Breastfeeding: Advice and Encouragement for New Moms

The decision to breastfeed wasn’t really one I thought very much about – I knew the health benefits, that it was good for mother and baby, not to mention convenient for a hungry baby on-the-go. How hard can it be, I thought? Millions of women do this all the time! How wrong I was. I didn’t struggle as much as some mamas do, but boy oh boy those first few weeks and months were stressful, painful, and just really hard. I am forever grateful for the support system and resources I had: a lactation consultant and nurse practitioner on speed dial, the ability to do a quick Google search with questions, and several really good friends who reassured me the difficulties pass and it gets better. To all you expectant or new mamas out there, hang in, it will get better. Millions of women DO do this all the time; there is a network of ladies out there cheering you on. You’ve joined a pretty great club! – Ashley, United States

Being a nutritionist myself, I know the power of breastfeeding. It is much more than a food which provides optimum nutrition to the baby; it keeps the child active and infections at bay. I have two girls: Shyla (nine years old) and Sadhya (four years old) and have followed WHO breastfeeding guidelines to the core. Small children fall ill frequently as their immune system is still developing for their first three years, but I have personally experienced that my kids fell ill less as infants, and even now that they’re older, compared to formula fed children in the neighborhood. It is because of my core belief in the benefits of breastfeeding and my mother-in-law’s support that made it possible for me to breastfeed my children exclusively till six months and with continued breastfeeding till two years of age. I started working when Shyla was four months old and Sadhya was six months old. I used to express milk at my workplace and at home, which my mother-in-law used to feed them in my absence. It is a sheer joy as a new mother to see your baby grow and thrive on your breastmilk alone. What a satisfying feeling! No less than a God’s marvel! Only a woman can enjoy. – Ruchika, India.

I’ve always just assumed that I would breastfeed. My mom is a community health worker in Detroit and her focus has always been on newborn and child health, so she’s been a major source of support for me. She normalized it for me. Then, when I started breastfeeding myself and realized how difficult it can be, I got some great support from other moms I know and my doctors who encouraged me to push through. To new moms, first I’d say that IT GETS BETTER! Take the time to care for your nipples and practice your latch. People make it seem like just because it’s a natural thing to do that it’s somehow easy and painless, but breastfeeding moms know that isn’t always true. Secondly, I’d tell new moms to do their best and stick with it, but not at the expense of your sanity or your body. It’s not a given that all women are able to breastfeed. Mastitis, thrush and other conditions can take a serious toll on your physical and mental health. Don’t waste the short amount of time you have with baby before going back to work by feeling guilty about it. – Cristina, United States.

Breast milk is the best gift a mom can ever give to their little bundle of joy. It has all the nutrients a baby needs, including antibodies to help baby fight off any infections, and one doesn’t have to worry about sterilizing bottles and the risk of contaminating baby’s milk during preparation. I also enjoy the skin-to-skin contact with my baby during breastfeeding. I feel really close to my baby, especially if I’ve been away at work, and I look forward to some bonding time during his feeds. My family supported me a lot, especially my husband and my mum. Hubby kept the cups of tea coming and my mum prepared delicious meals for me, and I just focused on feeding my baby on demand. My work colleagues gave me useful advice about preparing to return to work, investing in a good breast pump, and also expressing and storing milk supplies while I was on maternity leave, so that there was enough for baby when I was at work. Advice for new moms: Be patient, sometimes the milk takes a while to come in, it can get frustrating for you and baby, but don’t give up: keep baby on the breast, the milk does come in eventually. The baby can take a while to latch on the breast properly, but practice makes perfect. Keep at it, and eventually you and baby will get the hang of it! – Yolanda, South Africa.

When I did my MPH, I constantly chose research papers or group projects focused on exclusive breastfeeding. I quickly became an ardent advocate for breastfeeding and felt like something of an expert. I knew I would breastfeed when I had children. Then I had my son and actually tried to do it myself, and I realized I was not even close to an expert! Breastfeeding is natural, but it is not easy! The first few months were a struggle, and I do not think I would have made it without the support of lactation consultants and my circle of friends who had been through it before me. My advice to new moms is believe in yourself and ask for help! And enjoy those special moments with your baby, soon they will be a rambunctious toddler with little interest in snuggling on your lap. – Kelly, United States.