« 15 Things To Help You Breastfeed Successfully »

1. Get baby skin-to-skin directly after birth , or as soon as possible and stay skin-to-skin as often as possible, specially when breastfeeding. 
2. Initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth if at all possible, otherwise as soon as possible. Baby doesn't need to be having a "good feed" even just a low pressure cuddle with the mouth on the breast is better than nothing - again, skin-to-skin. 
3. Stay in bed together. Spend time touching, talking, snoozing and nursing. Again, with skin-to-skin. 
4. Avoid any artificial nipple (pacifier, bottle, nipple shield) for at least 6 weeks or until breastfeeding is well established. If you do introduce a pacifier make sure that baby is getting on the breast first and not replacing a feed or comfort with a pacifier.
5. Feed on cue. Do not set a timer (unless you have a sleepy baby that needs waking to eat in the early days) on how long or when you are "allowed" to nurse. Nurse whenever your baby shows signs of wanting to nurse, even if that means you just recently nursed. Babies are wise, and just because they just ate, doesn't mean they don't know what the are doing (nursing obviously, but also being comforted and increasing supply if a growth spurt is approaching). 
6. Make all supplementation at the breast with a supplemental nursing system (SNS). Babies learn to breastfeed by breastfeeding, not on a bottle. This also stimulates your supply and keeps baby knowing food comes from you, even when it isn't. 
7. Finger feed, cup feed or spoon feed if you cannot get a baby to latch well enough to use a SNS in the early days. Use expressed breastmilk from yourself or a donor whenever possible. 
8. Have support. Friends and family often want to help and don't know how. Write a list. Have your support who have not successfully breastfed do the dishes, put on a load of laundry, play with your older children, or make a warm meal. Call on your friends and family that successfully breastfed for emotional support (and practical support) for breastfeeding your baby. 
9. Create a space that is enjoyable for you while nursing. For some, this is in bed, while for others it may mean in a cozy chair. Have healthy snacks, loads of water, a few extra pillows, your ipod, remote control, laptop, book, magazine, telephone or anything else you enjoy close by. 
10. Skin-to-skin. Wait, was this mentioned already? Hormones are a crucial part of breastfeeding, and this close contact sets up an ideal situation to have oxytocin squirting into your system. It also helps regulate baby's temperature, heart rate, reduce stress and more.
11. Take care of yourself. Lots of water, good healthy food (call on that support), rest, stay low key and skin-to-skin. 
12. Limit unhelpful visitors. Will your Uncle John be uncomfortable seeing both your breasts out while talking about lochia? If so, don't invite him over. Will your sister-in-law expect that you entertain her company? Not a good time. Invite people over who will support your breastfeeding relationship, and do something. Many women are social after birth and want friends and family over, by all means invite them, but make sure they are good enough friends that when you say "Okay, I need to poop and have a nap" that they'll leave, and take the garbage out on the way out.
13. Avoid playing pass-the-baby. Right now isn't the time to have your newborn covered in perfume from your mother-in-law, or her lipstick. Baby needs to know your smells, and not get overwhelmed. There will be time for baby cuddles, but not initially postpartum. Don't offer, and if they ask, simply smile and say "I think baby is ready to nurse again". 
14. Attend a La Lechue League meeting prenatally, and plan to postpartum also. The initial visit makes coming back much easier as you already know their faces, where to park and what to expect. Getting out with a new baby (even for support and help) can be intimidating. 
15. Seek help. If you are running into problems, find a Lactation Consultant, or better yet a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in your area. Your Midwife or Doula will have resources for you to call, otherwise type in IBCLC + your location into Google and call the first person. If she cannot help you, she will find someone who can. 

May these tips help your breastfeeding relationship be bountiful. Enjoy this adorable (not so much) nursing baby. <3

Comments

[amber]

Room-in. Do not let the nurses take the baby to the nursery to "give you a break". Nurses get busy (they are totally overworked, underpaid and understaffed) they may not be able to catch your baby's hunger cues, and only get the baby to you when it is already crying and stressed. A stressed baby cannot learn how to breastfeed, it's a scientific fact. So latching the baby will be extreamly hard by this point. This is when mothers begin to worry not only about their ability to breastfeed but the baby's as well. Confidence is the most essential thing to have when breastfeeding.

Also, never assume because your nurse is a L&D nurse that they have an up to date lactation education. It is not a pre-requisite. If things are not going well, ask to see the lactation specialist.

[Birth Routes]

Great point Amber Morrill, most places here room-in as default, but it is a very important point! I think I lumped room-in under skin-to-skin.

This is by no means a comprehensive list, just one ideas. I love what you all bring to the table.

[Kristy]

I love this post Amber. I just finished a breastfeeding course through INFACT and you are pretty much bang on with all of your suggestions. The only thing I'd add is that if the baby isn't successful at nursing in the early days, make sure you are hand expressing or pumping to keep your supply up. I also like the comment above re: stressed babies won't eat. If baby is stressed, get food into them and then continue to try BF.