Breastfeeding Tips

I have been breastfeeding for just over a month now and I am so glad I decided to breastfeed this time and actually stuck to it too. I formula bottle fed my other two children but I regretted not trying to breastfeed with my second child, so I knew the minute I found out I was pregnant with my third baby that I wanted to breastfeed. But all the way through my pregnancy I was nervous as I had no clue about breastfeeding. I didn't know how often they fed, how to get baby to latch properly, if there was any pains, how it would be feeding in front of others and so on. But with just over a month of breastfeeding it is the best decision I have ever made.



The Bond 
I do feel that the bond is totally different between formula and breast fed. Although I love all three of my children exactly the same amount, I feel the bond is different. It really is a special moment when you breastfeed as your baby is so close to you and it's just a wonderful experience.

Save Money
Formula these days are so expensive. You could easily spend nearly £40 a month on just formula and imagine how many boxes of nappies, wet wipes or anything else you could buy with that. Breastfeeding has saved us a lot of money.

Tiredness
I am a lot more tired now as I am breastfeeding that I was when I was when I formula fed my girls. With breastfeeding you don't know how much milk the baby is taking. You could be feeding every hour or even two hours it just all depends how much baby has fed. Baby will feed when he/she pleases. You will be feeding your baby a lot more than a formula fed baby and some days you will feel like you are constantly feeding baby. 

Cluster Feeding
Baby could feed off you every hour, two hours or three hours. Cluster feeding can be exhausting. Most breastfed baby's will cluster feed in the evenings usually but can also be any time during the day too. Freddie feeds from 5/6pm until 10pm or later most nights. It is really exhausting especially that I have to get up in the middle of the night to feed too. 

Make Yourself Comfortable
When your baby wants to feed be sure to make yourself comfortable. The best thing I have got is a nursing pillow which I use for feeding baby, leaning on during the night feeds and for baby to lie in when he wants to look around. There are many nursing pillows around these days and at decent prices too. 

Feeding In Front Of Others
I haven't fed in public places yet as Freddie has always been asleep when we go out into a restaurant but I have fed him in the car and in front of friends and family. I was really nervous feeding in front of friends and family at first but within the second week I had got more confidence. I still have a blanket over when I do it in front of family members but I still feed pretty confident. I think feeding in front of others will just come over time with your confidence. Every one is different with their confidence but just think : Baby's need feeding! Don't ever go to the toilets to feed them as you wouldn't eat your lunch in the toilets, would you? 

Pain
Breastfeeding can be painful, very painful at times so it is important you look after yourself by applying nipple cream. There are a few creams around. I have been using the Mama Baby Bliss baby balm. The balm helps soothes dry and chapped areas on you and your baby. The balm is dermatologically tested and paediatrician approved for breastfeeding mums. I apply the balm after each feed and whenever I feel I need to put it on and it has really helped soothe any pains I've had due to being dry. 

Do you breastfeed your baby? If so, how do you find it?