Note: This post is part of a sponsorship between The Boppy Company, LLC and Lamaze International.

Breastfeeding is described as the natural way to feed your baby, but it’s a team effort that takes practice! Between positioning, proper latching and generating milk supply, there is a lot for new moms to learn. To make nursing a pleasant bonding experience for nursing mothers, moms rely on the health professionals specifically trained in this subject. Lactation consultants have a wealth of advice to share and can help turn a frustrating experience into a time of bonding for mom and baby.

Boppy has compiled several tips from lactation experts to support nursing moms.

Promote Getting Help Right Away

Nursing a baby takes effort but at the same time, it shouldn’t be a struggle. According to Jaye Simpson, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in Sacramento, California, new moms can save themselves the time and trouble by speaking up early. Whether she is experiencing sore nipples from her latch, or perhaps baby’s not gaining weight from feeding, a lactation consultant is a call away to help early on.

Suggestions to help moms be proactive:

·       Seek out a lactation consultant ahead of labor and delivery for advice.

·       Have a partner present when meeting with a lactation consultant. It’s helpful to have an extra person processing the lactation advice received while in recovery.

·       Before giving birth, suggest attending a breastfeeding support group to get helpful ideas and see moms nurse first-hand.

Finding a Comfortable Position

Is mom struggling to find that perfect position? She might learn some standard techniques for holding baby during breastfeeding, but New York City IBCLC Leigh Anne O'Connor explains the best position is one where mom is comfortable. She suggests the “belly to belly” approach so mom and baby can both experience comfort. The position is exactly like it sounds, baby’s belly is against mom’s. In addition to comfort, O’Connor advises the position chosen should help baby to breathe well and remove milk from the breast.

A Great Latch Is Essential

For some mothers, latching proves to be a difficult part of breastfeeding and can lead to chapped and sore nipples. O’Connor advises that a deep latch prevents this problem. A good latch starts with baby’s mouth wide open as mom holds her close. She also recommends that the nursing mother puts her hands at the nape of baby’s neck as mom brings her to her breast. She explains that the hand at the back of baby's head triggers the instinct to resist and chomp down. How do you get baby’s mouth to open wide? Look at where the nipple is positioned in relation to baby’s face. Veronica Jacobsen, a doula and lactation counselor in Richfield, Minnesota suggests pointing your nipple at baby’s nose instead of the mouth. Lifting baby’s head up naturally opens the mouth wide to latch deeply.

Advice for Your Milk Supply

O’Connor points out the importance of keeping the milk moving to avoid engorgement, swelling or clogged ducts. The more mom nurses, the more milk the body produces. Moms will want to keep that momentum going even if baby falls asleep during a feeding by pumping or hand expressing that milk to remove it and keep up supply. Moms can let baby feed for as long as wanted, there’s no time limit.

Avoid Bottles and Pacifiers at First

If a mother is committed to breastfeeding for the long haul, Dr. Laurie Jones, a pediatrician and IBCLC in Phoenix and founder of dr.milk.org, recommends not introducing a bottle right away. She suggests waiting 4 to 6 weeks as an ideal waiting period. Another helpful tip Jones provides is to avoid pacifiers during the first month as they can suppress hunger cues.  It is helpful for parents to wait until breastfeeding feels second nature for both mom and baby before introducing these items into baby’s routine.

The Boppy Company hopes you found these breastfeeding tips to support nursing moms helpful. Boppy® products are designed by women and mothers to provide the most support possible. Here is a helpful tip sheet to always communicate that Boppy products are for awake time and not for sleep.

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