Things that can help with Breastfeeding

1. Make your LO suck more breastmilk. For the initial 1-2 days milk production will be low, but make your baby suck as it will give signal to your hormones to release more milk

2. Don't get panicky if breastfeeding doesn't work out in the beginning. Find ways to clear it out. 
  • Understanding proper Breastfeeding positions is very important. Get a proper understanding of breastfeeding positions from your nurse, or from Youtube videos, seminars, etc.
  • For me, Nipple Guard helped me greatly in improving latching. 
  • Breastfeeding pillow also helped in placing my baby in a proper position for breastfeeding. 
  • If you find that breastfeeding is not working after trying these small options consult a lactation consultant, they may be able to help you out
3. Here are a few very important things that can make breastfeeding smooth. 
  • Make sure that you offer your nipple & surrounding areola completely for breastfeeding. 
  • His/Her chin should touch mother's breast
  • His/Her belly button should touch mother's body 
  • His/her head should be on mother's elbow
  • Observe the baby's jaw movements to see if he/she is really sucking milk. If the jaw is idle, there are chances that he/she is not sucking properly
4. Breastfeeding should not be ideally painful, if you feel it as painful, there must be an issue with your breastfeeding position. 
5. Don't rely on pumping in the long run: While pumping can be a good option in the initial days, particularly if breastfeeding doesn't go on well, with the passage of time, you will notice that pumping becomes time-consuming & it can also reduce your milk supply

6. Hydration, Nutrition & Relaxation are 3 important things that a mom needs the most.
  • Hydration: I have heard that your belly would expand when you drink more water, during the postpartum period, but doctors say that it's just a myth. Hydration is very important for breastfeeding. I have heard that taking hot milk, especially just before feeding is good. 
  • Nutrition: Take in a balanced diet that is rich in Veggies & Fruits
  • Relaxation: Try to take rest when your baby is sleeping. Reach out to your doctor if you are facing any symptoms of panic attack, anxiety, or depression. Postpartum Blues or Depression is a very common thing, especially in the initial days after the delivery, so there is nothing to worry about, just seek treatment in the 1st place ( I had symptoms of Postpartum Depression, but I sought treatment immediately, which helped me a lot)

Foods that can help you with breastfeeding:

  1. Hot milk
  2. Hot Soup
  3. Curd /Yogurt
  4. Fenugreek Leaves / Seeds (You can make dishes/Currys out of curd and fenugreek leaves/seeds)
  5. Leafy Vegetables
  6. Moringa Leaves
  7. Pepper Rasam
  8. Gruel / Kanji ( We used to make it out of Rice & Green Moong Dal which will make it nutritious)
  9. Curd Rice (we used to make it with frozen mixed vegetables)
  10. Pongal / Khichdi ( we used to include a lot of veggies with Pongal)
  11. Oats
  12. Barley
  13. Jeera /Cumin
  14. Cinnamon
  15. Dry Fruits / Nuts ( If you have constipation, taking in Raisins & Prunes can help a lot)
  16. Lentils ( Particularly Chickpea (Channa), Moong Dal )
  17. Winter Melon
  18. Cucumber
  19. Bitter Gourd
  20. Garlic
  21. Any multivitamin tablet (with your doctor's advice) (I was taking Multivitamin for 6 months & then my doctor told me to take just Vitamin D)
7. Try to take small frequent nutritious meals: 
  • In the initial stage, rather than taking food 3 times a day, you can split it into 5 or 6 meals. 
  • The foods that you eat should not be having too much of calories or sugar. 
  • It should be Protein and Fibre rich. You can include a significant amount of good Fats also in your diet, which will keep you less tired
  • Don't eat too much carbohydrates (eg: limit your white rice intake), you can take brown rice, wheat, or other complex carbohydrates like oats (but not too much)
8. Generally, there is a misconception that the mom should be eating twice the normal amount of food.
  • You will naturally feel more hungry during this period, but it is the quality of food or the nutrients that matter & not the quantity
  • Take a lot of protein-rich foods that can keep you full
  • I used to feel very hungry & take a lot of snacks during my postpartum period, but then I ended up getting a fatty liver!
  • So, don't make your body tired all the time by taking unnecessary snacks & too much of carbohydrates

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