Breastfeeding is just as challenging as it is rewarding. It's also an activity that's loaded with benefits for the baby and for the mother. New studies, according to La Leche League International, reveal that breastfeeding may reduce a woman's risk of heart disease, diabetes and high cholesterol.
Breastfed babies are sick less and have fewer dental problems and allergies than formula-fed babies, according to La Leche League International. Still, for all its benefits, some mothers experience difficulties with breastfeeding. If you're having trouble, a few tips may help get you back on track.
Latch
Breastfeeding success starts with a good latch. The latch determines how much milk your baby will get, which determines how much milk your body produces. A good latch also helps prevent breast soreness and irritation. There are many types of nursing holds, so experiment with holds that work best for you. All holds should start with you getting into a comfortable position, so you can support the weight of your baby through the entire feed without discomfort. Make sure your baby doesn't have to bend her neck to feed, that her nose is touching your breast, that at least a half inch of the area of breast around the nipple is in your baby's mouth, according to La Leche League International. Make sure your breast isn't pushing down on your baby's chin. If your baby starts to face the ceiling, re-adjust so her her is directly facing your breast.
Duration
If your baby constantly wants to breastfeed, it's a good sign, according to Medline Plus. Many mothers worry that their new baby's constant desire to feed indicates that they're not getting enough milk, but this isn't the case. Medline Plus goes on to say that breast milk is digested easier and faster, so babies will seem like they need endless feeding. This is actually a sign that you're baby's being well-fed and the act of feeding your baby on-demand will automatically signal to your body to produce enough milk. If your baby produces six to eight wet diapers per day and gains a pound a month, she's getting enough breast milk.
Pacifiers and Bottles
Pacifiers and bottle should be avoided at all costs if you plan on exclusively breastfeeding, according to La Leche League International. Babies suck for nourishment, but also for comfort, and it takes time for a baby to adjust to the nipple it will feed from. Using a pacifiers and bottles rather than the breast to soothe and feed your baby can confuse her. When she is exposed to other sources of food and sucking, she can reject your breast, making it harder for you to breastfeed in the future. Try a breast supplementer if you have a weak sucker or a low milk supply. A supplementer is a small tube that you place in your baby's mouth while she's at the breast, which slowly drips expressed breast milk or formula into your baby's mouth as she sucks at your breast.
Self Care
If you want your breastfeeding relationship to succeed, you'll need to take care of yourself as well as you take care of your baby. Breastfeeding burns additional calories, so new mothers need to make sure their diets are plentiful and rich in nutrient-dense foods. Poor diet, dehydration and lack of sleep can impact your milk supply. It may seem like you have time to do nothing, but nurse the first few months of your baby's life, but stealing a few hours out of each day for self-care will help you achieve breastfeeding success.
