It is absolutely your individual and very personal choice on whether you are going to breastfeed or not.

If you wish to do it or at least try, here are some resources that I hope will be helpful to you.

Breastfeeding is a natural process but knowledge and support is power in helping it go well. Due to our modern culture and way of living, breastfeeding does not always come without challenge. We are not surrounded by breastfeeding sisters, cousins, friends and have moms, grandmas, aunts around who did it before us and can help out when needed. Moms often face early breastfeeding challenges by themselves, alone and without anyone in proximity and in intimate relation, and all this in the most vulnerable time of their lives, when they just gave birth to their baby. It is NOT easy. And breastfeeding, as much as natural it is, it's a learning process because we lost the learning opportunity in our youth (whereas before everyone was breastfeeding and young girls were exposed to this process from the very early years of their lives). And it's hard to learn how to do it before you keep your baby in your arms. It's like learning to ride a bike without the bike. Therefore, please be ready for some challenge and if it goes all smoothly, awesome! Being ready for a challenge means educate yourself, get ready mentally and arrange some support available immediately when the challenge becomes quite considerate. Watching some videos can be helpful in getting a general idea on how a correct latch may look like, what positions are helpful, what to pay attention to, etc. Below you will find links to youtube videos and here, on the right, are links to some very helpful DVDs.

Key things to remember:

  • Breastfeeding should NOT be painful!
  • It may take up to 2 weeks for it go a bit easier and it stabilizes around 2 months of your baby's life.
  • It can be slightly uncomfortable at first (around 2 weeks)
  • Leaking is very common (be prepared!).
  • Engorgement and sore nipples are frequent, too. Find ways to deal with it before it happens to be prepared.
  • There is nothing like: "babies eat every 2 or 3 hours" or "you should feed your baby 20 min on each breast". FORGET about it all! Each baby is an individual living being. They will develop their own patterns and at the beginning there might be none. They may eat every half an hour (more less, they are really not scheduled trains) for 10 min, or every 15min for 5min, or every 1 to 2 hours for 15min And it won't be super consistent either and it will change as they grow. And they can have periods of cluster feeding. Just BE PATIENT!
  • It becomes easier and easier with time.
  • Try side-lying position! It will save you long way.
  • Take naps when your little one naps. It will save you, too!

 

2 go-to websites if you're looking for breastfeeding related questions:

  • Kelly Mom - evidence-based breastfeeding and parenting
  • La Leche League - La Leche League International is an international organization with local links for mother-to-mother breastfeeding support, encouragement, information, and education
  • Low Supply Milk - information, support, and online forum for mothers experiencing low milk production

Videos:

Support groups:

Covered by insurance:

  • Pumps (you need to go through your insurance and not buy it on your won)
  • Lactation Consultants

Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) - Lactation Consultants are trained professional with an extensive practice (1000hours+) in supporting breastfeeding moms. Lactation Consultants are now covered by insurance.

Lactation Consultants I recommend:

  • Lea Rivera Todaro, IBCLC: (718) 450-2694; lea@mamimia.org; I worked and studied with Lea, she is amazing.
  • Leigh Anne O'Connor, IBCLC: (917) 596-3646; leighanne625@rcn.com; I heard a lot of good things about Leigh Anne; she is very experienced.
  • Tamara Hawkins, IBCLC: (646) 627-7334; info@storkandcradle.com; www.storkandcradle.com/breastfeeding
  • Yael Borensztein, IBLCLC: yael.borensztein@gmail.com; www.bbirthnyc.com; Yael is a dear doula friend and an experience lactation consultant; she is also a nurse who worked with moms in their postpartum periods

There are also Certified Lactation Counselors (CLC). This credential requires 45-hour training and an exam. Lactation Counselors can help with what is considered normal breastfeeding (positioning, correct latch, infant common behaviors, breastfeeding benefits, etc.) and common breastfeeding issues (engorgement, sore nipples, etc.), and will provide you with an evidence-based information. They will typically charge less than IBCLCs - International Board Certified Lactation Consultants. CLCs will refer you to IBCLCs if the issue is beyond her capacity to help and may required a more experienced lactation professional (example: establishing a latch after a week or more of baby not latching on at all, acid reflux, low milk supply, etc.)

 

Happy Breastfeeding!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 4th DVD - Happy Healthy Baby - out of the Happy Healthy Child series covers thoroughly the postpartum period. There is a chapter on breastfeeding, on infant sleep, on postpartum family adjustments with an importance of setting realistic expectations. It is truly amazing resource that I strongly recommend.

 

This Breastfeeding DVD offers extensive coverage on all breastfeeding related topics. It is an ultimate resource for parents-to-be. As a whole it provides a great foundation for breastfeeding, and it is broken down in such a way that it is easily searchable later for breastfeeding moms to watch quick clips on topics they need information or reminder on.

 

If there is one book you'd like to purchase and have it handy "Breastfeeding Made Simple" by Nancy Mohrbacher IBCLC FILCA, Kathleen Kendall-Tackett PhD IBCLC is a great choice