Here's Our Favorite Breastfeeding Tips

If you’re a new mom, chances are you are dealing with how to best feed your baby. Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding, or doing a combination of both, as long as your baby is fed and happy, that’s all that matters! However, if your goal is to focus on breastfeeding for a while and make the most out of your experience, there are some great tips out there, and we’ve rounded up a few of our favorites. Two of the biggest complaints about breastfeeding by new moms are that latching is difficult and breastfeeding can be painful. Keep reading for our favorite tips on how to practice latching with your baby, how to deal with your sore breasts, ways to bond and get all that oxytocin flowing, and the products you need that will help along the way!

Working On Your Latch?

If you’re experiencing latch issues with your baby, you are not alone. In fact, over one-third of  new mothers and their babies experience an ineffective latch. (source: National Library of Medicine) Luckily, there are some ways you can practice with your baby and turn them into a pro!

• Get comfortable. Make sure you’re sitting comfortably, not hunching over your baby, and that your baby is comfortable in your arms. Use tons of pillows for support!
• Hold your breast. With your free hand, gently compress your breast so that it will fit inside your baby’s mouth.
• Tickle her cheek. Get your baby’s rooting reflex to kick in by tickling her cheek, then stroke her lips with your breast so that she opens up wide.
• Bring baby to you. Don’t put your breast to your baby, bring baby to your breast! Don’t push or squish; if she doesn’t latch, just wait a moment and try again.

Another great way to practice latching with your baby is through  oral development toys! Our Innobaby Teethin SMART EZ Grip Fruit Teether is the perfect size to help practice latching with your baby when it’s not feeding time.

Dealing With Sore Breasts?

If you’re a new mom, you understand how painful breastfeeding can be. Between nipple pain, letdown pain, and fullness pains, it can take a while before your breasts get the hang of things. In the meantime, it’s important to relieve your pain and keep the milk flowing!

One of the best ways to deal with sore breasts is to massage them. The  Innobaby Silicone Massage Mitt is going to quickly become your breast friend! Designed to perfectly fit your hand with a thumbhole, just like a mitt, this scrubbie will gently wash up every member of your family and provide the most relaxing massage experience for Mama. The double-sided mitt helps scrub away dirt and dead skin while also being gentle enough to use on even the smallest member of your family. Use the side with the smaller bristles to easily lather up your body, then switch to the side with the larger bristles to give yourself a heavenly scalp massage with your favorite shampoo, or a relaxing breast massage with your favorite body scrub.

Want to Bond With Baby More?

Oxytocin, also known as the  Love Hormone, is the key to breastfeeding! Oxytocin makes the myoepithelial cells around the alveoli contract. This makes the milk, which has collected in the alveoli, flow along and fill the ducts, ready for your baby to eat!

Oxytocin starts working when a mother expects a feed as well as when the baby is suckling. The reflex becomes conditioned to the mother's sensations and feelings, such as touching, smelling, or seeing her baby, hearing her baby cry, or thinking lovingly about him or her. If a mother is in severe pain or emotionally upset, the oxytocin reflex may become inhibited, and her milk may suddenly stop flowing well. If she receives support, is helped to feel comfortable, and lets the baby continue to breastfeed, the milk will flow again. (source: National Library of Medicine)

This means that if you’re a breastfeeding mama, the most important job you have is to bond with your baby to ensure a great milk supply. One of our favorite ways to bond with baby is by a relaxing bathtime massage!

With the Innobaby Silicone Massage Mitt you and your baby can have a relaxing bathtime experience to keep that love hormone flowing. One side of the mitt creates a foamy lather, while the other offers a relaxing massage experience. When you’re all done, work on your masseuse skills with some lavender lotion and snuggle up for some newborn cuddles!

The best part about this heavenly mitt? Silicone is naturally mold and mildew resistant, making this scrubbie safe and perfect for bathtime. It is also odor-resistant, so get ready to toss out your stinky loofahs and washcloths! 

For more parenting tips and products for the entire family (even your newborn!) visit us at  Innobaby.com!