A few weeks ago my daughter presented me with the opportunity to share my knowledge of breastfeeding and self-care with a friend of hers who had recently given birth. It was such a pleasure to serve this new mother who was struggling with breastfeeding her newborn baby. She did not have a mom or a grandma who could help her in this process. This situation made me realize what a blessing it was to have both my Mom and my Grandma Laura teach me the finer art of breastfeeding.
Here is a quick overview for successful breastfeeding:
- Latch: It is very important to ensure the baby has latched onto the breast properly. Improper latch is the leading cause of cracked and sore nipples.
- Limit: Suckling for 5-10 minutes on each breast every 2 1/2 to 3 hours is sufficient, especially in the first few weeks. If the baby wishes to suckle longer, offer a pacifier. Contrary to popular opinion, it is OK to wake a sleeping baby. If you breastfeed your new baby every 2 1/2 to 3 hours during the daytime, the baby is more likely to sleep for a 4 to 5 hour stretch during the night time.
- Lanolin: The hospital gives you a sample tube. However, Grandma Laura suggested Bag Balm instead. http://www.bagbalm.com/index.htm This is what she used on the cows to keep their teats from cracking in the harsh winters of northern Wyoming. It works much better than the lanolin.
So, many thanks to Mom and Grandma Laura for sharing their knowledge and experience of the art of breastfeeding with me. It has been such a joy to share this with others.
