One of the things that I looked forward to the most when I was pregnant with my son, was being able to breastfeed him. There is something truly amazing about being able to provide the nourishment that your child needs while bonding with them at the same time. It’s really a magical experience. But also one that doesn’t always come so easy. All three of my kids had issues when it came to breastfeeding and it never came as easy as some people made it out to be. But thankfully after my third child I learned that it’s ok if everything doesn’t always go as planned. And there are things out there that can help you still give you child the nourishment they need from breastmilk even if you can’t always breastfeed. Here are some of my Top 10 Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms.
Top 10 Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms
1. First and foremost, relax.
Not only will it hurt your milk supply by stressing out but it takes away from that special bonding time with your baby.
2. Be prepared, breastfeeding will be uncomfortable and probably even hurt at first.
No one really prepared me for the pain that I was going to feel when my milk first came in. I felt like my boobs were going to pop and then to stick a newborn baby onto them was not that great of a feeling. But after a few days and some practice the pain and uncomfortable feeling will go away. If it doesn’t then something good be wrong. It’s a good idea to consult your doctor or lactation specialist if you are still feeling pain.
3. Drink, Drink and Drink some more!
You will need to stay very hydrated when breastfeeding. The more water you drink, the more milk you will produce. I didn’t have any issues drinking water because I was constantly thirsty while breastfeeding. I carried around a huge mug just like this one so that I always had water.
4. Invest in a good quality breast pump.
My son had a hard time latching on which caused a lot of issues with my milk supply. Luckily, I had a good quality pump. The Philips Avent Comfort Breast Pump is a great pump for using at home or taking on the go. It has Innovative massaging petals in the soft breast cushion which mimic baby’s natural suckling to help simulate letdown and milk flow. It’s unique design allows you to be able to sit in an upright, relaxed position. And it fits all Avent bottles and storage containers, so there’s never a need to transfer breast milk.
5. Take advantage of that extra help and let someone else do the feeding from time to time.
One of the advantages of pumping is that I was able to let my husband do some of the feedings at night. This really helped me get extra sleep and allowed him to bond with our new baby. Philips Avent Natural Bottles are great because they have a wide, breast-shaped nipple which makes it easy for baby to transition from breast to bottle. The unique comfort ‘petals’ inside the nipple increase softness and flexibility without collapsing. And one of my favorite features is the advanced anti-colic system with innovative twin valve allows air into the bottle – not baby’s tummy.
6. Moisturize those nipples.
This is one of those tips that I didn’t pay much attention to until it was too late. I can’t stress enough how important it is to make sure that you get nipple cream and use it. OFTEN.
7. Stockpile your milk if you are able to.
I was one of those fortunate people that produced a lot of breastmilk. More than what I need. So I would feed half to my baby and store the other half in Philips Avent Breast Milk Storage Bags. These freezer safe bags have reinforced seams and a dual layer which makes them safe for storage. Plus they are self standing which means that it’s easy to fill up and pour out your milk with these bags. We always used all of our milk but if you find yourself with an abundance of leftover milk, consider contacting a donation center to donate your breastmilk.
8. Create a special “breastfeeding” station.
One of the things that really helped me when breastfeeding was having a little area just for that. I had everything I needed right there, including a comfortable chair. I also used this area to pump. I would stock snacks, bottled water, breast pads, oh and that oh so important tube of nipple cream.
9. Take care of your breasts.
I mentioned above that breastfeeding can be painful at first. But there are times even for seasoned breastfeeding moms that it can get uncomfortable. For instance, if you’ve waited to long in between feedings you can get engorged. When I was pregnant with my 3rd child I was given the Philips Avent Breastfeeding Essentials Set and it was a lifesaver. This kit was developed with a breastfeeding export to give support to moms as they breastfeed. Inside the kit you’ll find Thermogel pads which can be used warm to stimulate breast milk flow or used cold for soothing and relief. Also included is breast pads for absorption and comfort both day and night.
10. Remember that Breastfeeding gets easier as each day goes by.
The first couple of weeks can be hard for new breastfeeding moms. But I promise it gets easier and easier as each day passes. Soon you and your baby will be pro’s at this whole breastfeeding thing. Just remember to relax and enjoy the moments.
Now It’s time to giveaway a HUGE Avent Breastfeeding Kit (ARV $179) featuring the following.
- (1) Philips Avent Comfort Breast Pump
- (1) package of Philips Avent Bottles
- (1) Philips Avent Breast Milk Storage Bags
- (1) Philips Avent Breastfeeding Essentials Set
To enter follow the instructions below using rafflecopter. Good Luck!