Instructions
| Top Five Breastfeeding Tips From the Best for Babes© Foundation 1. Prepare in advance Treat breastfeeding like planning a wedding, or interviewing for a job. Take a class, join or create a support group, interview lactation consultants (just in case). Enroll your spouse - their support is key. Make sure your employer understands that breastfeeding equals greater productivity and accommodates your return to work. You and your baby are worth it - the benefits of breastfeeding last a lifetime! 2. Get inspired Talk to a friend or relative who enjoyed breastfeeding, or read up on celebrity moms and everyday role models. Watch a mom nurse and ask questions. Know what motivates you - that special bond, fewer dishes, or fewer trips to the doctor for both of you! Scope out spots to nurse so you can get out of the house. Psych yourself up - you can do it!  3. Beat the “Booby Traps” Have a game plan for any bumps along the way. Make sure your ob-gyn, hospital and pediatrician are truly breastfeeding-friendly. Check out their breastfeeding success rates! Find local resources - think expert coach and cheering squad to reach your personal best. Remind nosybodies and naysayers that we know more now, just like seatbelts and sunscreen! Remember, almost all women can breastfeed successfully, and 95% of problems are easily solved with the right help. 4. Hit the ground running Aim for a good latch within an hour of birth and get a pro to help you; pain is not okay! Your baby is programmed to go straight from birth to the breast, both for comfort and colostrum - so weighing, tests, and relatives can wait. Snuggle up: skin-to-skin contact boosts your supply and cues baby to latch well. Demand pasteurized, screened donor milk if a supplement is medically required. 5. Get in the groove Remember, the first few days and weeks are a learning curve, but like riding a bike, you’ll get the hang of it soon. Keep phone numbers of your support group and top lactation consultants handy, and get help immediately if you have any pain. Ask friends and family to bring a meal or watch the baby while you nap. Set small, manageable goals and acknowledge yourself!  (photography by Larry Bercow) Best for Babes® is giving breastfeeding a makeover and beating the "booby traps" - the barriers that keep moms from reaching their personal breastfeeding goals. For the ultimate breastfeeding preparation checklist and more info, visit www.bestforbabes.org
|
Shopping Bag