As any new mother will tell you, breastfeeding isn’t any easy task. Knowing its numerous benefits for the baby (and the mother!), however, ensures that it remains the chosen form of nourishment for most newborns around the world. In fact, traditional wisdom and the guidelines laid out by WHO recommend that babies should be breastfed for a minimum of six months, and ideally for an entire year. After getting the hang of it, it isn’t unusual for mothers to discover that they actually like the process. But if you are feeling overwhelmed with the process, I’m here to share my tips to ensure a smooth breastfeeding journey.
As the mother of an 8.5-year-old and four-month-old, I have done this twice. In the process, I’ve learnt a lot, so I’m here to share my knowledge with the hope that it helps others. Recently I touched on the subject in my pregnancy podcast, but in this post, I will delve into greater detail on the subject of nursing babies.
But first, in case you were wondering why it’s important to encourage mothers to breastfeed:
- It’s great for the baby’s health as it helps build their immunity
- It helps you bond with your baby
- It may help you lose the weight gained during pregnancy
- It is economical
- It is eco-friendly
- It is travel-friendly
- It is hassle-free as you don’t need to keep cleaning and sterilising equipment
Now, coming to the topic at hand. Here is my list of tips to ensure a smooth breastfeeding journey:
Feeding Pillow with Back Support:
As newborns and before they can sit up, babies need support. A good feeding pillow with clip-on back support will allow you to keep your hands free while keeping your baby balanced and safe even at night-time. I once heard the story of a mother who went off to sleep while feeding her baby at night. The baby was resting on a regular pillow, and she slipped and fell because the pillow wasn’t firm and straight. Scary thought!
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Covers for Feeding Pillow:
Newborns spend a lot of time on their feeding pillows, and will poop, pee and spit-up on them frequently. This means the covers for these pillows need to be changed very frequently! So, keep a few covers spare. Make sure they are made in pure cotton and without any embellishments, so the baby is comfortable while lying on them. In case you can’t access them online, you can get them made from a nearby tailor.
Nursing Bras for Daytime and Nighttime:
Nursing bras that unhook are essential for daytime feeds. My favourites are from Marks & Spencers. But nighttime bras are equally important. My prenatal yoga teacher had given me a little piece of advice that I swear by – wear soft, cotton bras at night while feeding to prevent your breasts from sagging prematurely.
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Surgical Belt:
This is specifically for my fellow C-section moms out there. Wearing a surgical belt for the first few months after your surgery helps reduce the swelling in your stomach area. It also prevents the inevitable backache that results from holding your baby all the time, especially during long feeding sessions. This belt should also be custom-made to your size. My custom pregnancy belt guy is Sanjay and his number is 9717386658.
Lazyboy or Comfortable Chair:
If you have the luxury of space in your bedroom or nursery, make sure to invest in a comfortable chair which you can breastfeed on. A lazyboy is ideal, but some people like rocking chairs too. I personally didn’t like the rocking chair. Instead, I feed my baby during the day on my office chair at my home desk, as this allows me to work while feeding.
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Husband Pillow:
This has been a wonderful discovery. A husband pillow is a massive chair pillow that can be put on soft surfaces like the bed. It’s a great option if you don’t have the space to put a lazyboy or large chair in your bedroom. I use this exclusively to feed my baby at night, as I can lean back on its soft and high back and snooze as I feed.
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Hands-free Breast Pump:
Pumping isn’t for everyone but if you do decide to pump your breast milk to feed your baby while you are on the go or need to return to work, I highly recommend investing in a hands-free breast pump. This allows you to work on your laptop, move around the house, and even feed your baby from the other breast while you pump! I ordered an Elvie breast pump from America because my husband was travelling there, but I have heard these options available in India work well too.
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Specialised Baby Bottles:
If your baby is exclusively breastfed, it is likely that they will resist the bottle, even if you are offering them pumped breastmilk inside it. To address this problem, you can experiment with different nipples on bottles. I find Nuk bottles have the closest shape to a natural human breast, which is why my baby prefers it. Though, Dr. Brown’s glass bottles are the best bet for colicky babies.
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Steriliser:
If you are pumping breastmilk, it is essential that you sterilise the equipment and the baby’s bottles after every use. A steriliser is quick and easy to use, however, if you don’t want to buy yet another machine, just wash the equipment and put it in boiling water to sterilise.
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Nursing Cover for Feeding in Public:
It is indeed easy to travel or take the baby out when you are breastfeeding, as you take their food along with minimal fuss. However, for the sake of modesty, these nursing covers are very useful when you’re out in public.
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Water Bottles:
I have never felt more thirsty in my life than when I’m breastfeeding! It is essential to keep drinking water to increase your milk supply, so always have water bottles close by. Avoid plastic ones and pick these stainless-steel options instead.
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Good Books or Magazines:
Breastfeeding is long, arduous and can be very boring, especially because you shouldn’t use your phone as the radiation isn’t good for your baby. So, instead why not catch up on your reading while you feed? Invest in good books and subscribe to your favourite magazines.
Reading Light:
Since you will also be feeding your baby at night, and may not be able to sleep while feeding, get this handy-dandy clip-on reading light that won’t wake your partner up.
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Wireless Headphones:
Another essential item – a pair of wireless headphones will allow you to watch something on your laptop or phone while you keep your device well away from the baby.
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Having praised its many benefits, I will admit that breastfeeding isn’t for everyone. Some women may not have a good supply of milk, or their babies may have latching issues. While a good lactation expert can help solve most of these problems, don’t worry or feel judged if you are unable to / don’t want to breastfeed. As long as your child is healthy and happy, it doesn’t matter how they get their sustenance.
Do you have any tips or essential items for a smooth breastfeeding journey to add to the ones I have shared above? If so, share them in the comments below! And do tell me about your breastfeeding journey too!
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This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
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*This is not a sponsored post but it contains affiliate links. If you buy a product through my link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please support my blog by using my links to buy the products of your choice!
**Copyright in pictures and content belongs to nooranandchawla.com and cannot be republished or repurposed without express permission of the author. As I am a copyright lawyer by profession, infringement of any kind will invite strict legal action.
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