Welcome to this week’s edition of The First Year: Breastfeeding Mini Series! Each Monday, I post on a topic related to the first year of life. This summer, I am tackling breastfeeding, and I will sometimes post on both Mondays and Fridays on this topic. The best advice anyone ever gave me was to just give breastfeeding 2 weeks.
That little suggestion was all I needed to persevere WAY beyond those two weeks.
The first 2 weeks can really be the most difficult weeks of breastfeeding. And, unfortunately, it’s the time many moms give up.
I don’t blame them. It’s hard. It can hurt. During that time, there may be much milk tears–and maybe even a little blood.
But if you can make it through those 2 weeks, you’ll be well on your way to a successful breastfeeding experience.
So WHY are the first 2 weeks so challenging?
Think about it. You’ve just been through 9 months of pregnancy and maybe hours (or even days) of intense labor. Labor in itself is beautiful and wonderful–but it’s also like running a marathon.
Your body’s been through A LOT. Your hormones are going CRAZY.
You might have the baby blues.
You’re TIRED.
And hungry.
But there’s a precious little one looking at you who is even hungrier.
And you’re his or her only source of nourishment.
It’s OK to feel overwhelmed. It WILL get better.
Here are some things that helped me get through those first 2 weeks:
1. Lanolin. Lots and lots of lanolin. I’ve started giving my closest friends a tube of lanolin with their baby shower gifts. I would take it with you to the hospital or birthing center (or have it ready for after your home birth). Your breasts WILL BE sore. (The second time around breastfeeding was MUCH easier, but I was shocked that I was still extremely sore for 2 weeks.) Lanolin safely soothes, heals and protects cracked and sore nipples. You don’t even have to rub it off before nursing. I recommend Lansinoh lanolin. It’s 100% pure and contains no preservatives or additives.
2. A breastfeeding pillow (like Boppy or My Breast Friend). I personally used and loved a Boppy. It was so comfortable propping my daughter up on this pillow. You can later use the pillow for baby’s tummy time. I honestly used this more during my first breastfeeding experience, when I was still getting comfortable with holding a baby period (much less trying to hold her AND nurse her).
3. Good reading material. I suggest reading The Nursing Mother’s Companion and The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding those first 2 weeks. I kept both books by my “nursing station” (the place where I normally nursed). My hubby even bought me a small book light, so I could read while nursing at night without waking him up!
4. Water! Drinking enough fluids is vital to milk production. Nursing moms should drink to their thirst, meaning that they should follow their body’s cues and drink when they feel thirsty. I kept a glass of water by my bed and nursing station and drank it ALL DAY!
5. Rest! Like I said, you’ve just been through perhaps the marathon of your LIFE! Your body needs to rest in order to make milk. It sounds cliche, but TRY to rest while your baby is resting. This is easier with your first baby because you don’t have older children to care for. If a friend or relative volunteers to come help you, by all means, take them up on the offer, and GO TAKE A NAP! If can afford to do so, hire a postpartum doula to help you around the house.
6. Relax! It took 5 DAYS for my milk to come in with my first daughter. Each day, my stomach knotted up more and more–thinking my milk would never come. I stressed–big time. I remember looking at myself and saying: “Milk! Come in! Please!” Eventually, my milk arrived, but all my stressing probably did not help things.
7. Demand feed. There is much conflicting advice on whether feedings should be scheduled or if baby should dictate when he or she is fed. At this point in my life, I fall in the middle. My younger daughter is now 8 months, and, honestly, I need to have her on a better schedule. But when your baby is tiny, I would give them as much feeding time as they want. I would encourage them to nurse long and often. Why? Your supply is directly related to the baby’s demand. The milk they take in during those early days will help establish your supply (and help prevent problems later on).
8. Eat LOTS. I remember feeling FAMISHED those first days home after my first daughter’s birth. Not only have you just burned a massive amount of calories after your labor and delivery, but you’re also burning an extra 300-500 calories per day to make milk! Eat lots of good fats, try a lactation cookie and enjoy being able to eat a little more than normal for the time being.
9. Don’t forget your SUPPORT SYSTEM. Talk to your nursing friends, check out a La Leche League meeting, chat with your breastfeeding buddies in an online forum, like on your local Mommies Network, Baby Center or DiaperSwappers. Never feel like you are in this alone! I remember thinking during those late-night feedings: “There are millions of mothers all over the world doing exactly the same thing that I’m doing right now!”
10. Pray. In my book, this is the most important. Remember that the God who created your baby, the God who created YOU, created your body to nourish this little baby He’s entrusted to you. When you feel like giving up, ask Him to help you.
What helped YOU get through those first few weeks of breastfeeding? I’d love to hear any advice you’d like to share!
If you liked this post, you may also like my post on lactation cookies, Why? Breastfeed & The Best Advice Ever and Before Baby Arrives. Check out the series introduction here.
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Anonymous
I think you pretty much summed it up 🙂 I have the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and I can’t even remember how many times I picked up that book in the first 2 weeks even though I had read it before my son was born. The boppy is amazing, I use it all the time (my son is 4 months). Rest is VERY important. I got mastitis 4 times, so I really believe that rest and eating are super important. Try to avoid foods high in saturated fats. Thanks for the post!
The Humbled Homemaker
Thanks for the tip about eating! Wow–mastitis 4 times?! Good for you for persevering! I was blessed with never having it! If you are interested in letting me interview you when I post on breastfeeding challenges, please send me an e-mail with your e-mail address!
Anonymous
You did sum it up great! I was determined as I could be, because I knew (from reading) that breastmilk was SO good for my little ones. It hurt like everything with the first one, and I used a nipple shield for about 2 weeks, and then just kind-of weaned myself from it. That helped a WHOLE bunch. I also started pumping soon after my milk came in, so I would be able to use it for bottles in a couple months when I needed to leave the baby with someone. Thanks for your articles!
Molly
Great post. I actually had someone encourage me to give it 6 weeks. My little one did not want to nurse and we had many appointments with a lactation specialist and even an occupational therapist. It took a month before he was nursing exclusively. Having a support network is so key! When I took the breastfeeding class they made it seem like it would be so easy- it would have been nice to know that it doesn’t always turn out perfect. He’s a great nurser now. My advice is to not give up!
Ginny
This is a very timely post for me, as I am nursing my son, who is 15 days old. I’ve had a lot of problems, even though I nursed my older 2 babies. At day 5, I ended up having to pump and stop BF’ing for 5 days. I saw a LC, who encouraged me to use a nipple shield for a week, and then we are going to wean off of that. To be honest, the nipple shield is annoying, but it has allowed me to get my son to re-latch and start BF’ing again.
For me, this list sums it up really well. I especially like #10, which I sometimes forget to do when I’m having problems like this.
The Humbled Homemaker
Wow–15 days old! I miss those sweet newborn days. They go too fast!! I’m so glad the nipple shield is helping you nurse! Thank you for stopping by, Ginny!
Thankfully Thrifty
I hear ya! I’d actually say to give it 5 weeks, but that’s just me. My baby is 9 months, and we are still going strong with breast feeding! Love it, love it! I’ll have to check out more of your posts.
And like you, I could use more of a schedule… err… ha! Part of that is that my little one doesn’t take a bottle, but what are you gonna do? Whatever each momma does is her own choice, but like you said, I’d also recommend feeding on demand for the first bit!
The Humbled Homemaker
@Thankfully, It’s great to hear you are doing so well! I hope you enjoy the breastfeeding series! I just started a series on starting solids–on the blog each Friday! My baby just turned one and never did take a bottle!! And I’m still nursing 3-4 times a day! Thanks for visiting! 🙂
Lindsey @ Road to 31
Congratulations again on your new baby! This is such a great post! I know you said to just try and make it through the first 2 weeks of breastfeeding and for most it is that way, but for me I always have to trudge through the first three months to get my feet under me.
My milk didn’t come in with my first because of low iron issues. I had to relactate and feed my daughter with an SNS bottle. She did not truly breastfeed until she was 15 weeks old. My second daughter had surgery after she was born and never caught onto breastfeeding so I solely pumped for the first year of her life.
My son on the other hand took to it like a champ (leave it to the boy to figure out the boob ;)) Breastfeeding can be really difficult but if you stick with it and figure it out not only will it be a bonding experience but it truly makes you feel like a warrior – or at least it has in my experience.
Thank you for sharing!
Leah
Thank you. It’s good to know that this will get better. And thank you for point #10. It was an especially helpful reminder.