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5 Tips for Breastfeeding

1. Make positioning as easy as possible. Try ‘laid-back’ breastfeeding, which doesn’t require a ton of pillows or extra hands because you assist your baby in taking the lead when latching on. Most new breastfeeding books and websites have a section on laid-back breastfeeding.

2. Aim to feed your baby 8 or more times in a 24 hour period. This will maximize stimulation to your breasts to bring in your fullest milk supply. Try to feed from both breasts during a feeding session, although this is not always possible. Babies LOVE to fall asleep while breastfeeding due to the oxytocin rush!

3. You may have to pay attention to your baby’s latch for the first few weeks. Make sure his/ her mouth is wide open when latching and that his/her lips are flanged out (like a fish) while feeding. This will allow more breast tissue to get into his/her mouth, which will lead to a more comfortable latch and breastfeeding session.

4. Take this early postpartum time to just get to know your baby and practice breastfeeding. When else have you been given ‘permission’ to just hang out on the couch or in bed and snuggle with a newborn, with no agenda other than learning a new skill? It’s like your own personal professional development class! Take advantage of it and include your partner in this bonding time. Dishes and laundry can wait!

5. Remember, nipple and breast tenderness is normal for the first week or so. This is a lot of stimulation for ONE area of your body. Pain, on the other hand, is NOT normal. If you have any nipple or breast pain, this is your body’s way of telling you to seek breastfeeding support from a professional. Definitely call that IBCLC you looked up prenatally so that she can help you identify the root of the challenge and send you on your way to more comfortable breastfeeding.

 

The following is important for proper milk production.

– Lactogenic foods: healthy fats, complete proteins, and lots of green leafy vegetables. Some terrific foods that promote a healthy milk supply are: sesame seeds, beans, kale, asparagus, raw almonds and cashews, oats, and green drinks.

– Milk Plus is a great product with multiple items in it.  This can be purchased online or at sprouts.
– Proper water intake and enough food is essential.  You should be taking in half your body weight in ounces per day.
– In addition the types of food that will help to increase milk are oatmeal, beer (in moderation and should be consumed while breastfeeding) and a good amount of protein.
– Sleep is also essential.  If you are not resting enough your body will not produce enough milk as your resources are going elsewhere.  The old saying that when your baby sleeps you should also sleep is absolutely true.  The house, laundry and cooking will just have to wait.
– Acupuncture can also be a wonderful treatment milk production.  At our clinics we are helping women through their postpartum. Reproductive Wellness is the foremost natural fertility clinic in San Diego. If you would like to discuss your health concerns with Marc Sklar or some of our practitioners, please feel free to call 858 381 2281 for a free consultation.

-Most hospitals have free breastfeeding support groups that are very helpful.  Most OBGYN’s dont know much about breastfeeding.  Your best resource will be a lactation consultant or support groups.  Some resources are as follows:

 

If you would like to know more about postpartum and natural ways to improve your health after pregnancy, you can download our eBook for free http://on.fb.me/11eNT3g

If you would like to discuss your health concerns about postpartum with our women’s health specialist at Reproductive San Diego, give us a call at 858 381 2281 for a free consultation.
Resources:

 

San Diego Breastfeeding Center blog (www.sdbfc.com/blog), The Boob Group podcast (www.theboobgroup.com),

Thanks to Robin Kaplan, M.Ed., IBCLC, for this wonderful tips. She is the owner of the San Diego Breastfeeding Center. In addition to teaching breastfeeding classes and conducting breastfeeding consultations, she also hosts/produces The Boob Group podcast (www.theboobgroup.com) and is the founder of the San Diego Nursing in Public Task Force. You can also find articles on each of these tips on her weekly breastfeeding/parenting blog (www.sdbfc.com/blog). Robin’s philosophy is that all moms should have access to quality, judgment- free breastfeeding support to meet and exceed their personal breastfeeding goals.

Do you have questions after reading this article? Please let us know! Leave a comment below, we would love to give you some answers!

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