If you are pregnant, chances are you have given some thought to breastfeeding. You may have heard many different stories about breastfeeding and understandably, you may be feeling a little uncertain if you will be successful. Following are some tips to help get breastfeeding off to a good start!
1) Know that just about every woman can successfully breastfeed. This means you! Statistics range from 1-5% of women who can't breastfeed. This is an incredibly small number of women and more likely than not, you do not fit into this category. Go into breastfeeding knowing that you can do it! Your body and your baby were born to do it.
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2) Do your homework. Read books, read articles online, talk to other breastfeeding mothers, take a class. Ask questions! Knowledge is important, but chances are you will forget something after you give birth to your baby, which leads to the very important next point:
3) Build your network of support. Attend a La Leche League (LLL) meeting before your baby is born. There, you will meet other breastfeeding mothers who will encourage and support you. You will meet your local LLL Leaders whom you can call upon if you have questions or concerns. Make sure to bring your Leader's phone number to the hospital so you can call her if needed! Do not count upon the staff at the hospital to give you the help you may need. Often, mothers request help and do not get it because the staff is too busy, or mothers get confilicting advice from the different nurses on duty.
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4) Plan for a natural, vaginal birth. Write a birth plan and make sure that you will be able to hold your baby right away. Try to breastfeed within the first hour. With a natural birth, you and your baby will be more awake and alert which will help you to breastfeed right away. If you do have interventions during birth, make sure that your partner/ support person knows your wishes and will enforce them with the hospital staff. Even with medications or a cesearan section, you can be successfull breastfeeding. Consider hiring a doula to advocate for you during birth.
4) Plan for a natural, vaginal birth. Write a birth plan and make sure that you will be able to hold your baby right away. Try to breastfeed within the first hour. With a natural birth, you and your baby will be more awake and alert which will help you to breastfeed right away. If you do have interventions during birth, make sure that your partner/ support person knows your wishes and will enforce them with the hospital staff. Even with medications or a cesearan section, you can be successfull breastfeeding. Consider hiring a doula to advocate for you during birth.
5) Breastfeed early and often. Breastfeed as soon as possible after birth (within an hour if you can) and continue to breastfeed as often as your baby indicates a need. This could be as much as every hour, but make sure you are breastfeeding a minimum of 8-12 times per 24 hours. You can't breastfeed too much, but you can breastfeed too little.
6) Know who to call for help. This is so important because when you are home with your new baby, the last thing you need to be doing is scouring the internet looking for breastfeeding help. Your hospital may have a number to call to speak to a lactation educator. Check with them before you have your baby. Your local LLL Leader is a great starting point when you have a concern. Often she can help you right over the phone and the best part is, it's free! Knowing where to get help can save you many tears and frustrations. Don't be afraid to ask simple questions! Sometimes a little bit of reassurance makes all the difference. You can also find an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to help you.
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