Kate from Life, Love and Living with Boys has kindly written a guest post with breastfeeding support.

Over to Kate

I’m a Breastfeeding Peer Supporter which means I have been given training by my local Infant Feeding Coordinator to enable me to support other women who want to breastfeed. I attend local breastfeeding support groups and spend a couple of hours a week on the maternity ward helping mum’s and supporting the midwives.

I breastfed my oldest until I was given incorrect advice from a health professional which led to us stopping before we were ready so I’m determined to help and support other Mums who want to breastfeed and also raise awareness so parents can make an informed choice on how they feed their baby.

Top Tips for Breastfeeding

1. It Shouldn’t Hurt

A major myth concerning Breastfeeding is that it will hurt at first but once your nipples toughen up, it’s great! I thought this was the case when I fed my first son and spent weeks nursing my cracked nipples slapping on the lansinoh at 4 in the morning.

If breastfeeding is painful then something isn’t quite right. Speak to your midwife, or breastfeeding support worker and find your local support group.

If you are in pain you will more than likely experience blocked ducts alongside the cracked nipples and most importantly your baby won’t be feeding effectively leading to possible weightloss and low milk supply.

2. Position and Attachment

These are key so attend local Infant Feeding Workshops or Breastfeeding Support Courses whilst you are still pregnant. Take your partner along since they will remember tips you won’t and their input will be invaluable in the middle of the night.

3. Feed On Demand

Breastfed babies need to feed at least 8-12 times in 24 hours. Give your baby free access to the breast and feed whenever they give feeding cues. The more baby stimulates your breasts by feeding, the more milk you will produce and this is really important in the early days. A newborn’s stomach is only the size of a marble and breast milk is easily digested so frequent feeds are essential.

4. What Goes In Must Come Out

As you can’t measure the amount if breast milk your baby is getting, you must keep an eye on the number of wet and dirty nappies as an indication of how it’s going. Newborn’s should be having one wet nappy at one day old, two at two days, three at three days etc. They should have one dirty nappy for each day of life up until day three or four then at least three per day after that but as breast milk is a laxative, the count could be higher.

The colour of poop is very important and it should go from the black meconium on day one through brown/green/mustard to yellow which is the colour it will typically stay until you introduce solids at about six months. Please note: You will discuss poo with anyone and everyone from the second your baby is born until they are well past potty training!!!

5. Local Group For Breastfeeding Support

They offer a brilliant opportunity to get out of the house and build up your confidence feeding in front of strangers in a safe environment. No one will bat an eyelid when you need to feed, there will be peer supporters and/or health professionals at the group to help with queries and you can enjoy a drink and a chat with Mums who know exactly how you are feeling. It’s also a great way to meet new friends and socialise your little one with other babies. Lots of Mums decide to meet up outside the groups in local cafes and it’s much less nerve-racking feeding out and about with a breastfeeding friend.

6. Packed Lunches

Ask family members or your partner to make you packed lunches if you will be alone during the day. That way, when baby is feeding frequently in the first few weeks, you can grab it from the fridge in seconds and munch on your lunch with your free hand.

7. Read Up on Breastfeeding

The internet is a fabulous source of information on breastfeeding but beware that not all the advice on the World Wide Web is reliable.

ABOVE ALL WHEN IT COMES TO BREASTFEEDING…

• Seek advice the minute you feel discomfort or pain. Don’t suffer in silence.

• Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Yes breastfeeding is natural and normal. But both you and baby need to learn the basics and getting stressed makes it more difficult.

• Educate yourself on the benefits of extended feeding so if you decide to feed beyond six months, a year, two years, and need to justify yourself to people, you will be able to share your knowledge and feel comfortable with your choices.

• Enjoy it! Once you have your first baby, you will realise just how quickly they grow and although you won’t believe at the time, you will miss those sleepless nights with a newborn when they’re a cheeky toddler who won’t sit still for five minutes!!!

What Else Can Help

To help support you with your new found breastfeeding knowledge Lansinoh have some useful products:

Lansinoh HPA Lanolin – the miracle nipple cream that works as a fantastic lipbalm/nail cream/nappy rash cream/for minor cuts and burns… the list is endless!

Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads – these really don’t leak! Nice and smooth too so they don’t show under clothes.

Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags – these are great for storing/freezing breastmilk in!