Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! As a first-time mom, you are dealing with so many changes and challenges with breastfeeding. Here I will give breastfeeding tips for first-time moms on what could help you ease this new journey.
Breastfeeding is HARD but with patience, grace, and consistency you will be able to do it.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I will receive a commission if you click on the link at no cost to you.
Does breastfeeding hurt the first few days?
Honestly, it does hurt and expect it for a few weeks. If it’s longer than that there might be something else going on and you should consult your doctor or lactation consultant, but don’t get discouraged. The pain does go away after your nipples get used to it. In the meantime, there are some things you can do to ease the pain (keep reading).
How do I overcome breastfeeding problems?
Before having a child of my own I thought it was going to be easy as to put my child on my breast and my baby would start eating right away. I underestimated the sacrifice and dedication you have to put in it to make breastfeeding work. The best decision I made was to get help. I searched for a certified lactation consultant and made the soonest available appointment.
The lactation saved my breastfeeding journey because I seriously was about to stop. The consultant showed me great techniques and was able to point out the tongue tie my son had that was causing me so much pain.
I encourage you to look for help because you are not alone. Many women have breastfeeding problems and if you are ready to put in the work seek help and you will find more breastfeeding tips for first-time moms than you will ever know.
How do you ease the pain of breastfeeding?
Through my journey, I found methods and tools to help the pain that I had on my breast from engorgement to clogged ducts to nipple soreness. All the products mentioned can be purchased online or found in the baby food aisle at your local stores.
Breast compress
Earth Mama booby tubes or Lansinoh TheraPearl Breast Therapy Pack are great products to use. When warmed in the microwave it can help with milk let down, relieve clogged milk ducts and mastitis, and encourage milk flow. When kept in the refrigerator the cold helps with pain and swelling from engorgement. A cost-effective alternative can be to get a small towel and place it in warm water or place the soaked towel in the refrigerator. There is a new product by Frieda specifically for breastfeeding Frida Mom Breast Care Self Care Kit. You can purchase these online or in the baby aisle where all the feeding supplies are located.
Nipple cream
Nipple creams or balms help relieve cracked and sore nipples by moisturizing. These creams are safe to be consumed and can be repurposed as salves to put on your lips, hands, elbows or even a baby rash. I used the motherlove nipple cream and Boobease 100% organic nipple balm. You can purchase these items online or in the baby aisle where the feeding supplies are located.
Nipple shields
Nipple shields are a unique and amazing tool to help the discomfort and pain of nursing. They are made from silicone and without BPA which means it’s safe for you and the baby to use. Place the shield on the nipple and latch the baby on. It is as simple as that. These were extremely handy to have when my son had his tongue tie.
Massaging your breast
Massaging is a great way to help with clogged ducts, engorgement, and milk flow. First, warm up your hands before by rubbing them together. Then start from the top of your breast and massage towards your nipple. Expect milk to come out while doing this. Bonus while nursing you can massage as well.
Hot shower or bath
Hot showers or baths can help with letdown and prevent mastitis by stimulating the milk flow.
Pain reliever
Tylenol or Advil helped relieve the pain and are safe to take while nursing. Please consult your medical provider before taking any medications.
How long does it take to get use to breastfeeding?
Personally, it took me about three to four months or so to get use to breastfeeding. There were so many different hurdles that I had to overcome first before establishing my milk production. From low milk supply, engorgement, clogged ducts, to pain while latching caused by my son’s tongue tie. I pushed through all these obstacles with determination and patience.
How do I increase my milk supply?
There is no physical way to measure how much milk you are actually producing. The only way to know is by monitoring your baby’s weight and how many dirty diapers your baby is producing. If your baby gains weight then you are definitely producing enough milk. However, if your baby’s weight drops here are some tips that can help.
- Nurse as frequently as possible
- Pump after nursing to produce more milk
- Drink a lot of water
- Eat nutrient dense food
- Don’t stress (easier said than done)
The struggles of breastfeeding are real therefore these breastfeeding tips for first-time moms will help ease your postpartum journey. Don’t worry this stage in your life is temporary. These tips can make your breastfeeding journey go smoother, so you can enjoy these special moments with your baby. I would love to hear if this worked for you or did you try something else? Leave it in the comment section below and share this page with a friend.
Other must reads!
