6 tips for breastfeeding
23.11.2019
Translation: machine translated
For some mothers, breastfeeding is a pleasant and enjoyable experience. They enjoy the close mum-child relationship. Others, however, writhe in pain because the breast hurts when sucking. These tips will make breastfeeding easier for you.
How to attach your baby to the breast correctly is a science in itself. Unfortunately, I had to find this out for myself. I had the midwife show me how to breastfeed once and felt that I had mastered the right technique. Without the midwife's help, I immediately started breastfeeding my baby, unfortunately not always correctly. Incorrect latch-on led to sore nipples and cracks in the areola. Every breastfeed was painful. Because of the pain, I didn't let my baby feed properly. This was followed by a build-up of milk and eventually a breast infection with bouts of fever. There are some good tips and tricks to make breastfeeding easier and relieve the (overstimulated) breast.
Let yourself be introduced to science
So that you don't have to struggle with the same problems, I recommend you get help from midwives. They will patiently show you how to hold your baby so that it can take the nipple into its mouth correctly. They will explain to you when to use which breastfeeding position and how often you should latch the baby on. They will also help you with breast and nipple care. Thanks to their experience, they recognise and treat sore nipples or milk blockages early on to avoid painful consequences.
Create a place of retreat
Take enough time for breastfeeding. If you are in a hurry, the baby will become restless and stressed, you will put it on the breast incorrectly, it will not drink properly and, in the worst case, will not empty the whole breast. It's best to create a calm and comfortable environment.
I recommend an armchair with armrests. It takes the strain off your arm and shoulder muscles and makes breastfeeding easier. A cushion on the back provides additional support. Place your breastfeeding pillow on your lap, which you tuft differently depending on the breastfeeding position. This ensures that the baby's body is optimally supported in every position and the head can be placed directly at nipple level. All you have to do is guide it towards the breast with your hand. For the sake of your posture and nipple, please don't do it the other way round.
On a shelf next door, place all the utensils (e.g. Noshi, water, creams, reading material, music) that you need for breastfeeding or while breastfeeding. Some children feed very quickly, others take up to an hour. Alternatively, you can breastfeed your baby in a comfortable lying position on the bed.
Change breastfeeding position regularly
When feeding, your baby's face lies directly against the breast. Depending on the breastfeeding position, it presses on different areas. This means that if you always breastfeed your baby in the same position, the breast will be under one-sided pressure. This can lead to sore nipples, tension or even milk retention. This is why you should always change position. This will ensure that all areas are emptied evenly and prevent a build-up of milk. A nursing pillow supports you in this.
Use the available aids
In addition to the pillow, you can also use breast shields or nursing caps. You can use these if your child is not sucking properly on the nipple or cannot grasp it with their mouth.
The baby's sucking reflex often triggers the flow of milk not just from one breast, but from both. This leads to the breast dripping unintentionally or the milk even squirting out of the breast. In this case, it is worth having breast pads, a gauze nappy (Noschi) or a so-called drip tray to hand.
As a preventative measure, you can also use milk pumps. They are a little gentler on the nipples, which relieves them. At the same time, other carers can feed the child and also relieve you from time to time. The prerequisite for this is that your child accepts the bottle.
Care for your breast (nipples)
Feed your baby at your breast approximately every three to four hours. As it is very sensitive, it is subjected to a real endurance test. Therefore, pay a lot of attention to care.
The best way to care for the entire breast is to use a special breastfeeding oil. This relaxes the breast and stimulates blood circulation at the same time. Some people swear by their own breast milk for nipple care. To do this, apply a little breast milk around the areola after breastfeeding and allow it to dry. I also recommend a cream that contains lanolin. PureLan from Medela, for example, soothes and protects the nipples and moisturises the surrounding tissue. Slightly adhesive and cooling gel pads also relieve the pain of dry and cracked nipples. For cracks in the areola, midwives often also use laser treatment. This promotes faster healing.
How to adjust the amount of milk
In principle, demand regulates supply. It's the same with milk. If your child is hungry and you feed them more often, this encourages milk production. If the child drinks less, the amount of milk will slowly decrease. If you still want to increase or decrease the amount of milk:
Increase the amount of milk
Milk production is boosted by more frequent and more thorough expressing. Either leave your baby at the breast longer and more often or use the breast pump again after breastfeeding. It tricks the breast into producing more milk in the future by stimulating it further. A breast massage also helps.
Reduce the amount of milk
For less milk, however, don't just let your baby suckle less, as this will fill your breast. Milk stasis is a possible consequence. Let your baby feed normally until it has had enough. If there is still milk in the breast, empty it with the breast pump or express it. Make sure that you do not continue to stimulate the breast when there is no more milk. Otherwise you will achieve the opposite. The breast will feel that there is not enough milk and will produce even more. A cooling pad on the breast after breastfeeding helps the milk to let down. When warm, the pad stimulates the flow of milk.
There are times when you might be sitting on the sofa crying in pain. In situations like these, you need to have the will to persevere, because as your experience grows, you become more confident. You know your child, the movements and your breasts. Breastfeeding becomes easier and more comfortable, even when you're out and about. Use the midwife's help if it doesn't work or if you are unsure. They will support you and show you all the breastfeeding options.
I’m the cook, cleaner, police officer, nurse, entertainer, motivator, author, storyteller, coach, organiser, chauffeur, lawyer and judge. To put it simply, I’m a mum to a daughter and not just a (Content) Manager at the office but also at home.
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