So...you're not finding breastfeeding easy?

As a new mom, you want everything to be perfect, right? You think that as soon as your baby is born, they will be able to suckle from your breast because that’s the most natural thing in the world. But then reality hits. It’s not all that it cracks up to be. You can’t get the latch right. You’re worried your baby isn’t getting enough milk, and you feel like a failure because you’re tired, your nipples are hurting and all your baby wants to do is feed. Constantly. You can’t remember the last time both your breasts were in a bra.

Welcome to the world of the breastfeeding mom. It’s not easy. At all. You will probably feel like giving up, and will vow to do so at least five times a day.

You're not alone!

This experience is typical of every new breastfeeding mom. Although some will find it easier than others, all will agree it isn’t plain sailing.

So below are some tips and techniques which you will find useful, without a doubt. They might not be the answer to all your problems, but they will help you out, that much is a guarantee.

Tips and tricks

The first thing is to relax. You will feel uptight and stressed, that’s understandable, but your baby will pick up on these emotions and it will make the whole process harder. So take a deep breath, calm down and begin again.

Ask for help from people around you. Yes, there will be lactation consultants in the hospital, so pump them for all the information you can, get them to help with your positioning and ask them any questions, even if you think you’re asking something really dumb. You’re not. Also get your partner involved. You will be trying to juggle your position, hold the baby right and get them to latch. It’s not easy, so an extra pair of hands is invaluable until you get used to it.

You will find that you are constantly feeding. This is a good thing, not bad. Your baby will be feeding for comfort as well as for nutrition. The more they feed, the more your supply increases, so keep going. Prepare yourself for the long haul. Surround yourself with enough food, water and TV box sets as you’ll probably be sitting there for a while! The main thing is that you both need to be comfortable, so a nursing pillow can help to ensure your arms don’t feel like they are falling off!

Expressed breast milk will cure your cracked nipples better than anything else out there. And it doesn’t cost a dime. So before you spend loads on expensive creams, give your milk a go first. It’s the best natural healer ever.

Try and express to build up a store of breast milk so that someone else can take over to give you a rest. Your baby may not take to a bottle straight away, but if they do, it will help you out and you can take a nap for a while. Plus it helps to make daddy feel like he can get involved too. You can keep breast milk in the refrigerator and freezer too.

Don't worry about feeding in public. It'll take some getting used to. You'll feel more self-conscious than people around you. The best thing to do is to invest in a nursing cover. The one below is great as it means you can see the baby perfectly and also you are covered at the same time.

And remember...

Don’t be too hard on yourself. You are doing one of the most amazing things in the world for your baby, they may not be able to thank you, but you will remember this forever as being one of the biggest achievements as a mom, no matter how long you manage it for. You rock!