Breastfeeding Information
Baby Developmental Websites
Encouragement for Moms
Rest
I mean really rest. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your baby. Put your feet up during feedings. Take some deep breaths. When the baby sleeps, take a nap or lie down. The first few weeks is a huge time of healing for your body. Don't push it. Allow other people to pamper you. And if someone offers to help, actually give them something little to do.
Do Something Nice for Yourself Every Day
Take a bubble bath, order take-out, read your favorite magazine or book for 15 minutes or so, and of coursse, sleep when the baby sleeps.
Plan Ahead
Don't get dressed to go anywhere until AFTER you've fed, burped and changed the baby. I'm sure you're carrying an extra outfit or two for baby, but why don't you pack one for yourself to keep in the car? I was sitting in the middle of a children's museum when my baby, who I was trying to nurse discreetly, had a blowout poop and leaked through his diaper, outfit, and right onto me!
-by Elisabeth K. Corcoran
Be patient with breastfeeding - it gets easier!
A friend shared a scripture that really spoke to her while she was getting up at all hours of the night
to breast feed her first child. While exhausted and frustrated she reached for God's word and read his
promise "He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor
sleep" Psalm 121:3-4. How Awesome is it to rest in the assurance that God is watching over us at all
hours of the night even when we are awake with our little ones. We, mere mortals, need our sleep
and grow faint and weary, but God does not. He is ever present all day long!!
" For even the Young shall grow faint and weary and they shall utterly fall.
But those that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.
They shall mount up with wings on eagles. They shall run and not grow weary,
They shall walk and not grow faint."
-Jeremiah 40:29-31
Make Time for God
First things first - you won't find time to spend with God. You will need to make time - do it. His patience, love and strength will help in transforming you into the mother you (and He) wants you to be.
Freeze the Moments
Risking sounding like a cliche', this time will not last forever. Begin training your mind and heart to freeze these special moments so you can bring them back to your memory when this baby gets bigger. Time flies when you're in love. Trust me.
Grieve Your Loss of Freedom
When you feel a little resentful that your husband's life hasn't seemed to be affected by the new bundle, realize that you are only jealous that you can't do what he still can (i.e. get up and read the Sunday paper - if you can get up, it will be to nurse the baby!). Go ahead and grieve the loss of freedom that you once had. Go ahead and get it over with so that you can willingly embrace the "bond"-age of the little life before you.
Give Life
Don't let her steal your time, sleep, space - give it to her willingly! It will make you feel like a life-giver (which is what or who you are) instead of a life-saver (which is not as much fun, and much more draining).
- The baby should be at the breast immediately after birth.
- The mother and baby should room in together. There is absolutely no medical reason for healthy mothers and babies to be separated from each other, even for short periods. There is no evidence that mothers who are separated from their babies are better rested.
- Artificial nipples should not be given to the baby.
- No restriction on length or frequency of breastfeedings.
- Supplements of water, sugar water, or formula are rarely needed.
- A proper latch is crucial to success. This is the key to successful breastfeeding. Before you leave the hospital, you should be shown that your baby is latched on properly, and that he is actually getting milk from the breast and that you know how to know he is getting milk from the breast.
-Dr. Jack Newman, MD FRCPC
