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Creating a Breastfeeding Approach
We have lots of access to information about how great breastfeeding is for us and our babies. The challenge is that often when we’re doing the breastfeeding it can be hard to find the support we need for our unique, personal situation.
It takes belief in ourselves to keep looking and asking for help, to listen to our intuition when an “expert” (even a pediatrician!) gives us advice that isn’t quite on target, to patiently try a few things (positions, potions, tricks of the trade) to solve a particular bump in the road.
With our second and third babies, we still have uncertain moments. We call for advice from lactation consultants and other mom friends until we figure out what works.
Each time what gets us through is belief in ourselves and our babies, backed by the breastfeeding approach we create during pregnancy.
The approach is a plan that gives us perspective to get through the low moments.
For example, we might decide our goal is to breastfeed until our children are one year old, with three month check ins. The check ins are moments to reflect on how it’s going, how far we’ve come, give ourselves a pat on the back (and maybe a reward like…shopping), and look toward the next three month milestone.
One year of breastfeeding goes by in a flash, and all the benefits are true–the faster healing, the losing weight (while eating what we want), the convenience, the immunities for our babies, the ability to soothe them in seconds, the healing properties of breastmilk for baby skin rashes/illnesses and so on.
Part of creating a breastfeeding approach is deciding how to make life adjustments to support our plan, and knowing these adjustments are temporary. They may seem difficult at first, but in the end open us to new ideas and sense of ourselves.
Breastfeeding comes naturally, it’s just that our culture is uneven in supporting breastfeeding moms–belief in ourselves and asking for help fill in those gaps.
Breastfeeding Made Easier
Take a breastfeeding class
We ask around to find the most compatible teacher/facility. Many places also offer postpartum breastfeeding groups or mommy and me, which can be supportive even if you’re not a group person.
Buy a breastfeeding book (or two)
Before the baby, the pictures are strange looking. After the baby we stare at them for guidance. A few we’ve used:
Bestfeeding: How to Breastfeed Your Baby
The Pump Station breastfeeding library — print a copy of everything
Collect a few (at least two) lactation consultant cards
And, the Pump Station is a life-saver both online and over the phone. Located in LA, we call them from anywhere in the country and they don’t care.
Arrange for a consultant you like to visit you at home at least 2-3 times the first 2 weeks postpartum
THIS STEP IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THEM ALL. In person advice the first few weeks makes all the difference, it gives us a foundation for everything that comes later. Experienced postpartum doulas also can be helpful with making sure newborns have good latch-ons.
Find out if there’s a local la leche league group in the area
La Leche League groups may have great local resources like lactation consultants or alternative health practitioners who help breastfeeding moms with diet sensitivities.
Remember that diet often affects baby gassiness and the nipple soreness passes
Some pediatricians and lactation consultants say diet does not affect newborns, our experience is that many sleep and fussiness challenges can be eased by adopting a breastfeeding diet.
Keep asking for help until you get what you need, don’t believe everything you hear
Sometimes it takes asking several different people to figure out how to solve a particular challenge. Online, try Kellymom.
The essential breastfeeding products for getting started
Our must haves and old reliables.
More to follow…the realities of breastfeeding the first month and why it’s not that bad (and pretty funny), pumping 101, breastfeeding and working.
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