Below are few tips that may prove helpful for new mother:
Try to nurse within the first hour after delivery -- Two hours later, many babies will be hard to rouse. It may seem like you're producing very little at first -- maybe just a few drops of colostrum -- but a 1- or 2-day-old baby's stomach is only the size of a marble. Enlist-Dad -- If possible, your partner should be there when you meet with the lactation consultant, both in the hospital and afterward. Dads can be good problem-solvers, and you may find yourself feeling so overwhelmed and sleep-deprived that it will be hard for you to process information.
Focus on those little feet -- Babies always seem to nurse better when their feet are touching something, like your leg, the arm of the chair, or a pillow tucked next to you. It makes them feel more secure.
Avoid formula at first -- Even if you're not sure how long you'll breastfeed, go all in while you're in the hospital. Any formula that's not medically necessary can affect your milk supply.
How to Get a Deep Latch
Position yourselves nose to nipple, belly to belly -- Make sure that your baby's stomach is touching yours, so she doesn't have to turn her head to latch. And point your nipple at her nose, not at her mouth, so she'll lift her head up, open her mouth wide,and latch on deeply.
Encourage a mouthful -- If you're breastfeeding sitting upright, bring your baby to your breast once his mouth is completely open. Press between his shoulders firmly to bring him to you, while you support your breast. Your nipple will fill the roof of his mouth. If it still hurts after the first few sucks, de-latch and re-position.
Don't push the back of your baby's head -- That triggers his instinct to resist and chomp down.Instead, put your hands at the nape of your baby's neck, and bring him swiftly to your breast.
Make It Through the First Few Weeks
Don't count minutes -- You can leave your baby on the first breast until she comes off on her own and then offer the second breast. It's typical for some babies to take one breast at some feedings and both breasts at some.
Lie on your side -- It lets you rest your shoulders and lower back if you tend to hunch over, and it's good for moms who've had a C-section, who have carpal tunnel syndrome, or who are just exhausted. Put a pillow between your knees and your arm under your head, and bring the baby in facing you. Have someone help you at first.
Try a nursing stool -- It can help give you more of a lap, especially if you're short, and it takes the pressure off if you've had an episiotomy. When I watch a mother use one, I can see right away on her face how much more comfortable she is.
Offer the first bottle at 4 to 6 weeks -- If you wait until 8 weeks, you risk bottle refusal. Have someone other than you give the first one -- and get out of the house so you're not tempted to help out.
Don't buy a whole nursing wardrobe -- It can be easier to just lift up your shirt. If you wear a blouse over a camisole, you'll have a lot of coverage.
Lose the snooze-- If your infant keeps falling asleep on your breast, try tickling the bottom of his feet, stroking him under the chin, or touching him with a wet washcloth.
How to Hold Baby While Breastfeeding
Step Up Your Milk Supply
Look at your baby, not at the scale-- I've seen so many moms whose baby looks healthy, nurses well, and meets milestones, but they've lost confidence in breastfeeding because their doctor told them that their baby's weight was not on the charts. If you received a lot of IV fluids during labor, your baby could be artificially'heavier' at birth. If he has low weight gain, but he's smiling, his linear growth and head circumference and neurological development are notably okay,I'd get a second opinion before giving formula.
Try a stronger-pump -- Some hands-free pumps and the ones covered through insurance aren't as powerful as you need when you're establishing your milk supply, so you may want to rent a hospital-grade one, at least at first.
Don't get a used pump -- A good electric pump has a limited number of hours of motor life before the suction starts to die.
Returning to Work
Ease in -- Consider starting back on a Thursday rather than a Monday, so you have only two days away from your baby at first.
Understand how much milk babies actually drink -- Unlike those on formula, breast milk-fed babies need the same amount of milk per day when they're 6 months old as they did when they were 1 month old. Really! By about 1 month, a baby has established how much breast milk she'll need and you don't have to keep increasing how much she eats as she grows. But a lot of moms (and docs) are still applying formula rules to breast milk-fed babies. So remember: If you'll be pumping for the next day's feedings when you go back to work, all you really have to do is maintain your current supply.
Feed the baby, not the freezer -- You don't need to pump like a maniac on your maternity leave. You may end up with clogged ducts, mastitis, letdown that's too fast,and exhaustion. You need only a small reserve.
Pump Up Your Pumping
Get the right fit -- A lot of mothers don't realize that pump flanges come indifferent sizes. If the standard shields that come with your pump are too tight or too big, you won't pump as much milk and you could even cause damage. A lactation consultant can help you choose the right ones.
Make your own DIY hands-free bra -- You don't have to spend a fortune on a fancy bra designed for pumping. Instead, buy a sports bra that's snug, cut little slits in it, and stick the breast shields in there.
Get in the mood -- To help encourage letdown, download a galactogogue, a relaxation recording designed to stimulate milk production.
Make cleaning a breeze -- Mothers may be glad to know that as long as your baby is healthy, you really don't have to clean your pump parts every time you've finished pumping. You can simply put all the parts in a plastic bag, store them in a fridge or a cooler, and pull them out to use again a few hours later.
Fixing Common Problems
Heal damaged nipples -- Use water-based hydro-gel pads or apply enough purified lanolin to keep nipples moist between feedings.
Resolve tongue-tie -- If you're having pain even though your latch looks great,ask a lactation consultant whether your baby may have tongue-tie. A specialist can treat the problem.
Prevent blocked ducts -- Avoid anything that puts pressure on part of your breasts.That includes baby carriers,diaper-bag straps, even sleeping on the same side every night.
Tools Every Breastfeeding Mom Needs
Nursing pillow -- Unlike other pillows, it wraps around your body and helps with positioning. It can also relieve stress on your back, neck, and shoulders.
Sore-nipple soother -- Lanolin-based creams are a proven remedy, but some consultants prefer organic coconut oil or Mother-love nipple cream, which are not animal products. (Lanolin comes from sheep. Either can occasionally cause an allergic reaction in a sensitive mom.) All are considered safe for babies. Water-based hydro gels can also promote healing. But your nipples won't heal unless you first solve any underlying latch problems.
Expert access -- Have the number of someone you can call for help.
Double electric-pump -- It's a must-have if you're going back to work; look for one with graduated suction- level settings (rather than just high, medium, and low) and several sizes of flanges (breast shields)available.
To try it, lean back or reclines lightly, and then bring your naked baby skin-to-skin and face down on your chest. Use your hands to gently guide your baby's mouth to your nipple, then let gravity and his instincts take over. Most babies will bob over and self-attach with a great deep latch. It's a little more relaxing for you and can really help if you've been having pain.