Nursing Tips and Tricks
Average Read Time: 7-9 minutes
Adapted from “Queer Nursing” by Liesel Burisch, “Breastfeeding Made Simple” by Nancy Mohrbacher and Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, the BLACK Course, “Feed the Baby” by Victoria Facelli and La Leche League!
This is an overview of some tips and tricks to help with different topics related to nursing. I highly recommend seeing an IBCLC during the first few days and weeks after your baby comes home to help with proper latch, cadence and weight gains. Always consult with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns.
Want to connect to an IBCLC right away, and possibly use your insurance? Visit The Lactation Network website to find someone available right away! They can help you navigate the planning and insurance logistics.
Nursing Positions
The first thing to remember is to make sure that YOU are comfortable! You’ll be here awhile, so make sure you’re able to relax. Have water and snacks nearby, as well as a burping cloth and clothes/blankets to keep you both cozy.
There are many positions to try when nursing! For copyright issues, I cannot reproduce them right now, but google and find different positions to try! :)
Oxytocin is key!
Oxytocin (our body’s love hormone) helps us produce prolactin, our milk hormone! There are so many benefits to oxytocin for nursing, including:
Greater blood flow to breast/chest
Increased appetite and greater digestive efficiency
Decreased blood pressure and less creation of stress hormones
Increased ability to learn and adapt
Increased blood sugar and insulin levels
Increased pain threshold and would
Helps with milk let down
There are many ways to produce oxytocin in your body, but skin to skin with your baby is a great place to start! Wear a button down shirt so you can easily open it and have direct contact with your little one.
What else makes you feel safe, loved and comforted? Some people like to watch a good TV show, others want to cuddle with their partner, some want to eat a delicious meal! What brings you oxytocin? Do that thing to help get your oxytocin flowing!
Create a comfort zone for you and baby
Many babies feed best on their tummy, but try multiple positions, since each baby is unique
Have your baby in a straight line from head, shoulders and hips.
Body contact can help with latching
Align baby’s nose with your nipple, and make sure their mouth is wide open
Creating a resistance on your baby’s feet (something they can push against) can help trigger neonatal signals in their brains, helping them relax and feed easier.
Avoid pressure on your baby’s head
Scheduling
In the first few weeks, your baby is going to feed on demand, and that’s OK!
Babies' stomachs are small and not stretchable right away. Here’s a table of roughly how much baby is feeding in a sitting:
Three days - 1 oz
One week - 1.5 oz
Two weeks - 2-2.5 oz
One month - 3-4 oz
Let your baby be your guide. Learn their feeding cues - rooting, mouth opening and closing, putting their hand in their mouth, etc.
A good cadence can be feeding from one side, then burping and diaper change, and then feeding from the other. Change sides follow your baby’s signal.
On average, newborns feed 20-40 minutes at a time. Some pauses in feeding are totally normal.
Weight Gain
Below is a rough guide to help you figure out if your baby is gaining enough weight. Never weigh your baby yourself. Always refer to your pediatrician or IBCLC to accurately weigh your baby.
Birth to 4 days old: loss of 7-10% of birth weight
4 days - 4 months: Gain of 7-8 oz per week
4-6 months: Gain of 4-5 oz per week
6-12 months: 3-4 oz per week
Tips for Pumping
Make sure to have your nipples measured for the correct size flange. You can self-measure or have an IBCLC help you
Do something else while you pump, like watch a relaxing show or listen to music. This will help the time go faster!
Put a sock over your pump so you aren’t obsessively watching the amount coming out. This stress-relief can actually help you produce more milk!
Massage your breast/chest with warm hands before and during your pumping session to help with milk flow. (Bonus - have someone you love massage you! This helps create oxytocin!)
Allow a short break every 5-10m. This simulates a baby taking a break to swallow, move, etc.
Partners/Friends/Village - How to Support a Nursing Parent
Encourage patience and remind them that nursing is a learned skill! It will become better and easier over time
Help find resources
Create a comfortable environment - check that the nursing parent has everything they need (water, snacks, pillows, socks, etc.) and help them get into a comfortable position. Offer entertainment or privacy, whatever the nursing parent needs in the moment (remember this can also change!)
Massaging chest/breast (ask for consent first!), or offer massage of shoulders or feet. Help them relax and help them create that oxytocin!
Develop your own style for nurturing and soothing your baby. Maybe you are in charge of burping and diaper changes, a specific part of the bedtime routine, etc. Maybe you spend quality time babywearing each day. Figure out what works best for you to develop your own relationship with your baby
Give the nursing parent alone time to help them rest and recharge themselves. Aim for an hour!
Provide nourishing, warm meals for the nursing parent. Make sure they are getting enough protein, vegetables, fibers, and deliciousness!
Final Tips and Tricks
After feeding, give your baby some upright time. Gravity will help move your milk into their body, and will help them with gas and reflux. Rest with them propped on your legs and spend some still, upright time together!
Coconut oil makes an amazing and anti-fungal nipple balm. You can also use your own milk as a moisturizer for your nipples!
Wear a nursing bra that does not have underwire. Find one that is supportive, easy to unhook with one hand, and is comfortable to live in! When you find one you love, buy a few - you’ll use them!
Plan on pumping and dumping after drinking? Save that milk in the freezer! That milk still has wonderful moisturizing and healing properties that can be added to a bath or used as nipple balm! Just make sure you label it properly :)
I am not a trained lactation consultant or IBCLC. I have EXCELLENT recommendations for people in the Chicagoland area to support you! Reach out here and let’s connect :)
Remember, I am not a medical professional! These are tips and tricks I’ve gained through training and my own learning, as well as experience helping families in their breastfeeding journey! Always refer to your medical team for any questions or concerns you have.
