Breastfeeding Survival Guide

After writing my article on the step by step guide to breastfeeding, I wanted to pass on what I warrant to be helpful breastfeeding tips. Now for all first time and experienced mothers we know that the first few days of breastfeeding are quite challenging, but don’t loose heart. Those among you who are ready to give up remember it takes roughly three to five days for milk production to get well on its way.

1. Don’t stop trying to breast feed. As painful as it may be and as sore as your breasts may become don’t give up. The sucking motion of your baby will encourage the milk flow. After a few days you will realise that the milk is flowing more and then you’ll have a new complaint, engorged breasts.

2. To help with engorged breasts and I’m sure many have been told or have read this, use a hand pump, electric pump or squeezing the milk yourself into a clean container to express the excess milk. Another option you may choose is to take a hot shower and allow the hot water (not too hot) to beat down on your breasts which in turn will cause the milk to flow out freely. After expressing the milk you may decide to bottle the milk and store it in the freezer. The expressed milk can be stored in the fridge in a sterilised bottle up to 48hrs. Breast milk can also be stored in the freezer compartment of the fridge for up to a week or frozen in the freezer up to three months. Expressed milk should be frozen as soon as possible. There are also specially designed breast milk freezer bags. Frozen breast milk should be thawed in the fridge and when thawed to be used within 24 hrs. Never refreeze breast milk.

3. Don’t stop breastfeeding suddenly, especially if planning to return to work. This sudden change can cause your breasts to become hard, swollen and uncomfortable. Give yourself time for the changeover and slowly cut down on the number of feeds several weeks before you return for work.

4. To help sore, chapped nipples after the baby has fed squeeze abit of milk around the nipple and let it dry or you may choose to use ointments. I recommend Kamillosan, a chamomile ointment which can be used after breastfeeding but which must be wiped off before another feed.

5. Keep your nipples clean and dry and change your breast pads regularly and avoid those with plastic backs. Wear a well supported cotton nursing bra and allow air to get to your nipples as much as possible.

6. Sore cracked nipples most usually is the result of your baby not latching on to the breast properly so ask your doctor, midwife or nurse for guidance.

These are just a few handy recommendations I wanted to pass on to first time moms like myself who may be struggling abit. Take heart and remember that you are not alone.