So, how can we help more women breastfeed longer? Haldeman, who is also co-owner of The Pump Station (www.pumpstation.com) a Santa Monica, California store for breastfeeding supplies, support groups, and one-on-one consultation services, recommends that women educate themselves and their partners about breastfeeding before their babies are even born. She says that parents-to-be learn a lot from being around moms who are nursing, as “it’s a great way to experience it and hear concerns.” And she says if a mother is on the fence, she should at least try it in the hospital. “Even colostrum in the hospital benefits the baby,” Haldeman explains. (Colostrum is what is secreted from the breasts in the first few days after birth—it provides high levels of anti-oxidants.)
Battling Difficulties|
Women are likely to encounter a few difficulties along the way and Haldeman encourages women to get help quickly from either physicians or lactation consultants. In the first week, she says, the most common problems are sore nipples and engorgement. These can be prevented with proper help in the hospital after birth by nurses, as well as any lactation consultants on staff. Engorgement can be relieved with heat and ice (editor’s note, a frozen bag of peas works wonders!), and “a good nursing baby is the best defense,” Haldeman reiterates.
A variety of nipple creams can also help tremendously for sore nipples and these can be found in the grocery store baby aisle. You can network with your lactation consultant and other moms for recommendations.
One of the biggest problems with breastfeeding is getting the baby to latch correctly. If the baby is not latching, get help immediately while in the hospital. A lactation consultant can sit with a new mother and teach her how to hold the baby and position the mouth correctly. It makes an amazing difference.
After a mom tackles engorgement, sore nipples and latching, a few weeks later, she can be plagued with worry about whether her baby is gaining enough weight. According to Haldeman, this is sometimes a problem of unrealistic expectations. “All we ask of a breastfed baby is to regain birth weight at two weeks. Some babies take three.” She says some parents, and even pediatricians, expect babies to gain faster and that this in not necessary.
