5 tips to make breastfeeding easier

Breastfeeding can be a very rewarding experience for both mother and child, fostering a unique bonding experience and a rich and complete diet. However, moms often have many questions, concerns and difficulties. Here are a few tips to make breastfeeding more enjoyable for you.

A priority

From the start, make breastfeeding a priority, because a well-fed baby is calm and collected. Familiarize yourself with hunger cues, find comfortable positions and make sure your suckling is favorable. By focusing all your attention on breastfeeding, you'll soon feel comfortable and return to a semblance of normal life more easily.

Professional help

According to the Lactation Consultant Association of Canada (LCC), lack of support is the number one reason Canadian mothers stop breastfeeding. Doctors are often the first to be consulted, but Catherine-Maude Pound, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Ottawa, says that doctors generally have very little knowledge about the subject and are difficult to help. It's best to turn to the experts: lactation consultants and lactation consultants. They work in hospitals, community centers and private practices. Some offer preparatory courses, home visits and even breastfeeding clinics. They can answer your questions, make breastfeeding easier, and make the experience more pleasant and comfortable.

No to the bra

Wearing a bra, especially one with underwire, contributes to the obstruction of milk ducts and lymphatic channels. This promotes pain, inflammation and infection. In addition, the bra contributes to the growth of yeast that causes thrush. To avoid these problems and to get used to the feeding position more easily, choose white, loose-fitting and comfortable sweaters at first.

Breastfeeding in public

In Canada, the right to breastfeed publicly, anywhere and anytime is protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Some of you may want to use a nursing shawl, but you should know that there is no obligation to cover up when breastfeeding.

Planning outings around feeding time can be a daunting and stressful task, but breastfeeding publicly will alleviate these worries and contribute to your quality of life.

Encouraging milk production

It is estimated that between 1% and 5% of women are physically unable to produce enough milk to feed their baby. According to Statistics Canadaapproximately 50% of women who discontinue breastfeeding do so because of low milk production. Some of the main causes of low milk supply are :

• Stress;
• Exhaustion;
• Hormonal disorders; and
• Taking oral contraceptives.

A mother's healthy diet is essential to produce a sufficient quantity of milk. It is recommended to consume 3 liters of water and 3,000 calories daily consisting mainly of protein and fat. It is suggested to take a good quality pre/post-natal multivitamin to meet nutritional needs and maintain good vitality. To increase breast milk production, fenugreek, milk thistle and milk thistle supplements are recommended. In general, an improvement will be noticeable after the first 24 hours. Simplify your life with the 30-day breastfeeding kit (20:1 concentration) from Léo Désilets.

Whether you are looking for advice or products to help you breastfeed better, come and see us at La Boite à Grains. It will be our pleasure to help you.

Happy breastfeeding!

Véronique Cousineau, ND, RHN and breastfeeding sponsor