Useful Tips for Breastfeeding for Would-be Mothers

Maternity is one of the most exciting moments of life. From the pregnancy until the birth of the baby, you’ll be living a lot of new experiences. One of the most amazing experiences of maternity is breastfeeding. It's an amazing moment between you and your baby that will create a special bond. 

However, breastfeeding comes with some challenges. But don't worry; it’s normal that you don't know exactly what to do in new situations. For instance, using maternity clothes will make your life easier when breastfeeding your baby. To make this task easier for you, we have come up with some tips that will help you when feeding your newborn.

1. Ask for help
   This might sound obvious, but a lot of new mothers skip this step. Social pressure is high, and some moms think that they should know how to breastfeed instinctively. You shouldn’t be ashamed if you feel scared and you don’t know how to do it; that’s very common and normal. Ask for the doctor’s or nurse’s advice in this matter.
   
   
   Even you can ask your mom or a family member who has breastfed before. For sure, they will have techniques and tips that will be helpful for you and your baby.
   
   
2. Find your position
   One thing that’s crucial when breastfeeding your baby would be the position. Remember that you should be comfortable because it will take several minutes for the baby to stop sucking. Depending on the position, your milk production can be enhanced or the grip of the baby can be better, between other things. So, try using different positions on the first days to check what works better for the baby and yourself.
   
   
   The most common positions for breastfeeding are:
   
   
   -Laid back position (biological nursing): This position is good for women with small breasts or babies with sensitive tummies.
   
   
   -Side-lying position: This will be a good choice whenever you’re feeding your baby in the middle of the night.
   
   
   -Cradle hold: This is a popular one because it’s easy to do it by sitting or standing up. Combined with nursing clothes, this position will be your best ally for breastfeeding in public spaces.
   
   
   -Football or rugby hold: This position is helpful if you have twins or large breasts.
   
   
3. Take care of your nipples
   It’s not enough to only purchase maternity wear'to make your life easier. You should also buy nipple cream to avoid pain due to cracks on the skin. At first, bleeds and cracks on the skin will be common when breastfeeding. Eventually, that will stop happening, but you can find relief with these and other items. Using nursing pads will be helpful to avoid irritation in your nipples due to friction with clothes. They will become your best friends during your breastfeeding period.
   
   
4. Use nursing wear
   This will make you feel comfortable and will allow you to take out your breast easily. You can find these clothes useful when going out of your home. You can purchase nursing bras, dresses, t-shirts, etc. Pregnancy and maternity clothes are more comfortable, and they adapt to your body without tightening.
   
   
   Another good point of these clothes is that they let your blood flow easily through your body. That will avoid swelling and the appearance of varicose veins. This will be an investment that will give you plenty of comforts and will be good for your health too.
   
   
5. Choose a healthy lifestyle
   We all know that having a healthy lifestyle while pregnant is crucial for your baby’s health. But, if you’re breastfeeding, you need to take care too of what you put in your body. Choosing to eat healthily and a balanced diet will be enough. Remember to eat a lot of fruit, vegetables, protein and to include whole grains on a daily basis.
   
   
   Don’t drink and don’t smoke. Try to rest as much as possible, even though, it will be a challenge during the first weeks of the baby. Above all, do not self-medicate. There are some medicines that you can’t take while breastfeeding to avoid causing any harm to your baby.
   
   
6. Don’t get discouraged
   Breastfeeding will not be easy at first. There are a lot of things to discover, and your body should adapt to that too. Don’t lose heart on it; be patient with this process. It will be a matter of practice because practice makes the master. 

Eventually, you and your baby will find out the position that best suits both of you. This can become a bonding moment that you’ll cherish your entire life, so take a deep breath and be calm on it.