We’re coming upon the start of Breastfeeding Awareness Month. We here at Nizo Wear feel that helping to spread breastfeeding awareness is important. You don’t need to donate money or protest in the street, just have a conversation with the women in your life about the benefits (and misconceptions) of breastfeeding. If you know a new mom, here are some do’s and don’ts you can pass along to her.
DO make sure that breastfeeding is well established before introducing the bottle nipple. Otherwise you can cause confusion. Wait about four to six weeks.

DON’T be the one to introduce the bottle first. Let someone else so baby only identifies you with breastfeeding

DO eat a well-balanced diet, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein. Whatever you eat, your baby eats too.

DON’T rush the introduction of solid foods. Breast milk-only diets are safe for the first six months. Introduce solid foods when baby is sitting up and interested in it. Every child is different, but this could be anywhere from four to six months of age. Breast milk changes as your child grows to keep up with nutritional needs. For more information on introducing solids check out this free webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xorGn2eMUPI

DON’T accept painful breastfeeding. There’s no award for toughing it out. When done properly, it shouldn’t hurt (aside from some mild soreness the first week).

DO breastfeed, not “nipple feed.” As you bring your baby to your breast, compress your breast in your hand into a pointy shape and sending it deep into your baby’s mouth. This will help him get a good latch. But don’t stuff it into his mouth; you want to get him used to the idea of coming to you.

DON’T get discouraged. If your baby’s latch is hurting you, allow him to try again. You want him to nurse deeply so it’s a pain-free experience for everyone.

DO swiftly bring your baby to your breast when you pick him up. This will help him latch deeply.

DON’T allow problems to go on unsolved. Trust your instinct. If you are in pain, you feel your baby isn’t soiling enough diapers, or you’re unsure for any reason, speak to a lactation consultant.

DO eat about 300-500 more calories than normal. Also, increase your fluid intake.

DON’T smoke, drink, take medications without consulting your doctor, or eat foods that seem to upset your baby.

DO start breastfeeding within an half an hour after delivering. This early contact is good for both mom and baby and you get a chance to practice under the watchful eye of a nurse or lactation specialist.
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DON’T wait for baby to start crying before nursing. It’s very difficult to convince an upset baby to latch properly. If you think it’s time, offer your breast.

DO breastfeed whenever baby is hungry, regardless of time or place. Restricting baby’s eating schedule and affect development. If you are feeling nervous about breastfeeding in public invest in a nursing cover to give you and baby a little privacy. Check out our made in the USA scarves here.

DON’T switch breasts too early. Let baby finish a breast before moving to the other (and starting on the fuller one next time). If you switch early, baby fills up on foremilk (the watery milk at the start of the feeding) rather than the nutrient-rich hindmilk.

DO be patient and confident. No one was an expert on their first day.

For more great breastfeeding tips check out our breastfeeding 101 webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlr0l6TRVqI

Breastfeeding may be a simple process but it is not always easy. Here are a few tips and must-have tools every mom should know. PLUS, we are pairing up with the amazing Undercover Mama to offer you a giveaway that will get any breastfeeding mama set up in style. Enter to win below.
Five Breastfeeding Tips Every Mom Should Know:

1. Nursing bras are a necessity! Not only can a nursing bra make a new mamma’s life easier and more comfortable, but it can prevent certain breastfeeding related health issues. Some women use their regular bra and just pull up the cup to nurse. That may work ok for some but unfortunately, the cup that is pulled up pushes on breast tissue and may cause plugged ducts and mastitis (not fun). Plus, it can be uncomfortable. Comfort is key, and as a nursing mama, you deserve it!! Also, wearing the correct nursing bra size will help prevent neck and shoulder aches and pains and plugged ducts. Click here to get more information on how to pick a well fitting nursing bra (http://nizowear.com/how-to-pick-a-well-fitting-nursing-bra/)

2. Find a nursing expert you trust! A knowledgeable lactation consultant is an amazing asset and could mean the success or failure of your breastfeeding attempt. Breastfeeding is simple, but it is not always easy. Knowing someone who can help in times of need will make your breastfeeding experience so much happier. Many communities have free breastfeeding groups for women to attend that is run by a Lactation Consultant. These offer amazing support, education and a chance to weigh your baby. One in our local area that is wonderful is called the Breastfeeding Bunch. Read here to see what services they offer and what you should look for: http://family-garden.org/classes/breastfeeding/

3. Your breasts do amazing things! Here are a few tips for engorgement and Letdown relief.

Breast engorgement is the swelling of the veins/tissue and the sudden presence of milk volume in the breasts. Your milk will come in sometime between day 2-5 after deliver. The time your milk comes in can be affected by several factors. Your birth experience, health status, medications you are taking and exhaustion. For most, There is no question when your milk comes in. I went from a B/C cup to a DD! I felt like they may explode! A few things that will help you gain some relief during this time are: Nursing your baby frequently, using a warm or cool compress (whichever feels better to you-for me it was cool), and wear a supportive bra. Nizo Wear Nursing bras include a pocket in the flap that allows you to place a warm/cool pack in it with a piece of fabric barrier for added comfort and relief.

 Letdown: this refers to the action of your breastmilk being released from the glands and traveling down the ducts toward the nipple to be excreted for your baby to eat. The letdown response can be uncomfortable at the beginning. For me it was. It felt like it feels when your hand or foot falls asleep and the blood is returning- that strong tingling sensation only on your nipple areola area. It was pretty intense. The good news is that it only lasts for 10-15 seconds. Not all experience this but most do. Placing a warm compress on your breast a few minutes before you are going to nurse may help decrease this sensation. (For more details check out: http://nizowear.com/what-to-expect-the-first-2-weeks-of-breastfeeding/)

4. Must-have tools to make your breastfeeding experience more pleasant.Warm/Cool Pack-This helps with engorgement, letdown, plugged duct and mastitis relief. We like Earth Mama, Angel baby’s Booby Tubes (which fit perfectly in all Nizo Wear Nursing Bras)
Nipple cream– Your nipples may become sore or cracked. This means your latch is not correct. Seek an experts advice to clear up your problem. In the meantime, treat with a nipple cream like mother love’s herbal cream.
Washable bra pads-some women leak a lot. Nursing pads help keep lactating breasts dry in order to prevent thrush or infections. We like WillowSprouts organic cotton pads.
A quality breastpump– This is a must-have if mamma has to go back to work or to simply give her a few hours to get out of the house once breastfeeding is established.
(More must-have’s here: http://nizowear.com/must-haves-for-moms-who-plan-to-breastfeed/)
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5. Trust your instincts! You know your body and your baby best. If you feel like something is wrong and you are not getting answers from your pediatrician or nurse get a second opinion (or sometimes even a third). No one person has all the answers. Hospital Lactation Consultants told me my son’s latch looked normal and he was gaining weight and some nipple soreness in the beginning was to be expected. I had an amazing lactation consultant give me a second opinion because the pain for me was unbearable and she spotted the problem instantly. She saved my breastfeeding experience and I am so grateful for her. I hear stories like this often. Another mom found a simple solution, like mine, after what she called four months of breastfeeding hell. Check out her story herehttp://nizowear.com/desperate-breast-feeding-moms-reveal-secrets/.