You did it! You had your baby. It was a long, beautiful journey from conception to the present moment. Now you've entered into what we call the 4th trimester, although wonderful, it can bring about a mix of emotions due to hormonal changes, sleep deprivation and sudden transition from one life domain to another. During this time you may be elated and filled with joy and at the same time feeling overwhelmed.
If you’ve planned to breastfeed your baby you might be asking yourself, where do I start, what do I do, am I doing this right? Take a few moments and breathe! Trust the process. You are the best mother for your child and you’re already doing a great job.
Google might be the first source you turn to, but it is often filled with misleading information pushing you in the wrong direction, questioning your judgement and leaving you ultimately confused and believing that there's something wrong. To help you, I have put together 5 tips to help support you during lactation, use this advice in accordance with recommendations made by your health care provider and your lactation consultant.
1. Enjoy the process
Breast-feeding can be an enjoyable time for you and your baby. It is seen as one of the most intimate forms of human interaction. This is when you begin to experience attachment, an enduring bond of affection. Soft strokes of your baby’s hand and intense gazing as you are focused on your baby occur during breastfeeding. These natural actions teach you and your baby about the other’s behavioural cues. While breastfeeding, be assured that you are providing the best possible nutrition for her baby. Please note, choice of breastfeeding over bottle-feeding does not out weigh attachment experienced by mother and baby or nutrition. As long as attention is paid to closeness, cuddling, and skin and eye contact, bottle-feeding can foster beautiful bonding as well.
2. Skin to skin
Skin to skin has many physiological benefits for care providers and baby. This can be experienced with non breastfeeding partners as well. It stimulates the baby’s sense of touch and is a primary means of initial communication. It also optimizes the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding through a regulatory system called positive feedback system. The volume of breast milk produced depends on how much milk the baby demands, not on how much fluid the mother drinks.
3. Your experience is unique to you
Many people can experience pain, and discomfort during this time. Some babies latch more easily than others. Just remember, it’s ok, wherever you are in the breastfeeding process, know that you are doing great. Your journey is unique to you and that’s what makes it beautiful. Give yourself some grace as you explore and naviage this new reality.
4. Rely on support
During breastfeeding, it is important to establish a network of support. This support system can vary from mother to mother and depend on different circumstances. During this postpartum stage it is important to recognize that you are experiencing hormonal and physiological changes, sleep deprivation, and a drastic change from on life domain to another. Whatever support you have, rely on them to help you with household needs, feeding needs and emotional needs as you start to adjust to your new normal.
5. Whole foods
A breastfeeding mother produces approximately 750 ml of milk a day. This can change from woman to woman and within the same woman from time to time and it ultimately depends your baby’s demand for milk. The production of milk cost about 500 calories per day above your regular caloric need during the first six months of lactation. To meet this energy need, it is recommended to eat whole foods with abundance of nutrients and stay well hydrated. Below is a list of 18 staple food items to have in your home to ensure a balanced nutrition and support you during lactation.
18 items to keep in your pantry
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