Breastfeeding Tips and Resources

Breastfeeding offers a host of benefits to infants but can prove to be not only challenging for new mothers, but frustrating and painful as well.  Most insurance policies cover the services of a Lactation Specialist and reaching out for help can be highly beneficial.  

Be aware that skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth has multiple benefits for both mother and baby. It allows your new infant to recognize you from outside the womb, and this will lead to an easier latch!  Don’t be afraid to advocate for skin-to-skin if it is not part of the protocol of your hospital or birthing center.

“The evidence supporting the practice of skin‐to‐skin contact after birth is robust, indicating multiple benefits for both mother and baby.  Advantages for the mother include earlier expulsion of the placenta, reduced bleeding, increased breastfeeding self‐efficacy and lowered maternal stress levels. It has been suggested that the rise in the mother's oxytocin during the first hour after birth is related to the establishment of mother–infant bonding. Advantages for the baby include a decrease of the negative consequences of the stress of being born, more optimal thermoregulation, continuing even in the first days and less crying. Skin‐to‐skin contact has been shown to increase breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breastfeeding while reducing formula supplementation in hospital, leading to an earlier successful first breastfeed, as well as more optimal suckling” - NLM (National Library of Medicine)

Starting Your Breastfeeding Journey

One of the hardest parts of new motherhood is the first two-four nights with your newborn. When they tell you to sleep while the baby sleeps, they really mean it. I did not know anything about cluster feeding as I was healing from the birth of my daughter. I didn't take it very seriously when my family and friends told me to get as much sleep as possible. Those first few nights can be hard and painful. It sounds scary, but it's important to be realistic and know exactly what could happen. I had my daughter 4 months ago, so it's as fresh in my mind as it can be! I didn't know that breast milk COMES IN STAGES! And the first 4 days are crucial for your milk supply. You will need to feed your baby every 3 hours in order to get that supply flowing. It can be so hard, but you can do it! You've carried your child, you've prepared everything they need, and if you are reading this you are preparing yourself!

 The first stage of breastmilk is called colostrum, also known as liquid gold. This is very small amounts of pure nutrition. It could start with just a few drops coming from your breast. The more you feed your baby or pump, the more your milk will mature. Your liquid gold could either start producing in the first days of postpartum or for some it starts months before giving birth! But don't go starting to pump while you're pregnant, because when your baby comes their stomach will only be the size of a small marble! So if you have even a semi-matured milk supply, this will upset your babies stomach. 

The second stage of breastmilk is called transitional milk. This is the process of your milk transitioning from colostrum to BONAFIDE BREASTMILK! This is very exciting because it means you and your baby are doing everything right! Your baby is stimulating your nipples as they eat, which is increasing your milk supply every feeding! And every day, your babies tummy gets bigger and bigger! 

The third stage of breastmilk is mature milk! You've done it! You and your baby have transitioned, grown, and bonded together! Now, a common misconception with breastfeeding is that once you have mature milk, you'll just always have a supply. This is very untrue, and under spoken about. You have to continue feeding the recommended every 3-5 hours, even at night. You will lose your breastmilk supply if you aren't emptying your breasts. I will include links to breast pumps and links to resources for getting a breast pump from insurance. The more you feed and pump, the more milk you will have. Some women have an oversupply of milk, in which case they can donate milk! This milk can be given to babies who are adopted, surrogate babies, or babies whose moms can't nurse. Here are links to donate milk or receive donated milk. 

Not Everyone Can Breastfeed, And That's Okay! 

Sometimes, mothers have reasons why they cannot breastfeed. Anything from issues latching to having medical conditions that prevent you from nursing. This can feel defeating for struggling moms. It may feel like you are failing or disappointing your baby. But in reality, a fed baby is a happy baby, no matter what they are being fed. If you are formula feeding or pumping and feeding that is just fine! Your baby is just happy to be eating! 

Know Your Breastfeeding Rights

"Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable break time and safe place for a non-exempt employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year. California law extends these protections to any employee for as long as employee is nursing her child. An employer shall make reasonable efforts to provide an employee with the use of a room or other location, other than a bathroom, in close proximity to the employee’s work area, for the employee to express milk in private. An employer shall develop and implement a policy regarding lactation accommodation."

- US Department of Labor

"Civil Code 43.3 gives women the right to breastfeed their child in a public place. This protection is needed since women breastfeeding in a public place may be asked to stop, leave or cover up, causing embarrassment and stigmatization. Embarrassment remains a barrier to breastfeeding."

-California Department of Public Health

Breastfeeding Checklist Links

• Nursing Pads or Washable Nursing Pads
• Nursing Bras 
• Breastpump (see links above^)
• Bottles
• Bottle Cleaning Sponge
• Bottle Dish-wash