Guest Post: Top 5 Things to Know About Breastfeeding Before Your Baby Comes

Jennifer Devlin, one of the mommies in my playgroup, has just received her certification as a lactation consultant.  I asked her to share some quick tips for soon-to-be moms:Photo by pregnancy and breastfeeding photographer Audrey Vandenbroeck.

Top 5 Things to Know About Breastfeeding Before Your Baby Comes

1. Babies are not born hungry, the are born with a high need to suck.  This holds true for the 1st and 2nd day of life.
2. Sucking comforts babies and shuts out this crazy new world.  When newborns cry, put them to breast.
3. Babies should feed every 3 hours OR SOONER! There is no set pattern.
4. The more a baby sucks at the breast, the more milk mom will release and faster.
5. A proper latch should feel like strong pulling and tugging, not pinching or painful.  If it does, unlatch the baby and start again.

Jennifer Devlin, CLE, IBCLCc found her calling after giving birth to her daughter. Breastfeeding ended up being a wonderful experience for her, but it didn't start that way.  She became a lactation consultant to help women through the rollercoaster of breastfeeding.  She received certification as a lactation educator from the UCSD Extension program, is currently completing their Lactation Consultant program and will sit for her Board exams July 2011. www.misslactation.com

You Know You’re a New Mom If…

I was thinking the other day “My, how things have changed,” and how funny so many of those changes are so I’d thought it would be a hoot to put together a “You Know You’re a New Mom If” list. Please add to the fun!

• You’ve added white and brown to your wardrobe (spit-up and poop.)
• You consider dinner out and a glass of wine to be a big night on the town
• You’ve forgotten to close your trunk open during or after a shopping excursion
• You catch yourself speaking baby talk to friends and your hubby
• You can’t remember what you had for lunch, or anything for that matter
• You own 5+ pairs of leggings
• Naps are orgasmic