Cradle, Cross-Cradle, Football, Laid Back, Side-Lying, Koala……which one is the best breastfeeding positions? Should you try them all? Are certain positions better in certain situations? What about pumping positions? Do I need to hunch forward the entire time? How can I provide extra support to keep my back, neck, and shoulders from getting sore? Rest easy, mama! There is no need to stress about which breastfeeding position to use. With some simple tips, any breastfeeding position can be effective and comfortable. New moms, your pumping sessions doesn’t have to be a pain in the neck!
Information about how to manage engorgement and clogged ducts can be found all over the internet. But how do you know what’s true? Did you know that some of the most commonly recommended treatments can actually make engorgement and clogged ducts worse, possibly even leading to mastitis? Both clogged ducts and engorgement fall into a spectrum of breast inflammation. Breast engorgement and clogged ducts can happen at any time during your breastfeeding journey. Having the most up-to-date information about how to manage these conditions can keep you moving toward your breastfeeding goals.
Valentine's Day is all about love. In this new season of life as a breastfeeding mom, it’s not unusual to feel like you’re already giving all you’ve got in the love department. As moms, we spend our days and nights worrying about how our little ones are doing. Worrying about milk supply, pumping output, latch, diaper counts, naps, tummy time, and more fill our thoughts to the point that thinking about anything else can bring on the dreaded mom guilt. Remember, mamas, that we are interconnected with our babies. This means how the baby is doing impacts how we’re doing and how we’re doing impacts how the baby is doing. Caring for yourself is an important part of caring for your baby! Remind yourself that mom guilt shouldn’t be allowed to take hold when you’re devoting some time and attention to your self-care.
As a new mom, there is so much to learn! It’s not uncommon for my patients to tell me they spent so much of their pregnancy focused on labor, birth, and baby care to then be overwhelmed by all there is to learn about breastfeeding in the first weeks postpartum. Whether you’re preparing for a baby’s birth or your little one has already arrived, this breakdown of my top 5 ways to make breastfeeding more comfortable summarizes some key info you need to know to optimize your breastfeeding experience.
Though anatomy drawings, breastfeeding illustrations, and social media posts often depict tight, round breasts with symmetrical and protruding nipple shapes, it’s important to know that nipples come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. In fact, your nipples may not even be the same shape and size as each other! Pumping with flat or inverted nipples can pose some extra challenges, but with the info in this guide, you’ll navigate the process with ease!
