Breastfeeding In The Beginning

Getting through the first few weeks and months of breastfeeding your child.
So you've just squeezed a watermelon out of your belly button. No, not really. Although you may feel like you did only moments after giving birth. If you've never experienced it before, don't worry, the sheer bliss of meeting your child for the first time will greatly outweigh any pain you experience. At least once the painkillers kick in.
Soon after your child has arrived, he'll be carried away to be cleaned, weighed, poked and prodded. But it is very important to get down to the business of mothering as soon as possible. Provided that your child is medically well and does not have to go to another area of the hospital, you should be able to nurse your newborn within minutes after birth. If there are medical reasons that your baby must be separated from you, it is important to nurse within a few hours. After all, your breastmilk can do nothing but help your child. Therefore, it is important to bring your baby to the breast almost immediately.

This first feeding may be a little nerve-racking. Don't worry if you are stressed. It is not every day you bare your breast in front of strangers and try to stick it into somebody's mouth and hope he likes it. Try to remain calm. This is all new to your baby as well. Yes, sucking is a calming, natural instinct. He has probably been doing it for a few months in your belly already. But remember that he was just squeezed (or taken) out of a warm dark comfortable place into a bright, loud world where he was poked and prodded. Then this thing was stuck into his mouth while everyone watched. Be patient, he'll get the hang of it.

This first feeding is mostly a learning experience for both of you. A way to say hello, I'm your Mom and I'm here for you. Make sure Dad takes pictures or one of the nurses. This is one of those firsts for the scrapbook.
Over the next few hours, days and weeks to come, it is important that your baby nurse as frequently as every two hours. That means that if he latches on at one, then he needs to latch on again at three. Even if at one he nursed for an hour. I know technically it has not been two hours since he was at your breast, but time from the beginning and not the ending.

This is a trying time for many new mommies. Never before has your body undergone so many changes so quickly. However, nursing your baby should not add to your already existing stress, physical or emotional. Nursing should make things easier. This is your quiet time with your baby. Time to bond, time to relax, and maybe even catch a nap.
During the first few months, it is important to not give your baby a bottle or pacifier. Even if the bottle has pumped breastmilk in it. Artificial nipples require less work to get milk. Therefore, even if you still nurse as frequently, your baby may get used to the flow of the artificial nipple and not stimulate your milk production by not sucking as vigorously while nursing.

The most important piece of advice I can give you for your nursing beginning is to treasure each and every moment. Even at 2 a.m. with no sleep. While you are nursing your little one, look into his eyes and remember his look. There will be time for the dishes, time for the laundry, and time for returning to work. This is the time to make memories ... oh yeah, and time for take-out!