Patience and Perseverance in Early Breastfeeding
When I ask my clients how they feel about breastfeeding, most of them express a desire to do so, or to at least try breastfeeding for as long as they’re able to. Their reactions tend to be more mixed after they’ve given birth; on one end of the spectrum, some express at being surprised by how much they found themselves enjoying breastfeeding, on the other end, some share how they didn’t expect breastfeeding to be so difficult.
All of these reactions and emotions are completely normal and valid.
The truth is breastfeeding isn’t a simple, straightforward journey. There are ups and downs, especially in the first month after giving birth.
So here are 5 things for new parents to keep in mind in the early days of breastfeeding:
Waiting For Milk Supply
The second stage of lactation happens a few days postpartum when colostrum changes to transitional milk and subsequently mature milk. This can take anywhere from 48 hours to two weeks or more after giving birth.
Mums might be exhausted after a long labour or c-section, and your newborn might be crying and wanting to latch frequently. This is when new parents start to feel stressed about their milk supply. Mums might feel that the stash of colostrum that they have is not sufficient, and that they need to be producing more since their baby keeps crying and latching on. Well-meaning loved ones might start dropping hints to the parents to supplement with formula. And generally, the anxiety levels go up.
It is extremely rare for Mums to have no breastmilk at all. They may have delayed lactation, and usually this can also be resolved gradually with some guidance from a lactation counsellor. What’s very important is to remember that this is a supply-demand journey. Breastmilk is not going to immediately start gushing out. Your body is going to need time and the right signals that it needs to produce more milk.
This waiting period can feel like eternity, but it will pass, and with the right support, your milk will come in.
2. Cluster Feeding
Oof… this is definitely one curveball that a lot of new parents do not expect. Shortly after baby is born, they’re going to start something called ‘Cluster Feeding.’ This is when baby has a need to constantly latch on to Mum every 30 minutes, or even lesser. Newborns do this for a few reasons: they need more milk; they are going through some growth spurt or milestone; for comfort. Regardless of the reasons, this process of cluster feeding is going to feel very overwhelming for a new Mum. It’s very normal for new Mums to feel completely touched-out because of this, the lack of sleep due to the constant latching is going to be exhausting; throw in all the hormonal changes that Mums go through after giving birth - it is going to feel like absolute chaos in the midst of it all.
Cluster feeding episodes usually do not last long, probably a couple of days when they happen. Keep that in mind, and lean into your support system as much as you need to.
3. Skin-to-Skin
After spending 9 months in enclosed within the safety of the womb, everything is going to seem foreign and overwhelming for newborns. Their Mum is the single, most familiar concept of home that they have, and just being around you and your presence is going to make a world of a difference in helping newborns adjust to their new environment. So cuddle up! Squeeze in as much skin-to-skin time as you can to bond with your baby, and to also help with the lactation process. Research shows that skin-to-skin contact is a great way to calm babies down and get them to latch successfully. It also helps trigger hormones that in baby to encourage breastfeeding. Dads are also definitely highly encouraged to join in this skin-to-skin time, as it helps baby recognise and bond with their Dads as well.
4. Engorgement, nipple blisters, blebs, sores etc…
This is another hurdle that Mums are usually blindsided by in the first few weeks of breastfeeding. Your breasts are not used to the level and frequency of suction that happens when breastfeeding. This inevitably results in blisters, milk blebs or sores forming on the nipples, and in some cases there may be slight bleeding as well. This is also a normal part of the breastfeeding journey in the early days. However, it is also temporary, and they should usually get better within a week or two, with the right care. A simple and effective way to go about this is to apply nursing-friendly nipple balms/butters before and after each feed. Engorgement is also a natural process that happens as your breasts adjust to the supply/demand curve set forth by your little one. Your baby is the best way to relieve any engorgement experienced by you. However, if at any point in time, your breasts are engorged and red, please visit a healthcare provider because that may be indicative of mastitis.
5. Eat, Hydrate, Rest
Breastfeeding can easily burn an extra 500-700 calories per day. So this means Mums need proper nutrition in the postpartum period for their healing as well as to increase their milk supply. It’s ok to have lactation bakes, but it is very important that breastfeeding Mums are eating a good volume of nutritious food that will help to satiate their hunger. Nearly 90% of breastmilk is made up of water, so it cannot be stressed enough for new Mums to keep hydrating themselves throughout the day, and especially before and immediately after a feed. Numerous studies have shown that stress can negatively impact breastmilk supply. While disrupted sleep might be a temporary norm in the immediate postpartum period, squeezing in pockets of rest in the day can go a long way in improving maternal well-being and subsequently in improving breastfeeding experiences as well.
Breastfeeding can be empowering, humbling, overwhelming, and exhausting all at the same time. It isn’t easy. But if you choose to do it, it can also be incredibly rewarding.
I want to end off by saying, “Fed is Best.” So whether parents choose to breastfeed exclusively, or formula-feed, or mix-feed, this is a choice that only you can make based on your unique circumstances and needs. There is no definitive right or wrong choice.
So you do you, and own it like a boss.
~ Rizwana Begum ~
Certified Birth Doula (CBI)
Sisu Births
