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Breastfeeding Advice for the First Time Mom: What I Wish I Knew Then

When I had my oldest I was young. I never received any good breastfeeding advice. Before the school social worker spoke to me about breastfeeding I thought like much of society today. I thought it was inappropriate, disgusting, and the idea of pumping and refrigerating breast milk for my baby – gross. The idea of others feeding my body fluids to my baby made me cringe. After seeing someone I looked up to nurse her baby with no discomfort (she talked about it as a normal, everyday thing), I changed my mind! Her baby seemed so happy, so content – and she loved her milk.

Breastfeeding Advice for the First Time Mom What I wish I knew then

I had made up my mind then. I was going to breastfeed my baby. I bought a pump, breastfeeding-friendly bottles, 3 types of breast pads, a bag with its own cooler to hide my pumping gear from my classmates. I planned my 2 weeks off of school to fill my freezer so my baby would have plenty of food for baby. I had no idea what was in store for me.

Let me share some breastfeeding advice for other first-time moms!

Breastfeeding Advice – You Can Do It!

You need support. I was lacking in the support area. Breastfeeding was less popular back then (we have come a long way in 6 years.) From the father of your child, to friends, family, and the hospital staff – you need everyone on the same page.  This was what brought me down. Places like Breastfeeding Place are great to find support and breastfeeding advice when you do not receive it from other individuals.

Nurse right after birth. If you and Baby are healthy do not let anything stop you from nursing within the first hour. Nursing right after birth boosts supply and helps with bonding. These days this is the norm in most hospitals but, make your position clear from the start.

No bottles or pacifiers. Until nursing is well established, it is best to wait on bottles and pacifiers. Bottles can be much easier for Baby and some will prefer them after giving them a try, rather than the breast. Pacifiers fill Baby’s need to suck leading them to spend less time on the breast, and this is bad for supply.  Both of these can affect Baby’s latch and a bad latch does not feel good for mama! If Baby must be fed another way, syringes work wonders for feeding Baby without sucking as with a bottle nipple.

Skin to skin.  Skin to skin contact with Baby and mama both soothes Baby, and helps increase milk supply.

Create a nursing area. You will spend a LOT of time nursing. The first few weeks it feels as if that is all you do. Find a comfy place to relax with Baby. Keep a book, the TV remote, laptop, snacks, and water nearby.  Take advantage of this time to heal and enjoy lots of cuddles.

If you will be pumping while you work get a really good double electric pump. When you have to pump a lot, the better the pump is, the easier it will be. Check with your health insurance to see about getting one covered.

Don’t be shy – nurse on demand. Don’t be shy if Baby needs to eat! Feed Baby and do not let others make you feel uncomfortable doing so. Trust me, nursing your Baby shows less then many women show walking down the road during the summer.

What do I wish I knew then?

I wish I knew that breastfeeding is wonderful and, if you do not let anyone get in your way, it will bring you and your child closer and give your baby the best food he could possibly get. You will never be a perfect mother but you will be all your baby needs. Hold your head up high and don’t let anything get in the way, if breastfeeding is what you really want.


Jennifer Gerlach is an Army wife and homeschool mom with three children born in three different states. She loves encouraging other mothers, learning more about national living, going on field trips with her kids and sharing homeschool activities and everything that comes to mind for moms on UpsideDownKids.

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