For many new mothers getting the hang of breastfeeding takes some time. While it’s so very natural (and wildly instinctual for our babies! Ever heard of “the breast crawl?”), let’s be real and share that it takes time to get it down. It’s a learned skill. A nourishing art. And for many new and seasoned mamas, it can feel downright frustrating in the early days when there can be lots of bumps in the road.
If you’re in this stage, I would encourage you to be gentle with yourself (and your baby) and give yourself lots of grace at this time. You’re going through a lot! Having said that, I am all about taking action when facing a wellness challenge, so here are a few action items you can consider when having issues with breastfeeding.
Hire a certified lactation consultant
I really can’t recommend this enough. If you gave birth in a hospital setting this may have been offered to you, but if you gave birth at home or elsewhere, you may need to seek this out on your own. A lactation specialist can come to your home for an hour or so and help you troubleshoot. She will likely address baby’s latch, your body posture, teach your different positioning techniques, help with any issues like sore or cracked nipples, address potential concerns of tongue ties, help you figure out a feeding “schedule,” teach you about baby’s hunger cues, help you with pumping, etc. I almost feel like this should be some type of requirement along with birth prep classes. Educate yourself early on and help make your breastfeeding journey smoother! Ask your midwife, doctor, doula, birth center, or local friends for a recommendation. You can also search your local La Leche League to find a certified consultant near you. Here’s the link to La Leche League International for more resources.
Make sure you’re eating and drinking enough
Aside from logistical issues like an improper latch or poorly suited feeding schedule, the main reason some mamas have issues with milk supply and with getting breastfeeding sorted is a lack of nourishment. Our bodies need substantial amounts of food and water in order to produce breastmilk. Did you know that you need even more calories during full time breastfeeding than you did during pregnancy!? Kinda wild, but it’s that big of a deal. And during those first few weeks when we’re figuring out “how to mom” with a new baby, we can put our own nourishment on the back burner. Don’t do this! Make sure you’re drinking 120 oz of water a day and you’ll likely want to consume electrolytes too (electrolytes get excreted through breastmilk— cool huh?). If you want to keep things simple and use a powder supplement, I recommend LMNT. As for food, eat til satiation! Don’t be shy in asking your partner to bring you plenty of snacks and meals in bed, and to refill your water bottle. If friends or family ask if they can bring you anything, opt for food!
Nurse on demand
As you and baby begin to get the hang of things, you’ll learn your baby’s hunger cues. Honoring these natural cues over a strict feeding schedule can be beneficial for both of you and can help with your natural supply. Having said that, offering milk at regularly timed intervals can also be helpful in the beginning as you’re still getting the hang of things. Again, a lactation consultant can help you with this.
Use a nipple cream
This is definitely a life saver during those first few weeks! An all natural nipple cream helps to soothe those sore nips and helps with any inflammation. This is something you’ll likely want to keep at the ready for a couple months. I recommend an option made with organic, food grade ingredients (after all, baby will be getting trace amounts of it!). My friend and local doula makes an awesome option you can find here. Use code “Wildflower” at checkout for free shipping!
Lean on herbs
Need more help? While I’m definitely a fan of nutrition and lactation counseling first, as an herbalist I know that there are absolutely some herbs out there that can help breastfeeding mamas! I’m a proud affiliate of WishGarden Herbs and I’ve used their products during my own postpartum journeys. If you’re looking to increase your milk supply, try out the Milk Rich Supply Booster. If you’re dealing with clogged milk ducts (ouch!), try the Happy Ducts Free the Flow.