by Kim Miller

Created on: November 16, 2010

Many moms choose to breastfeed their babies. It seems like it is something that should come natural to mom and baby but it’s not. It does take some work. There are also tips to making breastfeeding a more positive experience for both mom and baby.

When the baby is first born most of the time he or she does not know how to breast feed. It will take a while for the baby to latch on. This can be a frustrating time for mom and baby. Mom just wants to feed her child and the baby is hungry. The nurses in the hospital are excellent help. It is most beneficial to ask them for help. To make it easier you can take the nipple between your fingers placing it next to the baby’s mouth and trying to put it in the baby’s mouth. He will not know how to suck at first, keep trying. Eventually he will learn how to suck. It may take several tires. Also after he does it the first time don’t expect hi m to instantly know how the next time, he will still need to be shown. It’s his first time too.

After the baby knows how to suck and has been doing it a day or so, your nipples will get very sore. They will crack and sometimes are so painful that you want to cry. A great way to relieve the pain is to rub breast milk on the nipple. Some people use a steeped tea bag too. It is great but you need to be sure to wash the area after so the baby won’t taste the tea, it will be unpleasant for the baby. That is why rubbing breast milk on is best. Your nipples will toughen up after a few days.

One thing that no one told me was that I was going to have after pains. These are cramps that hurt worse than labor pains and they come along every time you nurse the baby. You will want to cry during these pains.  Do not give up. It’s just the uterus contracting so that it can go back to normal size.  Health food stores sell a Mothers Milk tea that is helpful with the after pains. Also take Tylenol if you need to for the pain.

Remember that your baby eats what you eat, Eat healthy. There are many foods and drinks that make a baby gassy. A baby with gas will keep mom up all night long. Of course the obvious foods that cause gas are beans but there are some foods that may cause gas in some babies, nuts, broccoli, and cauliflower. Bland foods are best. Just be sure to know your baby. If he sleeps well at night but all the sudden stops, think back on what you ate and see if it made him gassy. Of course caffeine is not good for baby either, be careful with coffee and even chocolate. Chocolate will keep some babies awake and also give them gas.

Do not count on breastfeeding for birth control. Many moms who breast feed do not menstruate but you never know when you will start ovulating again, do not take that chance. Be careful

Breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience for mom and baby. It just takes some time for things to fall into place making it a special time for mom and baby.

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