Learn How to Breastfeed: Survive the Pain and Enjoy the Process
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What Nobody Ever Tells You
Knowing how to breastfeed does not come “naturally” like most women expect. It comes with extreme pain, and it also makes you question your dedication and abilities, worth as a new mom, and if you’ll ever figure it out. The good news is: you WILL figure it out, the pain WILL go away, and it WILL become natural for you.
Here I’ll share with you some hard truths followed by genius solutions to each problem, so you can survive the start breastfeeding.
1. Knowing how to breastfeed does not come “naturally”
- Survival Tip: Patience and commitment.
You’re not the only one learning how to breastfeed your baby. Your little one is also learning, for the first time, how to nurse properly. The two of you are in this together, and I promise – you WILL figure it out together, and form a closer bond in the process.
Once you’ve learned which positions work best for you and your baby and which techniques work best for getting a great latch, it just takes endurance, commitment, and a bit of time to find the rhythm of your unique nursing relationship and let it flow naturally.
2. Breastfeeding is excruciatingly painful. Don’t be surprised if your nipples start cracking and bleeding. And, it is totally normal to cry… a lot
- Survival Tip: The pain is intense but VERY short-lived in the grand scheme of things.
The nipple pain really should only occur during latching, and once the baby starts sucking away the pain will subside. If you experience pain while the baby is sucking, it is usually a sign of an improper latch. This pain-during-latching should go away after about two weeks, and then you’ll pretty much be able to light your nipples on fire with a blow torch and not feel a thing. There are tons of products as well as (free) natural ways to alleviate nipple pain during breastfeeding. Yay!
Pain Relief
1. Your own colostrum or breastmilk
Rub your own breast milk on your nipples all throughout the day. Breast milk is called “Liquid Gold” for a reason. Not only does it nourish and protect your baby, but the antibacterial properties also promote healing and relieve soreness of your nipples.
2. Positioning
Correcting poor positioning can help get a proper latch and also alleviate sore, cracked nipples to allow healing to begin. Make yourself comfortable first before positioning the baby. Position the baby so his stomach is flat against your stomach, with his nose and mouth facing your nipple, so he doesn’t have to turn his head to reach your breast. Support your breast with one hand, and help your baby latch by supporting his back with your other hand. His chin should touch your breast first as he latches with his bottom jaw and then suctions your nipple into his mouth. The baby’s nose will touch the breast as well. Many popular positions to try out are the Cradle Hold, the Football Hold, the Cross Cradle Hold and the Laid-Back Position.
3. Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter
My all time favorite product by Earth Mama. Soothing cruelty-free Organic Nipple Butter is buttery and botanical-rich, lanolin-free and non-sticky. It moisturizes dry skin, and brings your nipples back to their happy place. And since it just might end up in baby’s mouth, it’s Non-GMO Project Verified. So there’s no need to wash it off before nursing.
4. Lanolin
This old-school, tried and true product is a life saver when it comes to healing sore, chapped or cracked nipples during breastfeeding. It has a bit of a stickier texture than Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter, but many moms say it works much better for them. FYI: Lanolin is sourced from wool, so it is not considered vegan.
5. Silverettes
Silver is a metal with natural antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial properties that also contain anti-inflammatory agents. Silverettes are to be used between each feeding session and shouldn’t be mixed with any other creams or treatments for the silver to work most effectively.
6. Nipple Shields
These flexible silicone shields are worn over the mom’s nipple during breastfeeding, but they are NOT RECOMMENDED during the first week of breastfeeding. They are to be considered a very short-term solution, and often used as a last resort.
3. When your milk finally comes in, you may feel feverish, emotional, and in even more pain
- Survival Tip: It usually takes between 2-5 days for a mother’s milk to come in after giving birth, and when it does you may experience something called “Milk Fever”.
This elevated body temperature is not due to infection, but you still may feel run-down and sluggish. Just as you would handle things with any other fever, you should prioritize your rest, hydration, and a calming environment.
Take Your Time
Even though friends and family may be begging to come over and hold your new bundle of joy, be sure you (or better yet, your partner) take the reins and kindly tell visitors to wait a few more days until you feel more “up to it.” Never feel pressured to host visitors, and never apologize for needing space. Your body is going through SO much in the first few days postpartum, the last thing you need is the added stress people coming in and out of your space.
It’s very common for your breasts to become engorged with milk, making them hard, lumpy, swollen, and painful. It may take several days for your milk supply to regulate, so engorgement and leaking are to be expected until things level out.
Breastfeed on Demand
The best way to alleviate engorgement is to continuously breastfeed on demand. This drains the breasts and helps with supply regulation. Soon enough you will produce just the right amount of milk that your baby needs, not a drop less, not a drop more.
Cabbage Leaves
Three days after giving birth to my firstborn in Santiago, Chile, I experienced terrible engorgement when my milk came in. I had a lactation midwife come to my home to help me with latching, positioning and engorgement. She taught me about the interesting benefits of applying cabbage leaves to the engorged breasts.
Just wash the cabbage leaves and either immediately apply them to the breasts, or chill them in the refrigerator in advance. Be aware that cabbage can decrease milk supply, so limit use to 20 minutes, no more than 3 times per day. Discontinue use as soon as engorgement begins to subside.
Positive Affirmation
“I trust my feelings and insights as a mother.”
Repeat this positive affirmation out loud when you are feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. Learning how to breastfeed is an intense process, and positive affirmations can help you shift into a strong and positive mindset.
Conclusion
Learning how to breastfeed your newborn takes lots of PATIENCE and hard work, but it is by far the best thing you can do for your little one. Your breast milk is perfectly designed for your baby’s needs and provides unparalleled protection against infections and diseases. DO NOT GIVE UP on breastfeeding in the beginning – you CAN do it!
