Originally published on Hann's blog in 2007 as "the 3Es for Successful Breastfeeding" (in black).
I'll now add on a 4th E and other stuff (in blue).
I'll now add on a 4th E and other stuff (in blue).
For an "easier time" and for breastmilk to come in as quickly as possible, remember the 3Es:
1. breastfeed as Early as possible.
best is to latch baby the moment he is born.
tell your doctor before THE day that you want to breastfeed your baby as soon as he is delivered. Remind your doctor again during labour or ask your husband to remind doc.
well... if it's not possible, as soon as you can, ok?
or pump 1st if baby's kept from you.
don't worry that if you were to pump, baby won't have milk to drink later because your body will produce milk again soon if you keep the demand up!
2. breastfeed Everytime baby wants.
Resist the temptation to give baby FM cos it will disturb the establishment of your supply.
"Nurse at the first signs of hunger (stirring, rooting, hands in mouth)--don't wait until baby is crying. Allow baby unlimited time at the breast when sucking actively, then offer the second breast. Some newborns are excessively sleepy at first--wake baby to nurse if 2 hours (during the day) or 4 hours (at night) have passed without nursing." ~ taken from Kellymom.com
Bear in mind that supply = demand.
the more you feed baby / pump, the more milk you will have.
Used to advocate dont't give FM at all and used to believe that all will have abundant milk if only they dont' give baby FM but give breast everytime baby wants milk.
but I started to change my thinking when I learnt that a friend of mine's milk came only in 2nd week. Meanwhile, she gave baby FM and pumped cos she doesn't want to stress herself.
Imagine if my friend had not persisted, and gave up after two days of no milk. but you'll have to keep latching and pumping. cannot think the milk will come if you do nothing. You must work hard for milk to come.
preferrably you shouldn't give baby any FM so that baby will demand for breast milk and suckle more.
for the 1st few days, it's enough just to give baby colostrum but I suppose, like what my friend said, no point stressing yourself. if baby's hungry, just give FM 1st. but please remember to pump.
3. breastfeed Efficiently.
Make sure you latch baby correctly and that you are sitted or laying down comfortably. Your back should be supported when you are breastfeeding.
Get the nurses to supervise you everytime you wanta latch baby so that you are sure you get it right. It's not a time to be shy about your body. When you are discharged, nobody can help you.
4. Expect to breastfeed.
Do you really want to breastfeed?
If you really want to breastfeed, you should expect yourself to breastfeed, rain or shine, pain or not.
Some mothers have this mentality - I'll breastfeed if I have milk.
I tell you, more likely than not, these mummies won't have milk because they just wait for milk to come and didn't work for it.
you'll never have milk if you just wait for it to come.
You'll have to latch, if not pump often.
Feed like you have milk / pump like you have milk.
oh. and when you 1st pump, the milk will be very little, so don't be discouraged.
Have a 假想敌 (an imagined opponent),
someone who breastfeeds and is your rival in someway - ex-boyfriend's wife, husband's ex-girlfriend, rival at work, ex-classmate who always fight for the 1st-position with you, any1 you will not want to lose to.
and tell yourself, "if she can do it, so can I!"
