Getting Started . . .
Secrets to Successful
Breastfeeding
by Stephanie Scholz Neurohr
 Breastfeeding—a natural art? What could possibly
be easier than breastfeeding your baby? After all, women have
been doing it since the dawn of time.
As a mother of seven breastfed children, including
twins and a baby with special needs, I can honestly say that
I have found breastfeeding to be sublimely natural, but only
after struggling with virtually every conceivable problem along
the way.
The truth is, breastfeeding is both a natural
and learned art, requiring practice and patience to master. And
whatever challenges I have faced, the innumerable benefits of
mother's milk have made it all worthwhile.
As a published author, filmmaker,
and breastfeeding advocate, it is my mission to teach other mothers
around the world how to breastfeed, one at a time. I have written
and produced Mother of 7 Breastfeeding Videos—featuring world experts and experienced
mothers, fathers, and families who provide knowledge, insight,
and advice into this informative, emotional journey through the
intricacies of breastfeeding.
During the interview process, I
found breastfeeding to be a universal issue where no boundaries
separate countries, cultures, or ethnicities. When it comes to
childbirth and breastfeeding - all mothers experience the same
joy and pain. From behind the lens, I relived the magic and trials
of my early attempts to breastfeed.
Eighteen years ago, my first baby, Tiffany, was
placed in my arms after a complicated vaginal birth. She and
I were both exhausted, but I was determined to breastfeed Tiffany
and give her nature's best. Formula was not even an option in
my mind.
Despite difficulties and an emotional first six
weeks, I persevered, eventually tackling the basics of breastfeeding,
but not without making many mistakes that could have been prevented.
Here's how.
1. Breastfeed Your Baby During the First Hour
of Life
Mistake: I did not know that
when possible, it is best to breastfeed your baby during the
first hour of life-a period of calm, quiet alertness when the
baby is most eager to latch on for the first time.
Solution: If you have a vaginal
birth or c-section and both you and the baby are healthy, don't
miss the magical first hour to start breastfeeding. Talk with
your health care provider team both before and immediately
after delivery to remind them of your desire to breastfeed
as soon after birth as possible. The hour goes very quickly.
Voice your request and seize this special opportunity.
Benefits: Early breastfeeding
benefits both mother and baby. The baby's sucking causes the
mother's uterus to contract, decreasing blood loss. Secondly,
colostrum, or first milk, is a priceless source of protective
immunities that shield the baby from disease. Additionally,
skin-to-skin contact brings comfort and warmth.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends
that breastfeeding begin within the first hour after birth,
emphasizing that no water, glucose water or infant formula
should be given to a breastfeeding newborn unless there are
medical indications. Mothers should provide expressed breast
milk for times when they are separated from their babies because
of infant or maternal illness. In order to assist mothers who
must express milk, hospitals should provide them with quality
breast pumps.
2. Breastfeed Exclusively and Frequently
with Let Down and Proper Technique
Mistake: Nothing prepared
me for how long and often a newborn is supposed to breastfeed
during the first weeks of life. I also did not understand let
down, proper positioning, latching on, and sucking technique-all
of which are critical for breastfeeding success! A little discomfort
at first was normal, but pain meant that my technique was wrong.
Solution: Before
delivery, learn about proper technique, maximizing your milk
supply by breastfeeding every two hours during the day and
at least twice during the night, and allowing time for let
down during each feed. Breastfeed exclusively for the first
six months and continue to breastfeed as long as possible (Benefits
of breastfeeding are dose related—the longer you breastfeed—the
greater the benefits!) and mutually desired by both you and
your child.
Benefits: Breastfeeding correctly
and frequently helps to prevent engorgement, sore nipples and
breast infections, and establishes a plentiful milk supply
for exclusive, extended breastfeeding. The more you nurse,
the more milk you will make, but be certain your technique
is correct.
Exclusive breastfeeding provides extensive,
impressive benefits for the baby, mother, family, society and
work place. Breastfed babies experience fewer infections and
infant and childhood diseases, including cancers, allergies
and eczema, and enjoy increased development and higher I.Q.
Mothers have a decreased risk of certain cancers,
arthritis, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, postpartum
weight loss, systemic lupus erythematosus, urinary tract infections
and postpartum depression.
Important societal effects include child spacing
and less financial costs to government and families due to
decreased food and medical expenses. Employers benefit from
lower health care costs, increased productivity due to fewer
sick days for mother and child, improved employee satisfaction
and long-term retention of workers.
The
World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding
(no other liquid or solid) for the first six months
of life, supplemental foods starting at six months
and not before, as well as continued breastfeeding
up to two years or longer as is mutually desired by
both mother and child. |
3. Room-In
Mistake: Not
rooming-in. (Note: Rooming-in was not an option until the first
U.S. Baby Friendly hospital, Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland,
Washington was assessed in 1996. I was not allowed to room-in
with my first, second, third, and fourth babies - born in '86,
'88, '91, and '94. Babies number five and six, '96 were premature
twins who were taken to the NICU. Baby number seven, '99, was
born with life threatening birth defects and was also taken to
the NICU).
Solution: If possible, deliver
at a Baby Friendly Hospital, where you can have your baby with
you at all times for "on-demand" feedings to prevent
jaundice, engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis-all of which
can be overcome with continued, frequent breastfeeding. If
you develop any of these problems, don't stop breastfeeding;
the solution is to continue nursing and/or pumping.
Benefits: Rooming-in gets
the breastfeeding routine off to a great start and increases
the mother's confidence that she can exclusively breastfeed.
Rooming-in also allows you total control so you can prevent
hospital personnel from giving your baby pacifiers, glucose
water, formula and water, all of which decrease mother's milk
supply and baby's need to breastfeed.
4. Avoid Sleep Deprivation
Mistake: Not
sleeping when baby sleeps.
Solution: Room-in with your
baby so you can breastfeed on-demand and sleep when baby sleeps.
Night nursing is an ideal way for both mother and baby to get
more sleep, because mother stays in constant touch with baby's
needs as they cuddle and nap together, all part of attachment
parenting.
Benefits: Unfortunately,
sleep deprivation is part of early motherhood, but it is greatly
reduced when you exclusively breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding
will actually allow you more time to rest with your baby because
there will be no bottles to scrub, sterilize, and refill with
prepared formula. What's more, breastfeeding releases "mothering
hormones" when the milk lets down that act like natural
tranquilizers for both mothers and child. There is also a reduction
in SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and post-partum depression
when you breastfeed.
5. Let Someone Else Be Super Mom
Mistake: Trying to continue
doing everything I did before birth plus taking care of a new
baby.
Solution: Cook and freeze
meals before delivery. They will come in very handy. Have friends
and family cook, clean, and deliver meals to reduce stress.
Everyone is anxious to help, so don't be shy about delegating
tasks. Don't feel you have to entertain anybody either. Excuse
yourself when well-wishers stay too long. They go home to a
good night's sleep; you don't. Dismiss yourself with the baby
into a quiet room with white noise (fans are great) or soothing
music to drown out all extraneous noise. Silence the phone
and let the answering machine do its job. Stay away from anything
that will drain your energy and take time away from taking
care of yourself and the baby. Let-down takes time to learn
and is difficult even for experienced moms who find themselves
multi-tasking and feeling tense. The post-partum period is
the perfect time to be totally selfish. Everyone will understand,
and if they don't, they'll get over it.
Benefit: A happy, rested,
well-fed breastfeeding mother is better able to provide proper
nutrition and nurturing to her newborn.
6. Eat Well and Enjoy Your Body
Mistake: Not taking time to
eat and drink properly to ensure a good milk supply, as well
as trying to diet during lactation.
Solution: Eat nutritional
foods as often as you feel the need for extra energy. Small
meals several times a day usually help keep your milk supply
up and let down possible. If your milk isn't letting down,
take a break, eat a nutritious snack, and drink a tall glass
of liquid. Try again to breastfeed an hour later. It usually
does the trick. Avoid empty calories like sweets, caffeine,
and alcohol, and certain foods like dairy products and spicy
foods.
Benefits: Breastfeeding requires
300-600 extra calories a day, the same amount of calories burned
when you work out at the gym for one hour. Enjoy your voluptuous
new body and know that the curves will disappear all too soon.
Focus on providing creamy milk for your new bundle of love.
Your body will return to normal when it is ready. Don't fight
nature—enjoy it!
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