breastfeeding tips for all you mamas
I am constantly seeing posts about breastfeeding and questions. Here are some of the best things you can do to succeed at breastfeeding.
You can try nipple shields if you are having latch problems or your nipples are getting really sore and chapped. After the first month you can stop using them, by then baby has figured out how to latch and your nipples have toughened up.Don't eat or drink anything with peppermint, sage, or parsley. All stop lactation.
Drink a ton of water. You need liquid to make liquid. Rest is the next thing you need lots of. You make the most milkwhile sleeping. So try to catch a nap as often as possible.
Eat oatmeal, fennel, fenugreek, and brewers yeast. There are several recipes for lactation cookies that contain almost all of those and can make a HUGE difference. Also try lactation teas and drink as many cups as you need. If it's fresh herbs you only usually need one cup a day, but the store bought dried stuff you usually need several to get the full effects. If you look up "Mothering Herbs" on Facebook, Summer makes the absolute best lactation tea. It's fresh and organic, a bit more expensive but it's really potent and tastes good with a bit of honey.
For nipple cracks let some of your breast milk air dry on your nipples. It has healing properties and is actually the most effective way to heal your nipples quickly. Don't ever let your bra pads become soaked and leave them that way. Dirty and wet pads can cause yeast and breast infections. Lanolin is also another great nipple healer. Put some on the nipple then use a nipple sgiels and you'll never have cracked nipples.
Warm compresses or a warm bath/shower can help with your letdown reflex. Do not wear really tight bras, supportive yes, but if you are squishing them into your chest there isn't any room for milk ducts to fill up. Also smell your baby's head before breastfeeding helps your letdown reflex. It makes your mommy hormones kick in and your body want to breastfeed. If you are pumping away from baby save some photos and videos to watch while starting your pumping session. Even the crying videos. They make your mommy brain kick in too. (It's weird but it works) and rub/press your hand starting at the top and sides of your breast and gently press down towards your nipple. It helps move the milk from the back ducts down to the nipple. Try to drain one breast before moving onto the other. Draining the breast helps your body know to produce a greater amount the next time. Your breasts have supply and demand built into them. The more milk you use the more they will make.
Make a big batch of lactation cookies and freeze a bunch of them. Every day have a cookie with a cup of lactation tea and drink a huge glass of water at every breastfeeding session. Also eat more! You burn so many more calories breastfeeding and you need the food for the same reason you need the liquid. (I was always starving when I breastfed)
If you do those things you will be producing so much milk you won't even believe it!
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