Breastfeeding Tips with Ali Glinsky

This week Bay City Doula’s Postpartum Educator, Ali, Glinsky joined us for a guest blog to share her expert breastfeeding tips.

As World Breastfeeding Week (WBW #worldbreastfeedingweek) comes to a close, I want to share some tips for pregnant and new mothers who plan to breastfeed to help set themselves up for a successful journey. Some of the posts that you may have seen on social media during world breastfeeding week regarding the difficulties of breastfeeding may be difficult to see and can affect vulnerable pregnant and new mothers, often making them anxious before their journey has begun. I advise you to take a deep breath and trust your instincts. If breastfeeding is part of your plan, here are some things you can do to help yourself on the path! Today I am here to talk through breastfeeding tips. 

Take a Breastfeeding class while you are pregnant

Educating yourself and learning the anatomy of breastfeeding can be very helpful. Latching, positions, and anatomy comprise so much insight into the breastfeeding journey ahead of time.

Prepare for postpartum

 I can’t stress this enough; oftentimes, we are so focused on birth we neglect to plan what happens after birth, i.e. when you are on duty with a new baby 24/7! Postpartum is a long game. Recovering from birth and learning to take care of a newborn doesn’t always go as expected. Education and setting up a supportive network to help you meet your goals are a must. 

Ask for help

This is easier said than done. If you have a personality that doesn’t lend itself to this, it may take some practice. When they say it takes a village, it truly does, so think about how to utilize yours, preferably before the baby’s arrival! If you are having feeding issues, contact a Lactation Consultant as soon as possible! 

Learn how to hand express and breast compress

If you take a breastfeeding class, take notes or check out some videos on Youtube. If not, you can ask the lactation consultant in the hospital to show you how to hand express. Getting familiar with how the anatomy of breastfeeding works and how you can express milk without latching a baby is a great skill to learn. 

Room in with your baby

Rooming-in with your baby for the first twenty-four hours directly after birth can help to establish a breastfeeding relationship. You can begin to learn your baby’s individual cues and utilize the lactation consultants and nurses for help during this time.

Try to get your baby to latch within the first hour after birth

Skin to skin and getting your baby to the breast is an essential part of breastfeeding.  Also, google “breast crawl,” it’s incredible the biology of what mom and baby’s bodies are made to do together to breastfeed.

Try feeding on demand rather than scheduling times

Many of us like scheduling and routine, and it’s no wonder! It makes planning in life so much easier, but I suggest feeding on demand during the initial weeks with your baby. When you are beginning to establish your breastfeeding relationship, practice will help! After all, you and your baby are both learning a new skill together!

Prioritize your own rest and nourishment

I’ll say it once more for everyone in the back! Rest and nourishment are tied to your supply, so take care of yourself and build that support network around you to keep up with the newborn phase’s demanding time. 

Try tracking your baby’s eating schedule and diaper changes

Downloading a baby tracking app or keeping a journal of when your baby is eating, sleeping, and having diaper changes can help you directly keep track of any patterning and progression that is being made.

Try to lower your expectations and be nice to yourself

Breastfeeding journeys are often not linear, and there may be times that breastfeeding feels hard. Try and take your breastfeeding relationship one day and step at a time.

This is your individual experience

Everyone’s experience with infant feeding is different. I like to remind all new parents and mothers that our expectations are not always met when breastfeeding. There are so many different ways to feed your baby, and regardless of what method you choose, you are doing an amazing job! 

Thank you so much Ali for joining us on this weeks blog ” Breastfeeding tips with Ali Glinsky.” For more helpful tips on all things pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenthood please visit our weekly blog.