18/12/2020
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**TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL BREASTFEEDING**
Breastfeeding your baby is a wonderful but unique journey that a new parent will experience.
Some babies just "get it" and jump straight onto the breast straight after birth. Others take longer to get the hang of it. The most worrying time for new breastfeeders is during the first couple of weeks. They may experience anxiety over whether baby is latched properly, how much milk the baby is getting, or suffer from painful ni***es.
When you first breastfeed a baby, you may find that your ni***es are sensitive and may take a couple of weeks to get used to having a baby feeding from them but it is short lived. When the baby first latches they feed fast and furious so the initial couple of seconds might be uncomfortable but it should subside as the feed goes on. Breastfeeding should not be toe curlingly painful throughout the feed, if it is then remove baby and re latch.
Getting support at birth to ensure the baby is latched on properly will save you from sore and cracked ni***es down the line.
I always suggest making sure your baby is evaluated for tongue/ lip tie. They are not always visible to the eye and a finger should be placed in the mouth to feel for a hidden or posterior tie. Sometimes tongue and lip ties dont cause any feeding issues but if you are experiencing pain throughout every feed or baby latches and slips off after a few seconds, it could be that the tongue tie is restricting the baby from latching on effectively.
Respond to your baby's feeding cues. When they wake, start rooting around, licking their lips or trying to suck their fist, they are probably ready for a feed.
Avoid a pacifier until breastfeeding is established after the first few weeks. Some babies may find it dificult to switch between pacifier and breast.
Remember babies dont all cry for the breast because they are hungry. Sometimes they want comfort, are tired, unsettled or simply want to be close to you.
Know that breastfeeding for the vast majority of women gets easier over time. You will probably find that by 2 months you can breastfeed one handed swinging from the chandeliers 😁😁
Any other breastfeeding tips you found helped?
