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There are several tips that can help prevent the most common breastfeeding related challenges. Tips for successful breastfeeding include:

• Feed the baby only breast milk for the first six months of life. Nursing babies do not require water, formula or any other food. They receive all the nutrition they need from breast milk, and feeding them other liquids reduces the baby’s intake of the milk. As a result, they are receiving fewer vitamins.
• Delay artificial nipples. Babies should not be given bottle nipples or pacifiers until the baby develops a good sucking pattern. Because artificial nipples require a different sucking pattern, providing them to a baby too early (before the second month) can prevent the baby from learning how to breastfeed. Many babies, however, are able to use pacifiers or nipples early in infancy without interference to breastfeeding. Breast milk can be taken from a bottle occasionally. In some instances, a baby may refuse a bottle as the nipple does not resemble the mother’s nipple in breastfeeding.
• Allow nipples to air dry. Allowing nipples to air dry after each feeding may prevent them from cracking. Cracking should be prevented because it can lead to infection.
• Coat cracked nipples with breast milk or natural moisturizer. Placing breast milk or a natural moisturizer, such as lanolin, on cracked nipples can promote the healing process.
• Avoid washing the nipples with soap. Soap may remove the natural oils on the nipples, and promote drying, cracking and soreness. Washing with clean water is all that is needed to keep the nipples and breasts clean.
• Watch for signs of infection and other complications. Women should contact their physician when they experience any abnormalities in the breast, including irritation, redness and lumps. Fever is also a major sign of infection.
• Get enough rest. Nursing mothers should rest as often as possible. This may prevent breast infections, which are worsened by fatigue.
• Feed promptly. Babies should be fed as soon as they show signs of hunger. Waiting until the baby is crying may make it difficult for the baby to become calm enough to breastfeed.
• Avoid bringing the breast down to the baby. Bending down to bring the breast to the baby can result in lower back pain. Instead, the baby should always be brought up to the breast.
• Get comfortable. To avoid back pain, a mother should sit in a chair that offers good back support, or lie on her side while breastfeeding. Pillows can also be used to increase the level of comfort. There are a number of breastfeeding aids that can help mothers with positioning.
• Wear “breastfeeding friendly” clothes. Loose, oversized pull-over tops, such as a large T-shirt, allow a mother to breastfeed discretely. In addition, button-front tops and two-piece outfits provide easy access to the breast. Nursing bras and nursing clothes with hidden openings near the breast are also available. Clothing and bras that are too tight should be avoided because they can promote nipple soreness and breast tenderness.
• Avoid rushing through a feeding. It is normal for a baby to take a break while nursing, pausing to look around the room or gaze at the mother. A mother should be patient until the baby is through with the feeding.
• Try to relax while breastfeeding. Relaxing encourages the let-down reflex, or milk-ejection reflex. Anxiety often makes breastfeeding more difficult.
• Hand-express some milk. By using her hand to express a small amount of milk from her breast, a woman can force the milk to the nipple before the baby latches on. This may prevent the baby from clamping down hard on the breast while waiting for the milk to come.
• Change positions. By changing positions each time she breastfeeds, a woman can put pressure on different parts of the nipple. Also, feed as equally as possible from both breasts to maintain the milk supply. Avoid using only one breast for all the feedings. If a baby does not feed from both breasts in a sitting, it is helpful to alternate each breast in the feedings.
• Do not wear a nipple shield (an artificial nipple that covers the mother’s nipple during nursing). Wearing a nipple shield while breastfeeding can prevent a baby from learning to nurse without it. This can result in prolonged soreness.
• Use breastfeeding pads. Disposable and cloth breastfeeding pads can be used to line a nursing mother’s bra. These pads prevent any leakage from soaking through the woman’s clothing. The pads should be changed frequently, in order to prevent complications associated with the moisture.

Women can receive more breastfeeding tips from their obstetrician-gynecologist, their baby’s pediatrician, a lactation consultant, a nurse-midwife, a childbirth educator or representative from the La Leche League organization.

posted by breastmilk  # 08:21