Breastfeeding 101 - 7 Golden Rules to Breastfeed Successfully

Experts agree that breast milk is the best nutrition for a newborn and recommend that mothers should breastfeed their children for at least the first 6 months, but breastfeeding is not easy and many new mothers have to overcome a tough learning curve before they can successfully breastfeed their baby. Here are 7 golden rules and several practical breastfeeding tips that will make life easier in the first days.

Rule no 1 Be prepared. Before ruling out breastfeeding as totally impractical, (especially if you plan to start working soon after your baby is born) take a breastfeeding class and explore your options. Apart from learning about the benefits of breastfeeding, you will be offered several solutions to any problems you might have with breastfeeding. Discuss your concerns with your teacher as this will help you feel more confident when the baby arrives.

For more information about breastfeeding classes you can visit the International La Leche League.

Rule no 2 Relax. You will produce more milk if you are relaxed, so take a deep breath before you start, find a comfortable position in a quiet room and take your time. If the baby has trouble latching, give yourself a break and try soothing him, then try again when he gets calmer.

It will be easier to relax if you find a comfortable breastfeeding position. To watch breastfeeding videos click here.

Rule no 3 Have faith in your abilities. Many mothers find it hard to breastfeed until they get used to it. Though breastfeeding is a natural process, a new mother still has to learn to breastfeed and go through a learning curve which means that there might be times when you will stumble. The important thing is to believe in yourself and don't give up at the first unsuccessful attempts.

Rule no 4 Ease the pain. It is likely you will feel very sore in the first days when you start breastfeeding. If you have engorged, swollen painful breasts, a warm shower will work wonders to ease the pain. Cracked sore nipples can be avoided by applying nipple cream,(lanolin cream is great), alternatively put some drops of your own breast milk on the sores after every feed and remember to alternate breasts when feeding. Another good tip is to keep the baby as close as possible to your body when you are breastfeeding, so that he doesn't pull on your breast and hurt you.

Rule no 5 Your baby won't starve to death and your success as a mother does not depend on whether you breastfeed or not. Breastfeeding is just one way of nourishing your baby. It is a natural and healthy way of feeding your child but if for some reason you are unable to breast feed, formula is a healthy alternative to breast feeding and there is nothing wrong with it. Your child will still thrive even if you are unable to breastfeed for the recommended 6 months, so don't feel you have failed your child because you were unable to breastfeed for as long as you would have liked.

Rule 6 steer away from bossy people. If you plan to breastfeed your child, it is likely you will find some older parent or relative who will push you to bottle feed your child because that was the way they fed their babies. If you are determined that breastfeeding is what you want for your baby, don't let others deter you from your goal. Breastfeeding is not easy especially in the first weeks, but it is the best nourishment for your child. A polite "thank you for the advice, I'll think about it" should send the message to those nagging about the benefits of formula, that you've had enough.

Rule 7 Ask the experts. Many will offer advice about what you should eat in order to have more milk or reduce your baby's colic . More experienced mothers are often a good source of help especially for a newbie but when it comes to unsolicited advice, especially from the older generations, that clashes with your common sense or your mother's instinct, you would usually be better off if you follow your head, rather than some outdated suggestion.

The golden rule is that if in doubt you should just seek your doctor's guidance. Gripe water or large doses of fenugreek might potentially harm you and your child. Even if herbs are natural and traditional remedies have been used for centuries, research shows that some of these remedies can be very toxic and cause serious problems.

An example of a potentially harmful natural remedy? Going back to Fenugreek (a herb used for centuries to increase milk production) Fenugreek has a strong effect on blood pressure and heart rate when taken in large doses, (which can be a serious risk for women who already have problems with blood pressure), so remember to always consult your doctor before swallowing shady concoctions or miracle supplements.

Sources

Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg, Sandee Hathaway - What to expect the first year- Pocket Books

24 tips from breast feeding veterans- Baby Centre

Personal experience