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By now you've probably learned the hard way the folly of asking for advice. Friends and family members who mean well are sometimes
all too ready to offer guidance to new parents even when they aren't in need of any. Take whatever advice you get from your
mother, grandmother, sister, midwife, lactation expert, and obstetricians or anyone else who wants to put in their two cents
with a grain of salt. After all, nursing is a different experience for every mother and every baby, so what works for one
woman may not work for the next.
That said, there are plenty of time-tested techniques for preparing your nipples, improving milk flow, clearing blocked
ducts, and more. Read on to find out how some of our BabyCenter members faced, and overcame, some of breastfeeding's most
common challenges.
Here's what some breastfeeding mothers have to say:
I attended a class offered at the hospital. It gave a lot of the basics along with the encouragement that if breastfeeding
didn't seem like second nature at first, baby and mom eventually would find their rhythm.
Randee Lesnick, Racine, Wisconsin
Don't watch the clock to see how often or how long your baby is nursing. Instead, go with your instincts. If your baby
is rooting around or crying then feed him or her even if you just did.
Gina Locke, Grapevine, Texas
I was very sore for the first few weeks, but applying lanolin between feedings really helped. A nice warm shower took
care of any engorgement pain. I think breastfeeding is a very individual process, and each mom and her new child will figure
it out together.
Heidi Hudson, Oakland, California
I'm a pediatrician mom of a 3-year-old whom I breastfed for eight months. My son was extremely hard to start: Despite
making our first attempts (unsuccessful) in the first hour, and knowing what to do, it took almost two days to get him latched
on. In the interim, we finger-fed with an SNS (Supplemental Nursing System) and glucose water while I pumped to get my milk
supply going. The SNS was a lifesaver. We finally hooked it to my breasts and were able to get him latched on by the third
day.
Dara Hogue, Cupertino, California
I used Lansinoh lanolin ointment on my nipples faithfully morning and night, and never experienced any cracking or bleeding
when I started nursing. My soreness was minimal, and the ointment soothed my skin when it was chafed. I have very fair, thin
skin, so that was a wonderful tip for me! I even included a tube with my shower gift to a friend.
Rachel L. Sarantopoulos, Dayville, Connecticut
I have been solely nursing my baby since birth and now, at 9 weeks, she is a big healthy baby. I had very sore latch-ons
at the start, and I found that if I stayed ahead of her intense hunger I was better off. I would check on her around the time
I thought she would be waking to eat and watch for tongue-sucking and lip-smacking in light sleep. If I put her to the breast
when she showed early signs of hunger, she would not suck as hard as when I waited until she was fully crying and starving.
Kathy Kent-Knurek, Chicago
The best and probably hardest — breastfeeding advice is to relax! Remember that you and your baby are learning.
Sandy Kenniston, Green Bay, Wisconsin
When I had my daughter, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. Unfortunately, she didn't latch on right away, so I began supplementing
with formula. Hospital staffers tried everything from round-the-clock attempts, pumping, and inserting feeding tubes in the
baby's mouth while I tried every nursing position known. The baby knew how to suck, but she just wasn't getting the knack
of it. Finally, we tried the plastic breast shield. My baby was able to suck the large plastic nipple and draw the milk rather
than search for my small nipple.
I had visions of using the shield all the time, but luckily I lost it and was forced to teach the baby to take my own
nipple. I had to use a syringe to "pull" the nipple larger, but in time, thanks to the baby's suckling, my nipples
conformed. The rewards for not giving up have been great!
Alison O'Donnell, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
I have had a real problem with leaking breasts. The nursing pads never worked well enough for me, so I came up with my
own solution sanitary napkins! I buy the ultrathin kind and fold them in half. I can wear them all day and they never leak.
It's cheaper, too.
Cindy Brown, McKinney, Texas
For me, preparing for nursing meant reading all I could. I had several magazine subscriptions going while I was pregnant
and almost every issue had an article on breastfeeding. I found new facts and ideas in each, but the bulk of the article was
the same. Every time I read these articles, it reinforced all the information I had previously read. When the time came to
put all of it to use I felt pretty confident. I felt like I really understood what was coming next and as a result, breastfeeding
seemed relatively easy.
Ginger Renae Koontz, Pasadena, Maryland
I did not "ease" into breastfeeding. It was one of the hardest, most frustrating, heart-wrenching things I've
ever done. I stuck with it though, and four months later I have a healthy, entirely breastfed baby boy. I suggest telling
mothers it may be hard and frustrating. With all the talk about how it is so good for you and the baby, and what a great bonding
experience it is supposed to be, a new mother feels guilty about if she dreads each feeding and wonders if perhaps she doesn't
love her baby enough. Eventually she will get the hang of it, but the odds are pretty good that she'll actually hate it the
first couple of days or even longer.
Libby Bollino, Abbeville, Louisiana
When I started breastfeeding, I felt like I needed two or three extra hands. I was so nervous about holding my newborn
and supporting his head properly that trying to get him in the right position to latch on seemed impossible. It wasn't until
several months later that I got a breastfeeding pillow as a shower gift. It is amazing. It props the baby up into the perfect
spot so I can concentrate on the latching-on, which is the hardest part when you are new to nursing. I wish I'd had one of
these when I was learning to nurse and fumbling around with ordinary pillows and blankets and propping and leaning.
Laura Jaglowitz, Hedley, British Columbia
Long before you nurse and before you get pregnant quit smoking. It's awful to smoke around your baby, and I've read that
smoking flavors your milk and can make it taste off.
Invest in a huge supply of bottled water or add another filter pitcher to your supply. You will be very thirsty while
breastfeeding and it is absolutely imperative that you drink your water!
Deb Koslowsky, Tujunga, California
The single most beneficial thing I did was to attend a La Leche League meeting while I was pregnant. I learned a tremendous
amount and got to see other women nurse their babies, which I had never really seen before. After my baby was born, I continued
to attend LLL meetings and have received a great deal of knowledge, support, and encouragement from the leaders and the other
mothers. I also made some terrific friends.
Debbie Strelevitz, Rock Tavern, New York
My mother gave me a great tip for getting through those first couple of weeks when breastfeeding hurt: Drink very cold
water through a straw as the baby is latching on. The cold water will help defer the pain. Other things that help include
listening to relaxing music and minimizing distractions so that you can relax and focus on the task at hand.
Wendy Katzman, Seattle
When my daughter was born, I told my breastfeeding consultant about my horrible experience with mastitis and bleeding
nipples when I breastfed my first child. She recommended some herbal products that have worked great: lecithin, for avoiding
clogged milk ducts; blessed thistle, for increasing milk flow when I return to work and need to pump; and alfalfa, for enriching
my milk. I have not had any episodes of mastitis. I swear by the herbs they've made all the difference!
Ruth Tutterow, Greensboro, North Carolina
Take all the help and support you can get. The lactation consultant got my husband involved in the learning process so
that he would know how to help me get the baby latched on until I was able to do it by myself.
Candice Gray, Paulina, Louisiana
The best advice I got for dry and sore nipples came from my doctor. She said not to bother buying those expensive ointments
but instead, after breastfeeding, express just enough milk to spread on the nipples. It really does work with the dryness
and cracking.
Anonymous
During those early stages, I frequently got blocked milk ducts. When I could feel the full duct even after Doug had fed,
I'd put on the warming bag (the kind that you heat in the microwave). I'd also take one ibuprofen tablet. The next time I
fed him, I'd start with that breast and massage and "milk" the duct as he sucked. Sometimes I'd keep the warming
bag on as he sucked. Usually after three or four feedings it would clear.
Laurie Reid, Toronto
Avoid underwire nursing bras.You're more likely to get a breast infection like mastitis; plus, they're not nearly as comfortable
as the racing-bra styles.
Heather H., Maryland
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