Breastfeeding

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Breastfeeding

Trust your body: Breastfeeding Confidence

Many women lack the confidence to even attempt breastfeeding for fear of failure. But, what they may not understand is that nine months of anxiety cannot undo what nature has equipped humans to do since the dawn of time.

Though breastfeeding is natural, it is not necessarily instinctive to every first-time mother. The very best way to be prepared for the challenges and joys of breastfeeding is to “be prepared.”

Kim Cavaliero of La Leche League, Intl. recommends that all pregnant mothers find resources, organizations, and people with similar concerns and a history of success. “Most women can breastfeed, but they just need to know that they can, and that there are a lot of myths.”

Allison, 25, has a four year old child she tried to nurse, but gave up a few days into it because she didn’t think she could make enough milk.
Myth #1: I cannot create enough milk for my baby.

A woman’s body gives her the direction she needs in this area, it’s called supply and demand. The more a woman breastfeeds, the more supply her body will create.

“This is a common misperception because many think that because the baby is fussy that she isn’t making enough,” says nurse-midwife Nicole Rouhana. “Early on, your body is getting used to the baby, and the milk may produce at irregular intervals, but with time (typically 2 weeks) your body will begin to recognize when more milk is needed, and produce all that your baby will ever need.”

How do you know baby is getting enough? A good rule of thumb is if she is producing 6-8 wet diapers per day, she is getting enough milk. While the experts agree that there is no sure “formula for success,” woman would do well to listen to their bodies and their babies. “Your baby will help you figure out when and how to nurse,” says Claire Westdahl a nurse-midwife based at Atlanta’s Emory University, and breastfeeding expert.

Delia, 21, is expecting her first child and believes that since her mother couldn’t breastfeed, she cannot.
Myth #2: Since my mother, sister, and aunt didn’t breastfeed, I can’t either.

There is no research to suggest a genetic link between women’s ability to breastfeed. In fact, science has shown that the great majority of women are able to breastfeed. Sometimes moms don’t know what to expect because many have never done it before, but there are people who can help and women must always remember that they are not alone.

The chart below gives a brief overview of what woman can expect from their breasts. What may begin as frustration, can blossom into a mutually enjoyable relationship.

Your body did a great job of growing the baby. Trust your breasts to do their work. Trust baby to help things along as well. Each baby is unique, but the typical breastfed baby will nurse every 2-3 hours while formula fed babies feed every 4-5 hours. Why the difference? Breasts fed babies nurse longer because of the work required; and more frequently because the proteins found in breast milk are more readily digestible. Because the nipple on a bottle is different and less work is required the process is often quicker; but the proteins in formula are not as quickly digested and processed by the baby’s body, so feedings are less frequent.

“Be patient, be prepared, be knowledgeable,” says Rouhana. “Much in the way women learn to do anything from trial, error, and eventual success, so too can a woman’s confidence can grow through seeing her baby grow and develop appropriately, and from the knowledge that she is giving him the best nutrition possible.”

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