Breastfeeding is a journey not a destination
Breastfeeding for the first time: What to expect?
Breastfeeding for the first time is certainly challenging and full of uncertainties. It is however a great journey if you decide to embark it for all the benefits it gives you and your baby, but we will talk about that in a different article.
As a first time breastfeeding mom, I have learned a lot about breastfeeding. First of all, if you decide to breastfeed, please do, and DO NOT listen to anyone telling you otherwise or discouraging you in any way (Trust me, many will unintentionally do so). Since everyone’s experience is unique, and different, it is best to focus on what outcome you want to achieve and in this case, do you want to breastfeed? For how long? Do you want to exclusively breastfeed or do you want to supplement with formula?.. There is no right or wrong, this is all up to YOU and YOUR BABY. Regardless of what your goal is, if you want to breastfeed, you need to know couple of facts:
Milk will come mostly 2-3 days later after you start breastfeeding: It is therefore very important to have intense body contact and breastfeed every 2 hours for the first 24 to 48 hours to signal to your body that there is a hungry little baby waiting to be fed.
Your baby, like you, is still learning, give them time to adjust: The latching might not be perfect, they might and will be sleeping a lot, so if you want to help them get enough milk, include some pumping sessions between feeds. This will signal to your body that it needs to produce milk.
The first milk is very important for your baby no matter the quantity: The first milk is called “Colostrum” and it is usually yellow which is totally normal and provides concentration of nutrients to your baby as well as strengthens their immune system.
Mastitis and engorged breasts, painful but inevitable: This is an inevitable step which happens at the beginning which you can manage by drinking plenty of water and applying cool pads on your breasts and if it worsens or causes you fever, then speak immediately to your doctor and midwife.
Irritated nipples: this is very normal and it needs to be treated regularly for good results. It differs from one to another, but I had a prolonged irritation which I am happy to share about in detail, and give you tips on how to manage it.
Do not stress out, eat, drink, sleep whenever you can: I know, this sounds easy said than done, but try, and ask for help, you are not alone!
I had so many questions and uncertainties; am I able to breastfeed, is my milk enough for my baby? Is he still hungry? His weight is dropping, is it safe? Again, all of these questions are legit, and as a new mom, you will have to find what is “right” for you and your baby. I wanted to exclusively breastfeed, and therefore, I dedicated my time and put extra efforts into it. It is a journey which I decided to embark on. I had faced unpleasant situations which made me feel bad about making this decision, but I did it and was happy at the end. If you decide to breastfeed, make sure it is what you want to do, because it needs a certain level of commitment, patience and dedication.
As I mentioned previously, milk will take a few days to be there, and now your beautiful baby is no longer getting food through mama’s tummy, so it is normal that their weight will drop, and 10% is the norm which nurses consider still “OK”. I was advised by family to give my baby a bottle on the first day after birth, and I strictly rejected it because giving your baby a bottle will extend their stomach quickly and they will be full, sounds great right? However, on the other hand, they might not be interested in breastfeeding because they can get the ready made, easy to get meal, and they might simply reject the breast altogether. Hence, be very patient, this is a journey during which you will learn together with your little one.
Do I have enough milk? YES you do, and here are few indicators that your baby is well fed when breastfeeding:
Swallowing Sounds: You may hear your baby swallowing during nursing, which suggests they're actively drinking milk.
Content Baby: After a feeding session, a well-fed baby will usually appear content, relaxed, and may even fall asleep. Of course, sometimes they might be unsettled because of other reasons, like a growth spurt, but this doesn’t mean they are not getting enough milk.
Wet Diapers: A baby who is feeding well will have several wet diapers throughout the day. Typically, 5 to 6 or more wet diapers in 24 hours is a good sign. Please note that a wet diaper doesn’t mean completely full.
Weight Gain: Regular pediatric check-ups to monitor your baby's weight gain are important. A steady increase in weight is a strong indicator of adequate feeding. You can check on baby’s weight too with a scale at home.
The breastfeeding behaviour will change with age, and with growth spurts (I will address this topic in detail, but around every growth spurt your baby will tend to be fussy, will have change of sleep and will certainly have a great appetite for extra feedings), so keep yourself informed about it and do not doubt your body and yourself - You have carried this baby long enough to give them and yourself a few weeks and months to adjust, to learn and to bond with you. Embark this journey with love, passion and patience, for it will be a great experience for both of you.