My top tip for successful breastfeeding is to relax. Yes, I know this is nearly impossible if attaching your baby really hurts and you have a screaming, starving baby, BUT it is really important. If you are stressed, you baby will sense it and it may make the whole feeding process harder.
Here is a list of the things I did so I could better relax during each feed:
- Breastfeed your baby in a place that is comfortable for you. If you don't want to feed in front of people (this can be really daunting, especially early on), then don't. Ask them to leave or move to another room where you can relax. If its summer, set up in a cool place or winter, in a warm spot.
- Put all the things that you might need during the feed in one place. I had my water bottle, phone, remote control and breastfeeding pillow all together so that when my baby was ready to feed I could sit down straight away and feed. This helped both my baby and I. It meant my baby was attended to quickly and didn't get really worked up (a screaming baby is soooo stressful for all involved!) and I didn't have to rush around trying to find the things that I would need.
- When you sit down, relax your shoulders and take a few deep breaths before you attach your baby.
- If you have other young children, make sure you have them organised too. While you are establishing breastfeeding, each session may take up to an hour - a long time for a toddler to entertain themselves! If you can, feed your baby where your other children can be part of the process and in a secure environment. My little girls used to copy me, it was so funny. They would put washers over their shoulders (their burp cloth) and would feed their baby dolls from their belly buttons! Because they felt like they were part of the process, they were easier to manage and didn't try to get up to too much mischief.
- Feed in a secure environment if you have other children. I had gates installed on our living room doorways and latches put on the kitchen cupboards and drawers. This ensured there were very few things my two little ones could get into while I was feeding and it really lessoned to need for me to have to get up and disturb my bub during each feed. It also meant I could relax a bit more without worrying what the others were getting into or doing as I could always see them.
- Wear clothes that are easy to feed in, and that you are comfortable in. Breastfeeding Tops are great because they keep your back and tummy covered and allow for easy access to feed your baby.
