Breastfeeding Support/Tips/Tricks/Recipies
vino831
member
I wanted to make this a place for STM’s to share some love as everyone prepares for the roller coaster that is breastfeeding.
I want to preface what I've listed below with that from what I’ve read you don’t want to start supplementation until after a few weeks so you really have an idea of where your supply is at. That being said I am not a lactation consultant again just a place to share experiences/research/etc.
- Kellymom.com – this is your GO TO source for all things breastfeeding breastmilk and more. Questions about storing or thawing breastmilk, pumping, weight gain, weaning and everything in between – this is by far one of the best resources.
- Mommy meds app – this is a fantastic App that allows you to look up medication to see if its safe during both pregnancy as well as breastfeeding.
- Breast, Bottle and Beyond – Facebook group. This is an awesome group to join which actually have lactation consultants as admins. They will even help you fit your flanges/shields etc by sending them pictures.
- One of the huge tips that came from a LC I spoke with is that BFing is uncomfortable at first (the pressure, you will get chapped and maybe even bleed) but it should not HURT. If it hurts something is wrong it could be tongue tie, lip tie, bad latch and so on. If you think that it hurts more than it should get help!
- A supplemental tip to this is in the beginning to use nipple cream after every feeding for a couple weeks (or until your body adjusts) Some people don’t need it and tbh I got chapped but probably didnt NEED the constant application – that being said I only got a little chapped – thus it could have been from the constant application.
Here is my list of things of various tips as well as things that either worked for me or worked for an immediate friend
- Skin to skin and nursing as much as possible are the no brainier first steps!
- WATER, WATER, WATER!!! Absolutely NOTHING can help if you’re not drinking enough water! You will be SUPER thirsty all the time just plan to never stop drinking water lol. So find your favorite large cup that will encourage you to drink a ton. I love a huge cup with a straw. While I love water regardless I still get a little bored so having a lot of different ways to flavor my water are also a favorite. 100 oz a day is what you will typically read is needed.
- GATORADE
- OATMEAL - With DS I was eating this almost every day. There are many articles out there where women have compared their supply with and with out oatmeal and have noticed a difference. Another plus is that it keeps you full!
- OVALTINE – this has to be the malt version (Orange label). Some women absolutely swear by it for a huge increase. I only noticed a slight increase (which is a great point – you are going to have to find what owrks for you. Every mama’s body is different!)
- BEER! – WAHOOOO! ;-) A hoppy or dark beer
If it does come time to actually supplement – brewers yeast, flax meal and fenugreek are the go tos. (you can buy them all on amazon or at a wholefoods/trader joes etc). I’m sure that this is not on anyone’s mind yet but as a note fenugreek can not be taken while pregnant (I share bc I did NOT know this and was going to try it when I started to loose my supply due to this pregnancy)
A lot of people are huge fan of lactation cookies but what I found to be the most helpful was muffins. I found them to be more helpful bc I could make HUGE batches, freeze them all then when I wanted one or two (bc they are delicious lol) then I could just grab a couple out and defrost them. Again every mama is different but I would wake up leaking when I ate these
These were my go to muffins
- Lactation Banana Bread Muffins
- Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins ( I always added a few fenugreek capsules to this recipe too)
Lastly here are other things that I have read about
but never tried –
- Nuun
- Blessed thistle – midwife sugestion
- Mothers Milk Tea - lots of close friends swear by this
If down the road you really need some help to increase
– look into power pumping and absolutely look into support groups and LC’s in
your area!!
Looking forward to hearing other suggestions and tips!!
Re: Breastfeeding Support/Tips/Tricks/Recipies
https://www.llli.org/
Finding a local support group was huge for me. Bring your baby to a meeting! Lots of experienced moms are happy to listen and help:
https://http//www.llli.org/webindex.html
I also liked Dr. Sears breastfeeding book and the womanly art of breastfeeding (kind of lame but with good information amidst the bias).
yorkie mama to Oscar
FTM EDD 3.12.17
Also... take a deep breath and relax after the initial latch! I had to do that for a few months until it all was normal.
Believe in yourself, your body and your baby. You were created to do this but that doesn't mean it's not hard.
1 Samuel 1:27
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The NICU nurses taught us to tap our son's feet to rearouse him some to start eating. Babies don't like having their feet touched for some reason or another. Another good trick is to change them prior to feeding so that way they are a little more awake prior to starting.
Something else that I would recommend to moms - bring your baby to you - don't lean down to your baby. You'll end up in a slouch that will kill your back - especially if you fall asleep in that position. And not to be the debbie downer but post pregnancy backache can be even worse than the pregnancy backache so no need to add to your already sore body.
Baby #2 - March 2017
@BumpAdmin @BumpCaitlin @BumpJackie @BumpTara
Can this be stickied, please?
https://kellymom.com/hot-topics/newborn-nursing/
Can you go to a lactation consultant for a weighted feed to make sure milk transfer is good?
@vprod that sounds super uncomfortable mama. Can you add pillows or something under the breastfriend? Something to minimize your discomfort. Before you know it she'll be cluster feeding and you don't want to be miserable in pain!
@vino831 I've been folding up my pregnancy pillow basically into a pretzel to make it a bit less painful! & she's already been cluster feeding, which is fun
@BumpAdmin @BumpCaitlin @BumpJackie@BumpTara
Can this be stickied, please?