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TLOL Mom's on Getting Ready to Breastfeed
Your baby will benefit from this bonding time as much as from the perfect balance of nutrients he gets for his growing body.
Be proud of your changing body and the fact that you're able to produce food for your baby.
Tone your back with upper-body bends, gentle forward bends, back presses and trunk twists. (Before beginning any exercise program, check with your doctor.) As your baby grows bigger, you'll find that carrying him will require strong and flexible back muscles.
Wear a nursing bra that provides plenty of support and is comfortable. While some may seem a little pricey, remember, it is the support that is needed! My bra size went from 38DD to 42DD, and that support is needed. Also, the right nursing bra can make all the difference in the world in helping when trying to nurse discreetly! ;)
Nutritionally
Eat a balanced diet from all of the food groups and make your calories count by eating high-quality, nutrient-rich foods. You need plenty of nutrients to help your body repair muscle and tissue, keep your skin healthy, strengthen your immune system, and maintain your energy.
Eat well to stay healthy. During lactation, your body first uses whatever nutrients are necessary to make breastmilk. So even if your diet isn't perfect, your breastmilk still will be completely nutritious. Although your baby will get a balanced diet even if you don't, she needs more than nutrients. She needs a healthy mom, too.
Don't worry about losing weight. Most breastfeeding moms' bodies don't allow them to lose those last 10 to 15 pounds because these fat stores are needed for nursing. Instead, concentrate on eating right and getting enough exercise to help you slowly get back to your prepregnancy weight.
Hedra:
One, if your breasts need more stimulation than nursing alone provides: get a pump. Pump for 5-10 minutes after every feeding, to get the very last out. This should stimulate more production, though you really don't want to go overboard, or your baby will not be hungry when the hindmilk comes!
Two, talk to a lactation consultant - many insurance companies cover them along with pregnancy. If you have a specific issue related to supply, they might be able to solve it one-on-one.
Three, get some Fenugreek. This is an herb that stimulates milk production. Three capsules with each meal. It tastes like maple syrup, and your sweat may start to smell like maple, too. But it really makes a difference - takes about 3-5 days to kick in, but BOY what a difference.
Four, make sure you are getting enough let-down. I started carrying stress in my shoulders, and my let-down got really SLOW and LATE. Low let-down, less milk next time, and down went the production! I got a really good full body massage at a spa, and WHEE, the let-down is almost instant again! Try other relaxation techniques if let-down is a problem. You could learn those now.
Also, if you need to supplement again, pump during or after the "feeding" time for that feeding. That will help keep your supply up, and it will also give you some milk to put in the fridge/freezer, so you won't need to supplement as much! Get a good hospital grade pump, or at least one with really strong suction and an automatic cycle (I like the medela pumps, myself). You'll save money on formula, so the pump isn't a waste of money.
That's my 2 cents - hope the nursing works out better for you this time!
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