BREASTFEEDING MISTAKES

9 Common Breastfeeding Mistakes and How To Fix Them

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Breastfeeding may not sound difficult but knowing some common breastfeeding mistakes and how to fix them can give you the best chance to a happy and successful breastfeeding journey.

If you’re like most women, you started your journey into motherhood filled with high hopes and grand expectations. You read all the right books, listened carefully to the lactation coach and gave it your best try.

Always there’s a learning curve for everything and your situation could differ from everybody else. Maybe your struggle with low milk supply is something else, maybe your baby prefer to feed on one breast. Maybe you want to follow your own rules when it comes to breastfeeding.

It doesn’t matter where you are in your breastfeeding journey, it’s important to pay more attention to things that can go wrong.

I did some detailed research to find out what common mistakes mothers make according to a number of Lactation Consultants.

1. You Think Pain Is Normal

Even if some pain is to be expected when you are a first time mother, ongoing pain isn’t normal. Nadine Fournier an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant of KW Breastfeeding says, {it’s a common a common mistake moms make, they think that pain during breastfeeding is normal and to be expected. In addition, Kelly Mom recommends that, the trick to getting rid of pain is to determine what’s causing it: Poor latch, engorgement, or a child’s tongue tie could be the cause}.

It’s advisable to reach out a lactation consultant if you dealing with prolonged pain to figure out what’s causing the issue.

2. You Feed On A Schedule

Nadine Fournier says that, {moms who think they have to feed on a schedule are making a mistake. According to La Leche League International, trying to keep your baby on a schedule can actually decrease your Milk Supply and lower your milk’s Fat Content}.

Thus it’s best to feed baby when they are hungry than to keep them on a certain time frame.

3. You Give A Bottle Or Pacifier Too Early

Giving a bottle or pacifier too early to your baby before you’ve successfully established breastfeeding could set you up for a failure. Given, {it’s much easier to remove milk from a bottle than your own breast and your baby could prefer a bottle for the ease, says Fournier}.

Breastfeeding Basics also suggest that: introducing a pacifier too early could cause nipple confusion also may mess up your milk supply.

4. You Introduce Formula Because You Think Your Supply Is Low

I have heard form breastfeeding moms over and over again, that they worried their supply is low and thinking to supplement with formula.

Kelly Mom noted, {more often than not, what a mother thinks is a low milk supply actually isn’t and introducing formula can actually decrease your current supply}.

Thus, if you actually think your supply is low, seek help from a lactation consultant for the way forward.

5. You Judge Your Milk Supply By Your Pumping Output

Let’s say this together-your pump is not a baby.

Kelly Mom noted, {no pump is as efficient as your baby removing milk from your breast and that your supply can vary day from day}.

If you think you dealing with low milk supply consult a specialist or continue pumping and rest assured that as long as your baby is gaining weight and having wet and dirty diapers, they getting enough milk.

6. You Skip Pumping Sessions

Removing more milk from your body is the best way to increase your milk supply. To skip a pumping session and not replacing a missed feeding session with pumping can turn to be a big deal!

Kelly Mom noted, {in order to maintain a good milk supply, you have to pump every time your baby takes a bottle, so your body knows to continue making milk that same amount of milk for a hungry child}.

7. You Assume You Have To Cut Some Things Out Of Your Diet

Kristin Gourley an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, works with Lactation Link says, {one of the most common breastfeeding mistakes she sees is moms cutting things out of their diet without a real reason. Yes, some babies have allergies or sensitivities, but most moms can eat whatever they want without causing the baby issues. A variety of foods cause’s slight changes in the milk taste preparing the baby for the future diet of the family}.

Kelly Mom also noted, {if you think your child has an allergy to a certain food, you can avoid it, but there is no list of foods to restrict from your diet because you are breastfeeding}.

8. You Feel Like All Hope Is Lost

No need to panic dear mom, Kristin says that {she often sees breastfeeding moms making the mistake of believing that all hope is lost just because they’re having to supplement, they have to go back to work, or because things are not going as planned. Advices you reach out to a lactation consultant if you’re struggling to make sure you on the right track and give you the tools you need}.

9. You Don’t Ask For Help When You Need It

This one is so huge! The term “natural” scares many moms into believing that, if you have a breastfeeding issue or postpartum depression you have to work it out by yourself. You can start with your significant other, a parent or a trustworthy adult figure in your life. If that doesn’t work out then seek help from your doctor.

It’s always better to ask for help than to wait for the situation to grow worse. The faster you receive help, the faster you can get your breastfeeding routine back on a successful track.