Breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural way to nourish your baby, but it can also come with challenges. Here are some essential tips to help you and your baby have a successful breastfeeding journey.
1. Ensure Proper Latch
A proper latch is crucial for comfortable and effective breastfeeding. Make sure your baby’s mouth covers both the nipple and the areola. This not only ensures your baby gets enough milk but also prevents sore nipples.
Tips For A Good Latch:
- Position your baby’s nose to your nipple
- Wait for your baby to open their mouth wide before guiding them onto the breast
- Ensure their lips are flanged out, like a fish, around the breast
2. Feed On Demand
Newborns typically need to breastfeed 8-12 times in 24 hours. Feeding on demand, whenever your baby shows signs of hunger such as rooting or sucking on their hands, helps maintain your milk supply and keeps your baby satisfied.
3. Seek Support
Don’t hesitate to seek help from lactation consultants, healthcare providers, or breastfeeding support groups (in person, or online!). They can provide valuable guidance on techniques and help address any issues you may encounter.
Breastfeeding Support Resources:
- Lactation consultants
- Breastfeeding support groups
- Online communities and forums
4. Maintain Milk Supply
Staying hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet are key to keeping your milk supply up. Frequent nursing or pumping can also help.
Diet Tips:
- Drink plenty of water
- Eat a variety of nutritious foods
- Include lactation-boosting foods like oats & almonds
5. Managing Common Issues
Common breastfeeding issues such as sore nipples and engorgement (when your breasts become too full of milk, causing discomfort) can be managed with proper techniques and care.
|
For Sore Nipples |
✔️ Ensure a proper latch ✔️ Use nipple creams or apply breast milk to soothe ✔️ Let nipples air dry |
|
For Engorgement |
✔️ Use warm compresses before feeding, cold packs after feeding ✔️ Alternate which breast you offer first ✔️ Pump milk often to prevent engorgement |
6. Bonding and Comfort
Breastfeeding is a wonderful time to bond with your baby. Skin-to-skin contact and a relaxing environment can enhance this bonding experience.
Relaxation Tips:
- Practice deep breathing
- Find a quiet and comfortable space
- Listen to calming music
7. Breastfeeding & Skincare
During breastfeeding, avoiding harmful substances in your diet & lifestyle (such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol) is essential— and this includes your skincare. Ingredients like parabens, retinols, phthalates, oxybenzone, etc. can actually enter your bloodstream, affecting your milk supply and baby’s health.
Learn More: Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Guide: Making Sure Your Routine Is Ready
One of the many pregnancy-related skin concerns new moms have is stretch marks— so you want to make sure your stretch mark treatment is safe for you and your baby. Our Rejuvaskin Stretch Mark Cream was designed with new mothers in mind, utilizing high quality, effective ingredients like cocoa & shea butter, aloe vera, polypeptides, and ceramides to help nourish and repair these areas of rapid growth. Best of all, our Stretch Mark Cream is clinically proven to be safe for use after the first trimester and while breastfeeding.
How To Use:
- Apply a generous amount to the affected areas twice daily
- Use three fingertips worth of cream to cover the affected area adequately
- Gently massage the cream into the skin in circular motions until fully absorbed
Learn More: Red vs. White Stretch Marks: What Does The Color of Your Stretch Marks Mean?
Nourish Your Baby, Pamper Your Skin
Breastfeeding is a rewarding journey, and with the right tips and support, you can make it a smooth experience for both you and your baby. Remember to take care of your skin during this time with safe products like Rejuvaskin’s Stretch Mark Cream. Happy breastfeeding!