15 Common Breastfeeding Mistakes to Avoid

Breastfeeding is not as easy and straightforward as many think, it takes time, effort and practice for both you and your baby to learn the skill. There is a lot that can impact successful breastfeeding like the right position, both of your comfort, good latch, right equipment, self care, nutrition and much more. Phew!!, sounds complicated doesn't it but in reality by avoiding a few of these common breastfeeding mistakes most of us do during our first few weeks of learning how to breastfeed will put us right on track to successful feeding sessions with our little one.

Let us look at the 15 common breastfeeding mistakes and how to avoid them.

Pushing through the Pain

Stop. If you are in pain every time you breastfeed it is time you stop and assess what is causing the pain. Learn what could be the reason - is it a bad latch, position, engorged breasts, cracked nipples, or something that needs to be corrected. Pushing through the pain is the last thing you should be doing as it will not help you are the baby in the long run. Talk to a lactation consultant if need to identify and rectify the issue.

Importance of a Good Latch

The most important of all is a good comfortable latch. Once you are ready, lay your baby in a horizontal position with body and head in one line along your chest. The baby's tummy should touch yours, chin rest on the breast and nose lined with your nipple. Use your two fingers in parallel to baby's lips and support the breast to make it easier for baby take in a mouthful. Don't hold the baby's head tight as they may want to tilt it back or adjust after latch to suckle and swallow comfortably.

Not Using all the Tools

Take all the support you need, from good feeding pillows to milk expressing practices and hand pumps to electric pumps, storage bags for milk stockpile if you are pumping to good feeding practices from pediatrician and lactation consultants. Use anything and everything to aid you in your breastfeeding journey.

Questioning Your Instincts

First time mom's like all of us were once are worried and scared as everything seems so new and overwhelming but as you spend more and more time with your baby you will learn what works best for them and you. You will in no time become a pro at reading their cues, what they need, if they are okay or if something is off. Trust your maternal instincts, no one knows your baby the way you do, don't let anyone tell you, you are not feeding enough, you need a schedule or you need to supplement with formula or pump. Do what you believe is best for the both of you and listen to your inner voice as more often than not it is correct and accurate.

Over Supplementing

Mom's are amazing, their bodies are designed to respond to their baby's needs. The more the baby demands breastmilk the more your body will supply. The milk productions gradually increases to suit your growing baby's intake and growth spurts. There will be times when they feed more than usual but trust that your body will respond. Don't supplement the baby with formula unless advised to do so by your doctor as your breastmilk maybe more than sufficient. Supplementing without medical supervision may lead to reduce milk production as your body will respond to reduced intake and also overfeeding the baby with formula on top of breastmilk will lead to unhealthy weight gain.

Using Pacifiers or Feeding Bottles too Early

Wait till your baby is at least a month old before you introduce them to pacifiers. While research shows that pacifiers can help with SIDS and also soothe them, if introduced early it will cause nipple confusion. They may prefer one nipple over the other and same happens with feeding bottles too. While bottle may be inevitable in few cases for others wait till you establish a feeding routine with the baby and let them get a hang of good tight latch at your breast for few weeks before introducing other nipples.

Missing the Hunger Cues

Learn to identify your baby's hunger cues like lip smacking, hand to mouth, rooting or turning head as this will help avoid delaying the feed. Cranky baby's are more difficult to latch and may not calm down easily. You would want your baby to be comfortable and relaxed to feed.

Skipping Feeding Sessions

We completely understand how exhausting it gets sometimes, your baby may be fast asleep or just not in the mood to feed while occasional skips may not be an issue but try not to do it as your body works on demand supply model so if it assumes the need is less the production will drop and takes a while to get it back up.

Encourage your baby to feed even if they let go after a minute of latch or are disinterested, don't assume they are not hungry as they may just be tired of trying. Help them to establish and good latch and successfully complete the feeding session.

Skipping Pumping Sessions

It is not easy to get your self to systematically pump each day whether you are tired, had a long day at work or just sleepy it is very important that you empty your breasts. It not just prevent from engorgement but also helps increase and maintain the breastmilk supply to meet your growing baby's needs. The more frequently you pump the more you will produce.

Wearing ill fitted Clothes

As surprising as this may seem, it is actually true. Ill fitted bras and tight chest hugging clothes don't give the breasts the support and care they need. Tight bras and clothes could clog the ducts and cause a lot of pain and discomfort or even bruise. Your breast need to be well supported and have space to breathe so they don't hurt and get sore.

Tongue Tie in Babies

This happens before the baby is born, the tip of the tongue doesn't separate from the floor rather stays intact or tight making it difficult for baby to move the tongue sideways or to the roof. Based on the severity, it could be difficult for babies to establish a good latch and breastfeed without medical intervention. If you suspect your baby has this issue talk to your doctor.

Not Feeding when Sick

Many refrain from breastfeeding the baby when sick, unless told to do so by the doctor your breastmilk will actually pass on the antibodies to your baby which helps build immunity. Talk to your doctor about this before refraining from feeding your baby as this will impact the breastmilk supply.

Not Getting Timely Help

Don't let the difficulty to latch or feed to go on for long before you seek help. There is no shame in reaching out to the professionals whenever you are stuck. It is a learning process for every mom and baby and no two babies are same so you may have to work with your lactation consultant and try different positions and techniques before you succeed. So hang in there mama

Going on Guilt Trip

All our journeys are beautiful as they are unique, what worked for your friends, family, neighbour or just random stranger may not necessarily work for you so don't let them guilt you. Take the good from the advice and try if it fits for your situation but in the end you decide what and how you want to feed your baby. Be proud of how far you have come, your body did something amazing and you know the best for your family.

Importance of Self Care

Everything starts from you mama, you need to stay healthy, happy and hydrated so you can care for you little one. Don't put yourself on hold, make your needs a priority, get lots of rest, good food, exercise and the much need and appreciated me time so you can stay sane. Ask for help with household chores, shopping or pay someone to help you. Don't feel guilty to pamper yourself from time to time. You birthed a whole new human being and your body deserves to rest, recoup and rejuvenate.