The EarthyBirthyMama Top 10 Tips For Breastfeeding Success

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1. Before giving birth, FLOOD YOUR BRAIN WITH ANY AND ALL INFORMATION ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING--for both you and your baby (babies if pregnant with multiples). If you are not already convinced that you should breastfeed your baby, you soon will be. Share what you learn with your husband/the baby's father and anyone else who has any interest in your and your baby's well-being--your "support" network--other family members, close friends, etc.

2. DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT put your name on those lists for 'free formula' or sign any questionaires about how you plan on feeding your baby while pregnant or during your OB/GYN visits. If you truly plan on breastfeeding exclusively, why do you need free formula? This is just the formula company's way of inticing you to use their formula.

3. DO NOT have ANY formula whatsoever 'on-hand' at home or in your hospital room. I have been witness to situations where a new mom is tired and a 'thoughtful' Dad or Mother-in-law decide to 'let new mom' get some rest, so they decide take it upon themselves and feed the baby some formula. You do not want this to even be an issue--that's why you don't even want it around. It's too tempting when others are trying to 'help out'--no matter how well-meaning they are.

4. NURSE ON DEMAND--EVEN AT NIGHTTIME Don't listen to other people who brag about how their babies are on a schedule, were on a schedule, napped x number of hours per day, slept through the night since day one, etc., etc., etc. None of this matters to you. All babies are different, and most of the babies who were so 'easy' and on a 'schedule' were bottle fed cow milk formula which is so hard on a little baby's digestive system that it takes hours and hours to digest. Because human breastmilk is the absolute best food with which to feed and nourish a human baby, the inherent biocompatability is so perfect that digestion, assimilation, and absorbtion of nutrients is so efficient that it happens in a relatively short amount of time as compared to any artificial milk substitute on the market today or ever.

5. TRY TO STAY HOME WITH YOUR BABY as long as you possibly can before returning to work. This, along with Tips #'s 1-4 will help ensure a great foundation for the nursing relationship even if you must return to work.

6. If you must return to work (outside the home), STAND FIRM IN YOUR DECISION TO BREASTFEED your baby. Nurse your baby right before you leave, immediately upon returning, and pump during any 'missed' feeding times. Don't feel guilty about taking time away from 'work' to pump and store milk for your baby. Make sure you have a good quality pump like the Medela Pump in Style.

7. Plan on nursing your baby FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR (which, by the way is the current recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatricians, the World Health Organization suggests 2 years), and be open-minded enough to the possibility of nursing for two or more. Don't feel pressured either way--there are some women who breastfeed for one year, some women who nurse their babies into toddlerhood. The bottom line is that you need to do what makes you and your baby happy and healthy. Don't fall victim to inquisitive 'nay-sayers' asking,"When are you going to stop nursing that baby?" when your baby just turned one year old. One year old babies are just that--still babies.

8. Find or CREATE A SUPPORT NETWORK OF LIKE-MINDED MOMS in your area--For me it was the breastfeeding support group at the hospital where I had my first three babies. For a lot of moms it might be a local LaLeche League or Attachment Parenting Group. For some moms, it might entail 'scouting out' and recruiting other new moms for meeting days at a local park. There are many ways to create your own network of 'friends'.

9. As silly as this sounds, MAKE SURE YOU KEEP YOUR BABY'S FINGERNAILS TRIMMED at all times. Babies' nails seem to grow at lightening speed--creating a situation in which you might feel like you are nursing a baby raccoon or cheetah--their nails can be sharp and irritating when nursing. One of the best things I have learned is not to be lazy with the nail clippers--as soon as I notice any amount of nail growth getting near the tip of the little fingers, I enlist my husband's help to clip the baby's nails. There's nothing more annoying that nursing a baby with long fingernails digging into your aereola.

10. Don't be afraid to ASK FOR HELP if and when you need it in regard to anything and everything related to breastfeeding your baby. Breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for your baby--the most 'natural' way to feed and nourish your new baby, but it doesn't always come 'naturally'. We all need help and advice at some point during our time as nursing mothers--For me it was with my first daughter with getting her to latch-on properly, for a friend of mine it was inverted nipples, for you it might be something else. There are so many resources available today--LaLeche League Meetings, On-Line Support Groups, local lactation consultants, other nursing mothers, etc. There is no reason to 'suffer graciously' through anything when it comes to nursing your baby.