5 Tips For Breastfeeding Your Newborn

If you are pregnant and are planning on breastfeeding your baby, then this blog post is for you!  Breastfeeding is a special and rewarding experience for mother and baby.

Tip #1- Set up your spot

Plan for where you will spend most of your time in the early days. You will be there a whole lot so it can be a great help to have what you need at arm’s length for those early days and cluster feeding nursing sessions. 

Good things to have are:

·        Snacks,  one-handed and not messy are best

·        Water, personally I like to use a metal bottle, so the water stays ice cold for hours!

·        A soft blanket

·        Cell phone charger

 Tip #2- Don’t give up on your hardest day!

Yes, breastfeeding is hard. Yes, there are days you will want to give up. There is no shame in wanting to give your child formula and if you want to stop nursing, that is 100% OK. When you are having a really hard day though, that isn’t the time to make any permanent decisions. If you are wanting to stop, get some rest and then see if you still feel that way. 

Tip #3- Avoid negative people

If you have people around you who aren’t supportive of your breastfeeding, those aren’t the people who you want to be talking to about it. Find a supportive person to confide in! I had people around me that said breastfeeding was gross and I found it so discouraging to even be around them in the early days. 

 Tip #4- Focus on you and your baby

Remember that both you and your baby are both learning what to do when it comes to nursing. Focus on your baby. Crawl into bed and spend time skin to skin with your baby! Also, remember that where your breastfeeding relationship goes is up to you. Things do get better!

 Tip #5- Know where to turn for help 

There are many amazing lactation professionals in Ottawa. Some doulas have additional training to support your breastfeeding journey, myself included. There are also many IBCLC’s available to support you. Some are available through drop-ins that are at no cost to you, some are available by appointment, and some even come to your home. One place to look for more information is www.ottawabreasetfeeds.ca.

Breastfeeding is a natural process, but it can also be challenging. By getting off to a good start, you and your baby will have an easier time breastfeeding for the long haul. Your doula is there to help make this process as smooth as possible for both of you. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. We wish you all the best in your new adventure!