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Breastfeeding FAQ
Congratulations on your precious little gift! You are part of the Boobie Club but where do you begin? What if you get frustrated and want to call it quits? Is there an alternative to nursing? You have tons of questions and we are here for you!
What To Expect
Beginning to end, nursing is a choice. If you choose not to, that doesn't make you a bad mom. If your body doesn't produce enough for your growing baby, that doesn't mean that there is something wrong with you. If you choose to nurse until your little one is 2, that doesn't make you a hippie.
After your baby is born, you will experience emotions that run high. The main thing to remember-tattoo it on your arm if needed- DO NOT STRESS. When you stress, your milk supply decreases so if you continually worry about your supply, what you ate, allergies, etc. you are going to cause more harm than good. Simply relax and know that nature has its own way of doing things.
Once your baby is born, it is suggested that you spend a few sacred moments with your new addition via skin-to- skin. Have a nurse or your husband help you with your hospital gown by unsnapping it and hold your baby close to you after the nurses have checked vitals. Spend as much time skin-to-skin with your baby as possible, starting as soon after birth as you can. Start breastfeeding as soon after baby’s birth as you can.
"I don't have any milk!"
Do you sit in your hospital room and squeeze your breast looking for a drop of milk? How are you supposed to feed a baby? Again, BREATHE. Your "milk" milk will take a few days to come in. Alot of women's milk doesn't come in until they are well home from the hospital.
After you give birth, your hormones will release a thick, sticky, yellowish type of milk from your breast. This is called colostrum. This phase of milk is extremely high in antibodies which will proctect your little one from infections while also building up their immune system for future germs. Your body makes a specific type of milk for your baby. Whatever he/she needs, your milk will supply it.
Your colostrum is extremely filling and your baby will only need about 1 teaspoon to be full and happy. He/she will let you know when they are hungry!
My Pump, my pump... my lovely lady lumps!
The BlackEyedPeas? What does that have to do with breastfeeding?? Nothing. Just something to get you laughing.
Sometimes you have to come to grips with the fact that your breasts are now melons and hard as a rock. After a shower, they tingle and you begin to drip milk from your breasts. Quickly, you rush to find a bottle to drip in because that stuff is liquid gold!! Your breasts hurt and they leak through your shirt at the most inopportune moments.
The tingling, or "let down" effect is when the milk does just that. It lets down the "tunnels" within the breast and gets ready for your baby to eat. When you feel like your breasts will explode, you will want to grab your boppy, a glass of water, a healthy snack, and catch up on your soap opra. It's nursing time!
In a perfect world, you would have just nursed the baby to sleep and she is quietly sleeping in her swing. Three hours later, she will have woken up ready to eat. HA! Not always. For alot of women, the baby over sleeps and you are left with two huge "humps" that need to be emptied but you aren't about to wake that sleeping angel!
If you are one of the lucky ones who produce an amazing amount of milk, you have to pump your via electronically or manually to express your milk. between feedings. Simply pump and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
Where can I learn more?
There are literally THOUSANDS of websites, books, blogs, and support groups that can answer your questions. If you do not have a lactation consultant that you can contact with any question, call the hospital you gave birth at. There, they can set you up with one. If you had a home birth, contact your midwife or doula. They are there for you and want you to have all of the information needed to encourage you on your milky journey!
In the meantime, click on the "Wet-nurse Websites" link for a few websites that helped me out and I hope they help you too!