Megadodo
10-19-2007, 01:58 PM
While we all know and acknowledge that many an ill-informed Dr. or well-meaning Mother-In-Law can sabotage a new breastfeeding relationship, there are some things that moms do to harm themselves! You really do have to take responsibility for yourself, and for your own decisions, and make sure that you are doing all you can to make sure that you are successful!
1. NOT seeking support!
There are so many sources of support out there for new breastfeeding mothers. All you have to do is ask! There is La Leche League, in almost every city. Look them up in your phone book, or visit www.lalecheleague.org (http://www.lalecheleague.org)
You can also seek out the help of your local Lactation Professional. Call your local hospital, or the place you gave birth, and ask to speak to the Lactation Consultant, or the IBCLC (Same person). You can also find one locally by referring to this www.breastfeeding.com/directory/lcdirectory.html (http://www.breastfeeding.com/directory/lcdirectory.html)
2. NOT asking for help from others when it is clearly needed (AKA "Toughing It Out")
Breastfeeding is NOT supposed to hurt. Feel a little weird at first, yes, certainly, but hurt? NO. Pain is a sign of something not right. More than likely, it is just a bad latch, or poor positioning, things that are easily fixed with a helping hand. If you need help, GET IT. (see resources under #1)
3. Offering a pacifier, or a "daddy bottle" of formula or expressed milk too soon
The breastfeeding baby needs time to learn to suckle properly at the breast. Breastfeeding is a learned skill, for both mother and baby. Pacifiers and bottles can really interfere with the learning being done at the braest by the baby. The baby uses a completely different suck for a paci and a bottle than he does for the breast. Introducing other suckling sources too early can cause a very real problem known as nipple confusion or nipple preference. This can be very difficult to overcome without professional help, and has led to the demise of more than a few new breastfeeding relationships. Here you will find the Top Ten Reasons To Forego The Pacifier
www.bflrc.com/ljs/myths/10pascif.htm (http://www.bflrc.com/ljs/myths/10pascif.htm)
Please read about The Pitfalls of Supplementing a Breastfed Baby
www.drjaygordon.com/bf/supppit.htm (http://www.drjaygordon.com/bf/supppit.htm) so that you can be informed in your choices! If mother is going back to work, the best time to introduce a bottle is 4-5 weeks, and then, ONLY IF BABY IS NURSING WELL! Please read about How To Bottlefeed The Breastfed Baby
www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottle-feeding.html (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottle-feeding.html) for moms that will be returning to work.
4. NOT getting enough rest!
A lack of sleep is a very real concern for new mothers trying to get a milk supply established. A milk supply can be directly and negatively affected by exaustion in the mother. In those first days after birth, learn how to delegate! Let others in your life do things for you, and you take on your job of eating, sleeping, and nursing the baby. For at least the first 10 days after birth, let others take care of house, other children, meals, etc. If you are a single mother with few resources, I encourage you to contact LLL (see #1) before your baby is born in order to network yourself for some assistance after baby comes! Also, if you have a home church/mosque/synogogue, let the ladies know that you will need help after baby arrives! Church women's groups can be a HUGE help for a new mother!
5. Forgetting to eat and drink
Having a baby can be an exausting experience, especially for a first time breastfeeding mother. Often, a mom forgets to feed herself, and 4pm will roll around, and she realizes she has had no more than a cup of tea all day! Be sure to take care of your own nutritional needs, so that you can be that "milk making mama" that your baby is counting on!
Remember, take care of yourself, inform yourself, and advocate for only the best for your baby! Remember, Breastmilk doesn't make your baby perfect, but it is perfect for your baby!
1. NOT seeking support!
There are so many sources of support out there for new breastfeeding mothers. All you have to do is ask! There is La Leche League, in almost every city. Look them up in your phone book, or visit www.lalecheleague.org (http://www.lalecheleague.org)
You can also seek out the help of your local Lactation Professional. Call your local hospital, or the place you gave birth, and ask to speak to the Lactation Consultant, or the IBCLC (Same person). You can also find one locally by referring to this www.breastfeeding.com/directory/lcdirectory.html (http://www.breastfeeding.com/directory/lcdirectory.html)
2. NOT asking for help from others when it is clearly needed (AKA "Toughing It Out")
Breastfeeding is NOT supposed to hurt. Feel a little weird at first, yes, certainly, but hurt? NO. Pain is a sign of something not right. More than likely, it is just a bad latch, or poor positioning, things that are easily fixed with a helping hand. If you need help, GET IT. (see resources under #1)
3. Offering a pacifier, or a "daddy bottle" of formula or expressed milk too soon
The breastfeeding baby needs time to learn to suckle properly at the breast. Breastfeeding is a learned skill, for both mother and baby. Pacifiers and bottles can really interfere with the learning being done at the braest by the baby. The baby uses a completely different suck for a paci and a bottle than he does for the breast. Introducing other suckling sources too early can cause a very real problem known as nipple confusion or nipple preference. This can be very difficult to overcome without professional help, and has led to the demise of more than a few new breastfeeding relationships. Here you will find the Top Ten Reasons To Forego The Pacifier
www.bflrc.com/ljs/myths/10pascif.htm (http://www.bflrc.com/ljs/myths/10pascif.htm)
Please read about The Pitfalls of Supplementing a Breastfed Baby
www.drjaygordon.com/bf/supppit.htm (http://www.drjaygordon.com/bf/supppit.htm) so that you can be informed in your choices! If mother is going back to work, the best time to introduce a bottle is 4-5 weeks, and then, ONLY IF BABY IS NURSING WELL! Please read about How To Bottlefeed The Breastfed Baby
www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottle-feeding.html (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottle-feeding.html) for moms that will be returning to work.
4. NOT getting enough rest!
A lack of sleep is a very real concern for new mothers trying to get a milk supply established. A milk supply can be directly and negatively affected by exaustion in the mother. In those first days after birth, learn how to delegate! Let others in your life do things for you, and you take on your job of eating, sleeping, and nursing the baby. For at least the first 10 days after birth, let others take care of house, other children, meals, etc. If you are a single mother with few resources, I encourage you to contact LLL (see #1) before your baby is born in order to network yourself for some assistance after baby comes! Also, if you have a home church/mosque/synogogue, let the ladies know that you will need help after baby arrives! Church women's groups can be a HUGE help for a new mother!
5. Forgetting to eat and drink
Having a baby can be an exausting experience, especially for a first time breastfeeding mother. Often, a mom forgets to feed herself, and 4pm will roll around, and she realizes she has had no more than a cup of tea all day! Be sure to take care of your own nutritional needs, so that you can be that "milk making mama" that your baby is counting on!
Remember, take care of yourself, inform yourself, and advocate for only the best for your baby! Remember, Breastmilk doesn't make your baby perfect, but it is perfect for your baby!