Breastfeeding doesn't have to be scary- tips for making breastfeeding easier.

Birth makes a baby hungry

Being a new mom is a daunting, and overwhelming, to say the least. You have this brand new baby and you have no idea what you are supposed to do with him. He's never breastfed before, so he's no help. You are being inundated with "helpful" advice from your mother-in-law and well meaning friends- and the crazy blog lady. There's diapers (cloth or pampers?) and creams, and books, and bottles?, or pacifiers, how long do you feed the baby, how often? How do I tell if he's getting enough? Why doesn't he like my right boob? And on top of all that, you haven't slept.

It's ok... take a deep breath and grab a glass of water. Breastfeeding doesn't have to be scary.

1. Find a comfortable spot. You can use your favorite chair by the window; the end of the couch with a ton of pillows; the rocking chair in the baby's nursery. Anywhere you feel comfortable is a good spot. It helps to use pillows or other support to keep your arms and neck from getting tired. Also, ambiance.... Listen to relaxing music, or put your favorite movie in.

2. Get baby comfortable. Make sure that baby's diaper has been changed, and baby is comfortable. There is no need for extra blankets, unless it is chilly in the room. We want baby comfortable, but not sleepy, as he/she will not nurse as energetically if baby is trying to nap and eat at the same time.

3. Drink plenty of water. I cannot stress this enough. You should be drinking at least one glass of water at every feeding. Juice, milk, and green tea are good alternatives if you just cannot drink another glass of water. It helps to keep the water cold- It tastes better cold- trust me. I have found that having a handy bottle that I can carry around and not worry about spilling helps. Stay away from a lot of caffeine and large amounts of alcohol. If it keeps you awake or makes you feel bad, chances are, it will do the same to the baby.

4. Plan ahead. Prepare your space before you sit down with baby. Make sure that you have extra diapers, wipes, blankets, towels, and your glass of water is easily accessible. Put on your music, or movie, or grab the magazine that you have been wanting to read.

5. Relax. This is not a time to go over your to-do list, or stress about the dishes in the sink. The more anxious you are, the more anxious your baby will feel. A good exercise to do is to go from head to toe, and relax the different parts of your body. You will be surprised at how much tension you hold in your neck and shoulders, your jaw, even your fingers get tense throughout the day. Close your eyes and envision the part of the body that you want to relax, then tense the muscles up and hold it for a count of five, then release....

6. Ask for help. If baby is not having 3-5 wet diapers a day during the first week, if your nipples are sore, or it hurts when baby is eating, then there is a chance that he is not latching correctly. Check with a la leche league in your area, or a local lactation specialist. Call your midwife, doula, or obstetrician for names of people that can help you. Trust me, it is worth it.

**local doula Marissa Peterson has a list of lactation specialists on her site.**

**Did you know that chiropractic services can help baby latch and eat more effectively? Check out my upcoming blog with guest Dr. Kaleb R. Scroggin of Restoration Chiropractic**

Interested in a newborn or breastfeeding session? I would love to meet you! Contact me for a complimentary consultation!