4 Essential Life Hacks on Breastfeeding for New Moms

Most moms recognize that breastfeeding is a wholesome way to nourish newborns. Unfortunately, public settings don’t always accommodate breastfeeding moms. Chances are if you choose to breastfeed, you’ll also have to refrigerate breastmilk for future use. This means every mom needs a routine that makes it possible to pump, store and feed breastmilk both discreetly, and hygienically.

Breast Milk is Beneficial for Moms and Babies:

The USDA’s WIC Breastfeeding Support program advises that “For moms, breastfeeding can help you recover more quickly from childbirth. It can also reduce your risk for certain breast and ovarian cancers, as well as type 2 diabetes. Breastfeeding may also help you lose weight after childbirth. The skin-to-skin contact from breastfeeding also boosts maternal levels of oxytocin, a hormone that helps breast milk flow, and helps you feel calm.” Here are a few quick tips on the ideal way to pump and bottle-feed breastmilk:

1.    Schedule When You Express Breast Milk:

If you can’t breastfeed your baby directly, make sure to pump during times when your baby would normally eat. This helps the body produce milk on a continuous cycle that matches your baby’s natural feeding habits.

2.    Wash Your Hands:

Before breastfeeding or pumping, hands should be washed with soap and water. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol. Make sure the area where you’re pumping, and your pumping utensils, are clean.

3.    Avoid Feeding/Pumping When Stressed:

If you have trouble getting breast milk to flow when your baby is absent, calm down and clear your mind. Stress can actually interfere with lactation. Thinking fondly about your baby, massaging, and relaxing are effective ways of overcoming performance anxiety.

4.    Practice Regularly:

There are two main ways to express breastmilk, massaging by hand and mechanical pumps. Both of these methods need practice and coordination. So don’t beat yourself up if it takes a few tries to get things right.

Conclusion:

Whether you’re a stay-at-home-mom, or you’re balancing motherhood with a career, breastfeeding your baby is a task that requires preparation and planning. The bad news is that feeding babies with breastmilk can be elaborate. But the good news is that all the trouble is more than worth it in the long run. If you like what you just read from our blog, you’ll love the various informative courses, workshops, and events listed on our websites and social media. Whether you’re interested in personal development, health and wellness, bettering your relationships, or the overall improvement of your business, give us a call at 1 (800) 913-0222 to find out how Richard Martinez can help you break past your daily struggles and start soaring in success.