12 BREASTFEEDING TIPS

All of my breastfeeding tips are solely out of my own experiences as a mom who has breastfed twice now (still am).

I’m not gonna lie to you at all. Breastfeeding is very real & very very raw. There is beauty to it, but there is also pain.

Side note: How many times do you think I’m gonna say the words “nipples” or “boobs” in this post?? LOL

So if you’re interested in knowing my experiences & advice, continue reading for my breastfeeding tips & things I wish I knew sooner.

But first….

MY BREASTFEEDING ESSENTIALS:

“Don’t cry over spilled milk. Unless it’s breast milk, in which case, cry a lot.” – Unknown

This post may contain affiliate links. That means we may make a small commission on items purchased through links in this post at no extra cost to you! Full Disclosure here.

1. PROPER LATCHING/ POSITIONS

There are so many different breastfeeding positions to choose from and what’s comfortable for you, may not be comfortable for your baby.

2 weeks after I had my first baby, I almost gave up breastfeeding. What was comfortable for my baby wasn’t comfortable for me. I was only able to feed her off of one boob and had to pump the other since she always cried on that side. We were both miserable & I was scared.

I thought that because she liked to be in the cradle hold position on the right, she had to be in it on the left too. Absolutely not the case.

Right before I gave up breastfeeding, I decided to try multiple positions when feeding her on the left side in hopes she finds a comfortable latch. Turned out to be a good call! She needed to be in a cradle hold on the right but an upright cross- cradle hold on the left!

Latch positions aren’t a one size fits all. Switch up positions before thinking your baby has a bad latch or assuming you don’t produce enough milk!

2. PAIN

The pain. Whew chileeee.

Okay so when you first have your baby & start breastfeeding, your uterus is going to continue to contract each time you breastfeed. It lasts for about 1-2 weeks and definitely does get better with time! The first 3 days are the worst in my opinion.

I’m no doctor so don’t quote me, but this is due to oxytocin release being triggered by the breastfeeding.

Don’t let this scare you out of breastfeeding!! After the first couple days you barely notice anymore.

To better describe the pain, the first couple days it feels like mild contractions, kinda like the early stages of labor. After that, it’s more like veryy mild cramps.

3. HYDRATING

Um, breastfeeding makes you really really really thirsty. I’ll be feeling perfectly fine until I pop my baby on my boob & BOOM, instantly dying of thirst.

Try to always keep water near you when you know you’re gonna breastfeed so you can stay hydrated.

I know there are mixed opinions on whether or not drinking more water means you’ll produce more milk. Honestly, I don’t even know. I’ve always been a water drinker so I couldn’t tell you if your supply would fluctuate.

I could tell you though that naturally your supply fluctuates anyway, whether or not you drink a gallon of water a day.

My opinion would be to increase your water intake to ensure your body has the water and electrolytes it needs to produce milk for your baby.

4. CLOGGED DUCTS

UGH, these hurt like a B**!!

A clogged milk duct is when milk can’t flow through a specific duct because it’s blocked. This could happen because your baby didn’t feed at the usual time, your baby stopped feeding before your letdown, your baby has a bad latch, or a feeding/ pumping session was skipped.

Pretty much, too much milk filled up in your boob and didn’t get to drain in time causing 1 or more ducts to get clogged.

Warm compresses, massages in the shower under water, ibuprofen, continuing breastfeeding/ pumping, and hand expression are all ways that have helped me clear my clogged ducts.

(Take the ibuprofen before you massage it because, ouch).

5. MASTITIS

Let me start with no I’m not a doctor, but if its one thing I have experience in, it’s getting mastitis (3 times).

Did I say a clogged duct hurts like a B**? Yeah well mastitis is that B**s momma!

Okay so mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue. It’s caused by clogged milk ducts or bacteria that entered through the nipple.

It literally feels like the flu. I was miserable and weak each time I got it. High fever, body aches, chills, a terrible pain in my boob.

If you ever think you have mastitis and are unsuccessful with at home remedies (cold compress, light rubbing ibuprofen and continuous breastfeeding) you should talk to your doctor for further treatment.

Note: The best thing you could do while having mastitis is breastfeed your baby on that breast (or pump). Breast infections don’t pass through breastmilk.

6. CLUSTER FEEDING

Actually, my baby is currently going through this. Cluster feeding is when your baby is wanting short but frequent feedings. This usually happens around growth spurts or “milestones.”

Cluster feedings last about 2 days but can definitely feel a lot longer.

During these times I like to keep my snacks and water close by to keep me hydrated. I also make sure to change breasts each time my baby wants to eat, even if it feels like they didn’t get a full feeding from the last breast.

7. OATMEAL

Okay of all my breastfeeding tips to remember from this post PLEASE let it be oatmeal!! This is my best friend when I breastfeed.

Around 3 months pp, my supply dropped with both of my kids. Luckily, I remembered how important oats were this second time around so I didn’t have to go through that same “how will my baby eat” panic.

Every morning I eat a bowl of oatmeal and honestly that does the trick for me. It helps me produce more than enough for my baby.

Even for snacks, I LOVE me some iced oatmeal cookies ( I use breastfeeding as an excuse for eating a pack of these by myself).

Seriously, my biggest breastfeeding tip is to eat some oats. Anything with oats.

8. NIPPLE CREAM

Also my best friend. During your breastfeeding journey, your nipples will likely crack, itch, and/or be sore at least 3 or 4 times.

During my first run with breastfeeding, my nipples cracked so bad they started bleeding ( not as painful as it sounds, but so damn freaky). I had nipple cream, but didn’t think to use it as often as I should’ve. More like a “as needed” type of thing.

This time around, I make sure it goes on every morning, every night, and definitely as needed throughout the day.

I’ve tried 2 different brands and the one I enjoy most is this Lansinoh organic nipple balm.

It’s safe for baby to eat after application and lasts a while. I’ve been using the same container for 10 months now!

9. BE CAUTIOUS OF WHAT YOU EAT/ DRINK

Like all things in life, babies are not all the same. What affects one baby may not affect yours at all. That being said, there are certain things you’ll eat or drink that could bother your breastfed baby’s belly.

One night my first baby would NOT stop screaming. I tried everything, EVERYTHING. Then I felt her belly and instantly felt it bubbling!! I felt sooo bad. Sooo freaking bad.

I sat there trying to figure out what I had eaten/ drank within the day that could be causing all her trapped gas. Turns out, it was a soda!! Not that they’re good for you anyway, but sometimes carbonated beverages affect our breastfed babies bellies.

Foods like beans, some dairy products, broccoli, excess garlic, and extra spicy foods may cause some sensitivity in your baby’s belly. Then there’s caffeine. Just like when you were pregnant, you should limit your caffeine intake while breastfeeding too.

All this aside, there really aren’t any particular foods/ drinks that you HAVE to avoid while breastfeeding (except alcohol, obviously). Your baby’s belly can just get sensitive to certain things from time to time.

Make sure to speak to your pediatrician if you have any concerns on your baby’s health and wellness.

10. WHEN IN DOUBT, WHIP A BOOB OUT

I’m not even kidding lol I’ll be the first to admit that the second my baby starts fussing, I will whip a boob out. Even if they aren’t hungry, sometimes they just want to soothe themselves. You WILL become a human pacifier.

11. FEEDING CUES

Overtime, you’ll start to recognize your baby’s feeding cues. Feeding cues are exactly what they sound like; your baby’s way of showing you they’re hungry since they can’t talk. Some of my baby’s are:

“NEH sound”
Open mouth
Hands in mouth
Suckling

It’ll take time, but try to pay attention to your baby’s cues because they’ll tell you all you need to know.

12. SOMETIMES YOUR LETDOWN WILL HURT

I was always warned about how painful it is when your boob is engorged, but what no one ever told me (and what I forgot about second time around) was that sometimes that letdown hurts like a b**.

A couple times now I’ve had one that literally felt like someone was putting a million little needles into my boob at the same time. OUCH.

Oooh and there was that one time where I had so much pressure on my nipple that I thought it fell off. (It didn’t… and hopefully won’t).

Good news, the pains come and go. They also dont last too long.

As beautiful as it is, breastfeeding also has its painful moments but, don’t let that scare you out of the experience.

If breastfeeding is something that you’re interested in doing or trying, go for it. I breastfed my first daughter for 1 year & am currently still breastfeeding my 10 month old.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Before I end my breastfeeding tips, I want you to know, you dont get an award for breastfeeding over formula feeding. Your decision to breastfeed is based on your preferences and desired experiences.

A fed baby is a happy baby & mommy. Good luck mommas!

“No matter if you do it for a day, a week, a month, or a year – you are amazing.” – Sif

Be sure to check out my baby registry checklist for all my essentials as a breastfeeding mom of 2!

12 BREASTFEEDING TIPS

MY BREASTFEEDING ESSENTIALS: