New Moms Should Know This About Breastfeeding... Before the Baby Is Born

Breastfeeding is a process. Milk let-down is a process. After the baby is born, the baby will be almost instantly put to the mother's breast. The baby instinctively should know how to suckle at the nipple. Though this is usually the case, often times babies take time to figure out how this whole sucking and swallowing works. They may be uncomfortable in the position you hold them in, or they may get frustrated that the milk is not easily coming out. Factor in on top of this, that many mothers do not have milk leaking on day one--Congratulations if you do! So what should you do? The baby is here, and the baby is hungry. You promised yourself you would exclusively breastfeed; However, there is no milk just yet. This is the part where you give yourself a break. New mothers should not hesitate to give formula in the first few days or weeks of life, while waiting on breastmilk to come in. Mothers should also start pumping as soon as they are able to do so. Milk production is driven by a hormone called oxytocin which is released by stimulation of the nipple. This means that the more the baby suckles at the breast or the or more that you pump, the more milk supply will be made. So new mothers, cut yourself some slack. It is to give formula to prevent the baby from potential dehydration. It is okay to use a breast pump right away. Whether you are committed to breastfeeding or not, it is never okay to sacrifice your mental health. This process is difficult; However, but it does not have to be as hard as we make it out to be. Trust that the milk will come. It almost always does. Whatever you decide, we are here to support you.

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