Getting Started…
Secrets to Successful Breastfeeding
by Stephanie Scholz Neurohr
Breastfeeding—a
natural art? What could possibly be easier than breastfeeding your
baby? After all, women have been doing it since the dawn of time.
As a mother of seven breastfed children, including twins and a baby with special needs, I can honestly say that I have found breastfeeding to be sublimely natural, but only after struggling with virtually every conceivable problem along the way.
The truth is, breastfeeding is both a natural and learned art, requiring practice and patience to master. And whatever challenges I have faced, the innumerable benefits of mother's milk have made it all worthwhile.
As a published author, filmmaker, and breastfeeding advocate, it is my mission to teach other mothers around the world how to breastfeed, one at a time. I have written and produced Mother of 7 Breastfeeding Videos—featuring world experts and experienced mothers, fathers, and families who provide knowledge, insight, and advice into this informative, emotional journey through the intricacies of breastfeeding.
During the interview process, I found breastfeeding to be a universal issue where no boundaries separate countries, cultures, or ethnicities. When it comes to childbirth and breastfeeding - all mothers experience the same joy and pain. From behind the lens, I relived the magic and trials of my early attempts to breastfeed.
Eighteen years ago, my first baby, Tiffany, was placed in my arms after a complicated vaginal birth. She and I were both exhausted, but I was determined to breastfeed Tiffany and give her nature's best. Formula was not even an option in my mind.
Despite difficulties and an emotional first six weeks, I persevered, eventually tackling the basics of breastfeeding, but not without making many mistakes that could have been prevented. Here's how.
1. Breastfeed Your Baby During the First Hour of Life
Mistake: I did not know that when possible, it is best to breastfeed your baby during the first hour of life-a period of calm, quiet alertness when the baby is most eager to latch on for the first time.
Solution: If you have a vaginal birth or c-section and both you and the baby are healthy, don't miss the magical first hour to start breastfeeding. Talk with your health care provider team both before and immediately after delivery to remind them of your desire to breastfeed as soon after birth as possible. The hour goes very quickly. Voice your request and seize this special opportunity.
Benefits: Early breastfeeding benefits both mother and baby. The baby's sucking causes the mother's uterus to contract, decreasing blood loss. Secondly, colostrum, or first milk, is a priceless source of protective immunities that shield the baby from disease. Additionally, skin-to-skin contact brings comfort and warmth.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfeeding begin within the first hour after birth, emphasizing that no water, glucose water or infant formula should be given to a breastfeeding newborn unless there are medical indications. Mothers should provide expressed breast milk for times when they are separated from their babies because of infant or maternal illness. In order to assist mothers who must express milk, hospitals should provide them with quality breast pumps.
2. Breastfeed Exclusively and Frequently with Let Down and Proper Technique
Mistake: Nothing prepared me for how long and often a newborn is supposed to breastfeed during the first weeks of life. I also did not understand let down, proper positioning, latching on, and sucking technique-all of which are critical for breastfeeding success! A little discomfort at first was normal, but pain meant that my technique was wrong.
Solution: Before delivery, learn about proper technique, maximizing your milk supply by breastfeeding every two hours during the day and at least twice during the night, and allowing time for let down during each feed. Breastfeed exclusively for the first six months and continue to breastfeed as long as possible (Benefits of breastfeeding are dose related—the longer you breastfeed—the greater the benefits!) and mutually desired by both you and your child.
Benefits: Breastfeeding correctly and frequently helps to prevent engorgement, sore nipples and breast infections, and establishes a plentiful milk supply for exclusive, extended breastfeeding. The more you nurse, the more milk you will make, but be certain your technique is correct.
Exclusive breastfeeding provides extensive, impressive benefits for the baby, mother, family, society and work place. Breastfed babies experience fewer infections and infant and childhood diseases, including cancers, allergies and eczema, and enjoy increased development and higher I.Q.
Mothers have a decreased risk of certain cancers, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, postpartum weight loss, systemic lupus erythematosus, urinary tract infections and postpartum depression.
Important societal effects include child spacing and less financial costs to government and families due to decreased food and medical expenses. Employers benefit from lower health care costs, increased productivity due to fewer sick days for mother and child, improved employee satisfaction and long-term retention of workers.
3. Room-In
Mistake: Not rooming-in. (Note: Rooming-in was not an option until the first U.S. Baby Friendly hospital, Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland, Washington was assessed in 1996. I was not allowed to room-in with my first, second, third, and fourth babies - born in '86, '88, '91, and '94. Babies number five and six, '96 were premature twins who were taken to the NICU. Baby number seven, '99, was born with life threatening birth defects and was also taken to the NICU).
Solution: If possible, deliver at a Baby Friendly Hospital, where you can have your baby with you at all times for "on-demand" feedings to prevent jaundice, engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis-all of which can be overcome with continued, frequent breastfeeding. If you develop any of these problems, don't stop breastfeeding; the solution is to continue nursing and/or pumping.
Benefits: Rooming-in gets the breastfeeding routine off to a great start and increases the mother's confidence that she can exclusively breastfeed. Rooming-in also allows you total control so you can prevent hospital personnel from giving your baby pacifiers, glucose water, formula and water, all of which decrease mother's milk supply and baby's need to breastfeed.
4. Avoid Sleep Deprivation
Mistake: Not sleeping when baby sleeps.
Solution: Room-in with your baby so you can breastfeed on-demand and sleep when baby sleeps. Night nursing is an ideal way for both mother and baby to get more sleep, because mother stays in constant touch with baby's needs as they cuddle and nap together, all part of attachment parenting.
Benefits: Unfortunately, sleep deprivation is part of early motherhood, but it is greatly reduced when you exclusively breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding will actually allow you more time to rest with your baby because there will be no bottles to scrub, sterilize, and refill with prepared formula. What's more, breastfeeding releases "mothering hormones" when the milk lets down that act like natural tranquilizers for both mothers and child. There is also a reduction in SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and post-partum depression when you breastfeed.
5. Let Someone Else Be Super Mom
Mistake: Trying to continue doing everything I did before birth plus taking care of a new baby.
Solution: Cook and freeze meals before delivery. They will come in very handy. Have friends and family cook, clean, and deliver meals to reduce stress. Everyone is anxious to help, so don't be shy about delegating tasks. Don't feel you have to entertain anybody either. Excuse yourself when well-wishers stay too long. They go home to a good night's sleep; you don't. Dismiss yourself with the baby into a quiet room with white noise (fans are great) or soothing music to drown out all extraneous noise. Silence the phone and let the answering machine do its job. Stay away from anything that will drain your energy and take time away from taking care of yourself and the baby. Let-down takes time to learn and is difficult even for experienced moms who find themselves multi-tasking and feeling tense. The post-partum period is the perfect time to be totally selfish. Everyone will understand, and if they don't, they'll get over it.
Benefit: A happy, rested, well-fed breastfeeding mother is better able to provide proper nutrition and nurturing to her newborn.
6. Eat Well and Enjoy Your Body
Mistake: Not taking time to eat and drink properly to ensure a good milk supply, as well as trying to diet during lactation.
Solution: Eat nutritional foods as often as you feel the need for extra energy. Small meals several times a day usually help keep your milk supply up and let down possible. If your milk isn't letting down, take a break, eat a nutritious snack, and drink a tall glass of liquid. Try again to breastfeed an hour later. It usually does the trick. Avoid empty calories like sweets, caffeine, and alcohol, and certain foods like dairy products and spicy foods.
Benefits: Breastfeeding requires 300-600 extra calories a day, the same amount of calories burned when you work out at the gym for one hour. Enjoy your voluptuous new body and know that the curves will disappear all too soon. Focus on providing creamy milk for your new bundle of love. Your body will return to normal when it is ready. Don't fight nature—enjoy it!
