Depending on your circumstances, you may not have people volunteering to teach you these things. Make sure you ask for what you need!
- Learn how to properly hand express. Have a nurse or lactation consultant teach you the proper technique. Have someone watch you to see if you are doing it properly.
- Learn how to use a breast pump. Even if you don’t need to pump in the early days, have a nurse or LC teach you how to set it up, how to check that your nipples fit properly in the flange, and how to adjust the settings.
- Have someone watch at least one entire nursing session on both breasts preferably three times a day but at least once a day. Make sure if the nurse/LC latches the baby for you, you unlatch and latch again so that she can observe you doing it. Each professional has differing advice and tips about breastfeeding. Instead of seeing this as frustrating, see it as an opportunity to learn a lot of different perspectives. Take some tips, ignore others. There is no one right way to breastfeed.
- It doesn’t matter if a nurse or lactation consultant can latch your baby. You must be able to latch your baby comfortably yourself!
- Find out who to call and where to go if you have breastfeeding difficulty after discharge. You can text, 302-501-5224, or email, info@balancedbreastfeeding.com, Balanced Breastfeeding anytime of day to set up a consultation.
