Breastfeeding Suggestions & Benefits

Establishing Breastfeeding:

•  Find a comfortable position away from stress to nurse.  This allows easy let-down.
•  Bring the baby to the breast rather than the other way around.  This avoids pulling on the nipple which creates poor suction and nipple soreness.
•  Allow the baby to develop their own patterns; attempts to schedule increases parental anxiety and imposes stress on the baby.  Allow time for adjustment to the outer world.  A pattern will develop between you and your baby.
•  Babies will feed between 8 to 18 times a day.  Some learn the skill of suckling more quickly than others.  Allow for your baby's uniqueness.

Nipple Soreness: 

Temporary soreness usually occurs when beginning breastfeeding. These suggestions may  help:
•  A quality diet with high Vitamin C intake.
•  Apply warm black tea bags to the nipples between feedings using a bandaid to keep it in place.
•  Apply lanolin cream on the nipples after feeding unless you are allergic to wool.
•  Air drying the nipples after feeding is helpful.
•  Break the suction by placing a finger in the baby's mouth before removing the baby from the breast.
•  Apply Vitamin E out of a capsule directly to the sore nipple.
•  Don't wash breasts with soap.  Use only water.
•  Try different positions for holding the baby which help him or her to grasp the areola

Foods:

Be sure to:    
•  Drink many fluids.  Have a glass of liquid with every feeding.
• Eat plenty of high quality foods. You are still eating for two.

Try to avoid:
• Coffee and chocolate frequently cause colic.
• Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and brussel sprouts may cause colic in some babies.
• Dairy may cause congestion or rashes.  Watch for signs and try removing dairy for  a few days.
Clogged Duct: 

•  Treat as soon as possible to prevent mastitis.
•  Nurse more frequently.
• Continue nursing on affected breast.  Cessation of nursing can increase stasis, increase discomfort, and even endanger milk supply.  Nurse frequently but just enough to empty breast.
•  Apply warm towels.
•  Gently massage breast inward toward nipple to encourage drainage of lymphatic tissue.
•  Castor oil pack:  Soak washcloth in the oil and apply to the breast.  Cover cloth with plastic wrap, then hot towels for 20 minutes.  Wash the oil off with baking soda solution.
•  Carrot poultice:  Grate a raw carrot and apply directly to the breast.  This will help draw out infection.
•  Drink 2 quarts of water a day.
•  Take Vitamin C and Echinacea to support your immune system.

Benefits of Breastfeeding:

•  Nursing contracts your uterus which helps to prevent postpartum bleeding.
•  The nutrients in your milk change according to the needs of your baby.  For example, the nutrient ratio in a woman's milk changes if her baby is premature to accelerate their neurodevelopment.
•  Antibodies are passed in the breast milk, providing a great deal of immunity to your baby during a time when the babies' immune system is developing.  This can result in fewer allergies, colds, and ear infections.
•  Breastfeeding is particularly protective against some common childhood conditions including eczema, otitis media, and iron-deficiency anemia.
•  According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal (July 1993), recent studies indicate that one-third to one-half of current infant deaths in North America are because of a failure to breastfeed fully (i.e., to give breast milk exclusively for the first 4 to 6 months of age, then breast milk plus solid food until 12 months).
•  Breastfeeding appears to provide substantial protection against breast cancer and osteoporosis.
•  Average annual cost of formula feeding in the first year of life is between $1275 and $3055.
•  Breastfeeding provides for bonding between you and your baby.