 
One of the things I am most passionate about when it comes to children is breastfeeding if at all possible. I know that in some cases it just does not work out- in fact, I came very close to giving up with my first. After spending 10 days in the NICU, it took him about five weeks to finally decide to nurse. It was a lot of sitting around, it was frustrating, and there were lots of tears, but it was worth it. Since then, I’ve really enjoyed encouraging other women to give nursing a try. I don’t have to tell you all the benefits- I am sure you know them- but I will give some hints on what helped me.
1.) Try to nurse before the baby is ravenous.
Nursing is physically harder for a baby than taking a bottle, so if you wait until they are starving then trying to nurse them might make them mad. When they start getting a little hungry, try to nurse them first.
2.) Try to remain calm.
I know that nothing was more frustrating for me to have my son not want to nurse- after all, it is God’s plan and is the natural thing. I’m not sure why God made it so difficult- I will be sure to ask him in Heaven. 😉 But if you get frustrated, your baby will sense it and it will make nursing even harder.
Getting in a relaxing environment may help- sit in a rocking chair with only a lamp on. It will relax both of you.
3.) Find a support system.
If it not had been for my mom, who really encouraged me (but didn’t berate me) to keep trying, I am pretty sure I would have given up. If you really want to give breastfeeding a fair shot, surround yourself with people who are supportive. I know of women whose mothers/mothers-in-law didn’t support them at all, and they gave up quickly because they simply did not have the encouragement.
I actually had to go to a lactation consultant with my third, and I remember her saying that it was easier for women in past generations because families lived closer together and women could help each other with breastfeeding. That really stuck with me.
Oh, and if you need to go to a lactation specialist- don’t hesitate. I was a bit embarrassed- this was my 3rd child to nurse after all- but I am so glad I went! I spent about 3 hours one day with her, and it was well worth the $75. By that night, Evaleigh was nursing like a pro!
(and that $75 saved me about $1000 in formula!)
4.) A nipple shield, lanolin, and a nursing pillow can be your best friends
The aforementioned lactation specialist gave me a nipple shield, and it made all the difference in the world for Evaleigh. She had to take a few bottles because she lost too much weight in the hospital, and as I mentioned, bottles are easier for the babies. But the nipple shield helps the baby “latch on” to you, and it also protects you from getting sore.
This stuff also helps with soreness- you can apply after each time you nurse, and it’s safe for baby, so you don’t have to rinse it off before nursing.
I love my Boppy, but the real idea is just to get baby where he/she is level with you to nurse. In a pinch, a regular pillow could work by laying it in your lap with baby on top.
5.) Most of all, enjoy your baby
Whether or not you are able to breastfeed, in the end it’s closeness with your baby that counts. Don’t worry, plenty of people have done this while using a bottle!
Did you breastfeed your baby? If so, what are some hints you can share?
About Kelli Hays
