Breastfeeding Advice…Mama Insight Q & A

Natalie, CA

It is strongly recommended to have skin on skin contact with your newborn almost immediately.  And if you plan to breastfeed, to do as soon as possible after delivery.  It is really up to your baby when he or she wants to start.  You’ll be surprised how quickly their natural instinct kicks in and they start rooting to try and find your breast.
Laura, Mama Expert, Breastfeeding Consultant
I would strongly recommend trying to breastfeed as soon as possible.  I actually didn’t try breastfeeding until my thrid son.  I was debating about it.  I actually didn’t do it in the hospital.  I waited until I got home and my milk came in.  Even after seeing a lacation consultant several times, I wasn’t able to produce enough milk.  I tried everything but I believe I waited too long.
Nicole, Experienced Mama 

Michelle, GA

• Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt.  In the very beginning you may find it a little uncomfortable when the baby first latches on but it shouldn’t continue throughtout the entire feeding.   With that being said, your nipples are sensitive and need time to adjust.  Just about every mother experiences some type of soreness in the early stages of nursing.  Some women will just have mild soreness but others can have cracked and even bleeding nipples.  Nipple soreness usually peaks at about 5-7 days and then should slowly decrease from there.  By 10-14 days breastfeeding should be painfree.

**If the pain persists, you have bleeding, the pain/soreness continues through the feeding and/or after, you should contact a lactation consultant.

• Many times the soreness can be due to inproper latch or positioning of the baby.  Although breastfeeding is suppose to be “Natural,” it still takes time and is a learning process for mom and baby.

There are lanolin creams you can use after feedings to help with the nipple soreness. They can be found in a local store like BabiesRus or Target with all the nursing supplies. Don’t just use any cream.
There is also what is called a Nursing Shield that you can buy that puts a thin silicone barrier over the nipple which can help until the soreness eases.  You can breastfeed normally with it.  That can also be found with all nursing supplies.
Make sure the baby is latching on correctly.  An inproper latch can be very painful.

A Few Basic Breastfeeding Pointers:

• Baby should be positioned on his/her side.  Use you arm to cradle him/her (head in elbow area, and body along forearm.)
• Offer your breast bringing baby to your breast, not breast to baby.
• When you offer your breast use your hand that’s free to support your breast.  Your thumb on top and the rest of your hand underneath your breast forming a “C.” Be sure to make sure you thumb and hand are behind the areola.  Stroke his mouth with your nipple.  Once he/she opens wide, pull baby in.
• Your babies mouth should cover a big portion of your areola. If your areola is large it may not quite cover the whole area.
• If the baby is latched on properly his/her lips with be puckered out not sucked in.  Your nipple with then be in the back of his mouth, away from nipple tissue.   Decreasing soreness.
• Make sure to be careful when removing baby from breast. Most of the time baby will let go on his own. But if there is a time when you have to stop feeding DON’T just pull your nipple out.  Break the seal between baby and your breast by pressing down on your breast near his/her mouth and putting your finger in the corner of baby’s mouth.

Again if the pain persists or is continuous contact a lactation consultant and/or OBGYN.  There are other reasons for nipple soreness/pain such as engorgement, nipple confusion with breast & bottle, and/or inverted nipples.  There also can be medical issues such as issues with thrush and mastitis that needs to be resolved by a doctor.
Laura, Mama Expert, Breastfeeding Consultant