Breastfeeding Your Baby

Breastfeeding your baby is not as easy as it looks; some moms try breastfeeding and have some sort of difficulty, and find that formula is easier. But here are some tips to hopefully help you out so you can breastfeed. After all baby breastfeeding is healthier and easier in the long run.

Did you know that babies get just the right amount of everything they need to grow, such as sugars, fats, and antibodies. Breastfeed babies tend to be leaner and less overweight throughout there lives, then babies that drink formula. Babies that breastfeed also get sick less often than babies that drink formula. Also, you the mother burns calories when breastfeeding, shrinking your uterus and helping you to lose weight. There are many more benefits to breastfeeding then not, so why wouldn't you want to give your baby the best?

-Let your doctor know that you have chosen to breastfeed, so there can be a breastfeeding nurse there to assist you in the hospital.

-Don't let the nurses give your little one a pacifier or bottle unless he/she needs one, sometime it is necessary to feed your baby formula until your milk comes in, but it is easier for your baby to learn to nurse without all the nipple confusion that can come with a pacifier and bottle.

-Don't let the nurses give you a nipple shield. A nipple shied helps draw your nipple out making it easier for baby to nurse. Although this is good at the moment in the long run you have to wean baby from the nipple shield onto the nipple and this isn't the easiest thing to do.

-Keep baby in your hospital room so you can nurse as often as necessary, also making sure the nurses don't give baby a bottle.

-Try to nurse as soon as possible after giving birth. This is when the sucking instinct is strong and this makes it easier to nurse.

-Make sure to breastfeed equally on both sides, this helps to ensure that your breasts don't become engorged.

-There are different ways to hold your baby when you breastfeed.

If baby is having trouble latching on try a different position such as the football hold, or try lying down, these positions can be more comfortable for you as well as your baby. Also giving baby a different angle to latch on.

-If baby is having trouble latching on, to avoid frustration unlatch baby and wait a second and then try again.

Remember that breastfeeding takes practice, and your baby will get plenty of practice since newborn babies nurse eight to twelve times within a 24 hour period. So don't give up, there are plenty of support groups out there and doctor's offices now have nurses devoted to helping you breastfeed your baby. So if you have any questions contact your health care professional. Good Luck!!!