Beiruting Kids strives to give you parenting tips based on tried and tested methods, and today we introduce the topic of breastfeeding to our platform as we bring you a simplified guide for first time mothers who would like to nurse their babies.
Before you begin your breastfeeding journey, you must want it more than anything. Why? Because it is one of the most challenging experiences of a mother’s life, and it gets hard and even painful at times, therefore truly wanting it and reminding yourself along the way why you started, will get you through the tough times.
Dedicate some time during your pregnancy to research the topic, read books, online magazines, and ask experienced mothers, doulas, midwives, and breastfeeding experts. Websites such as Kelly Mom, La Leche League and World Health Organization are great references.
Buy breastfeeding essentials such as breast pads for leakage and a breastfeeding bra which has no underwire and a discreet opening in the center or at the top. Lanolin cream is very safe if the baby ingests some, and for this reason it can be applied on and around the nipple to soften it before nursing, and afterwards to soothe cracked nipples.
Instead of putting a long term goal of 6 months or 1 year and regarding it at times as impossible, take it one day at a time. When you think of your breastfeeding journey as a daily accomplishment, the days eventually become months until you reach your destination depending on the needs of your baby.
During the first days after childbirth, colostrum is produced by the body to nourish the newborn. It takes a few days up to 2 weeks for the milk to come in, and during this frustrating wait and while you are nursing your baby, massage the breast starting at the top of your chest downward, and use the same movement all around the breast towards the center to spark the milk ducts. You can even use a small cloth of warm water to massage, and expect the sudden pouring of milk to happen in the shower due to the warm water.
At times when the baby is very hungry or feeds aggressively, sometimes dubbed the “barracuda”, use a nipple shield which is thin silicon almost like a pacifier that protects your nipple from the baby’s firm grasp. Don’t be afraid of a little blood in your milk, it is safe for your baby, and it signifies a burst duct from the strain of the nursing session.
Whether you want to continue breastfeeding while you go back to work, or need to be away from your baby for any reason, be it a night out or travel on vacation, you will need a breast pump. While choosing your pump, you should bear in mind your needs and lifestyle. As a rule of thumb a manual pump demands more effort on your part while an electric one does the work by itself.
Be aware of mastitis especially towards the end of your breastfeeding journey when you are weaning. You can detect it while massaging the breast, if you find that there is a burning pain in a certain area, immediately go to your doctor to have it checked. This usually happens when you suddenly stop nursing, wear a tight bra or even sleep with too much pressure on your engorged breasts.
Most babies don’t latch on the breast easily at first, but when the breastfeeding is already in its peak and there is still a problem, don’t ignore the minimal but possible chance of a tongue tiewhich requires help from a lactation specialist.
Stock up on super foods for milk production, this includes fenugreek (pills or herbs), milk, almonds, fluids mainly water and Anise to calm the nerves.
On days where you feel like your milk supply has increased, pump the extra milk and store them in freezer bags found in pharmacies. Mark each bag in your freezer with the date of the pumped milk and always thaw the oldest as opposed to the recent once you need it.
Don’t be fooled into thinking you don’t have enough milk for your baby, because the truth is, the more you nurse the more the milk comes in. Think of it like a water tank with someone filling it from the top and someone draining it from the bottom; true that it is being drained but it is also being replaced.
You are not alone, even at times where you feel like you are at a loss as to what you are doing, reach out. There are plenty of local communities and groups on Facebook that are for closed members so you feel safe to share and ask, you might be surprised to find out that many mothers are going through the same thing as you are.
Remember that motherhood isn’t an easy journey and the main focus is a healthy baby, whether you choose to breastfeed, formula feed or do both, you know what’s best for your child.
Maria Najem
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