How to Get Started with Breastfeeding

When you opt to breastfeed, you’re helping your baby get off to the best possible start. But for as natural as it is, breastfeeding is also a skill — one that comes with a bit of a learning curve for both you and your baby. That’s why our lactation experts at Tiny Tummies breastfeeding support center are here to offer support when and however often you need it. 

Read on as our seasoned team at The Center for Advanced Pediatrics explores the benefits of breastfeeding and offers practical strategies to help you get started successfully.   

The many benefits of breastfeeding

Breast milk is the ideal sole source of growth-fueling nutrition for newborns and infants in the first six months of life. Starting with the nutrient-dense, antibody-rich “first milk” (colostrum) your breasts begin producing soon after childbirth, breast milk changes to meet your baby’s nutritional needs as they grow and develop. 

Readily available and super-charged with nutrients, your body’s own milk supply makes breastfeeding natural, safe, convenient, and cost-effective. It also offers a plethora of health benefits for both mom and baby. Breastfed infants gain extra protection against:

• Acute otitis media (ear infections)
• Severe lower respiratory illnesses
• Digestive illness (diarrhea, vomiting)   
• Asthma and obesity as they get older

Breastfed babies are less likely to develop type 1 diabetes or succumb to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS); later in life, they appear less likely to have behavioral problems and more likely to have higher IQs. 

Nursing moms gain health protections, too — when you breastfeed, you reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Getting the hang of this “natural skill”

Breastfeeding is natural — but it’s also a skill that you and your newborn learn together. Each mom-baby pair learns this skill at their own pace, and while nursing is relatively easy for some, it can be challenging for others. Key aspects of breastfeeding success include:

Getting an early start

Start breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth — ideally within the first hour of delivery. 

Skin-on-skin contact

Your baby is born with an innate response to feed based on specific “breastfeeding cues,” one of which is skin-on-skin contact. Holding your newborn naked against your bare chest helps activate their natural feeding response in their first few nursing sessions.

Comfortable positioning

Sit or lie down comfortably, holding your baby close to you, tummy to tummy. Whether you use the cradle hold or the football hold, your infant’s nose should be level with your nipple, and their chin should touch your lower breast. 

Coaxing a proper latch

A proper latch is essential to breastfeeding success and comfort. As you bring your baby to your breast, their mouth should be wide open. Their chin should touch your breast first, and their top lip should brush against your nipple.  

Ensure your baby takes a wide mouthful that includes your areola — not just your nipple. You should see more nipple skin above their top lip than below their bottom lip. If you feel a sharp pain or if your baby’s cheeks are dimpled as they suck, their latch isn’t as wide as it should be. You should hear audible swallowing sounds as they nurse. 

Relaxation and support

A smooth breastfeeding session is relaxed — when you’re relaxed and ready to nurse, your baby will be, too. Gently support your baby’s neck and shoulders, but don’t push on the back of their head. Support your breast with your other hand, with your fingers behind your areola.

Having frequent feedings

Having frequent breastfeeding sessions helps you establish and increase your milk supply quickly. When you practice frequent feedings in the first few weeks of your newborn’s life, sustaining a brimming breast milk supply becomes easier as time goes on. 

Good maternal nutrition

You’ll need to eat an extra 330-400 calories daily to fuel breast milk production. Choose healthy foods rich in iron, vitamin C, protein, and calcium — like beans and lentils, eggs, lean meats, whole grains, berries, and leafy green vegetables. 

Signs your baby is well-fed

Simply check for signs that your infant is well-fed, such as the number of wet diapers they have each day, if they’re gaining weight as expected, and whether they’re generally content or fussy. 

Overcoming breastfeeding challenges

With time and patience, virtually every new mom can successfully breastfeed. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges along the way — and our Tiny Tummies Lactation Consultants are here to support you. 

When you have a breastfeeding question or concern, call our lactation support helpline at 203-229-2000. You can also call or click online to schedule a visit with our team at The Center for Advanced Pediatrics in Norwalk or Darien, Connecticut, anytime.