Breastfeeding your baby can be so rewarding in the long run, but the idea of breastfeeding is often intimidating for new moms. After breastfeeding my two oldest for a year each while working full time, and now breastfeeding my third, I wanted to share a few breastfeeding tips for new moms that I’ve learned along the way.
I’ve collected some of the best breastfeeding tips and tricks to prepare you for: your first time breastfeeding, what to expect at the hospital, and breastfeeding tips for once you return home.
My goal is to give you a step-by-step guide to ease your journey into breastfeeding from the beginning!
Having an idea of the big picture will help you confidently move into this new stage of life with your baby as you both learn together.
In this article, I’ll cover:
- What you need to know before breastfeeding
- What to expect your first time
- Tips for breastfeeding your newborn once you get home
- How your spouse can support you, and
- Resources for breastfeeding moms
- Online courses available for breastfeeding moms
There are affiliate links in this post. This means if you click on a link marked with an asterisk (*)and make a purchase, I might receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Want to contribute? Submit your own breastfeeding tip!
Are you expecting?
How would it feel to walk into your labor-room anxiety free? This free prenatal online class covers things you’ll experience during labor and delivery to get you ready for the big day!
I love the ease and convenience of online classes which is why I wanted to share it with you!
Breastfeeding tips for new moms
Photo by kevin liang on Unsplash
Before the hospital:
Before heading to labor and delivery, learn the most about breastfeeding* that you can.
I was so grateful that a friend of mine, who is a doula, went in depth about what to expect for labor and delivery as well as the benefits of breastfeeding.
In the beginning, I didn’t even know what questions to ask, much less what problems I might encounter during postpartum recovery.
Hopefully, this section will get your noggin’ thinking so you are ready when your baby makes his grand entrance!
Start Hydrated
First, if you aren’t drinking a ton of water already while pregnant, start practicing now.
You should be drinking lots of water, little to no caffeinated beverages (which dehydrate you), and not too many drinks with added sugar.
Invest in a water bottle or cup with a lid and straw, so you’ll have it handy for your pump station.
Eat a lactation-friendly diet
You can start eating a lactation-friendly diet, or at least start looking up recipes, right now while pregnant. Look for whole food items that are processed as minimally as possible.
Snacks and breakfast items that I enjoyed eating while breastfeeding:
- Eggs with Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning*
- 2% Milk (I love Milk!)
- Oikos Triple Zero Yogurt* with Granola and Strawberries
- Avocado Toast
- Oatmeal with maple syrup, apples, and raisins
- These No Bake Energy Balls made with dark chocolate chips, chia seeds, and ground flax seed
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Pistachios or Almonds
- Trail Mix
- These Brown Rice + Quinoa Packets* that only take 90 sec in the microwave from Costco
- Beef jerky
- Cottage cheese
Throughout the day, I aimed to have 300 more calories than I would need on a regular basis for just myself.
I loved using myFitnessPal to track to my macros and weight.
If you start integrating these ingredients and healthy snacks into your diet now, then it’ll be second nature once the baby comes!
Here’s another article to read about Breastfeeding Diet 101 before you go to the hospital.
Buy a comfy nursing bra and nursing pads
Before you head to the hospital, invest in a comfy nursing bra about 2 sizes bigger than what you’re wearing in your third trimester. Your breasts will get bigger once your milk comes in.
Also, think about whether or not you want to use disposable nursing pads to prevent leaking or these washables ones* (that I love!)
Order a pump through your insurance
Even if you’re not planning on returning to work while breastfeeding, you should still take advantage of getting a double electric breast pump.
I’ve used both the Medela Pump In Style Advanced and Spectra S1 and loved both.
Ask your doctor for a prescription and then send it into a site like PumpingEssentials.com. They will work directly with your insurance as the middle man, requiring minimum effort from you.
Plus they send you a hands-free pumping bra!
Which is a life-saver if you’re returning back to work.
PS check out my pumping tips for working moms and the Ultimate Back to Work Pumping Course* for more resources.
Make sure to plan a few weeks for your pump to get in if you use a service like that.
Or, if you’re getting too close to your due date, order this Medela pump* from Amazon (2-day shipping with Prime) and then file with your insurance for reimbursement (check with your insurance on the process and applicability).
Are you expecting?
How would it feel to walk into your labor-room anxiety free? This free prenatal online class covers things you’ll experience during labor and delivery to get you ready for the big day!
Gather your resources
Read about breastfeeding as much as possible before you deliver.
My favorite was actually watching videos of how to latch properly because I seriously had no idea what it would be like the very first time!
Here are some ideas to look up and ideas to get you started.
I put a resources section at the bottom of this post with some helpful links to get you started!
- Different breastfeeding positions for newborns
- Watch a video on the first latch
- The difference between mastitis and a plugged duct
- How to keep your nipples moisturized
- Tips for breastfeeding when you go back to work
- Nipple shields pros and cons
- Natural ways to deal with engorgement
- Comfortable nursing bras
- Tips for physical recovery during postpartum
- What is colostrum and when does my milk come in
At the hospital:
From the first breastfeeding experience for first-time moms to the first couple of days, these tips will hopefully get you started on your breastfeeding journey!
Skin-to-skin first
In your birth plan, write down that you want skin-to-skin for as long as possible (provided there’s no medical need).
My hospital totally supported about an hour of skin-to-skin before taking the baby to get weighed, measured, etc.
There are a ton of benefits for skin-to-skin to support breastfeeding.
The nurse will likely do the APGAR test with the baby still laying on you, but otherwise, there’s no rush to give up your lovely yet slippery newborn.
APGAR stands for:
- Appearance (skin color)
- Pulse (heart rate)
- Grimace (“reflex irritability”)
- Activity (muscle tone)
- Respiration (breathing rate and effort)
Basically, APGAR is a quick assessment of the health of your baby. If your baby scores well on the APGAR test, then you’ll be able to do skin-to-skin on your own time.
Tips for Skin to Skin
I labored naturally with all 3 babies. That also means that I labored pretty much naked.
It was easy for the doctor to lay my babies on my chest immediately.
If you’re not comfortable with being completely naked at least be prepared by taking off your bra underneath your hospital gown* so that baby has easy access for skin-to-skin.
Not to mention, when the baby comes out, they will be covered in all sorts of bodily fluids (not that you’ll care because you will be so excited to see them), but you can avoid getting your clothes dirty by removing them before the actual birth if possible!
Just be careful adjusting your baby on your chest immediately.
I totally forgot that the umbilical cord was still attached until my doctor warned me to stop pulling so much.
Sorry, lady, I’m just so excited to see him!
Look for signs of rooting aka “The Baby Bird”
It’s SO amazing to me that as your baby lays on your chest, then will eventually start rooting and searching for food.
We affectionately nicknamed rooting “The Baby Bird” because the babies crane their little heads on their skinny little necks with an open mouth, just like a little baby bird looking for food.
My Little Two lifted her head as a newborn searching for my milk 15 minutes after being born.
When you are laid-back in the bed if you begin nursing this way, it’s called the Laid-Back Breastfeeding position or Biological Breastfeeding position.
Again, no need to rush and don’t let anyone pressure you if you and your baby aren’t ready to start breastfeeding.
We tried a couple of times with Little Three but he didn’t show any interest in breastfeeding until about 45 minutes into skin-to-skin.
The first time breastfeeding
I LOVE the very first feeding because everything is so new for both mom and baby.
You’re both still slippery from labor and delivery yet warm from the blankets they likely piled on top of you guys.
At this point, your breasts aren’t engorged yet, so I think it’s one of the less painful feedings at the hospital.
Once you see the baby bird, or even if you want to put the baby to your breast to see if they’ll latch, make sure you get help with the Cross-Cradle Hold if necessary for the first feeding.
Once the baby latches, they will automatically start suckling.
You know if they are latched and eating by watching around the ear to see swallowing or by listening to the sound of them swaddling.
Colostrum vs Breastmilk
The first time your baby breastfeeds they will be drinking colostrum not breastmilk.
Colostrum is thicker and yellowish in color. It is rich in nutrients, and your baby doesn’t need much of it to fill their little tummy.
It normally takes 3-4 days for your breastmilk to change from colostrum to breastmilk.
Breastmilk looks more like cows milk.
You’ll know your breastmilk came in when your breasts because a little firmer and bigger. You’ll also notice when your baby’s poop starts to become a mustard yellow.
You’re going to become well acquainted with the color of baby poop very soon!
The nurses will help you
While you’re at the hospital the nurses will help you immediately.
Normally, a lactation specialist will come in to assist with a proper latch. But any nurse can help, so don’t be afraid to ask!
When I went to my recovery room, each change out of nurse would watch me latch to make sure we had a proper latch. Having a proper latch can:
- Prevent sore nipples (more than necessary)
- Ensure your baby is getting enough milk
- Create good habits for breastfeeding
Ask for a pillow
After labor and delivery, I was exhausted and my labors weren’t even that long compared to some.
Ask for a pillow to prop under your arm while breastfeeding. I always prefer the cross-cradle hold so I can support the baby’s neck and control the nipple for better latch when they are a newborn.
Wait to use your bobby in your room after your baby gets his or her first bath.
If the latch hurts…
Again, ask the nurses to look at your latch and to help out.
You and your baby are both trying to figure out this breastfeeding thing for the first time.
And while the baby may root naturally, it doesn’t mean she knows how to breastfeed right away. She’ll need practice just like you!
Your milk will start to come in
My milk always started to come in near the end of my hospital stay, be prepared for your breasts to get fuller and have a nursing bra ready for easy access.
Are you expecting?
How would it feel to walk into your labor-room anxiety free? This free prenatal online class covers things you’ll experience during labor and delivery to get you ready for the big day!
After the hospital:
It will be hard at first…but it does get easier.
I’m not going to sugar coat this and say that breastfeeding is all rainbows and unicorns for the first few weeks or even the first couple of months.
But eventually, you and your little one will get in a groove and you won’t have to think about each step of the breastfeeding process anymore.
Focus on the now
You may have a goal of a year or you may have a goal of 4 weeks, either way, stay focused on what’s working now. Don’t get overwhelmed with the long run.
Get through engorgement
Everyone has engorgement at least for a few days, but for some, it can last much longer. Engorgement occurs as your body adjusts to the amount of milk your newborn needs.
It changes when your newborn changes how OFTEN they eat as well as how much they eat.
I tend to overproduce milk, which means I fought with engorgement for awhile.
To reduce swelling in pain from engorgement I did several things:
- I used ice after each of my feedings during engorgement.
- I avoided long hot showers because those increased my milk supply.
- I used the reverse nipple massage to soften the areola.
- I wore a comfortable nursing bra.
- I sometimes pumped to relieve pressure (although this can helps in the short run, it prolongs the engorgement period).
And, I’ve also heard you can put cabbage on your breasts for mastitis or engorgement. The cold cabbage helps reduce swelling.
I haven’t given it a try, but it’s a natural remedy worth trying!
Use reverse nipple massage
I also made sure to use reverse nipple massage to soften the nipple before feedings for a better latch.
Basically, before you start nursing, gently use two fingers on each hand to press around the areola in a circle. Then work your way from the nipple through the entire areola until it is softer, so it’s easier for your baby to latch.
Things will change
As your little one starts getting older, he’ll start sleeping through the night or go longer in between feedings.
Know that your engorgement may come back if his eating habits abruptly change.
Be prepared to pump
Every now and then you may need to pump to relieve pressure some. Try not to pump too much though as this increases your production even more and makes engorgement last longer. I did like to pump only because I got a lot of extra milk to freeze, which I needed to bring to work.
Avoid cracked nipples
To avoid cracked nipples either use a Lanolin cream or you can try this more natural nipple butter from Earth Mama Organics*.
Another method is to hand express a little after every feeding and rub it on your nipple.
Finally, don’t forget to air out and change your nursing pads often.
Hydrate
Drink half your weight in ounces of water.
You need to be hydrated while you’re breastfeeding. For example, I aimed to drink 80 oz of water per day.
Watch your diet
There are a lot of foods out there that can naturally help you produce more milk and keep up your milk supply.
Plan on eating 300 more calories per day. I’m always STARVING the first few weeks.
When you feel hungry, go for snacks higher in protein or fat rather than just a basic carb or sugar that won’t keep you full for very long.
Protein and fat will make you feel more full, which means you won’t be craving a snack again as soon.
I loved making energy balls/lactation balls to snack on during the first few weeks postpartum when I was starving! These are also a great food item to bring over to a new moms’ house when bringing a meal.
The first few weeks are not the time to try and lose weight!
Join a support group
Find a La Leche League to join a support group that can both give you advice, and also tell you, you’re not doing this alone!
And yes, everything is normal. And yes, it’s hard, but isn’t your baby’s the sweetest things ever?!
Visit a lactation specialist
Many hospitals offer lactation services after you leave the hospital to make sure your baby is gaining enough weight and drinking enough milk.
It’s hard to tell how much milk your baby is gaining.
A trick is to weigh your baby immediately before a feeding and immediately after!
You’ll see how many ounces of weight your baby gained to see how much they are eating!
Or take this course from a lactation specialist!
How your spouse can support you while breastfeeding
You may be feeling like you’re doing all the work or your spouse is feeling left out because you get to feed the baby all the time.
There are still many ways your spouse can support you while breastfeeding and also bond with your baby.
Help with the pillows
Between your favorite nursing pillow, water bottle with a straw, and getting comfy in your favorite rocking chair to nurse, it’s helpful to have an extra hand to get it all together.
If you need help propping a pillow for your elbow or negotiating a bed, then ask the hubby for help!
This is especially important if you’ve had a C-section where your recovery period will be much more difficult.
Bring water and snacks
As I mentioned above, you’ll need lots of water while breastfeeding.
My favorite water bottle is my 40 oz. Hydroflask* with a straw lid*. I love it because
Ask your hubby to fill up the water and maybe bring you a healthy snack of pistachios if you run out.
When the newborn is hungry, you’ll want to do everything in your power to feed as quickly as possible.
And the husband is essential for this!
Burp the baby after
Once you’re done nursing, you might need to take care of some other personal things, like pumping, putting on a safe nipple cream*, or just going to the bathroom if you’ve been sitting there for a while.
Ask dad to burp the baby, change any necessary diapers, and cuddle the baby post feeding.
Change the diapers
Sometimes just a little bit of company in the dark of night was enough to keep me boosted with energy for those late night feedings.
Ask your spouse to change the diapers whenever your newborn wakes up.
Then he or she can pass the baby to you so you can get a couple more minutes rest.
Swaddle the baby
At the hospital, have the nurses teach you and your spouse the different ways to swaddle a baby.
Make sure your spouse gets a chance to practice and do it too!
My husband is GREAT at swaddling, and our babies always slept longer and better in his swaddles.
Feed the baby once a day
Give yourself a break and let your spouse feed the baby once per day.
While yes, you’ll want to pump while he’s feeding the baby, he’ll be able to connect with your sweet newborn, and hopefully, you can stash a few more ounces of milk for either dates nights or for when you return to work.
Help with dishes
If you’re having to pump a lot, then there will likely be a lot of bottles and pumping parts.
Asking for help with the dishes can be huge so you can sleep when the baby sleep.
Talking about expectations prior to birth can help with the transition until you are more mobile on your feet.
Encourage you
My husband has been the number 1 supporter of me for breastfeeding.
Not only does it save a lot of money in the long-run, but he knows the health benefits.
He kindly lifts me up when I’m tired because, sore, or engorged. His support means the world to me.
P. S. If you want some tips for money savvy mommy’s, grab it here.
Sing and rock
Your baby knows the sound of your husband’s voice from being in the womb.
Encourage him to sing and rock your newborn to soothe him or her.
Hold in front of the mirror
Babies love to look at themselves in the mirror and love to look at faces.
Having dad make silly faces in front of the mirror is a great bonding experience for dad and baby early on.
Are you expecting?
How would it feel to walk into your labor-room anxiety free? This free prenatal online class covers things you’ll experience during labor and delivery to get you ready for the big day!
Resources for breastfeeding new moms
- Different breastfeeding positions for newborns
- Watch a video on the first latch (Warning, this video shows actually newborn latch at a doctor’s office!)
- The difference between mastitis and a plugged duct
- The best postpartum tummy butter to prevent stretch marks*
- How to care for your breasts while nursing
- Toxin Free Vegan Nipple Cream for Sore Nipples*
- Tips for breastfeeding and pumping when you go back to work
- Nipple shields pros and cons
- Natural ways to deal with engorgement
- What is colostrum and why is it important for your newborn
Online Classes for Breastfeeding Moms
Still looking for more information?
- Worried breastfeeding won’t work for you?
- Nervous about the latch hurting?
- Heard horror stories from your friends?
- And want something directly from the mouth of a Certified Lactation Consultant that is inexpensive and you can do from your living room because who has time to attend a 5 part class?
I’ve partnered with Stacey from Milkology to let you know about two inexpensive courses, easy-to-use courses that you can take in your pajamas. They are only $19 each, which is superaffordable plus she offers a 30-day money back guarantee.
I’d say that’s a win-win for everyone to give you peace of mind as you start this journey of motherhood.
Check them out here!
The Ultimate Breastfeeding Class*
The Ultimate Back to Work Pumping Class*
Wow, if you got to the end, you are a breastfeeding superMOM! I’m just saying!
Thanks for taking the time to read.
Are you expecting?
How would it feel to walk into your labor-room anxiety free? This free prenatal online class covers things you’ll experience during labor and delivery to get you ready for the big day!
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