, because I planned to breastfeed not bottle feed even with breastmilk. I used the pump only a few times. You can store the milk in closed containers or bottles in your fridge for 5 days, but the bottles must be placed to the back of the fridge, not on door, as the door get warmer each time you open the fridge, or in fridge-freezer for 3 months or deep freezer for up to 6 months. I tried to freeze the milk and give it to Alex when I needed, but she didn't like the milk from freezer, it had a bit different taste, I didn't like it either, so I didn't built up the stock. Some mums when they go back to work, they express and store the milk for the baby, so they don't need to stop and start the baby on formula.
if you express, just label your milk with date so you know which one is older and how long do you have it in a fridge or freezer.
How to use frozen breastmilk
You first need to defrost the milk, either in fridge or standing in a jug of warm water. Just keep the lid of the container out of the water. Once you have the milk defrosted, you need to use it straight away. Don't re-freeze it and always make sure you use the oldest milk first. The milk would be best a little bit warm, just always make sure that you have the right temperature, so you don't burn your baby's mouth. You can even use the milk cold or at room temperature. Never use microwave to heat up the milk, it's heats the milk from inside out, so you can easily think it's not warm enough but it could have very hot spots.
Soothers
I was told not to use soothers, not even for sleep especially during the first weeks. When you have established milk supply and you really think your baby needs soother, you can try. We gave Alex soother when she was about 3 months old. If the baby is sucking on soother, you can easily miss that it's hungry. It can get used to the taste and shape and could have problems attach to your breast, because sucking on soother or bottle is much easier. And during the growth spurts is really important that you know when your baby's hungry, so your milk will adjust to your baby needs fast.
How to stop breastfeeding
It should be a gradual process. Sometimes if mummy's very sick and there is no other way, she might need to stop from day to day, but that hurts. It's better to take it slow. Try to eliminate probably an evening feed, when the milk supply is lower. Do it for a few days in a row and eliminate another one. Until you have one or two feeds a day. I stopped cold turkey when Alex was feeding 3 times a day. One day she took milk only twice and I didn't wait and just gave her a bottle the next day. I was in pain for a few days, had to even express a little bit, because one duct got blocked, my breast were hard and painful. You can use cold cabbage leaves, it's soothes the skin and pain a little. You put them in a fridge and when they are cold put them into your bra. Also a sage tea can decrease the milk supply.
Of course after each feed you have to burp you baby. Otherwise it could have a lot of wind and pain in the belly and that is not good. There are some videos on YouTube how to burp your baby. You have to find a way which works for you and the baby best. It took us while until we were able to find the right way. Alex burped best during the first weeks when I laid her down on my chest and rubbed her back with the palm of my hand. When she got bigger, she burped better while sitting supported by my one of my hands and the other was again rubbing her back. It's not good to tap the baby's back to get them to burp.
Blocked ducts
Keep breastfeeding, even express if you have to. I usually heated a little towel in a microwave for a few seconds before the feed. And used it as a heat pad on the place where it hurts, then I massaged the place a little and let the baby feed from that side. I kept massaging the place during the feeding until it was soft or softer and the boob empty. If I had too, I took a breast pump and finished it that way. Some people say you could use cold pack as well. I didn't like it cold. Another way st to go to shower with warm water and massage it there, but you have to count with some leaks. The feeding worked best for me.
If it get worst you might need to see your doctor, because it could be mastitis. That would need a medication, so be careful and try to keep your breasts soft and without blocked ducts. The massage could help if you use it during every feeding to prevent such thing.
How to store your milk
In order to store some milk you first need to express. You can hand express, I did this in a hospital to get the colostrum ready in case Alex wouldn't take it from me and once we had to give her that expressed colostrum through syringe, because she didn't want to stay attached and was very hungry. And I continued to express the colostrum just in case, the more you feed your baby the more colostrum or milk you create, so I knew, it could not harm to express a little bit and it kept me calmer, because there was a back up plan in case Alex wouldn't take my breast again. When I had the right milk and needed to express either because my breasts were too full or we planned to go somewhere, where I wouldn't like to breastfeed, I used manual breast pump. I didn't try the electric one, because I planned to breastfeed not bottle feed even with breastmilk. I used the pump only a few times. You can store the milk in closed containers or bottles in your fridge for 5 days, but the bottles must be placed to the back of the fridge, not on door, as the door get warmer each time you open the fridge, or in fridge-freezer for 3 months or deep freezer for up to 6 months. I tried to freeze the milk and give it to Alex when I needed, but she didn't like the milk from freezer, it had a bit different taste, I didn't like it either, so I didn't built up the stock. Some mums when they go back to work, they express and store the milk for the baby, so they don't need to stop and start the baby on formula.
if you express, just label your milk with date so you know which one is older and how long do you have it in a fridge or freezer.
How to use frozen breastmilk
You first need to defrost the milk, either in fridge or standing in a jug of warm water. Just keep the lid of the container out of the water. Once you have the milk defrosted, you need to use it straight away. Don't re-freeze it and always make sure you use the oldest milk first. The milk would be best a little bit warm, just always make sure that you have the right temperature, so you don't burn your baby's mouth. You can even use the milk cold or at room temperature. Never use microwave to heat up the milk, it's heats the milk from inside out, so you can easily think it's not warm enough but it could have very hot spots.
Soothers
I was told not to use soothers, not even for sleep especially during the first weeks. When you have established milk supply and you really think your baby needs soother, you can try. We gave Alex soother when she was about 3 months old. If the baby is sucking on soother, you can easily miss that it's hungry. It can get used to the taste and shape and could have problems attach to your breast, because sucking on soother or bottle is much easier. And during the growth spurts is really important that you know when your baby's hungry, so your milk will adjust to your baby needs fast.
How to stop breastfeeding
It should be a gradual process. Sometimes if mummy's very sick and there is no other way, she might need to stop from day to day, but that hurts. It's better to take it slow. Try to eliminate probably an evening feed, when the milk supply is lower. Do it for a few days in a row and eliminate another one. Until you have one or two feeds a day. I stopped cold turkey when Alex was feeding 3 times a day. One day she took milk only twice and I didn't wait and just gave her a bottle the next day. I was in pain for a few days, had to even express a little bit, because one duct got blocked, my breast were hard and painful. You can use cold cabbage leaves, it's soothes the skin and pain a little. You put them in a fridge and when they are cold put them into your bra. Also a sage tea can decrease the milk supply.
Of course after each feed you have to burp you baby. Otherwise it could have a lot of wind and pain in the belly and that is not good. There are some videos on YouTube how to burp your baby. You have to find a way which works for you and the baby best. It took us while until we were able to find the right way. Alex burped best during the first weeks when I laid her down on my chest and rubbed her back with the palm of my hand. When she got bigger, she burped better while sitting supported by my one of my hands and the other was again rubbing her back. It's not good to tap the baby's back to get them to burp.
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