6 Tips To Help You Have A Happy Healthy Breastfed Baby

Its well known that breastfeeding gives your baby the best possible start in life.  They develop natural immunities and by default will automatically start to take on different tastes, as the way breast milk tastes will change as you eat different types of food.

It is perfectly normal to be worried about breastfeeding when you are pregnant. As breastfeeding is so popular and so good for the baby, there can be a lot of stress placed upon the mother to do it.

Take note of the tips below and you will be well prepared to have a happy and relaxing time breasting your new baby.

Breastfeed Baby On Demand

You milk supply is based on supply and demand.  The more your baby feeds, the more mils the breasts will produce. You are never going to run out of milk so do not stress over this.  Also do not worry that your baby is not getting enough milk.  Feeding on demand requires that you feed your baby as often as they demand it.

Its more difficult to set up a feeding routine with breast fed babies than it s with bottle feeding.  Bottle fed babies tend to feed every 4 hours or so and its more like every 2 with breast fed.  Saying than, breast feeding is so much more convenient than measuring formula, heating it up, sterilising bottles etc. Also, breast feeding is such a lovely thing to do that you will really not mind how often you are doing it.

Ensure Your Baby is Latching On Correctly

You may find that your baby starts to get sleepy whilst she is on the breast. If this happens, try to tickle her feet or rock her gently but firmly to wake her again. Also you can try to remove her completely from the breast and try her on the other side, making sure she has the whole nipple on her mouth and her lips covers most of your aureole. Its the baby’s jaw that needs to be doing the work, not her checks. Check she is swallowing by placing your finger on her throat.

Do not just pull away to get the baby off the breast.  This will cause pain for you, as a latched on baby is attached very firmly ! Simply put your little finger at the side of her mouth and pull gently to release the suction.

Drink Plenty Of Water Each Day

Make sure you drink at least 1.5 liters of water a day. Keep a glass of water close to you and take sips of it all the time.  It is, of course, very importany to drink water generally.  But you certainly do not want to get de-hydrated when you are breastreeding.

You (And Your Baby) Are What You Eat.

As what you eat while you are breast feeding naturals goes to your baby as well, you need to ensure that you have a good varied diet.  Whole foods are a good choice.  Whole grains, such as wild rice, brown rice, quinoa and oats. Fish, especially salmon and avocados are very rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Make sure you each plenty of protein.  Chicken in particular is good and if you eat the skin you will be adding to your diet rich nutrients that can help you to increment the milk supply. Fresh fruit and vegetables are other essentials that you should eat daily.

Try Not To Get Stressed Out

This is enemy number one for a breastfeeding mum, it can actually be a factor in decreasing the production of milk supply.

Don’t Try To Put In Place Set In Stone Schedules

Ironing, hoovering and tidying can wait til another time.  When baby sleeps, ensure you get some rest yourself. Even if you do not sleep, just try and put your feet up with a book or magazine. If you get really overtired you will find that this can directly affect your ability to produce more or less milk supply.