5 tips to make breastfeeding easier

Breastfeeding can be a very enriching experience for both mother and child, fostering a unique bond of attachment and rich, complete nutrition. However, mothers are often faced with many questions, concerns and difficulties. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of breastfeeding.

A top priority

Right from the start, make breastfeeding a priority, because a well-fed baby is calm and collected. Familiarize yourself with the signs of hunger, find comfortable positions and ensure that suckling is favorable. By focusing all your attention on breastfeeding, you'll soon feel at ease and be able to return to a semblance of normal life more easily.

Professional help

According to the Lactation Consultant Association of Canada (ACCL), lack of support is the main reason why Canadian mothers stop breastfeeding. Doctors are often the first to be consulted, but according to Catherine-Maude Pound, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Ottawa, doctors generally know very little about the subject and are hard pressed 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'll 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 encourages pain, inflammation and infection. What's more, the bra contributes to the growth of thrush-causing yeast. To avoid these problems, and to ease into the feeding position, opt for loose-fitting, comfortable white sweaters for the early stages.

Breastfeeding in public

In Canada, the right to breastfeed publicly, anywhere and at any time is protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Some of you may want to use a nursing shawl, but there's no obligation to cover up when breastfeeding.

Planning outings around your baby's feedings can be an arduous and stressful task, whereas breastfeeding publicly will alleviate these worries and contribute to your quality of life.

Encouraging milk production

It's 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 give up breastfeeding do so because of low milk production. Among the main causes of low milk production are :

• Stress;
• exhaustion;
• Hormonal disorders; and
• oral contraceptives.

A mother's healthy diet is essential for producing a sufficient quantity of milk. It is recommended to consume 3 liters of water and 3,000 calories daily, consisting mainly of proteins and fats. A good-quality pre/post-natal multivitamin is suggested to meet nutritional needs and maintain 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 30-day breastfeeding kit (20:1 concentration) from Léo Désilets.

Whether you're looking for advice or products to help you breastfeed better, come and see us at La Boite à Grains. We'll be happy to help.

Happy breastfeeding!

About the author

Naturopaths of La Boite à Grains

Team of licensed and certified naturopaths (ND) in Gatineau, Outaouais.

Original article written by Véronique Cousineau, Naturopath