Last updated on July 9th, 2024 at 02:20 pm
Ah, the joys of motherhood! From the moment you hold your little bundle of joy in your arms, you realize that you’re responsible for nourishing and nurturing this tiny human being. And if you’ve decided to breastfeed, get ready for an exciting journey!
Breastfeeding is a natural and beautiful way to bond with your baby while providing them with essential nutrients for growth and development. But let’s be real – nursing a newborn is not always a walk in the park. It can be a challenging and emotional experience, especially during the first week.
From latching issues to sore nipples, engorgement, and exhaustion, there’s a lot to handle. But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered! In this blog post, we’ll share some tips to help you navigate the first week of nursing your newborn. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to learn some practical advice to make the most out of this special experience.
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1. Start Breastfeeding as Soon as Possible
One of the most frequently asked questions I get as a nurse is “when do I start to breastfeed my baby?” The answer is now! Many babies will start to show hunger cues as soon as the first hour of life and breastfeeding can be initiated almost immediately.
It’s essential to start nursing your baby as soon as possible after birth. Newborns have a strong reflex to suck, and nursing early on will help establish milk production and prevent engorgement. Skin-to-skin contact with your baby can help trigger the release of hormones that stimulate milk production.
I always encourage my patients to enjoy that Golden Hour with their newborn and soak in all that precious skin-to-skin time. While family and friends love to visit and share in the excitement of enjoying a new baby, it is so important to establish nursing as soon as you can in privacy.
2. Get Comfortable
Finding a comfortable position for both you and your baby is crucial to successful nursing and establishing a proper latch. All your nurses on both labor and delivery and postpartum should be trained in lactation. Depending on your facility there should also be lactation consultants available to help you get comfortable with nursing while inpatient.
Experiment with different positions until you find what works best for you and be sure to ask your nurse for help! The most common nursing positions are the cradle hold, football hold, and side-lying position. You just need to find out what is the easiest and most comfortable for you. Use pillows or a nursing pillow to support your baby and prevent strain on your back and arms.
Comfort isn’t just about positioning, breastfeeding in an uncomfortable environment without all the proper tools won’t be very successful. Create your own breastfeeding corner in your home. This could be a corner in your bedroom, in the nursery, or in another room away from loud noises.
Sit in a comfortable chair (I loved my glider in the nursery) and have a small side table next to you with plenty of snacks, water, and any other nursing supplies you could need. You could listen to an audio book or watch a favorite show on your phone or tablet. If you are calm and relaxed your baby will be also!
3. Pay Attention to Your Baby's Hunger Cues
Your baby will give you plenty of hunger cues such as rooting, sucking on their hands, or making sucking noises. While laying on your chest your baby may even try to move down towards the breast. It’s essential to feed your baby when they’re hungry and show these cues, not according to a schedule. A crying and very hungry baby can be hard to soothe and calm down, which makes for difficult latching.
Newborns need to eat frequently, at least 8-12 times a day, which is the equivalent to every 2-3 hours. It is important to use this as a guide to ensure your baby is getting enough to eat, especially in those first few days of sleepiness, but don’t be too rigid with it. Some babies will want to eat every hour for a stretch, others may take a 4-hour break. The first week with a newborn is all about learning your babies cue so pay attention to how your baby expresses hunger to you.
4. Learn Proper Breastfeeding Latch
A proper latch is one of the most difficult things to master as a new mom and is crucial for effective breastfeeding. While it can be challenging, it is important to be patient with both you and your baby as you both are learning how to breastfeed.
In order to achieve the best latch, your baby should have a wide-open mouth, with their lips flanged outward. Their chin should be touching your breast, and their nose should be free to breathe. A shallow latch can cause sore nipples that can crack and even bleed if not well taken care of.
An improper latch can also lead to poor milk extraction by your baby. This can start you down the vicious cycle of low demand and low supply. You want the latch to include both the nipple as well as breast tissue on the areola under the nipple. If the latch is extremely painful, you should take the baby off and try again. Lactation consultants are a great resource and can help you learn how to achieve the best latch for successful breastfeeding.
5. Be Patient and Persistent
Breastfeeding can be challenging at first, and it’s normal to feel frustrated or overwhelmed. It takes time and practice to get the hang of it, so be patient with yourself and your baby. No one expects you to be an expert on breastfeeding right away, even if you did take classes prior to your birth! It is a learning process and something for you and your baby to learn together.
As a nurse, I’ve seen so many moms struggle with breastfeeding the first few weeks and it is heartbreaking to see. Your body has gone through many changes, and it is a very emotional time. While it may seem difficult to begin with, I promise you it will get easier! Don’t hesitate to ask for help from any of your nurses, a lactation consultant, or even family and friends who have been through the breastfeeding challenges before. There are so many resources out there for support!
6. Take Care of Yourself
Breastfeeding requires energy and nutrients, so it’s essential to take care of yourself in order to properly care for your newborn. Drink plenty of fluids, eat a healthy diet with plenty of calories, and get enough rest (which is easier said than done!). It’s also crucial to take care of your mental health, as breastfeeding can be emotionally challenging. Do not hesitate to seek help from friends, family, or even a support group to help you get through all the challenges that come with your first week breastfeeding newborn!
7. Don't Give Up
Breastfeeding is a learning process, and it’s normal to experience challenges along the way. Don’t give up on breastfeeding without seeking help and support first. Know that I am speaking from experience when I say breastfeeding is so hard! Heck, teaching it is a big part of my job and I still struggled when trying to learn to feed my own baby for the first time. While it isn’t easy, breastfeeding is such a wonderful experience for both you and your baby. While there definitely is a learning curve, both baby and you will get the hang of it and it will become easier in no time!
Nursing a newborn can be challenging, but it’s also a beautiful bonding experience that I hope every mom gets the chance to experience. Be patient, persistent, and seek help and support when needed. With time, practice, and a little patience, you and your baby will master the art of breastfeeding.
And remember mama, you’ve got this!
Great tips! Definitely can never underestimate the power of getting comfortable! After lots of issues I saw a LC and sure enough, I was sitting so stiff and anxious it was contributing to my experience and latch. Learning to lean back, relax and enjoy was a game changer