We spoke to lactation consultant, Fiona Rea about really practical ways new mums can prepare for breastfeeding.
1. Connect to support in the area
“Getting to the groups is really important, as is connecting with someone who you click with – someone who is supporting your choices rather than telling you what to do. There are so many conflicting views that it can be hard to trust yourself. We focus so much on the birth, but we need to focus some of our attention on even those first few hours and days beyond.”
2. Breastfeeding relies on support
“It can be hard to ask for the help we need. If you have a face you know and someone YOU click with, that connection will make things so much easier. It will be so much easier to pick up the phone after baby arrives to ask that person for help. Breastfeeding relies on support even if it’s just now and again. When even a minor problem is left to fester, it can become much more of an issue. As mothers, we will always have something to worry about; we don’t know what’s normal until we have our babies, and our baby’s normal is different to another baby’s normal.”
3. Have confidence
“Sometimes, we have a lack of confidence. We think: ‘how do I know he’s getting enough?’ We need to work on building and trusting our gut instinct. Often the language that’s used with new mothers can make us doubt ourselves. Our instinct is often really good, and we need to build that confidence.”
4. Plan for even the first few hours after birth
“Skin to skin is so important. Keeping baby at the breast has so many benefits. It reduces jaundice, regulates heat, promotes bonding and prevents blood sugars from dipping. Make sure that skin to skin is done as soon as possible after birth. Once there is someone involved in managing our care there can be an element of asking for permission but having a good antenatal breastfeeding plan in place really helps. Discuss the plan with your caregiver well in advance of your due date.”
5. There’s no need to prepare your body before the birth
“We would expect to see breast tenderness or an increase in breast size in early pregnancy as your body starts preparing for feeding your baby; there is no preparation necessary, other than simply putting and keeping baby to breast – this is really important to get the full milk supply up and running. Some people will antenatal express (hand express colostrum in late pregnancy), but it’s rarely necessary and should be done with advice and support from your IBCLC; trust your body to prepare for your baby. Expressing colostrum can be helpful for some if there’s a potential need for topping up such as a mum with diabetes or with a mum who has had experience of low milk supply with a previous baby.”
6. Give yourselves time
“Treat it like a babymoon. Baby is learning, and you’re learning, you’re learning together. You’re meant for each other, you’re meant to fit, but it will take time. Dad can bond in lots of ways and supporting his partner is essential: Taking care of the nappies for example while Mum is left to feed. Also, dad can feed and nourish mum. Mum has to be prepared to give breastfeeding a lot of time in the early days. Don’t be tempted to time feeds or time the time between feeds. Trust the baby to know how much they need. It’s very difficult to set a routine for a breastfed baby, but routines gradually develop.”
7. Go with the flow. Literally.
“These days we’re used to routine in our careers, and it’s very hard to get used to the little grenade that’s been thrown into your life. They will eventually fit in with the family but initially they are running the show! The best way forward is to relax and go with it. Take things one feed at a time; one day at a time.”
8. Everything is normal
“What your baby is doing is normal for them.”
9. Focus on the output
“If they’re doing plenty of nappies, they have bright eyes and hydrated skin then all is well. Weigh the baby, but it shouldn’t be something to be obsessing over.”
10. Babies don’t want to be anywhere other than on their mother
“They want to be on you for that period of time; it is very slow transition for them to adjust to being away from you. The mother’s chest regulates the baby’s heat and breathing; it’s like a solar panel for them. Newborns don’t like the feeling of being out in the open. They’re still curled up; it takes that bit of time to unfurl.”
Useful contacts for breastfeeding support:
Find Fiona Rea on Facebook or call 087 632 4967 for a private consultation.
Visit Cuidiu’s website for breastfeeding support
Visit Bump2Babe for an independent guide to maternity services in Ireland
