Saturday, February 8, 2014
What the heck is a latch?
Simply put, a latch is the proper attachment of the baby's mouth with your breast!
There are some things that you must know in order to latch your baby properly. First, babies do not just suck your nipple. Lil bubba must access your milk by latching onto your nipple and areola. Babies don't just suck on your breast as they would a bottle, the motion is quiet different. It's more of a compression and swallowing. Have you ever seen someone milk a cow...no seriously! They sort of kneed the breast in order to get the milk to come out. The baby is doing the same thing on your breast.
You might feel like you are stuffing your breast in the babies mouth at first. The baby will take what she needs into her mouth and start to nurse. Remember, as you and baby start to get used to nursing it will hurt less and less. When you remove your nipple from the babes mouth rule number one is "break the latch or wait for the baby to unlatch" also make sure your nipple doesn't look like the tip of a brand new lipstick. If it does, the baby is latch on improperly.
Here is the honest truth...babies are born with the instinct to nurse but they may need a little help learning and they need time to feel out your breast anatomy. If you're really lucky you and your baby will automatically hit it off the first time you put her to your breast. If you're like most moms, you and baby will need some practice. Hit up Youtube to find videos of babies latching (I've posted a link for some videos), it's one thing to see pics but another to actually see a baby doing it. You might be surprised that you and sweet angel are not too far off from the ideal latch.
There are some things that you must know in order to latch your baby properly. First, babies do not just suck your nipple. Lil bubba must access your milk by latching onto your nipple and areola. Babies don't just suck on your breast as they would a bottle, the motion is quiet different. It's more of a compression and swallowing. Have you ever seen someone milk a cow...no seriously! They sort of kneed the breast in order to get the milk to come out. The baby is doing the same thing on your breast.
You might feel like you are stuffing your breast in the babies mouth at first. The baby will take what she needs into her mouth and start to nurse. Remember, as you and baby start to get used to nursing it will hurt less and less. When you remove your nipple from the babes mouth rule number one is "break the latch or wait for the baby to unlatch" also make sure your nipple doesn't look like the tip of a brand new lipstick. If it does, the baby is latch on improperly.
Here is the honest truth...babies are born with the instinct to nurse but they may need a little help learning and they need time to feel out your breast anatomy. If you're really lucky you and your baby will automatically hit it off the first time you put her to your breast. If you're like most moms, you and baby will need some practice. Hit up Youtube to find videos of babies latching (I've posted a link for some videos), it's one thing to see pics but another to actually see a baby doing it. You might be surprised that you and sweet angel are not too far off from the ideal latch.
Breastfeeding can be foreign
Hi nursing mommas & moms to be! Looking back I can remember a time when everything "breastfeeding" was foreign. I read everything under the sun about nursing but nothing would really prepare me for all that comes along with breastfeeding. There are so many emotional changes that you go through just from giving birth. If this is your first baby then the experience of being in a hospital might be traumatizing all within itself. Maybe your birth plan didn't work out like you planned and you ended up having an emergency c-section. Then they hand you the baby and say "feed him, or else" ...you poor thing! All of the unexpected can be scary. Don't fret, all that you're feeling or all that you felt is normal and you can overcome it. The main point is that you CAN breastfeed your baby, with little or no support. Hopefully you're surrounded by your mother who breastfed you, or your sis who nursed her little one, but that isn't reality for most people. Most ladies are depending on their health care providers to help and let me just be honest.......you will be lucky to find a nurse or lactation consultant that will take the time to support you. If you do find one, make her your best friend while you're in the hospital. You are responsible for the health and well being of your tiny, innocent, baby. Empower yourself momma! Read everything you can, supplement with formula temporarily if you have to, give the baby a bottle if you need to, don't for one second feel guilty. Breastfeeding isn't black and white, although many websites and information out there makes it so. Take it from me, although I'm no expert (what does qualify someone to be a breastfeeding expert) YOU CAN DO IT, even if you think you can't!
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Top 11 must have breastfeeding accessories
1. nipple shield (I used the Medela nipple shield, I only had one)
2. Lansinoh lanolin cream (it's recommended to wash off before the next feeding)
3. Boppy pillow (love it, has more than one function)
4. Breast pump ( I have a double electric Medela, I probably could have survived with a single electric)
5. Nursing cover (I use a hooter hider, although I've seen some larger one on the market now)
6. Breast pads (I wasn't a leaker so I didn't use very many but you still need a pack)
7. Warm/cold pads (many different brands, I assume they are all the same)
8. Nursing shirt (I only had two that I would wear early on, once you get the hang of nursing any shirt will work)
9. Co-sleeper (I have the Armsreach mini but both of my babes ended up in bed with us after a couple weeks)
10. Nursing bra (you need a underwire if you have large breast and most definitely one without a wire, my wire free bra is a Bravado)
11. Nursing nightgown or button down PJs. (My favorite is from Walmart, Bestform is the maker, and it was $11)
2. Lansinoh lanolin cream (it's recommended to wash off before the next feeding)
3. Boppy pillow (love it, has more than one function)
4. Breast pump ( I have a double electric Medela, I probably could have survived with a single electric)
5. Nursing cover (I use a hooter hider, although I've seen some larger one on the market now)
6. Breast pads (I wasn't a leaker so I didn't use very many but you still need a pack)
7. Warm/cold pads (many different brands, I assume they are all the same)
8. Nursing shirt (I only had two that I would wear early on, once you get the hang of nursing any shirt will work)
9. Co-sleeper (I have the Armsreach mini but both of my babes ended up in bed with us after a couple weeks)
10. Nursing bra (you need a underwire if you have large breast and most definitely one without a wire, my wire free bra is a Bravado)
11. Nursing nightgown or button down PJs. (My favorite is from Walmart, Bestform is the maker, and it was $11)
Hi friends,
Here is my list of must haves if you're just starting to breastfeed or plan to. Of course, I've used every single one of these products and that's why I can recommend them. If you feel like you want to try a Breastfriend pillow rather than a Boppy that could work also.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Breastfeeding and taking medicine for a cold, ugh!
Okay, it's almost midnight and I am up. Not because the baby is in need of a nighttime feeding or my preschooler is calling me for a bathroom run, but because I have a horrible cough. It's keeping me up and I can no longer take it!! I have to take something. God I hope the Kellymom website is up to date on their safe medication list. It was a toss up over children's Claritin or Dextromethorphan. I took the DXM but only 1tsp. Now, I'm just sitting here typing this waiting for it to work. According to Kellymom it's the safest level you can take while breastfeeding L1. Ugh, let me know what you all have taken in the past that has worked for your cold and cough. Goodnight.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Freezing Milk
I used the Breastmilk Storage bags to freeze my milk. They were easy to use and store in the freezer. There is a system to storing and using Breastmilk. Here are a few rules I go by:
1. Make sure your pump is always clean and sterilize the bottles as often as possible.
2. Nurse your baby first and then pump or use the "third boob" method
3. Freeze your milk right away
4. Use your oldest frozen milk first
5. Remember milk changes as your baby gets older
6. Do not microwave you're milk to warm or thaw rather use a bowl of warm water to set your bag in or thaw in the fridge.
7. Remember that you can add your Breastmilk to baby cereal, baby food, or use the frozen pieces in mesh feeder (this can get messy but it's great when baby is teething)
8. Don't feel guilty if you have to throw some away
1. Make sure your pump is always clean and sterilize the bottles as often as possible.
2. Nurse your baby first and then pump or use the "third boob" method
3. Freeze your milk right away
4. Use your oldest frozen milk first
5. Remember milk changes as your baby gets older
6. Do not microwave you're milk to warm or thaw rather use a bowl of warm water to set your bag in or thaw in the fridge.
7. Remember that you can add your Breastmilk to baby cereal, baby food, or use the frozen pieces in mesh feeder (this can get messy but it's great when baby is teething)
8. Don't feel guilty if you have to throw some away
Here is what you say...
I believe that I could have screamed every time someone asked me, "is the baby getting any milk" or "do you think she's crying because you're not making enough milk?" Come on people! If you're not a nursing mom and you're reading this, please make sure to never ask a nursing mom or any mom for that matter these questions. For me it was down right insulting but don't get me wrong, I'm sure they weren't trying to piss me off. They were just concerned and didn't know the right thing to ask or say. So, here is some advice on what to say..."let me take you into a nice, quiet area of the house and help you get comfortable. Let me bring you a glass of water and while you're nursing the baby I will sweep your floors with the utmost respect and I will do it without making a peep so that your precious baby can nurse and fall asleep. Once the baby is asleep, you will take a shower. Once you're out of the shower, I will have something for you to eat. Then, if you want to or need to, you can sit and pump while I run to the grocery store for you." AMEN!
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