The A-Z’s of Breastfeeding Tips

By Cake Maternity

You’ve returned home with your precious new addition, who might not be as cooperative as those perfect angels at the hospital who latch on effortlessly from day one. Consider this your cheat sheet or a compilation of time-tested wisdom—I’ve crafted an A-Z list of breastfeeding tips and tricks that are easy to recall. Among the most valuable counsel I received was to stay calm, stay hydrated, and not hesitate to seek assistance. As the saying goes, it truly does take a village to raise a child, and every bit of advice along the journey can be invaluable.

A. Anticipate their needs by watching for their cues, rather than reacting to their cries. A calm baby is much easier to breastfeed than a crying, hysterical one. 

B. Bras. We recommend having at least three nursing bras — one on your body, one in the wash and one in the drawer. Always get professionally fitted for your bras, as a poor fit can cause more damage than good, regardless of whether or not it has wires. There are many multi-cup fitting bras out there that are specially designed for the fluctuations of a lactating bust, but it’s still important to be fitted to ensure you’re wearing the right size and there won’t be any pressure on your breasts.

C. Comfort. Get everything you need to ensure instant comfort for yourself and throughout the entire duration of nursing your baby. Assist your little one in finding a comfortable position without sacrificing your own comfort. Tension in your shoulders can impede milk flow, so remember to relax, understanding that both you and your baby are navigating this learning process together. Breastfeeding should never be painful; it should feel like a gentle tug. Support your baby’s feet; studies indicate that when babies can push against something with their feet, they achieve a better latch and gain more control over their body. This support can come from your hands, an armrest, or even a car door—whatever works best in the moment. 

D. Download a nursing app to help your sleep deprived self keep track of feeds. This will help you get into a routine, and they provide some helpful tips and tricks for the stage of breastfeeding you’re at. 

E. Engorgement. While some engorgement is inevitable, keep an eye out for signs of a blocked duct, because if one develops you need to act immediately. 

F. Football hold, and the rest of the breastfeeding positions at your disposal. The first step to a successful breastfeeding session is finding a position that’s comfortable for you and bub.

Some options include:

Football – Support your baby’s head in one hand and position its body under your arm.

Cradle – Create a cradle in your arm for the baby to be held in front of your body. 

Cross Cradle – The same as above, but using the opposite arm to your breast. 

Side Lying – You both lie on your sides parallel to each other, aligning your baby’s head with your breast. Great for night-time feeds.

Reclining – Baby’s front lies on your chest with their head to your breast. Better suited for older babies or if you’re trying to reduce the flow.

G. Get help. Always ask for help if you need it, and ask early. There are many different helplines, including doulas, friends, family, neighbors, partners, medical professionals, other mums, and support groups that are willing to help with whatever you need. 

H. Hydrate. You use a lot of extra calories and water when you’re breastfeeding, not only to make milk, but to help hydrate your body and pump around all your extra blood flow. Remember that you’ve just had a baby and your body will need to repair and restore itself too. 

Stay hydrated as above.  You need water to make milk and to help hydrate the increased blood supply that is pumping around your body.  Hydration is also important to help you recover as in the early stages of breast feeding, let’s never forget that your body is recovering from giving birth.

I. Me, myself, and I. You cannot pour from an empty cup. So, take care of yourself first and foremost. 

J. Juggling act. Breastfeeding evolves as your baby grows and develops. In the initial weeks, your baby’s tiny belly fills up rapidly. Even if you’ve mastered breastfeeding early on, this can shift as your baby’s appetite grows and your milk flow adjusts to meet their needs.

K. Knowledge is power. Take the time to educate yourself about what to anticipate with breastfeeding to avoid unexpected surprises.

L. Latch. 

Search for some YouTube videos that demonstrate what a good latch looks like, and then check out examples of bad latches. It’s important to know how to unlatch your baby and try again because a bad latch can become a troublesome habit. If your baby isn’t latching well, they might not be getting enough milk and could end up yanking and tugging on your breast and nipple, which isn’t ideal. Plus, if they think they’re doing it right, they’ll keep doing it that way. So, it’s best to nip that habit in the bud as soon as you notice it.

Learn about what constitutes a good latch. Incorrect latches might also result from tongue tie or lip ties, so it’s a good idea to identify if your baby has any of these issues and address them directly.

M. Know your milk. The first milk that comes out is called foremilk and this is waterier in consistency to provide hydration. After this is what’s referred to as hindmilk, which is richer in proteins to provide nutrition. This is the good stuff that makes a baby feel full and helps them sleep. Make sure you’re providing a full feed from each breast before switching so bub doesn’t miss out.

N. Nipples. Take care of your nipples by rubbing in a little of your breastmilk after each feed and applying a nipple balm if they’re cracked and sore.  You can even prepare your nipples by massaging them to get them ready for nursing. Leaking is natural and if you’re aware of it, you could save some of it using a manual pump.

O. On cue. Try to be more in tune with your baby and their needs. Some of your own cues that indicate it’s time for a feed include leaking, feeling a letdown, or milk spurting in all directions. 

Some cues from your baby can be:

• Turning their head from side to side, like they’re searching for a boob.
• Chewing on their fist.
• Opening their mouths.
• Sucking their lips.
• Restlessness.
• Cooing or sighing.

P. Preparation. Be ready and create a designated nursing area in your home. Also, set up a mobile nursing station that’s convenient to grab and go, packed with all your essentials in a bag. You never know when you might find yourself unexpectedly waiting in line at the shops or stuck in traffic. Your mobile kit could include items like a nursing pillow, wet wipes, a water bottle, notepad and pen, a book, a watch or clock, a Haakaa pump, absorbent cloths for spills, nursing pads, and maybe even a breast pump.

Q. Quick response. If you notice any changes in your breasts, be quick to respond to them as engorgement can escalate quickly.  

R. Routine. Establishing a breastfeeding routine can help your baby feel secure and settled. When they know what to expect, they’re less likely to get anxious or cranky. Plus, having a routine can be handy if you’re heading back to work—it’s easier to schedule breaks for pumping. Some folks claim that sticking to a routine can reduce engorgement, but it depends on how much your baby feeds. However, there are downsides too; if your routine is too rigid, you might miss out on cluster feeding, which could leave your baby feeling unhappy while waiting for the next feed. 

S. Skin to skin is one of the first and most vital parts of breastfeeding as this encourages your body to produce oxytocin which is required for your body to let down your milk. There’s specifically designed bras for this, too!

T. Teamwork. You’re no doubt exhausted, so get your partner, family or friends involved as much as possible. They can bring you drinks and snacks, wash bottles and pump equipment, and keep you company while you’re feeding. For the first few weeks it’ll feel like all you do is breastfeed, so support is essential.

U. Understanding. Before your baby arrives, take the time to educate yourself about what to expect. If you’re reading this blog, you’re already on the right track.

V. Visuals. One of the biggest worries is that you never know how much milk your baby is consuming because you cannot see it. We are such visual creatures by nature and it’s hard to trust our body and our instincts when we are used to measuring everything else. A good indication of how much milk they are consuming is how wet the nappy is. Nappy changes in the early stages should be equal to each feed. What goes in, must come out.

W. Baby’s weight can go up and down but should be steadily increasing each week. Don’t worry too much if they’re not increasing daily, as long as the overall trend is upwards.

X. Experience. If this is your first baby, remember you’re both learning together and it will get easier with time.

Y. Why? 

If you’re uncertain about what’s happening or if something doesn’t appear right to you, always seek clarification by asking a question. 

Z. Catch those Zzzs when you can. Make sure you get plenty of rest and make time for yourself.

Whether you absorb every point or just one from these pieces of advice, remember that each day brings its own challenges, with both highs and lows. If you ever feel overwhelmed and in need of support, don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether it’s to a friend, family member, helpline, online chat group, or medical professional, help is available. Whether you’re new to breastfeeding or simply seeking extra encouragement, remember to be gentle with yourself. Take a moment to unwind with a soothing cup of herbal tea and relax.

Photos by Cake Maternity