Part three of my World Breastfeeding Week blog series is today. Lets meet three more moms as they answer this question:
Do you have any advice for a first time mom that is brand new to nursing?
Tawni (mom of 3) and Tristan (6 months old)
"Breastfeeding can at times be stressful. Don’t feel bad talking through your stress with another mom. Odds are that they have experienced the same stress and can help you through it. Breastfeeding my children has been a rewarding experience that i wouldn’t change for the world."
Alex (mom of 3) and Sawyer (12 months old)
"Be patient. Trust your body. Trust your baby. If it doesn’t work, you did your best and that is more than good enough."
Christie (mom of 2) and Grady (13 months old)
"If you are struggling, ask for help!"
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With a history in lactation counseling and because I truly believe in supporting new moms on their breastfeeding journey, I want to include some of the other moms answers to this question. Support and education that could help a new mom is too valuable not to share! More words from these wise ladies...
Emily Says:
"Some pain *initially* is normal. Pain that lasts beyond the first week or two, pain that makes you cry, pain that makes you reconsider breastfeeding is. not. normal. Cracked and bleeding nipples are not normal! Low milk supply can be helped! If you’re dealing with these you need to see a good lactation consultant or skip straight ahead to finding a state tongue and lip tie group online and finding a *preferred* provider to evaluate you for oral ties. Revisions are a process, but it is SO worth it to save your breastfeeding relationship. You are not alone, and it can be helped!
Also: Be brave. With my first I would apologize whenever I would have to nurse the baby, even in my own home! With my second I was a little less apologetic. And by my third, I felt confident in my ability to nurse in public (while being as polite and tactful as possible). You don’t have to be apologetic for feeding your baby!"
Jessica Says:
"My advice is to do your homework before Baby arrives. Many people believe that breastfeeding will be easy and intuitive. Unfortunately, that is not the case for everyone. Read and seek guidance from professionals and other moms who have been successful. Most importantly, believe that you are enough."
Rebecca Says:
"My two biggest pieces of advice would be to educate yourself before you give birth and to stick with it through the first few weeks. Education is so important to know what is and is not normal and to not be so caught off guard when you’re actually breastfeeding. Sticking with it through those first few sleep-deprived weeks will set you up for success! Those weeks are rough because you’re both learning about each other, but I feel like something clicks in during the second or third week and you get into a groove. My third tip would be to seek out help from a lactation consultant as soon as you think something might be wrong."
Thank you ladies for taking the time to answer these important questions!