11 June 2021So you’ve made the all-important decision to breastfeed your baby. What’s next?
From getting the baby to latch on to figuring out how often to feed, breastfeeding poses many challenges for mums and mums-to-be who might not know what to expect. It can be a stressful process of trial and error, but with patience and preparation, you can get started on the path towards successful breastfeeding!
Here are four things you can do to nip your breastfeeding woes in the bud and set yourself up for success.
1. Keep Baby Close
Having skin-to-skin contact with your baby from delivery until after the first feeding is a great way to foster a strong connection between mum and baby.
When your baby feels warm and comfortable, it increases the chances of a good latch and longer feeding.
2. Find the Right Position For You
Struggling to settle into a comfortable position while feeding?
Remember, there’s no single best position. The first few days are your best chance to experiment until you feel comfortable. Try using a comfy chair, nursing stool, or breastfeeding pillow, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from a lactation consultant.
3. Maintain a Healthy Diet
On average, most women need about 500 extra calories while producing breast milk.
It is important to nourish your body with superfoods such as Brewer’s Yeast, Oats, Wheatgerm, Flaxseed, Oats Milk, Coconut products, Chia seeds, and Ground Fennel seeds. These ingredients not only help mummies build their milk supply but also strengthen their immune system. Healthy mummy, healthy baby!
At Marian’s Lactation Boost, the different products created are not only low in calories, but also include approximately 11 different types of superfoods in each to help nourish and strengthen mummy’s health. This in turn helps create a more nourishing milk supply to feed the little one. Unsure of which products to try? Why not try their range of Australian Milo cookies, and pair them together with their newly launched Lactation Cold Press Juice — the first of its kind in Singapore!
4. Avoid Using Pacifiers
As your baby is just learning to breastfeed, having pacifiers in their mouth can potentially cause nipple confusion .
Try to avoid using pacifiers for the first month or so to ensure that you don’t miss your baby’s hunger cues or steal time away from the breast during this critical period.
Signs that Breastfeeding is Going Well
Trying to tell if your baby is getting enough milk can be a guessing game, especially for first-time mums. To check if your breastfeeding is smooth-sailing, look out for these telltale signs.
Baby is nursing often
Newborns tend to nurse 8 to 12 times every 24 hours, actively sucking for at least 10 minutes each time. After 2.5 to 3 months, the frequency will drop to around 7 to 9 times a day, while the duration of each feed will also increase correspondingly. A sure sign of a full baby is when your baby is happy after each breastfeed.
If your breastfeeding falls within this range, your baby likely has a full tummy and a healthy intake.
Baby is steadily gaining weight
Monitor your baby’s weight regularly. As long as there’s steady weight gain, it is a clear indication that your baby is getting enough to eat.
Lots of diaper changes
Having plenty of wet nappies is a good sign. Ideally, wet diapers start to become more frequent from day five onwards, with at least six heavy, soiled diapers every 24 hours.
You feel comfortable & confident
Your well-being is just as important! Are you feeling good both physically and emotionally? If so, then it’s full stream ahead towards breastfeeding success!
To raise your chances of a smooth breastfeeding journey, why not give our range of lactation boosters a try? From lactation boosting cookies to lactation drinks, our nutritional products are widely trusted by mums in Singapore. Browse our online store today.
