Before I had my daughter, I had this delusional fantasy of breastfeeding as this magical and ethereal experience where I would be a beautiful breastfeeding goddess happily breastfeeding my baby in a field of flowers (just like the photo above). I’m kidding of course, but I really did think it would just come super naturally to me and baby since this was what my body was made to do, right?!?
WRONG! Breastfeeding is HARD!! It doesn’t come naturally to most women at all and it’s actually a process that both you and your baby have to learn to master which can take around 6 weeks (and can seem like torture in the meantime!).
Breastfeeding was not something that came naturally AT ALL to me or my daughter. My daughter came into the world screaming at a whopping 5lbs 10oz. She was small for her gestational age which meant I needed to feed her quick to try to get her blood sugars and weight up or they wouldn’t let us leave the hospital. It was an extremely stressful experience that had us both breaking down in tears many many times!
I would definitely recommend that you see a lactation consultant in your area if possible. It can make a world of difference and help avoid a lot of frustration! I saw some amazing lactation consultants and nurses that really helped me!
I also believe that knowledge is power and the more that you know about a subject, the easier it will be! So I created this survival guide for new moms who may also struggling with breastfeeding. Hopefully you find this guide helpful! Please feel free to share your tips and helpful information in the comments beneath this post as well 🙂
How Do You Get Your Baby to Latch?
- With your breast in one hand, support baby’s back with the other hand (you should be pressing baby’s chest and belly button tight into your body). While cupping your breast, pull your nipple back with your thumb and bring the bottom of your areola to baby’s chin and the nipple up towards baby’s nose.
- Touch baby’s upper lip with your nipple until baby opens their mouth wide.
- Press your nipple down with your thumb into baby’s mouth.
- Push it deep into their mouth so that baby’s mouth covers the entire areola.
- Baby will bring the nipple back further into its mouth and you shouldn’t feel any pain.
- Baby’s chin should be touching your breast with baby’s nose free and not touching anything
How Do I Know I Have a Good Latch?
- For starters, it shouldn’t hurt! A baby with a poor latch will pinch your nipple, causing a lot of pain and discomfort so if you’re feeling your baby pinching, then baby has a shallow latch instead of a deep one.
- Baby’s lips will be flanged outwards (like a fish)
- Baby’s ears and jaw will move
- You should hear and see them swallowing
- Your baby appears to be satisfied after a feed
I found this awesome Youtube video which explains how to get your baby to properly latch, I would definitely recommend checking it out.
What are the Best Breastfeeding Positions?
This position works best for moms that like to co-sleep with their babies as you really don’t need to get up to feed baby. This usually works better for older babies that already have a good latch established.
- Lie on your side with your arm under your head or you can prop yourself up a bit onto your elbow with your hand supporting your head.
- Position baby on its side with his/her mouth close to your nipple.
- Use your other hand to hold the breast that’s closest to the bed.
- Position your nipple close to baby’s nose to encourage him/her to latch.
- Once latched, you can lay your head down on your arm rest while your baby feeds (very helpful for tired mamas!)
The cradle position is probably the most popular and a good all-around position that most mamas will find comfortable, especially when feeding in public. It’s best suited for babies older than 3 months. To make this position a little easier, use a breastfeeding pillow (see our recommendations further down in this post) or any regular pillows to prop baby up closer to your breast.
- Cradle your baby in the arm on the same side of the breast that you will be feeding from. (ie left breast, left arm or right breast and right arm). Baby should be on its side, pressed up against your body with its head resting on your arm.
- Align baby’s mouth to your breast and adjust the pillow if necessary.
- Use your free hand to support your breast and bring you nipple to baby’s mouth to latch.
The Cross-Cradle position is an excellent alternative position to the cradle position. It’s better suited for newborns or younger babies that have latch issues or are still learning to latch. Similarly to the cradle position, it’s best to use a breastfeeding pillow or to prop your arm and baby up with various pillows to bring baby closer to your breast.
- Lie baby on its side on a breastfeeding pillow or some regular pillows on your lap.
- Cradle baby’s head with your thumb and index finger with the hand opposite to the breast you’re feeding from.
- Support baby’s back with the palm of the same hand.
- With your other hand (same as the side of breast you’re feeding from), support your breast and guide your nipple to your baby’s mouth.
- Tickle baby’s lips with your nipple and once baby opens his/her mouth big and wide, use the hand that’s supporting baby’s back to push him/her toward the breast for a good latch.
This position works great for moms of twins to feed each of them at the same time. It also works great for moms who’ve had c-sections so baby isn’t putting pressure or rubbing on the incision. A breastfeeding pillow is recommended for this position.
- Position baby on their back on the breastfeeding pillow next to you. Baby’s legs should be at your side.
- Use the arm on the same side of baby to cradle baby’s head.
- Use your other hand to support your breast.
- Bring baby’s head up to your breast, bringing the nipple up to baby’s nose.
- Once baby opens his/her mouth wide, use your other hand to bring baby’s head towards your breast to get a deep latch.
Breastfeeding Essentials
Here are some of my favourite must-have items for breastfeeding that I couldn’t live without!
Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.
Breastfeeding Pillow
A breastfeeding pillow is such a handy thing to have. Not only is it amazing for getting baby up to the right level for breastfeeding without having to fumble around with multiple pillows for baby for tummy time sessions and as a back lounger as well. It also so great if you have another kiddo at home that wants to help with feeding baby. Just put a breastfeeding pillow around their waist and it nicely supports baby while they bottle feed baby.
My Brest Friend Breastfeeding Pillow
My favourite breastfeeding pillow is the My Brest Friend pillow because it provides awesome back support to keep you upright and supported and has a nice firm surface to position baby better. One thing to beware of when using this pillow is the velcro strap. The hook side of the velcro faces outwards so if you have fabric furniture, it may grab onto it and wreck it, if that’s the case, I would recommend the Boppy Pillow.
Boppy Breastfeeding Pillow
Another good option is the Boppy Breastfeeding Pillow. The Boppy is softer and less structured but it works better as a lounger an for tummy time than the My Brest Friend Pillow. It’s also cheaper and easy to clean as you can get washable covers for it! And it doesn’t have any velcro like the My Brest Friend pillow so you don’t need to worry about your furniture getting ruined!
Breast Pump
I needed a good breast pump because I wanted my husband and in-laws to be able to help with feeding the baby so I could get some much needed me time. I wanted something where I could pump both breasts at the same time and ideally something that was portable because I want to still be able to get stuff done around the house in the limited time that I had with baby. I have both the Medela Pump in Style Pump and the Spectra S2 Plus Breast Pumps and after owning both, I definitely do prefer the Spectra pump over the Medela Pump.
Medela Pump in Style Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump
The Medela Pump in Style pump is the winner when it comes to portability. It comes with backpack and cooler bag so you can store the milk and carry the pump wherever you need to go. The motor is actually built right into the backpack. so you don’t need to worry about holding anything at all. You can either wear the backpack and pump as you go or set the backpack down beside you while you sit and pump. The pump has “two-phase expression technology” meaning you can pump more milk in less time! Mine works great and definitely gets the job done. If I’m on the go, I bring the Medela pump with me. WIth this pump I would definitely recommend getting a breast-pumping bra so you can be completely hands-free!
PROS:
- Very portable. Has a rechargeable battery for unplugged pumping and comes with a stylish bag or backpack (your choice) to carry the pump in.
- Removable flanges making it easy to use the pump with a hands-free bra for hands-free portable pumping
- 2 Phase Expression Technology to pump more milk in less time
- Suction is adjustable in both “let down” mode and “expression mode”
- Comes with a removable cooler bag that holds 4 bottles
CONS:
- Pricier than some other pumps on the market
- The plastic flanges sometimes can hurt your nipples a big
- For the tote bag and the backpack options, the motor is not removable from the bag
Spectra S2 Plus Premier Electric Breast Pump
When it comes to an all-around amazing electric breast pump, I LOVE my Spectra S2!! I love how super quiet it is and I find it to be much more effective at expressing milk than the medela. It has a very natural letdown feature which seems to mimic the natural suckling of a baby breastfeeding making it a lot more effective in my opinion. In my experience it seems to also do a much better job at stimulating my milk supply. It’s also incredibly comfortable. I found that the Medela pump would hurt my nipples (eventually I got used to the pain) but the Spectra doesn’t hurt them all! Plus I love the pink color!
PROS:
- There are customizable settings so you can set it to whatever settings work best for your body. There’s also a memory mode that will remember your settings for you.
- Super silent motor that allows for a very quiet and discreet pumping experience.
- “Massage Mode” that mimics a baby’s natural suckling to stimulate let down
CONS:
- It’s not as portable as the medela as it always needs to be plugged into a wall so if you’re looking for portability, the Medela may be better suited to your needs.
- The flanges cannot be removed from the membranes like with the Medela pump so using a hands-free bra is a little bit more difficult.
Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump
The Medela Harmony manual pump is the perfect backup pump or something you can just throw into a bag when you go on a trip since it’s so small. It’s also great for those mommas that are on a budget or only plan to pump occasionally. I use this as my backup pump which came in super handy when one of the membranes on my Medela stopped working and I didn’t have any replacement parts on hand. I can get a pretty good amount of milk with this pump, however I find the suction of the pump isn’t strong enough to drain me as much as my electric pumps. But as a backup pump, it does the job.
What I like to do is attach a Haakaa manual pump to my other boob to catch letdown from the one I’m not using the harmony pump on (similar to what I would do while breastfeeding). Then use the letdown feature of the harmony pump to stimulate letdown and then use the normal pump feature after my milk starts flowing. Occasionally I will stop and massage my breast with my other hand to stimulate more let down and to get at the hind milk, stimulate more letdown with the letdown feature and then pump normally again. I find that this really mimics the way a baby normally feeds where they suck quickly, then take long gulps, stop for a bit and then start sucking again. This has really increased my milk supply!
The downside to this pump is that it’s a lot more time consuming and is pretty tiring for your wrists. Another downside is that you can’t be hands free with this pump at all, but as a backup pump or a pump to stimulate milk supply, this pump is amazing!!
Haakaa Manual Breast Pump
Ask any mom that breastfeeds and they will tell you that this little pump is amazing and an absolute must-have product! I use the haakaa on the opposite breast from the one that I am feeding from to catch the letdown and leakage from the other breast. I can easily get at least an extra ounce or so of milk just from catching the letdown while my baby feeds from the other breast. No more wasted milk! Yay!!
How does it work?
The Haakaa is a small manual pump made entirely of food-grade silicone. To attach it to your breast, you flip back the flange part of the pump, place it over your breast and then flip the flange forward over your breast. Then give the bottom part of the pump a squeeze and it should create a good constant suction on your breast. I use this if I’m pumping with the manual medela harmony pump as well because otherwise I just start leaking milk from the other breast like crazy! Last thing I want is to spill any of that liquid gold that I worked hard to make and pump!
Hands-Free Breast Pumping Bra
If you have a double electric breast pump, a hands-free breast pumping bra have is a must-have in my opinion! They’re super inexpensive and very effective at holding two flanges to both breasts so you can be on your phone or whatever while pumping. There are holes for where the flanges would go and the bra itself is sort of an adjustable sports bra that tightly holds the flanges to your breasts. There’s a zipper at the front for easy use. If you’re on a budget, alternatively you can just take any old sports bra that you own and cut two holes in it for the flanges to fit through!
Nursing Pads
If you have leaky nipples, then you’re going to want to get some nursing pads to protect your bras, shirts, and sheets! They come in either a washable kind or disposable kind that has sticky backing to stick to the inside of your bra.
For the washable kind, I recommend these:
For disposable ones, I like these ones:
Nipple Cream
Whether you’re breastfeeding or pumping or both, your nipples will likely start to crack and hurt. If they do, I would recommend getting a nipple butter or Lansinoh cream to rub on those sore nipples! The one I love is from Earth Mama as it’s an organic blend of herbs that are completely safe for your baby to consume so you don’t need to wipe it off before breastfeeding. You can find it below:
Nipple Shields
Nipple Shields are basically silicone shields that attach to your nipples for your baby to suck on. They can be amazing for babies with latch issues or if you have really sore and cracked/bleeding nipples. It can also help mamas with flat or inverted nipples or overactive letdowns. They can help get a baby to learn to properly latch until they can latch on to your breast without the shield so if you’re struggling with breastfeeding, definitely give these a try. Be sure to get the correct size for your size of nipples as they aren’t one-size-fits-all.
Nursing Cover
A nursing cover is essential if you’re breastfeeding out in public. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with breastfeeding in public but if you’re anything like me and don’t want the world to see your breasts hanging out, I would definitely invest in a good nursing cover. I really love this one because it’s thick, durable, breezy, has a built-in burp cloth and opens easily at the top so you can still see your baby while breastfeeding.
Water Bottle
If you’re breastfeeding, having a water bottle next to you is an absolute must-have! You get seriously dehydrated while breastfeeding so you want to have that water bottle close to keep you hydrated. Plus, drinking lots of water and staying hydrated helps with your milk supply!
Common Questions/FAQ About Breastfeeding
How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?
The most obvious sign is that your baby should be wetting at least 5-6 diapers per day. Baby should also be gaining weight every day at a regular rate. If your baby loses more than 10% of its body weight or develops jaundice, see your pediatrician right away. Baby should also be eating regularly (every 2-3 hrs during the day and 3-4 hrs at night).
What do I do if I suspect my baby is having trouble latching?
If you suspect that your baby may have a tongue tie, see your pediatrician. If you’ve tried all the tips in this article are still having trouble getting baby to latch, look into lactation consultants in your area. I would actually recommend you ask to see one before you even leave the hospital (this can avoid a lot of frustration and issues from even starting!). Another thing you can try is getting some nipple shields, for some babies with latch issues, nipple shields are a lifesaver! Be sure to get the correct size for your nipples!
What if I’m not producing enough milk?
It takes 72 hrs for your milk to come in and sometimes a bit longer for your full supply. Be sure to feed your baby on-demand so that your body adjusts to the amount of milk that’s necessary to keep your baby fed. If you’re still not producing enough milk, check out our article on how to increase your milk supply. You may also consider supplementing with formula, afterall, a fed and healthy baby is the most important!
Some Final Thoughts on Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding is hard! It comes easily to a very small percentage of women so if you’re struggling, I would highly recommend finding a lactation consultant in your area to help you with the different holds/positions and establishing a good latch.
- If you are really committed to breastfeeding, don’t give up! It will get easier!! You and your baby weren’t born how to naturally breastfeed so you need to allow time for both of you to learn the process.
- If you’ve tried everything and you just can’t make it work, don’t feel guilty at all if you need to go to exclusively breast pump or give formula!
- Remember that you are a warrior mom that grew a human being out of scratch and birthed it into the world! Nothing is worth sacrificing your sanity so if you’re getting really depressed and frustrated with breastfeeding, don’t feel like you failed your baby in any way. Your sanity and happiness is the most important because a happy and healthy mama means a happy and healthy baby 🙂
What was your experience with breastfeeding? Do you have any tips that might help other mommas in a similar situation to yours? I would LOVE to hear your story! Please comment below with your stories and tips 🙂
