Breastfeeding tips for new mums. Enjoy the magic of nursing. Breastfeeding tips for new moms
Breastfeeding tips for new moms. Nursing is your superpower! Because breastmilk doesn’t only contain essential nutrients to feed your baby. It also has antibodies, fighting diseases and even brain development cells. Amazing hey?!
I exclusively breastfeed our daughter Saoirse. Who is now 17 weeks and weighs 8 kilos. Wearing cloth sizes for 6 to 9 months. She is big, healthy and happy!
Our breastfeeding journey went super well. Although I was a bit anxious about it, there are so many horror stories out.
Therefore, I love to share these breastfeeding tips. Based on our positive breastfeeding journey. As I trust in intention and manifestation.
Enjoy the magic mama!
Read on to find out:
- Breastfeeding tips on preparation
- Breastfeeding tips on your diet
- Nursing straight after birth
- The challenge of cluster-feeding
- Breastfeeding in public
- Summary
Breastfeeding tips on preparation
Like with everything in life, it is good to prepare. So, have a look at these breastfeeding tips on preparation. Without putting too much pressure on yourself!
Take a deep breath: no stress mama!
Oxytocin is the love hormone. Also, the hormone that gets your breastmilk flowing. To get the love hormone flowing. It is best if you are relaxed and at ease. So take a deep breath. Don’t stress mama. You got this!
Holistic preparation while being pregnant
There are many holistic ways to prepare your body, mind and soul for breastfeeding.
Body level
These ways prepare your body to breastfeed. Making sure you have enough nutrients and energy to produce magic breastmilk.
Ayurvedic herbs
Ayurvedic herbs like Shatavari helps to get the breastmilk flowing. You can find these online or in special herb stores.
Herbal breastfeeding tea
Make herbal breastfeeding tea. The ideal is a mixture of Fenugreek, Anise and fennel, which all boost your milk supply. There are also lots of premade Mama tea blends.
And don’t forget to drink lots of water too! As you are drinking for two now.
Breast Massage
Both you and your partner can prepare your breasts by massaging them. So that your breast starts to get ready for your baby. Getting used to the sensations. Also, your breasts will start to produce milk when they are being stimulated regularly. And, it is a nice activity to do with daddy to be!
Mind level
However, the most important part to prepare your mind is to: ”let it go”. It can be useful to fuel your mind with some holistic information.
Books about breastfeeding
Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding is a super useful resource. It covers pretty much all topics, concerns and tips for a natural breastfeeding journey. Ina May is a leading midwife who also wrote “Spiritual Midwifery”. Which is another beautiful edition for your natural home birth book list.
And then try to ease your mind…
Try to relax and let the oxytocin flow freely!
Soul level
Breastfeeding is our nature, our instinct and soul. So, connecting with your soul is essential for your natural breastfeeding journey.
Meditation: connecting with your baby
Connect with your baby during meditation. And visualise how and where you will be feeding your little one.
I’ve meditated and visualised daily. And now I’m feeding my baby just like I pictured while pregnant. I genuinely believe in the power of intention and manifestation.
With meditation, you create a beautiful start of your breastfeeding journey.
Breastfeeding tips on your diet
Your body feeds your baby. So it makes perfect sense that it is essential to eat healthily. For both mama and baby.
Foods to avoid
When following a plant-based diet, there is not much food to avoid. Besides alcohol, too much coffee, gluten and some spices.
Don’t get me wrong. You don’t need to stop with it all. But check in with your baby and see what might cause gas, a disturb sleep or reflux.
Foods to improve your breastmilk
Luckily there are also many ways to improve your breastmilk flow with your diet. Good morning oatmeal! And Hello, Fenugreek.
It is all about balance when it comes to a healthy breastfeeding diet. The ideal would be a colourful rainbow on your plate. Full with veggies, fruits, herbs and healthy grains.
Hydrate, hydrate
Keep on drinking mama! Your baby is drinking with you. So keep a big bottle of water near you. And a pot of herbal breastfeeding tea. Plus a healthy smoothy or veggie juice a day.
Your body is making super milk for baby. So, be sure to keep on refilling your liquids too!
Nursing straight after birth
When the beautiful moment arrives. And you have your baby in your arms. Try to nurse straight away. Your baby knows what to do. And so do you!
Let your guide be your guide
Especially after an unmedicated birth, your instincts and soul take over. At least, that is my personal experience. I’ve never had a medicated birth so I can’t compare.
I remember to be a bit anxious about breastfeeding. As I knew I wanted so much to breastfeed exclusively. Due to all the magical benefits nursing has for baby. But it just came naturally!
So, trust in your instincts and let it all flow – literally.
The challenge of Cluster-feeding
And then the s*** hits the van. Be aware of cluster feeding moments!
Cluster-feeding is when baby wants (and needs) to nurse continually. It doesn’t mean you are not supplying enough milk. But that your baby is growing through a growth or development spurt. And, therefore, need to nurse more.
Mark these moments in your calendar and be prepared! Lot’s herbal breastfeeding tea, lactation cookies and try to meditate. Meditating while breastfeeding really helps.
And, always remember: this too shall pass!
Breastfeeding tips in public
Let’s all do it!
Breastfeeding in public was a tricky one for me.
In the first weeks, I didn’t feel comfortable feeding with people around me. Other than daddy and my best friend. But when time passes you want to start going out. When exclusively breastfeeding, you need to face it: breastfeeding in public.
First of all, it is supernatural. And, let’s all do it! We need to feed our baby’s in the way nature intended us to do.
Breastfeeding clothes
However, it can help to wear clothes that make breastfeeding in public easier.
There are lots of breastfeeding clothes available. However, I didn’t buy any as I try to live a bit more minimalistic. I am not buying too many things.
Keep only “breastfeeding approved” clothes in your closet
It helps to remove all clothes out of the closet that doesn’t work for breastfeeding. Believe me, mama. It saves a lot of time – and stress – about what to wear and whatnot.
I’ve put my dresses in the storage, along with other shirts that aren’t practical for breastfeeding. I’m always with Saoirse. And plan to breastfeed for a long time. But, you can also give your “when done nursing clothes” another place in your wardrobe.
What to keep: Easy and comfortable
What works well are loose t-shirts. These you can lift without being completely naked. And to cover it up a bit. Vests and scarves are also fantastic to have some cover-up material.
There are again special nursing bra’s. I do prefer the very loose t-shirt bras, which I can quickly put aside when nursing.
Being a new mom, I’ve noticed that “easy and comfortable” are the main reasons to pick out an outfit. 😉
Summary breastfeeding tips
I love to share light on breastfeeding: it is such a beautiful experience! Bonding deep with your precious baby.
These breastfeeding tips are all-natural. Easy and inexpensive to implement. While fully holistic: integrating body, mind and soul.
Besides tips, we address some challenges. Like cluster feeding: when your baby transforms into a milk junkie. Which is completely normal! And how to breastfeed in public.
Let these nursing tips help you on your journey. You are doing great mama!
What are your breastfeeding tips?
Share your breastfeeding tips in the comment section below.
Thanks for sharing the magic mama!
