I have been meaning to blog about this topic for a few days now.As some of you may know I had a though tim with breast-feeding during the first month, all is well now and we hope to keep that way. I know my problems were very minor compared to some other moms out there; however one thing I have learned and will share with any mom to be is you can not ever be over prepared for breast-feeding.
For me I was a bit nervous about the delivery and overwhelmed with the idea that Christophe's nursery was not completed so I had completly forgoten about breast-feeding and in reality I when to a breast-feeding workshop and said this looks easy it's going to be a piece of cake. Was I ever wrong.
Looking back at the last month or so I wish I would have done the following thing differently and I urge any new mom to consider taking this advice.
1. Read a good book on breast-feeding. Not a chapter in a book a completed book dedicated to breast-feeding; such as The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: Seventh Revised Edition (La Leche League International Book) or Dr. Jack Newman's Visual Guide to Breastfeeding.
2. Consulting a lactation consultant as soon as baby is born. Most hospital will send a lactation consultant to your room if you request this. I had no clue about this.
3. Watch Dr. Jack Newman's DVD.
4. Watch Dr. Jack Newman's DVD. I can not stress this enough; I wish I would have watched this DVD before baby was born it is amazing.
And here is a list of the items I did to help increase my milk flow:
1. Pump, Pump, Pump. Not using one of those dinky little things you can buy at Babies'r'us but with a hospital grad pump that you rent. If you can afford the pump it's not a hospital grade pump. These are usually over 3000$ to buy that is why people rent them.
2. If there is a lactation clinic close to your home go over and over again. Make sure you have a concise list of questions to ask them so you do not feel overwhelmed.
3. Take fenugreek and blessed thistle.
4. Read and watch everything you can get your hands on about breast-feeding.
5. Last but I think this may be one of the most important ones - talk to someone that has been through a rough patch also there encouragement will make you feel loads better. (thank you; you know who you are)
4 comments:
I have never heard of those DVD's. I had a bad time breastfeeding. If I think about it- I still get upset. I did see an LC and I read a few of the books you mentioned. Thanks for the DVD suggestion. I hope to breastfeed my next baby.
Hey Pierrette! I'm glad the breastfeeding is working for you now. I was fortunate to not have any problems with Emma, with Xavier I was able to resolve our issues before leaving the hospital thanks to the lactation consultant.
Happy feedings!!
Micheline
I would also add to the list on how to get your supply up is to breastfeed babe AS MUCH AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE!!! While a pump may work, it pales in comparison to how much you can increase by just letting your little one nurse. It's supply and demand right...so the greater the demand, the greater the supply. I had HUGE problems at the beginning after having my son (who just weaned at 3 years old btw) to the point where my nipples were bleeding and so sore...but I knew that in order to avoid formula, I'd have to persevere. And boy did the dr. newman videos and articles really help. that man is a godsend!! Luckily with my daughter (who is 6 months now) breastfeeding came so much easier, plus because I'd been nursing my son, my breasts were already prepared...thank god!!!
Julie
As julie commented I agree i should of added nurse nurse nurse to the list of thing i did. Looking back I am pretty sure I only have 45 to 60 minutes brakes when my son was not on.
Post a Comment