Eight Tips for Breastfeeding Success
Breastfeeding has the potential to be a polarizing topic for many moms. If you consider yourself a “lactivist” then you most likely not only nursed your children, but you do your best to help others make the same decision. I do agree that everyone should nurse, or at least make the effort to try, but offering lactivist-style advice isn’t always the most helpful way to go.
I was lucky that I encountered no obstacles to breastfeeding. In addition to nursing going smoothly, I had a huge support system around me. Every mom my age that I knew had nursed their babies, my mom had nursed me and my sister, my mother-in-law had nursed my husband. My husband agreed that it was the best nutrition for baby, and it was free! I knew that if I had questions, there were so many people I could turn to for answers and support.
However, not everyone is so lucky. Formula feeding remains the “norm” is American society, and many moms who did not nurse don’t understand why another mom would nurse. In addition, moms who may feel judged for using formula might be defensive and therefore become antagonistic when their friends express a desire to nurse.
There are other obstacles as well. In spite of the fact that low supply is actually a really rare problem, there are other, more commonplace, stumbling blocks that new moms might encounter. For example, some moms have lazy babies who take a sip and fall asleep. Some moms experience issues with latch that lead to sore and bleeding nipples; others develop thrush or post-delivery infections that hinder their breastfeeding journey.
I think the hardest part of having something like breastfeeding come easily and then encountering someone you care about, someone who really wants to breastfeed but is having trouble, is finding the right way to support them. This happened to me with a particular friend and I’m fairly certain that I offered no helpful advice. In fact, I probably offered her what I’ve since heard referred to as “non-supportive support.” My advice (“Just keep at it!”) was not what she needed. I’m not sure what she needed, but more practical advice, like contact La Leche League or another certified lactation consultant, or even just a sympathetic ear would probably have been better.
So in an effort at a do-over, I offer more practical advice for moms who want to nurse.
- Read about proper latch techniques before you have your baby.
- Invest in a nursing pillow (not everyone likes these, but I was married to my Boppy for about 6 months)
- Understand normal infant feeding habits before your baby is born (Hint: To say they eat frequently is an understatement)
- Know what a good latch looks like and how to help your baby achieve one.
- Find at least one or two online support groups or websites that you can turn to for information in the wee hours of the night when all your friends are sleeping (KellyMom is awesome, as the TheLeakyBoob).
- If you don’t have a single person in your life to whom you can turn for support, find a professional who will offer advice and help.
- Arm yourself with knowledge about why breastfeeding is best for baby so that you have a counter to any negative comments from friends and family.
- Know your rights. Different states have different laws surrounding breastfeeding; know where and when you are legally allowed to breastfeed.
A recent article on SheKnows.com offers a look at why different moms have chosen to breastfeed and what that journey looked like for them.
Being raised in a society where formula feeding seems to be the norm, it can be hard to stray outside the mainstream. And while breastfeeding is becoming more common, recent statistics show that even when nursing is initiated, many mothers don’t maintain the nursing relationship due to a number of factors, such as going back to work or a lack of support.
If you have other tips for successful breastfeeding, please feel free to include them in the comments section of this post!
and join a real-life group if you can! There’s nothing as helpful as actually seeing others breastfeed, especially before you even deliver your baby and being able to ask questions face to face in a supportive environment. Breastfeeding USA is a new organization that promotes evidence based counseling for mothers by mothers (http://breastfeedingusa.org). La Leche League also has mother to mother support and has chapters in every state (http://www.llli.org).
Great advice, Mia! Those are definitely good resources, and if you can’t find local groups through them, check with your hospital. Many have mom groups and breastfeeding classes that you can join. If you can find even one person to turn to with questions, it can make a huge difference!
Sometimes I think less is more. I knew I wanted to breastfeed… I read up on it somewhat but didn’t make a study of it. I had trouble with the first (No one ever mentions your milk might not come for awhile) and we had to supplement with formula for a week but I never doubted it would be fine- he mostly breastfed but it was easy to get a formula bottle in him too. I do think it is important to try to breastfeed- I don’t think attitudes toward it will change overnight- and people shouldn’t stress themselves out thinking about it whether it happens or not. Maybe I was breastfeeding sheltered (although my mom didn’t do it with any of her children!) but I didn’t know there was a negative attitude towards it or that there were militant breastfeeding supporters. I think perhaps putting a lot of pressure on the situation makes it feel that much more dramatic. But I was lucky with pregnancy, labor, births and the breastfeeding part with both babies- so perhaps I’m too removed from it to make a call either way.
Kristy, I definitely think extreme attitudes on either side of the debate can be detrimental. There’s no question that breast is best and every mom who wants to breastfeed should have access to support. But if it doesn’t work out for whatever reason, I don’t think she should feel guilty or be ostracized by her BFing friends. Our bodies don’t all work the same and sometimes you can do everything right and things still don’t work out.
Also, moms who nurse in public should absolutely have the right to do so without feeling harassed or belittled. That’s why I suggest knowing your rights and feeling confident going in. Establishing a nursing relationship can be really hard for some, the last thing they need is some ill-informed, small-minded person getting in their face because their baby is suddenly hungry while they are out in public.
know when and where u are legally allowed to breastfeed???? are u kidding me? they have laws?
They have laws that protect BFing moms from indecency or exposure laws. So essentially the laws protect nursing moms from being told they are required to cover up or go somewhere else. Most states say that moms can nurse anywhere they are legally allowed to be, but not all the laws are the same.