I want to breastfeed my baby I'm going to be prepared

Tips for Pregnancy - Mentally Preparing for Breastfeeding By: Kristi Lynn www.pregnancyfromamom.com

One of the most shocking things that I learned immediately following the birth of my first baby is...are you ready...babies have no idea how to get started breastfeeding! I was not fully prepared when I started breastfeeding my first baby. I had read many, many books about breastfeeding and thought that I was prepared...what they left out is the fact that baby does not naturally just latch on and know what to do. I knew that it would be difficult...but I did not realize how difficult! I will be honest with you...the first night is rough!

This is what you need to know to prepare yourself for breastfeeding your new, beautiful bundle of joy. At the hospital, know that you will have to work on teaching baby how to latch on properly. I hope that you will have a terrific nurse that can help you get started properly. If your nurse is less than desirable in the help arena (like mine was), I hope that this information will prepare you.

Visualize & Think it through As a new mom getting ready to deliver your baby, I encourage you to use some visualization techniques and picture exactly what you need to do. I have had many of my friends do this exercise and they felt it truly helped them get off to the right foot!

Here is the deal...you have a tiny little baby that you must support (head, neck, body) at all times. In order to teach a baby how to latch on and suck, you must open his or her mouth quite wide, then bring him to the breast and close his mouth around the areola. You want baby to have as much of the areola (dark skin around the nipple) in his mouth as possible. The worst thing that you could do is to have the baby just attach to the nipple. That will cause cracking and much, much pain. The next thing that you must do is roll the baby's lips outward. Newborns tend to suck in their lips frequently during nursing and this will also cause cracking.

I want you to visualize how you will hold baby...you will need more hands that you have! My tip is to use pillows. Let's say that you will be feeding baby on your right breast. Sit up as much as possible in the bed. Lay one pillow across your tummy. Lay baby on this pillow with his tummy to your tummy and your right arm cradling him. You left arm will position his head properly and then bring him forward to your right breast. You hand will gently hold baby from the back of his head with your thumb on one side of his head and your fingers split around his ear on the opposite side. Do not lean in towards the baby...always bring the baby to you. Once the baby has latched on, then cradle his head and body entirely in your right arm. Then use your left hand's thumb to roll his top and bottom lips outward gently. Make sure you do not pull on his chin too hard or you will cause him to break out. You may need to roll his lips out several times during a feeding.

If baby is not latched on correctly or has not taken in enough of the areola, remove the baby and try again. You want baby to have a very wide open mouth before attempting to latch on.

Best Wishes for a Healthy Pregnancy, Kristi Lynn www.pregnancyfromamom.com

For this and other great tips and tricks to get through pregnancy, visit www.pregnancyfromamom.com

Kristi Lynn is a mom sharing the truth, the humor, and the real information you crave from One Mother to Another.

Article Title: Tips for Pregnancy - Preparing for Breastfeeding Author: Kristi Lynn Contact: kristi@pregnancyfromamom.com URL: www.pregnancyfromamom.com Category: parenting, pregnancy, health

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About the Author

Kristi Lynn is a mother of two, sharing insight into pregnancy and breastfeeding from one mother to another. The tips and tricks she shares are helping new mothers everywhere become ready for their own great pregnancy journey!

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