•Avoid nipple shields. These allow the baby to latch onto the shield, not the breast. This may decrease your milk supply.
•Initially avoid supplementing with formula or pacifiers. These decrease nursing time. The baby’s nursing is the way your body knows to produce breast-milk. They also confuse the baby on accepting mom’s nipple.
•Don’t worry that there is not milk at first. Colostrum is there and that is just what your baby needs for a good start. Expect your milk to come in within 36-72 hours after delivery. You will usually be aware that they milk “is there” and you may be sore. This will pass with nursing, warm showers, and compresses.
Remember, when the milk arrives, that it is your baby’s nursing that stimulates breast milk production. Interrupting nursing with supplements and pacifiers will delay breast milk production.
•Take care of yourself. East well, drink plenty of fluids, and rest.
•Open the baby’s mouth to ensure contact with the whole areola, not just the nipple.
•Ask for help from the staff, doctors, and your family.
Feeding and preparation for feeding will occupy a lot of your time with your baby over the first month. Once you have begun breastfeeding, it is helpful to establish a routine for getting ready to nurse. Prior to nursing, wash your hands, gather whatever you need during nursing (a beverage, burp cloth, reading material), and consider taking the telephone off the hook so that you can nurse undisturbed.
