Basic Breastfeeding Tips

Ok mamas, let’s take just a minute to talk about that first latch! 🤱⠀

It’s SO important! Here’s some fun little facts about why getting your baby latched soon after birth is such a great idea 💡 ⠀

• Colostrum (the first drops of breast milk) have many important jobs, one of which is to stabilize the baby’s blood sugars. We want baby’s blood sugars to stay normal so life can be off to a good start. If the baby’s blood sugar levels drop too low after birth the baby will just want to sleep and it will be hard to wake them up to breastfeed. It can start a cycle that is sometimes hard to break. So basically, early breastfeeding = more breastfeeding = fatter/happier baby 👶 ⠀

• The action of a baby suckling at the breast causes the mother’s body to produce oxytocin which is the hormone responsible for causing the uterus to contract which facilitates delivery of the placenta and reduces bleeding/hemorrhage.⠀

Early latch = quicker placenta delivery = less bleeding = happier/healthier momma 💁‍♀️⠀

• Studies show that mamas who are able to get their babies latched within 20 minutes after birth are able to establish a more plentiful milk supply and have greater breastfeeding success overall 🤱👼🏼✨⠀

What was your baby’s first latch like? What do you wish you knew before starting your breastfeeding journey? 

A bad latch can really get breastfeeding off to a rough start. It’s so important to make sure that your baby latches with a wide open jaw, lips fanned out on the top and the bottom (fish lips) and that you’re not experiencing any pinching or pain while your baby is breastfeeding. ⠀

Often times breastfeeding is something that new moms don’t think to prepare for BEFORE baby arrives. ⠀

Make sure that you have a resource for a good lactation consultant in your area and ask your mom friends, sisters, mothers (anybody who you know breastfed!) for all their best tips!