Navigating Breastfeeding: A Guide for New Moms

Have you ever wondered what it will be like to breastfeed your baby?

I dreamed about it for myself, long before I had my own children, instinctively longing for it as an expression of my womanhood and fulfillment of God’s design for me. I felt that it would be a precious and beautiful thing.

I wanted it to be a good experience right out of the starting gate, so I read up on some things and I think it made a big difference.

In this post, I cover several little known breastfeeding tips and tricks that might be just the ticket for you!

I think that some of these are very well kept secrets, especially tip #3 and

the trick for getting your nipples ready.

If you already did your research, you have learned that it is so healthy for baby and even for you, as well as convenient for you.

(If you haven’t read up on it, I highly recommend that you do! It is amazing!!!!)

The following link, gives some excellent information on breastfeeding. https://www.centrastate.com/blog/15-benefits-of-breastfeeding-for-mom-and-baby/

Now…you already love the idea…But have you thought about what might go into making it a great experience?

Note: I am not a lactation consultant or a medical professional. All suggestions stated here are being drawn from my own personal experience as a mother of 6 and from countless stories of women I know, who have benefited from many of these same suggestions. Please, as always, use your good judgement for what is best for you and your family.

I have had a great experience for the ten plus years that I have breastfed my babies.

Sure, I’ve had my ups and downs, like the times I have dealt with Breast infections (See my top tips for stopping those in their tracks, here) But overall, I have loved breastfeeding and I am excited to share with you the reasons that I feel like I was off to a good start with my first.

I know that it is too often the case that a mom encounters difficulties and problems that cause her to have a miserable breastfeeding experience.

I want to do everything I can to possibly prevent problems and make breastfeeding something that you love. Because there are so many reasons to love it!

So what are the things that we want to avoid with breastfeeding?

Many things come to mind that could come up, such as sore and or cracked nipples, poor milk supply, a poor latch from baby. It can sound daunting or scary, but it doesn’t have to be!

It’s all worth it, if you can get to a good spot! You can enjoy breastfeeding and giving your baby the benefits of your amazing, nutrition packed milk. 

Plus, breastfeeding gives a mother and her baby, the most amazing bonding experience, especially when your baby begins noticing that they can look up at you and interact with you while nursing.

That is priceless…and it gets me every single time!

I am blessed to come from a family that is familiar with breastfeeding and to have a great support group of a mom and sisters, who are always ready to help with any trouble shooting that any of us might need.

My mom actually helped a lot of families figure it out, so I had a head start on some of the things that I needed to know, but I realized that not everyone is that fortunate.

There are quite a few tricks that I found very helpful for getting my nipples ready for nursing.

For first time breast feeders –

Make sure that your nipples aren’t inverted and are enlarged some, and used to a little interaction.

This is really helpful for preventing sore nipples in the beginning, and for having something for your baby to latch onto.

To condition and or enlarge your nipples, you can simply pull and roll your fingers on each nipple several times while you are showering, after climbing in bed, or as part of your morning routine. I would recommend doing this a little every day.

Or better yet, if both you and your husband are comfortable and game, have him spend some intimate time with you at bedtime, gently pulling and rolling your nipples or sucking on them for you.  

Either and or both, can really help your nipples to be larger and easier for a new baby to latch onto and may help to prevent against sudden soreness, once your infant begins to nurse,

Don’t overdo it though. This is a long term game for slowly getting your nipples ready for your baby, and too much pulling and sucking at any one time, could make you sore and not want to do a little the following day or two. This is a slow and steady game.

Please note: you should not stimulate your nipples any longer than 7 months, since nipple stimulation can naturally induce labor.

When it is time to breastfeed your baby, these are the things to keep in mind.

1. Encourage a good latch from Baby

Learning what a good latch is for your baby, is very key!! I can’t say enough about this! For illustrations and to learn more about what a good latch is for baby, visit this link https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/positioning/

Your Baby’s mouth should be open wide in an “O” with their lips flared out against your breast, while they are nursing. A poor latch can result in very sore nipples.

To encourage this good latch, initially brush your nipple up against their lips back and forth until they open up wide, before putting your nipple into their mouth.

2. Correct nursing position.

Holding your baby so that your tummy is against their tummy is perfect. Their face should be directly facing your breast and not looking up towards you. Their body should not be laying on your lap.

You will be either holding them in a cradled position in your arms to get them up and against you properly, or having a nursing pillow propping them up can be a helpful thing.

I personally haven’t ever used one, but I think that it would be a great idea and something that a lot of mothers would most likely recommend.

This link has excellent illustrations and instructions on positioning. https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/positioning/

3. Relax and let the milk flow

Practice relaxing and letting your milk down.

One of my favorite technics, is to close my eyes and imagine a favorite part of my husband’s body.

One that is likely to turn me on. I have found this to be very effective in getting my milk to let down. Showing and feeling or thinking of love and loving thoughts, is magically effective to getting the milk to flow. It has worked for me time and time again!

Another way, is to imagine a wave of relaxation slowly starting at the top of your head and moving down over your head to your neck and shoulders and ultimately to your breast, and imagine the flow coming down your breast and to your baby.

Something that also helps, is to stroke downwards on your breast towards the nipple, while relaxing yourself.

Think sweet thoughts about your baby and how much you love them. Let that downward stroke bring the milk to the nipple.

4. Drink water.

For great milk production, be sure to drink enough water.

I take a drink of water almost every time I end up at my kitchen sink, which is a lot while I am going about my day.

A better idea would be to fill a large tumbler (I don’t own a Stanley, though I know they are super trendy) with a fun flavored water, lemon and honey or tea and really enjoy the experience of hydrating and making sure there’s enough liquid to make your “liquid gold.”

5. Eat Protein Foods

Eating enough protein foods can also be helpful. I didn’t have any trouble producing just the right amount of milk for my 4 eldest, but as I have aged, I have struggled right around a year and a half with my last three, to have the amount that I want to.

Making sure that I am drinking enough and eating high protein foods, has been important along with the following step.

6. Have milk production helpers on hand

I’ve found that my milk wants to taper off sooner than the two years that I usually nurse my babies.

I try to nurse them for a full two years, even though I’m usually due with our next baby within two to three months of when the last baby ends up weaned, either simply because my milk is gone, or because I cannot handle nursing them anymore with the current pregnancy in full swing.

If the milk production is slowing down earlier than I want it to though, I like to take some type of supplement that increases my milk production.

Neo-Life’s Lipotropic Adjunct https://shopneolife.com/hansons/shop/product/3510 is like magic for increasing the milk production for pretty much any mom struggling with it, and it also helps with hair growth!

Also, I keep Mother’s Milk Tea on hand to drink when I am feeling a bit low on production. I usually drink some of that in the days after giving birth, just to make sure that my milk comes in nice and strong. And I keep it on hand for later, when I feel like I need a little boost in production.

And lastly, but still very important…

7. Have a positive, ‘Can do’ attitude!

This is more important than you might realize! If you go into “trying” breastfeeding with the attitude of just seeing how it goes, you may not have as good of a chance to give it the shot you need to, to come out happily on the other side of the initial first few weeks.

I do understand that it may not work out for everyone, but you do need to give it the best shot that you can, especially if you really want to give you and your baby the benefits of breastfeeding.

I hope that there was something here that you can find helpful as you embark on the beautiful and unforgettable journey of breastfeeding your baby!

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are ‘affiliate links’. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.

Please let me know in the comments below, what you found most helpful and share this with anyone who you think may benefit from it.