- Give baby a pacifier/or bottle until bf is established; make sure your healthcare team is aware of this preference (many babies come back from the nursery with a pacifier in tow)
- Give into the nurses request postpartum to give baby a bottle, the first night is by far the worst; along with the first few weeks! Yes they are trying to be helpful, but in the end it can cause set-backs
- Skip feedings without pumping the milk; if a bottle is used in lieu of bf, pump to keep your supply up
- Be afraid to ask for help; the hospitals have lactation consultants and there are resources available in the community for when you go home
- Be embarrassed of nursing in public; it's the way mother nature intended our babies be fed
- Don't wipe your nipples or dry them after feeding; allow residual breast milk to air dry (helps prevents cracked/sore nipples)
- Be afraid of the "PAIN" associated with bf; if your baby is latched on correctly, the pain is minimal, and once bf is established, you'll be able to sleep through it (promise)
- Give up, the first week or so postpartum will be VERY TRYING AND TIRING; in the end it will be for the greater you good.
With such a postpartum brain, this is all I can think of for now, but there is more to come...any questions or suggestions please feel free to comment!
