Breastfeeding tips and hacks

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If you’re reading this you probably already know that breastfeeding isn’t always as simple as ‘baby, boob, done’. Sometimes it can be easy, but other times it’s downright difficult. Even if you successfully breastfed your first baby with no problems at all, it might be a different story the next time round, all babies are different!

Either way, here are some of the best breastfeeding tips and hacks to take some of the mess and stress away:

 

Breastfeeding Tips

1. Drink a lot of water

Making milk is thirsty work! You’ll want to make sure you keep hydrated to keep your milk supply up, so be sure to drink lots of water.

 

2. Snack often

Remember, you’re providing the only source of food to grow a human being, so you’ll need to keep your energy up and make sure you’re eating enough for both you and baby to get everything you need.

 

3. Use different positions

Some babies are better at feeding in different positions. With my second, the only way to feed her that wasn’t really painful was to lie down on my side and have her lying next to me.

Read this guide from the NHS with descriptions and pictures of the different breastfeeding positions you can try.

 

4. Make sure you’ve got everything you need before you start

Sometimes breastfeeding can take a long time! Before you settle in, it’s worth making sure you’ve got everything you need handy. A great idea is to have a breastfeeding basket or caddy to fill up with all your essentials – drink of water, muslin cloth, snack, book or tv remote perhaps. You could make one for upstairs and one for downstairs so you’ve always got one handy.

Related post: 10 tips to increase milk supply

 

5. Remember the best milk comes later

Don’t forget that the best milk to fill your baby up is the ‘hind milk’. This is the milk that will keep your baby satisfied for longer, so keep baby feeding on the same boob long enough for the hind milk to come through too.

 

6. Use Lansinoh or other lanolin cream

This is a lifesaver! Putting lanolin cream on before or after a feed really helps soothe the pain of sore or cracked nipples. Lansinoh cream was one of my best buys, I used it with all three babies and it’s amazing.

 

7. Wear 2 tops

Breastfeeding in front of others or in public can feel a bit exposing or uncomfortable. One of the best hacks I’ve used while breastfeeding is to wear a vest or tank top and do the 1 up 1 down trick. Pulling your regular top up and your vest down lets you feed the baby while still keeping your top half and belly covered.

 

8. Get a good nursing bra

You wan’t to be comfortable and have easy access. Nursing bras usually have wide straps and clips above the cups so you can easily access your boobs without taking your bra off. It’s worth investing in nursing bras you find really comfortable with good support, as you’ll be wearing them for a while!

 

9. Use a muslin

Tucking the corner of a muslin cloth into your bra and under baby’s chin during a feed can help catch some of the inevitable milk spill.

 

10. Use the hairband trick

Pop a hairband on the wrist the side you last fed to remind you which side to feed next. In the beginning you can probably tell by one side feeling and looking fuller and bigger – but as time goes on it becomes less obvious.

 

Top Tips For Breastfeeding

 

Consider a Breastfeeding Course

Breastfeeding is natural, but not necessarily easy! The Ultimate Breastfeeding Class from Milkology is packed full of super informative, helpful and comprehensive breastfeeding facts, advice and step-by-step guides to help you prepare.

Here’s why I think you’ll love it:

• The teacher (Stacey) is a fully qualified lactation consultant.
• The self-paced video-based course goes through everything you need to know with step-by-step, practical information. (NO fluff).
• It comes with great bonuses and a trouble shooting guide.

Check out The Ultimate Breastfeeding Class here >>

 

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