As I sat on the edge of my bed, my head was in my hands. When my eyes had adjusted to the dark room, I could see that my daughter was crying. She looked so small in her bassinet. My body was aching from my 20 hour labor and delivery from just days before, and my only desire was to lay back down. But my tiny baby was crying. As a result of the sound of her wailing, I felt the well of tears start to form in my own eyes. Why was she crying? “I am pretty sure that I just breastfed her”, I thought to myself. What could she possibly need now only an hour later?
As I reflect on those early days of breastfeeding, I wish that someone had told me how hard it would be. Just how extremely difficult breastfeeding really is. As I look back, I wish that I had read all the things and learned what to do in those tough places. And I especially wish that I had set appropriate expectations of just how hard those early days would be. Equally as important, I would have wanted someone by my side that could have cheered me on and told me that it was worth it.
Well almost seven years later, I am here to tell you that it is worth it.
And, just like you don’t roll off the couch, put on your tennis shoes and run a 2 hour marathon without practice and planning, you can’t just wait until your baby arrives to learn about breastfeeding. You need to read and learn ahead of time. Learn the process, learn what to expect and surround yourself with support.
These are five secrets that I want you to know. This information will arm you with knowledge, skill and confidence. Breastfeeding a new baby is a marathon. Let’s learn some of the ways that you can prepare for this endurance event.
Early Skin to Skin Contact
First of all, the first 48 hours of your baby’s life are critical.
Therefore, using every minute of these 48 hours is just as critical. When your baby is born, the first stop that your tiny human should make is to your bare chest. As a result of this first contact, magical things start happening in your body and especially your breasts. They start to wake up to the idea of nourishing your new baby.
In addition, equally magical things happen to your new baby. They calm down, have less stress on their body systems and become acquainted with their source of nutrition and comfort. Ideally, the baby will stay in this position uninterrupted until after their first feeding.
In order to accomplish this, everyone in the room needs to know that early skin to skin initiation is your desire. From the nurse that checks you in when you are first in labor, to your attending OB or midwife, to the nurse that monitors you post delivery, they all need to be on the same page with you. Equally as important, you should discuss this with your spouse and labor support person. In addition, look for a hospital or birthing center that is equipped to assist you with this goal.
Hand Expression
Let’s face it, hand expression has likely never been a part of your vocabulary. And as a result, it certainly has never been on your “to do” list of skills to learn. But, it becomes important when you have a new baby. This skill gives you the power to overcome many of the early and late obstacles to successful breastfeeding.
Familiarize yourself with your own breasts and learn hand expression. Skillfully expressing breast milk from your breasts with your own two hands will help you in so many ways:
- Provides extra milk for your baby
- Provides your milk if you are separated from your baby
- Relieves engorgement
- Removes the sticky thick colostrum that is difficult to remove with an electric pump
Frequency of Feedings
First 24 hours
Next, you need to prepare yourself with the expectation that your baby will be sleepy during the first day of their life. This time will go by quickly, but it is important to know that it is normal.
After the baby’s initial feeding, he or she will go into a time of deep sleep. There are many reasons for this first long nap. Babies are tired from the stress of delivery. They are also worn out from the brightness and stimulation of their new world. And while it is almost impossible to feed a sleeping baby, it is important to give it a gentle try every few hours. You need to rest too, but you don’t want to completely sleep through the first 24 hours.
Next 24 hours
As the first 24 hours of life comes to a close, your baby will wake up. He or she will demand to be fed frequently. As in every 30 minutes to an hour frequently. As many a bleary eyed new mom has come to realize, this period of cluster feeding (feeding frequently) is exhausting. Wrapping your mind around just how often a newborn needs to be fed will help you to set appropriate expectations of yourself and the newest member of your family. And while it is exhausting, it is a really important time to lay groundwork for success.
Cluster feeding sets up an important biological response within your baby. It also creates an equally important biological response within your body. This period of frenzied eating signals your breasts that they need to produce more milk. Through a complex interaction of hormones and the muscles that surround the milk ducts, the more your baby eats, the more your body wants to produce milk. This supply and demand relationship will set the pace for the first two weeks of breastfeeding. It will also set you up for success to meet your longer term breastfeeding goals.
Limiting Distractions
Imagine that you are getting ready to feed your crying baby, and your in-laws walk through the door. Or maybe you are pulling down your hospital gown to put your baby skin to skin and your husband’s best friend from college comes bursting into the room.
While visitors are nice, they often present an unwelcome distraction and interruption in your breastfeeding relationship. As grandma and grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins and co-workers are streaming through the doors of your hospital room, you grow increasingly exhausted and less physically able to prioritize breastfeeding. And although you can’t always eliminate everyone, it is best to limit visitors in the first few postpartum days. If it is difficult for you to tell people not to come, enlist the help of the nursing staff at the hospital. They are generally always glad to help you by putting a “do not disturb” sign on your door.
Observe Your Latch
Whether it is your first baby or your fourth, it is always a good idea to have a skilled expert observe your latch. Ask someone who is knowledgeable about breastfeeding. Be sure to ask sooner rather than later. By simply observing how you put the baby to breast, an expert can refine your skills. They can both help you to improve upon bad techniques and praise you for the good ones.
By seeking help early, you will avoid the consequences of a bad latch. Bruising, bleeding, other nipple damage, and pain can cause you to quit breastfeeding prematurely. Additionally, a bad latch can interfere with your baby’s ability to transfer milk from your breast. On the other hand, knowing that your latch is good will give you confidence. Please be sure to ask for help early and often if you are struggling.
Final Thoughts
Once you have mastered the early things, you need an expert to walk alongside you for the rest of the journey. At 127 Pediatrics, my practice is designed to do just that. I am a board-certified pediatrician and an international board-certified lactation consultant.
We have some recent articles on breastfeeding that you can find below:
The First 24 Hours of Breastfeeding
The First 6 Weeks of Breastfeeding
5 Factors that Decrease Breast Milk Supply
Of course, feel free to contact us if you’d like a consultation.
I have designed this practice to provide personalized expertise for your breastfeeding and parenting journey. Visit my website at 127 Pediatrics to find out how to become a member of the practice.
Andrea Wadley, MD, IBCLC is the owner, pediatrician, and lactation consultant for 127 Pediatrics. We are a direct primary care, home visit pediatric, and lactation practice based in Colleyville, TX
© 127 Pediatrics. 33 Main Street, Suite 160, Colleyville, TX 76034. All rights reserved. March 2020.
