Breastfeeding Your Baby: What You Need to Know

Are you considering breastfeeding your baby? That’s a valiant act of motherhood! Here are some tips we’ve collected from some of our go-to resources to help you on your way.*

Why Breastfeed?

You have choices about how to feed your baby. Find out why breastfeeding is best, hands down.

• Look at these benefits for baby and mother, as compared to formula feeding: https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/making-decision-breastfeed
• We’ve listed some of our favorite facts (and a cool inforgraphic) on breastfeeding here: https://choicespregnancycenter.com/confident-breastfeeding-part-1-why-should-i-consider-breastfeeding/
• Plus, did you know breastfeeding helps your baby do better in school? Find out how here: https://www.fitpregnancy.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-news/list-breastfeeding-benefits-grows

How to Breastfeed

Breastfeeding, as natural as it is, takes some practice before you and your baby become comfortable with it. The tips below can help make it easier to get there.

• If you only have time to read one article, this will give you the best overview: https://familydoctor.org/breastfeeding-hints-to-help-you-get-off-to-a-good-start/
• You can get ready even before Baby is born: https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/learning-breastfeed/preparing-breastfeed/#1
• Step-by-step to starting breastfeeding comfortably: https://www.babycenter.com/0_breastfeeding-getting-started_465.bc
• What to do in Baby’s first 48 hours–advice from a lactation consultant (breastfeeding coach): https://www.fitpregnancy.com/baby/breastfeeding/first-48-hours-after-birth
• Is Baby “latching on” well? Find out here: https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/learning-breastfeed/getting-good-latch
• “Am I doing this right?” A quick way to know for sure: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/A-Breastfeeding-Checklist-Are-You-Nursing-Correctly.aspx

Challenges & How to Solve Them

Everyone runs into challenges while breastfeeding. But you can overcome them. Here are some of our favorite solutions to common—and not-so-common—problems you may face.

• Common challenges—
  • Solutions to 15 situations: https://www.todaysparent.com/baby/breastfeeding/15-breastfeeding-problems-and-how-to-solve-them/
  • Another resource for dealing with breastfeeding challenges: https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-challenges/common-breastfeeding-challenges
  • Dealing with inverted/flat nipples: http://medelabreastfeedingblog.com.au/6-tips-breastfeeding-inverted-flat-nipples/
  • When to ask for professional help: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/Warning-Signs-of-Breastfeeding-Problems.aspx
• Do you know how to eat right while breastfeeding? Take this quiz to find out: https://choicespregnancycenter.com/confident-breastfeeding-part-3-are-you-still-eating-right-for-two/
• Special situations
  • Breastfeeding twins or other multiples, or an adopted baby: https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-challenges/breastfeeding-and-special-situations (multiples, adopted, etc.)
  • When a baby has health problems: https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-challenges/breastfeeding-baby-health-problem

Breastfeeding When You’re Away from Home

• When someone else will feed Baby—pumping and storing breast milk:
  • Preparing to go back to work: https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-home-work-and-public/breastfeeding-and-going-back-work
  • Easy-to-read overview of pumping and storing breast milk: https://familydoctor.org/breastfeeding-how-to-pump-and-store-your-breast-milk/
  • Detailed guide to pumping and storing breast milk: https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/pumping-and-storing-breastmilk
• Tips for nursing your baby in public:
  • https://choicespregnancycenter.com/confident-breastfeeding-part-2-breastfeeding-in-public/

Are These Things Safe While I’m Breastfeeding?

• Vaccines: https://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-for-a-breastfeeding-mom-to-get-a-flu-shot-or-othe_10370353.bc
• Painkillers: https://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-for-a-breastfeeding-mom-to-take-painkillers_10370504.bc
• List of safe/unsafe medications: https://www.babycenter.com/0_drug-safety-while-breastfeeding_8790.bc
• Coffee: https://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-to-drink-coffee-if-i-am-breastfeeding_10370364.bc
• Drug/herb interactions chart: https://www.babycenter.com/0_breast-milk-interactions-chart_8788.bc (includes discussion of marijuana and smoking effect on babies )
• Smoking: Always bad for baby, but what to do if you just can’t quit: https://breastfeeding.support/smoking-while-breastfeeding/

Supplies You’ll Need

• Pumps: See this slideshow of breast pumps recommended by Parents.com– https://www.parents.com/baby/breastfeeding/breast-pumping/best-breast-pumps/
• Other helpful supplies: https://www.familyeducation.com/babies-toddlers/must-have-breastfeeding-supplies
• Sign up for Choices Pregnancy Center’s Earn While You Learn program to qualify for free breastfeeding supplies from our Boutique, like those pictured above.
• Consider this source of breast pumps: https://milkmoms.com/

Where to Get Help

• In Southwest Minnesota near Redwood Falls—
  • Contact the Redwood County WIC Program at 507-637-4041 for names and numbers of peer counselors you can call 24/7. Or click on the image below for a pdf with that information:
  • Choices Pregnancy Center. We offer you education on breastfeeding as well as a referrals to other forms of personal support for your breastfeeding journey: https://choicespregnancycenter.com/services/referral-to-helpful-resources/
• Online—
  • Breastfeeding Support: https://breastfeeding.support/
  • La Leche League International website: https://www.llli.org/

 

If you live near Choices Pregnancy Center in Redwood Falls, Minnesota,
we invite you to visit with us about your breastfeeding questions and concerns.

Contact us today!

*[Note: listing an article here does not imply endorsement of all material on the site]