What every new mom needs to know about breastfeeding.
Having a baby is an absolute blessing, but it does not come without its challenges. The first baby can be especially challenging because – before you had your baby – you could sleep in; you could travel, you could drink wine, you could eat whatever you want, you could wear whatever you want and then one day, boom. You have a baby, and your life will never be the same. Eating, sleeping, caring for yourself, enjoying entertainment and nourishing relationships can become much harder. So, we compiled the most popular tips from our mamas to make your transition to mamahood easier.
Here is #1!
#1: Breastfeeding can be hard. Like, really hard.
This is one thing that may surprise you if you don’t know anyone who has breastfed or has had difficulty breastfeeding. It's a typical misconception that baby comes out of the womb, latches on correctly, and this fantastic bonding thing just occurs naturally. Sometimes this happens and – if it does – congrats, mama! You conquered what can be a huge hurdle for new mamas so brush those shoulders and feed on. Just know, this isn’t always the case.
Problems with latching
Breastfeeding challenges can include a multitude of not-so-magical moments. A hard time latching is one. Baby’s latch can be incorrect, resulting in painful feeds. You can also run into engorgement, get super-fabulous infections such as thrush and mastitis. All of these challenges can be worked on with your midwife, lactation consultant or public health nurse, but the key is to know when to ask for help. Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider if these occur.
Is breast really best?
We all know that breast is best when it comes to nutrition and immune optimization, but is it always best for the relationship as a whole? The answer is… sometimes. There are ideal circumstances where breastfeeding is this fairy-tale bonding experience between mom and baby, but there are also times when it’s not.
What is breastfeeding aversion?
There is a term coined ‘breastfeeding aversion,' and it is a very real thing. Some women can't help but hate breastfeeding. We know this sounds raw, but it's the truth. It happens and – rest assured – that there is nothing wrong with you if you hate it. Many women feel the same. You may hate the feeling of a baby being on your nipple. You may hate that you are the only one that can provide nourishment for your baby.
If you are averse to breastfeeding, you have options.
If you’re one of these mamas that has a breastfeeding aversion, know that you have options. You can get help from a lactation consultant or public health nurse to try and optimize your breastfeeding experience. You can decide to pump, instead. Or – get ready for it – you can choose not to breastfeed at all. You can give formula (or even a combination of pumped breastmilk and formula). If you decide to give formula, you may run into significant pressure and judgment to breastfeed ‘no matter what’ by professionals, friends and family alike. No matter what you decide, know that breastfeeding VS formula is one of the most controversial subjects in mamahood. You need to be confident and stand up for your decision. You need to decide what works best for you and your family.
Pay attention to your mental health. It matters.
Sadly, there are cases where pressure and guilt to breastfeed have been so intense that it contributes to a severe decline in mama’s mental health. If you have a breastfeeding aversion that affects you negatively, we ask you to consider this: what is most important? Mental health or an exclusively breastfed baby? We feel that mama's psychological health takes the cake.
Stay tuned for our #2 tip! And while you wait, if you like a little privacy when breastfeeding, check out our Mobobaby 2-1 Nursing Cover + Hat. An innovative new, breathable nursing cover, it is a great hooter hider for mom, so she can relax and feel more comfortable with covered goods. Unique and voted a best baby gift, it's a perfect breastfeeding cover up.
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