5 Essential Ways to Make Breastfeeding Easier
Looking for ways to make breastfeeding easier? These are the most essential areas to focus on to help make your breastfeeding journey a great experience!
As a new breastfeeding mom this past year, I was constantly researching and on the lookout for tips and ways to make breastfeeding easier. Taking on the challenge of breastfeeding has been one of the hardest parts of becoming a new mom. I wanted so badly to be successful and along the way I found a few different ways that truly helped me to continue my breastfeeding journey, especially when times were rough and I wanted to stop.
I share these ways that helped make my breastfeeding experience easier in hopes that they will help you too! Becoming a new mom and learning to breastfeed all at the same time can be so overwhelming and having a few extra tools in your tool belt to keep in mind sure helps when you find yourself struggling. *This post may contain affiliate links
This post is about essential ways to make breastfeeding easier.
Essential Ways to Make Breastfeeding Easier
1.) Establish Your “Why” to Prevent Breastfeeding Problems
With any great goal in life you want to accomplish there is usually a driving force behind the success. Knowing and understanding why you are doing something helps to keep motivation up and helps you continue to reach your goals.
With breastfeeding, it is so important to keep your “why” statement in mind to help you continue on when you feel like giving up or when overwhelm begins to sink in.
Ask yourself a few of the following questions to help build your “why” statement:
- What has lead me to want to try breastfeeding?
- What joys does breastfeeding bring to me?
- What positive end results or outcomes am I hoping to gain from breastfeeding?
Once you have your why statement if you ever begin to feel discouraged or frustrated just go back and revisit the reasons that are driving your efforts and this will help you get back on the road to success. Having my “why” statement to fall back on helped to prevent breastfeeding problems from getting worse and helped to ease my emotions.
2.) Use Helpful Products
To make breastfeeding just a little bit easier it is so nice to have the perfect products that help! There are a variety of different products out there, you just need to find which ones work best for you.
Here are a few product ideas to keep in mind that will help make your breastfeeding journey a little easier:
(All of these product suggestions I used and absolutely loved!)
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Nipple Creams and Products to Ease Nipple Pain-
Breastfeeding can sure lead to sore nipples! It is great to have products on hand that will help ease any pain or soreness. I personally loved using Motherlove Nipple Cream. It would help to ease soreness and avoid cracks when I put it on right after a feeding. Since it is made with all organic ingredients I felt so good using it knowing it was safe to leave on before breastfeeding again. You can even use it as a lip balm… how cool is that?
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Breastfeeding Pillows-
My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow
Boppy Nursing Pillow
The correct breastfeeding positioning makes all of the difference and having a pillow can really help! Some great pillows to look into are the Boppy or My Breast Friend pillow. I used them both! I kept one upstairs and one downstairs for easy access depending on where I was for feedings!
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A Breastfeeding App-
This can help you to keep track and time your feedings. Having an app helps to take the guess work out and is so much easier than having to write everything down. My favorite app I used is called “MammaBaby” and I downloaded it straight from the app store but I know there are many other great ones out there too!
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Water Cup and Snacks-
A water cup like Yeti that keeps your drink cold is essential along with having some of your favorite snacks in arms reach of where you are breastfeeding.
{Be sure to check out my other blog post: Must Have Products That Make Breastfeeding Easier for more super helpful and amazing products!}
3.) Set Small Goals and do Your Research
Setting small goals for yourself will help lead you to success.
Ask yourself: what is my personal breastfeeding goal? Then, once you’ve reached that goal if you and baby both want to continue set another one for yourself! Reaching small goals will help you to feel accomplishment and will give you some more motivation to want to keep going.
Maybe at first set out for a few weeks, then maybe months, then maybe the year mark? You get to decide and do what is best for you!
Also, researching breastfeeding facts and information will help you to stay informed and knowledgable giving you more reasons to reach your goal. I love the website https://kellymom.com/ it has been one of my go to resources for wonderful breastfeeding information! Be sure to check it out!
4.) Have a Reliable Breast Pump
Breast pumps can be the biggest lifesavers! Having a good pump is essential and truly helps to make breastfeeding easier and more successful. The pump allows you to take a much needed break and helps if you need to be away from baby.
There are a variety of different breast pumps that are worth researching to find out which one is best and meets your individual needs.
I personally used and absolutely loved the Medela Symphony pump pictured above. It is an amazing breast pump but can be very pricey to buy. Looking into different ways to either buy one or rent one will be well worth your time! It is a great idea to check into your health insurance to see if you might have coverage for a breast pump.
Another option to keep in mind is the possibility of renting a pump. At the hospital I delivered at I was able to rent a Medela Symphony pump and this is a great option if buying one is not a possibility for you.
5.) Find a Supportive Friend/Group
Having a support system is a critical way to make breastfeeding easier. Surrounding yourself with a variety of people you can turn to that you feel comfortable asking questions or going to for help is essential.
Start by finding some close friends or family who you can turn to for support, look into communities online and research lactation consultants. Building a support system for yourself is key and will help you to have positive people to turn to when breastfeeding becomes too challenging or overwhelming. These people will be the ones to help you overcome any struggles and will help you move forward in your journey. The ability to talk with someone who understands can make the world of difference in changing your mindset.
This post was all about the essential ways to make breastfeeding easier.
Breastfeeding is a true learning process. Everyone goes on a different journey but finding ways to help make it easier is vital to success. My hope is that these ways will help you as you begin to breastfeed and will help you know that you are not alone and this is no easy task. I am sending positive thoughts your way! You got this Mama!
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*This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase any of the products, I will receive a small commission! Everything I promote or sponsor I use or have used and genuinely recommend. Thank you so much!
