Moms Answer: Breastfeeding Tips from Other Moms

We asked Mommies in our Facebook Page to share their one breastfeeding tip for new Mommies.

The response were fantastic.

Many commented about some of the initial pain at first.

"Everyone told me it is not suppose to hurt. If it hurts your doing it wrong. So when my nipple were very sore and it hurt when he would initially latch I was worried we were doing it wrong. After nurse checked and said he had a great latch I consulted some other friend who were currently nursing! It does hurt and it is okay. Your nipples will be sore for the first week or two until they adjust. Keep using cream and you will get through that part. We are going on 3 months now! 😁"

"I had my 3rd three months ago, and my nipples were sore for the first couple of weeks with all three. Correct latch was confirmed, they're just a sensitive part, being sucked on often, and need to "toughen" up a bit."

A common tip that seemed to work was Gatorade!

"Gatorade!!! Alternate Gatorade and water, gatorade is GREAT for your supply but drink equal parts to avoid to much sodium or not enough sodium, otherwise you may get a headache"

"Gatorade. Specifically blue Gatorade helped my supply soo much. And if you can protein shakes if you feel your supply is low and baby still seems hungry . One in the morning seemed to help me soo much. And make sure you eat enough and not just snack. I had such a hard time remembering to eat an actually meal."

A few talked about not giving up.

"Dont give up it takes time to get use to different positions"

"Don't give up. I couldn't breast feed because he's a biter, but I took on pumping and hit it like a champ. I pump enough for 3 babies!"

DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED

But our one tip is not be discouraged by the minimal amount of breast milk that you may be producing.

In the the first few days your infant only needs a small amount.  In fact, their stomach can only hold about 1 teaspoon of milk any ways.

"A teaspoon or so per feeing is all your baby needs at this point"

Here's the exact quote from What to Expect When You Are Expecting:

"Babies aren't born with a big appetite or with immediate nutritional needs.  And by the time your baby begins to hunger fro a breastful of milk (on the third or fourth day postpartum), you'll undoubtedly be able to serve it up.

Which isn't to say that your breast are empty now. Colostrum, which provides your baby with enough nourishment (for now) and with important antibodies his or her own body can't yet produce (and also helps empty baby's digestive system of excess mucus and his or her bowls of meconium), is definitely present in the the tiny amounts necessary.  A teaspoon or so per feeding is all your baby needs at this point.  But until the their or fourth postpartum day, when your breast begin to swell and feel full (indicating milk has come in), it's not that easy to express by hand.  A day-old baby, eager to suckle, is better equipped to extract this premilk than you are"

So hang in there Mommies.  Milk is on it's way!