10 Breastfeeding Tips That Can Save Any Nursing Mom’s Day

Apart from its nutritional value, breastfeeding also promotes and strengthens a unique emotional bond between the mother and the baby, which is essential for a child’s mental growth. However, nursing can be challenging, more so, if you are a new mother. And it’s natural to have many questions about it.

To help new mothers enjoy nursing, Bright Side presents an easy guide on what tricks really work. And don’t miss the bonus section at the end for an easy primer on how to hold your baby while breastfeeding.

1. Warm breasts let out more milk.

Massaging your breast using a warm wet towel or taking a warm shower before nursing can result in more milk production. Also, it can help prevent blocked ducts.

2. Lactation cookies and smoothies are a delicious way to boost milk supply.

If you don’t want to go the supplement route to increase milk production, there are lactation cookies and smoothies available too. And you can make them at home, as well, by using lactation boosting ingredients such as fenugreek, oatmeal, and Brewer’s yeast.

3. Use jewelry to track feedings.

Some mothers prefer offering one side during a feeding, while others prefer feeding from both sides. So, whatever your preference, it is important to remember which breast you last fed on; and this might become hard to keep track of at busy times.

An easy trick is to put a ring on a finger on the left hand, if you last fed from your left breast and a ring on a finger on the right hand, if the right breast was last fed on. You can use a bracelet or a hair tie as well.

4. Use milk-savers to catch the leaks.

No mom would want to let even a drop of precious breastmilk go to waste, and a milk-saver is a device that helps you achieve exactly that. It collects and saves leaking breastmilk when you nurse from the other side.

5. Breastmilk supplements increase supply.

Milk supplements can be used to increase milk supply. And the good news is that they are easily available too! There are supplements that can even be enjoyed as a tea as well. But it is recommended that before you try them, you consult a doctor.

6. Store milk in ice-cube trays.

Freezing your pumped milk in ice cube trays is an easy and cost-effective way to store it. Once the milk freezes in the form of cubes, you can store these in regular freezer bags. Breast milk bags are pricey, so this can save you some money. Also, one cube is approximately equal to one ounce, so you know exactly how many cubes to use.

7. Drink a lot of water.

Breast milk is about 90% water. So it’s extremely important that nursing mothers drink enough water to keep themselves healthy and hydrated. It also helps in maintaining and replenishing the milk supply. It is recommended that breastfeeding moms drink about 12 cups (96 ounces) of water daily.

8. For more privacy, while breastfeeding in public, use the double shirt trick.

An easy way to make nursing a bit more private in public places is to use the double shirt method. All you have to do is wear a regular tank top under a shirt.

9. Make popsicles from your breastmilk.

Freezing pumped breastmilk into popsicles is a great way to ease teething for your little prince or princess. If your baby has started eating solid food, then you might even add fruits like banana, apple, avocado, or pear to the milk while freezing.

10. Use cabbage leaves to dry up milk.

Although it is emotionally difficult, every mother has to stop nursing at some point in time. Placing a slightly crushed cabbage leaf (you can use a regular rolling pin to crush it) over your breasts will help in drying up the milk. The cabbage secretes enzymes, which aid in the process.

Bonus: How to hold your baby while breastfeeding.

Making milk is natural, but to perfect the art of breastfeeding requires some practice. Holding the baby properly is essential to help the newborn latch on the right way, to prevent any nipple soreness, and make the experience a pleasure for both the mom and the baby. The infographic above will help you decide which position is the best.

What other tricks do you have up your sleeve? Share them with the world in the comment section below.