15 Nov Tips for the right support for breastfeeding

While pregnant

• Read books on breastfeeding. Ones that are written by qualified up-to-date lactation consultants
• Attend a breastfeeding course by qualified up-to-date lactation consultants
• Talk to friends who are successfully breastfeeding their baby
• Stay away from conversations with people who haven’t breastfed successfully – they can undermine your ability with their ignorance on breastfeeding
• Let dad attend the breastfeeding class with you so he knows how to help you in those early days
• Include breastfeeding on your birth plan
• Tour your birth facility and ask who on their staff is a qualified lactation consultant
• Know what qualifications to look for when choosing your lactation consultant. Check out the list on page…… or on http://expectantmothersguide.co.za/sa-certified-lactation-consultant-listings/ for those in your area. Have your lactation consultants number in your phone contact directory for when you might need it
• Remember – your baby is hard-wired to breastfeed – he knows how to do it even if you still have to learn

At birth

• Let your baby go through the 9 instinctive stages
• Be on baby time, not on hospital or doctor time
• Keep your baby skin to skin all the time. Routine procedures that need to be done can be done while baby is lying skin to skin on mom’s chest
• Don’t be in a rush to force baby on to the breast before he is ready to do so
• Colostrum is nutrient rich – your baby does not need vast quantities of milk
• Be peaceful and unhurried and on baby time

In the first days

• Keep baby skin to skin for as much time as possible
• Watch for early infant feeding cues
• If breastfeeding is not comfortable or is painful at all, get help as quickly as possible so the problem can be corrected
• Don’t use any bottles or formula in those early days – it affects breastfeeding becoming established
• Don’t limit your baby’s time at the breast or try to push your baby a longer time between feeds. They have small stomachs and need to feed frequently (every couple of hours). The more frequently you feed, the quicker the milk will start flowing well
• Learn how to position yourself that your baby gets a good latch
• Be patient with yourself – breastfeeding is a newly acquired skill for you and your baby

Dad’s role

• He can bring you nutritious snacks and drinks while breastfeeding. Always have something to drink close at hand as breastfeeding makes you thirsty
• He can help with baby’s care like nappy changing and holding baby while you get yourself into a good position for feeding
• Dad can reassure mom that she is doing well. Encourage her and compliment her on how well she is doing and coping with your baby

In the first weeks

• Wear your baby skin to skin while doing your chores. Find a supportive skin to skin shirt
• Breastfeed your baby whenever he shows signs of wanting to feed
• Sign up to breastfeeding support groups and breastfeeding WhatsApp groups – they are incredibly supportive and quick to answer minor questions
• Keep asking for help and direction with breastfeeding from your lactation consultant until you and your baby get it right together
• Stay confident, even if you have your wobbly days with breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is one of the most important things you can do for your baby