This post is all about breastfeeding tips for new moms to prepare before nursing in the hospital.
Breastfeeding is the neatest thing in the world, but there is sooo much you need to know to breastfeed. Luckily for you, I have compiled all the best breastfeeding tips for new moms that will give you the knowledge going into your journey. The ultimate goal is to help you be successful at breastfeeding!
Before Kyla was born, I told myself that I would give breastfeeding a shot, but that I was not going to stress myself out about it. I was in the middle of a master’s program, so I agreed that if I could not do it, then I would accept that I am busy. For backup, I knew that Kyla would still have formula as an option. However, once she came into this world, I was set on breastfeeding!
There are many moms that go that formula route because their milk does not come in, they are overwhelmed, or just do not want to and that is okay. But as someone who has made it through the trenches of breastfeeding and has breastfed for almost to full years, I want to give the most helpful breastfeeding tips for new moms.
There are so many reasons to LOVE breastfeeding!! I researched everything I could before she was born such as topics like (how to pump, how to store breast milk, what to do when going back to work, and EVERY BROKEN DOWN DETAIL ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT)!
In this post, here is everything that you will want to learn + breastfeeding tips for new moms that want a successful breastfeeding journey.
If breastfeeding is an option for you, here are the best breastfeeding tips for new moms and what you need to know before you get to the hospital so that you don’t feel discouraged.
Breastfeeding Terms
Once you get to the hospital, you will want to know all the terms that nurses and lactation specialists talk about. Learning to breastfeed feels like a whole nother world! There are so many terms that will easily become overwhelming if you do not know what they mean or how to they apply to this new journey you are heading into as a “breastfeeding mom.” Here are the main terms you will want to understand:
Colostrum:
is the first milk that will come in while you are at the hospital. It is filled with several nutrients that will fill the baby up with everything they need until about 3 days later when the milk comes in!
I know this question will pop up, so I will answer it now… YES, your baby can live solely off colostrum until your milk comes in. You might think how is this possible? That was a hard one for me to grasp because it seems like it is not enough, but it is. Every nursing baby uses only colostrum to feed until a day or two later when the milk comes in.
Your baby will constantly feed so that the baby can tell your body to make enough milk. The more your baby nurses, they more they tell your milk to come in. Your baby will always tell your body how much milk to make!
*TIP: A little bit of Colostrum can help with cracking and burning, instead of wasting money on using a cream! (I DID IT)!
About two to three days later, when your body produces the milk for the baby, there are two different types of milk. (Now you are confused right?!) I sure was! Yes, two types which include foremilk and hindmilk.
Foremilk:
is the milk that comes in when the baby is feeding for about the first four minutes before you have a letdown. This milk has a clear and watery look because it is hydrating to the baby, as water is hydrating for us!
Hindmilk:
comes in a thicker consistency because it is known as “the fattie milk.” When you have a letdown and milk is rushing out, the baby is now receiving the hindmilk. It is full of nutrients that keep your baby’s belly stuffed until the next feeding.
More Breastfeeding Terms..
Latch:
Every mama and baby struggle with this in the beginning. PLEASE DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED! The first few weeks are the hardest because you are trying to focus on proper positioning and get the baby to properly “latch” on.
A good latch means that the baby has a good seal and is properly attached to the breast. If the baby is improperly latched, it will hurt because their mouth should be completely covered over you.
As the lactation specialist told me, you will want to remember “chin to the nose.” Why? Because you move the baby’s chin up and over, and when they are latched it meets down with their nose. (It can be confusing), I know. If you at least remember chin to nose, it will make more sense when you are helping the baby latch on to you.
Let down reflex:
is when the milk is rushing out at a consistent pace. Some women can feel this happening, others do not. (This is important to know for when you start to pump)!
Engorgement:
is when you may feel some pain because your breasts are filled with milk and are waiting for you to feed the baby. If the baby is not around, pumping is always an option to release some!
NOTE: Every mama makes either just the right amount of milk for the baby or a little more than the baby needs. *ALSO NOTE: The extra milk is perfect for you to start storing!!
Additional Important Breastfeeding Terms..
Mastitis:
it is meaning “inflammation” mast meaning breasts. This can be caused by avoiding releasing the milk. If the baby is feeding regularly, this should not be a problem. Remember, pump and store the milk if the baby is not there to feed!! *TIP: Hot showers and a massage will help release the clumps of milk.
Feeding on demand:
This is when your baby feeds without a schedule and just as he/she needs to.
Cluster feeding:
is when the baby is CONSTANTLY feeding!! This is because they are having a growth spurt, so it is not good to refuse the feed. IT IS A REAL THING. In the beginning, pay attention to cluster feeding at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, and every growth spurt that your baby has.
After that, you will begin to recognize the cluster feeding. NOTE: it WILL BE CHALLENGING! It may be tempting to want to give up because of the lack of sleep and the constant need to feed, but hang in there it is GETS BETTER! While the baby has its’ growth spurt, you are growing by getting used to the breastfeeding world.
Comfort feed:
When your baby is tired, teething, or missing you, they will feed for comfort. They may milk this one, so it will be at your digression to decide when you allow comfort feeds. I always let Kyla feed because we are bonding anyway. When Kyla was 6 months, I still gave in.
Feeding cues:
this is when the baby tells you that they are hungry. Some of the main cues to pay attention to are: if they open their mouth, turn their head into you, suck on their hand, or cry a lot.
Prolactin:
is the hormone that tells your body to make the milk for each day.
What to Expect in the Hospital if You Plan to Breastfeed
Okay, now that you know all of the main breastfeeding terms, let’s get into the hospital experience. Some hospitals are breastfeeding friendly, others are not. Luckily, my hospital was, and a lactation specialist came to check in on me at least twice for thirty minutes while I was there. However, hospitals, (some not all), can make you feel horrible if you do not breastfeed or do it a certain way! PLEASE DO NOT FEEL LIKE A BAD MOM + USE THE KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE DECISIONS GOING FORWARD!
When you are at the hospital, you will want to track your baby’s feedings. This is helpful for you because you are already so exhausted that you do not want to forget to track the feedings and diaper changes. Tracking will also give you peace of mind that the baby is receiving milk.
Your baby will feed often for three reasons. 1) They are learning to latch. 2) You are learning to help them latch. 3) Your body needs to get past the colostrum phase to make enough milk for your baby’s needs. In the day especially, the baby will feed every two to three hours! It feels like a lot because it is. Breastmilk leaves the baby’s system within 1 and a half to 2 hours.
Having a nursing bra the THE BEST, because it makes it easier to feed.
How to Know if Your Baby is Receiving Breastmilk
To avoid scares, you can tell that the baby is receiving colostrum and breastmilk if you pull back and squeeze, the milk will come out. Also, if your baby is not constantly crying, and if they have eight or more daily diaper changes each day. For example, day 1 will be one pee and one poop. It will increase to two of each a day, etc. until you have eight or more a day.
If you are not receiving positive signs, try to pump to see if milk comes out, call the hospital you delivered at and speak to a nurse, call a lactation specialist, go to the emergency room, or buy formula immediately to avoid dehydration.
Breastfeeding Schedule
Here is an example feeding schedule for you to follow:
First feeding- 1:00 a.m.
Second feeding- 8:00 a.m.
Third feeding- 10:00 a.m.
Fourth feeding- 12:00 p.m.
Fifth feeding- 2:00 p.m.
Sixth feeding- 4:00 p.m.
Seventh feeding- 6:00 p.m.
Eighth feeding- 8:00 p.m.
Ninth feeding- 10:00 p.m.
Tenth feeding- 11:30 p.m.
This schedule is a realistic example of baby feeding every two hours while you rest at night. Because the baby has eaten more throughout the day, you can give yourself a decent amount of hours to get rest. If you wake uo in the middle of the night, you will find that your baby keeps that schedule up until one or even to years of age. Waking up a sleeping baby was my biggest regret with my first born.
In the beginning, your baby’s feedings will begin with 8 to 10 full feeds a day. Why? Because the baby is growing, learning to properly latch, and make enough milk as they grow. However, breastfeeding does get easier after a few months when they guzzle the milk down in 10 minutes and then even 5 minutes.
More Breastfeeding Tips..
Do hospitals provide breastmilk?
It is hard to say what every hospital around the world provides, but most hospitals keep breastmilk stored for new moms that are adjusting to breastfeeding their baby and when your baby is in the NICU.
How often will the baby breastfeed?
The baby will feed every 2-3 1/2 hours! It feels like a lot because it is. Your baby will not let themselves starve, and will wake up for milk.
In the beginning, most babies do fall asleep while feeding a few minutes into the feed, you will want to wake your baby up so that they can finish that feed for up to only 15-20 minutes on one side.
The reason breastfed babies drink more often than formula fed babies (typically) it is said because the breastmilk leaves the baby’s system within 1 and a half to 2 hours.
How can you know if baby is actually getting milk?
To avoid anything happening to your baby, you want to know the signs of how you can tell that your baby is receiving colostrum and breastmilk. To check for this, you pull back and squeeze to see if the milk will come out. Also, if the baby is not constantly crying, and if they have eight or more daily DIAPER CHANGES each day they are definitely eating.
For example, day 1 will be one pee and one poop. It will increase to two pees and poops each a day, etc. until you have eight or more a day.
If your baby is constantly fussy or their diaper is not full quite frequently, call the hospital you delivered to and speak to a nurse, go to the emergency, or buy formula immediately. Your baby may not be receiving milk and you want to avoid dehydration! You will be able to pump and see if milk is coming out so that you can know if your baby is eating.
What if you decide you do not want to breastfeed baby anymore?
Some hospitals strongly encourage breastfeeding for many reasons. Two main reasons are for the bonding with the mother and the nutrients that come from the milk.
However, if breastfeeding does not work out, or it is a decision that you decide is not cut out for you or your schedule, it is OKAY to choose to go with formula.
The pressures of breastfeeding (are real). If it does not work out, it is not worth your sanity, mental health, and for the baby to go without feeding.
There are many great moms that find formula to be more helpful and work better for their schedule (after all, it is a blessing to have another way to feed newborn babies).
Additional Breastfeeding Tips & Tricks…
Prolactin is at its’ peak between the hours of 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., which means that it is important for the baby to feed (once) between those hours to supply enough milk for 24 hours. If the baby has more feedings in the day, they can eat less at night!
Once you are home, the ball is in your court! Even though I gave a sample feeding schedule to follow, DO NOT stress about feeding the baby at a certain time, pay attention to the feedings throughout the day! Make sure you have nursing pads to avoid any leakage! Breastfeeding-friendly shirts will make it easier to nurse when you are in public.
Now you know what you need to prepare you to breastfeed your baby!! I can promise you are 10 steps ahead of where I was when Kyla was born! Instead of searching for information in random places you can find the best breastfeeding tips for new moms in our breastfeeding section. You may want to read this post again and again, to study it before the baby arrives. I hope that this post makes you feel confident and educated. With all of this knowledge, it is POSSIBLE to breastfeed even if you are a busy mom or working mom!
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