When a mother is thinking about breastfeeding or learning for the first time, a lot of questions come up, so let me answer the most common ones. As a lactation consultant, NICU nurse and mother of four, I have sat with so many new mums who quietly ask the same questions once they feel safe enough.
So, let’s get into them!
Is breastfeeding meant to hurt?
The short answer is no BUT in the early days and weeks it can feel tender and awkward. Trying get baby to latch properly and holding them in the right position takes time and practice. But breastfeeding should not hurt the entire feed just initially in the beginning when getting the latch and nipple in the right place, and if it hurts for the entire feed that pain is a sign something needs adjusting and you may need extra support from a lactation consultant, midwife or child health nurse.
Why am I leaking everywhere?
This can be quite a shock the first time you have a baby. You may have heard you leak but nothing prepares you for how much and how it would feel with that tingle sensation, and leak at the thought of your baby or sound of their cry. This is where regular breast pads can become gross and saturated in milk very quickly. To avoid this, my favourite product to use is the Haakaa Petal Milk Collectors – it keeps everything less messy and collects some of that liquid gold!
Do I need to collect the leaking milk?
Not necessarily – it is completely up to you. Not every mother needs a freezer stash. You might collect it to help settle a hangry baby when first learning to feed, use in a bottle, top ups or a milk bath. Sometimes it just gives mother a peace of mind. The key is doing what you feel you have the time for.
My breasts feel rock hard. What do I do?
This is known as engorgement, and it can feel intense. All of a sudden, your breasts become these huge watermelons that are hot, swollen, tight and uncomfortable. The engorgement can also make latching properly more difficult. This is where hand expressing or using a silicone breast pump like the Haakaa Gen 2 Pump can be really helpful. BUT only use it for a minute or two to help relieve that busting feeling, softening the breast a little; and trying to only use it once a day not all the time, so we don’t create an oversupply of milk.
How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?
This is the single most asked question I get everyday! Since we can’t visually see how much milk the baby is getting each feed, it is hard to know. So let me tell you the ways to tell: output from baby (5-6 wet heavy nappies a day), gaining weight (150g per week), back to birth weight, audible swallows, happy and content between feeds.
Please know that a baby that is feeding every 1.5-2 hrs and who is fussy, cluster feeding and wanting to be held is normal and is not necessarily a sign of low supply. If you are ever worried or concerned, please seek medical advice.
Why does my baby constantly want to feed?
Your baby has only ever known you. Being close gives them comfort. So sometimes a breastfeed is just that, comfort. And new babies have small tummies, so they want to feed a lot and all the time; 8-12 times in 24 hrs is normal. It can be exhausting and feel very overwhelming when all you do is feed and can’t get anything else done.
Can I use bottles and breastfeed?
Definitely! Combination feeding is something that can work really well for families. Being able to offer a bottle to help with sharing feeds, going back to work, topping up and the overall mental load. A family needs to do what’s works best for them. If you’d like to continue breastfeeding, the key is to make sure that with every bottle you give, you also pump to maintain your supply for baby.
Look breastfeeding can be hard especially those first few weeks. With the right support and knowledge around breastfeeding, you and your baby can have the breastfeeding journey you would like.
This article was written by Courtney Hawkins, Board Member of Haakaa. For more information, visit https://www.haakaa.au/.
