Top 11 Breastfeeding Mistakes

1.) Giving Baby a bottle before the 6 to 8 week mark.

This is a big mistake I hear about a lot today. I've heard many reasons as to why people have given a bottle before this time period have told me of multiple challenges they faced and either over came or ended up giving a bottle and ultimately formula.

Ways to prevent giving a bottle too early.
1. Be patient.
2. Have your spouse or someone who will be around often as your support. Better yet take the breastfeeding class with this person so if you forget one of the tips or holds that person can help remind you.
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2.) Scheduling your babies feedings.
The best way to think about this one is by thinking of yourself. Think for breakfast you had a tiny bowl of cereal without a ton of nutrients. How soon will you be hungry again? Will you reach for a snack in an hour or so? Most people will tell you that babies need to eat every 2 to 3 hours. This is "an average" time table, but just like averages there are also outliers. There will be times your baby will want to eat most of the day or even a few minutes after they just ate (known as cluster feeding). This is not bad, but does require mom to take more down time with baby.


3.) Eating anything you want/ taking medication while breastfeeding.

4.) Washing baby within 48 hours after he/she is born.

5) Being frustrated.
This is one of the top reasons some moms give up on breastfeeding! They get frustrated/stressed, which then leads to less or in some cases no milk! Relaxing is what you can do to best serve baby.

6.) Thinking it is natural and me and my baby will know exactly what to do.
Yes, it is natural, but no mom and baby both need to practice. Breastfeeding in ways is like riding a bike. You didn't just hop on a bike with no training wheels without being told how to ride and/or being shown how to ride, and then succeed. If you did you are the most amazing individual in the world and disproved me thus have a higher chance for making breastfeeding the 2nd easiest accomplishment you have ever done!

What can help?
1.Take a prenatal breastfeeding course
2.Use the "Golden Hour" right after birth to work on getting baby to latch.

7.) Thinking no one else will be involved with feedings and my spouse will not be able to bond with baby.
This is not true at all there are many ways others can get involved with baby besides feeding!

Ways for others to get involved and bond with baby.
1."Skin-to-skin" is one of the best ways to bond with baby!
2. Giving mom healthy food and fresh water when she needs it! This is more important than most people realize because when they give you food and water in turn they are nourishing baby.
(I was more than greatful for everyone who did this for me when my son was born!) Moms remember to say "thank you"!
3.Having a tummy time session with baby (yes babies can have supervised time on their bellies at any age).
4.Reading to baby.

8.) Lack of hydration.
This is HUGE!! If you are not hydrated it is hard to nearly impossible to produce milk because it is composed of some milk. When you start breastfeeding most people will notice a spray and a leak if baby comes off the breast right after mom has a "letdown". The spray is mainly composed of water and the leak is mainly composed of fats and other nutrients baby needs.

9.) Trying to only pump.

10.) "Supplementing" because you think baby isn't getting enough.

If your latch is correct, your baby is eating, peeing and pooping regularly, and gaining weight you have nothing to worry about!

11.)Feeling like a failure/giving up and not seeking help.

People who can help
Lelacha league