Breastfeeding is a wonderful bonding experience with your new baby but like any new skill it can take some practice. After breastfeeding my five children I do have a few tips which can help breastfeeding beginners’ get started. I hope they help you!
7 Simple and Gentle Breastfeeding Tips
1. Practice after Birth
My biggest tip is to start trying breastfeeding just as you are getting to know each other. If you begin giving your baby little moments to practice latching on very soon after birth, it can help you both get started much more easily. This has been my experience with my five babies.
2. Skin to Skin Contact
Holding your baby on your chest, against your skin, during the early hours and days is a lovely bonding experience and allows you both to discover breastfeeding naturally as you get to know one another.
3. Get Comfortable
Feeling uncomfortable, squashed, or sitting holding your baby up with aching arms, all make it harder for beginners to breastfeed. Make sure your arms are supported and your baby is in a comfortable position in your lap.
4. Enjoy the Process
The breastfeeding journey can feel like a rollercoaster. There are frustrating moments, exhausting moments, and joyful moments. Try to focus on enjoying the overall process as you and your baby learn together.
5. Relax
When giving advice on breastfeeding for beginners it might seem silly to say ‘relax’, but it really is so important. Anxiety over breastfeeding makes it really difficult and can communicate tension to your baby too. To succeed at breastfeeding you need to relax. Try listening to music or an audiobook while breastfeeding.
6. Working with Tiredness
You are going to feel tired! Breastfeeding for beginners is especially tiring because you don’t know what you are doing. Try to remember that tiredness makes you feel more emotional and anxious sometimes, and don’t let this bother you too much. Work hard and allow yourself space to go through these stages during extreme tiredness.
7. Don’t give up too soon!
There have been many moments during my breastfeeding journey when I could have given up hope of being able to do it. If you are finding it hard, just try a little longer. Most likely just as it feels really difficult, success is just around the corner.
If you enjoyed this post, why not read more to help on the motherhood journey here:
10 Simple Ideas on what a Great Home Birth is Like
How to Write a Simple Pregnancy To Do List
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