by Lokemun Magar

Created on: February 23, 2010

Breastfeeding tips are important for a first timer to consider, even before she decides to breastfeed. Breastfed babies are healthier than bottle-fed babies, especially in the first few months of their lives. Breastfed babies are also held in close proximity to their mother's body, strengthening the mother-child bond and providing comfort for the babies.

Tip 1: Let your baby suckle often to kick start or increase production of breast milk. In the first year, babies will have growth spurts every three to four weeks. You will find them wanting to suckle more. This is a natural process that helps increase milk production. Where possible, let your baby suckle often during the first week of their lives, to ensure that your milk production does not cease prematurely. The first milk produced contains lots of good stuff that helps protect your newborn from falling ill. Even if you do not intend to breastfeed, let your newborn feed on this first production.

Tip 2: Soften your nipple with breast milk after wiping your breast with clean water, and before and after breastfeeding. Never use wet tissue to do this where possible because wet tissue has been chemically sanitized and your baby will be absorbing these chemicals during breastfeeding. Breast milk has antibodies which will provide a natural sanitising agent for the breast. The milk will also keep your nipple soft and soothed after breastfeeding.

Tip 3: It takes about three months before your nipple is supple and not hurt during breastfeeding. The pain at and around the nipple is the sacrifice a first-timer at breastfeeding has to make. As the saying goes, 'No pain, no gain.' Expect soreness for at least a month, if you are lucky. If not, expect the discomfort to last at least three months. Place a warm to hot towel over the breast after each feed, to help release soreness.  

Tip 4:  Train your child from young not to bite. Dozing occurs during breastfeeding, due to chemicals in milk which induce sleep in the child. Often, you will find your baby asleep even when he is not done feeding yet. Stroke his cheek and body, talk to him and shake him a little to wake him up. Another trick is to try to remove the nipple from his mouth. Biting of the nipple is often accidental when the baby is below six months old, especially when he is drowsy. If need be, gently insert your clean pinkie into his mouth, and pull out your nipple. If your baby does not have sufficient feed, he will

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