When your baby arrives, it is normal for us to put your baby directly on your chest so you can continue your journey together. As long as your baby is breathing and comfortable, you can try breastfeeding within the hour.
Feel fortunate if breastfeeding comes naturally. It is far more common for babies and moms to struggle, especially the first week; and there are many good reasons for this.
- Babies are tired from the birthing process, and often too tired to eat. Especially the first 24 hours.
- Your body makes minimal “mil” until 3-4 days after delivery. To start, it’s a lot of work, with little nutritional value.
- It can hurt, especially in the beginning.
- When babies are born small or early they often struggle, eating can be hard work.
This seems to be something that causes new moms a great deal of anxiety. As new parents, we get pressure and opinions from friends, families, partners, nurses, and doctors. Listen as long as you want, but after you have heard enough, do what works best for you and your baby.
My most important piece of advice is to go with the flow. Don’t try to force it or expect too much right off the bat. Babies are made to go without breast milk for the first few days and that initial substance that comes from the breast (colostrum) is good for the baby. The more the baby struggles and tries to eat, the quicker the milk will come in. Don’t feel frustrated if they are too tired to eat. Each baby does things differently.
Don’t be too quick to offer a bottle, or start pumping. The more a baby tries to eat, the faster the milk will come in.
Breast Pumps
I think breast pumps can be a double edge sword. They can make feeding time easier because you get to share the task. Keep in mind moms still have to do the lion’s share of the work as collecting the milk takes as much time as feeding, and then someone still has to clean the pump and bottles and then feed the baby. This can be a never-ending cycle if you are pumping every 2-3 hours. In addition, once you offer a bottle, some babies don’t want to breastfeed because eating from a bottle is easier.
It is important to remember: studies showing a positive effect of breastfeeding did not include solely breast milk/pumping combination.
So use your pump as a way to free yourself, but if it’s more work and less fun, put your pump in the closet and forget about it until you want a night out.
Your insurance will provide you with a breast pump thanks to Obama Care. If you visit one of the sites below you can view different types of breast pumps, chose one, and your insurance will pay for it and you can have it delivered.
Qualify Through Insurance (aeroflowbreastpumps.com)
https://insurancecoveredbreastpumps.com/