Breastfeeding offers a range of benefits for mother and child alike. Breast milk can prevent illness in newborns and supply a host of essential nutrients that babies need to grow. Simultaneously, mothers who breastfeed enjoy health benefits, including lower rates of chronic illness.
Conscious of these natural advantages, the vast majority of mothers start out breastfeeding their newborns. Unfortunately, many stop earlier than experts recommend. In part, this trend reflects the discomfort and difficulty of breastfeeding – and a lack of support for nursing moms in our society more generally.
Ultimately, breastfeeding may not be the right choice for many moms and their babies. Each family must make this deeply intimate decision in light of their own circumstances. Some feel that bottles make the feeding burden more equitable: Fathers and mothers can both meet the needs of their hungry babies. Other moms choose formula so they can resume medications that they couldn’t take while pregnant.
If you do intend to nurse your child, however, you deserve the most comfortable experience possible. While breastfeeding can be challenging in many respects, some small yet significant adjustments can make a world of difference. In this article, we’ll offer some tips that any breastfeeding mom can use to make the process less painful and more successful for all involved.
Key Tips for More Comfortable Nursing
Pick Supportive Positions – for Your Body and Your Baby
There are many ways to position yourself and your child while breastfeeding, and no single method is comfortable for all mothers. However you choose to arrange your body in relation to your baby, try to ensure that you’re not straining your neck or back. Similarly, attempt to keep your infant’s head aligned with their body, allowing them to latch without craning their neck. To maintain a supportive position, you may find it helpful to prop your arms or elbows up on a pillow or nearby surface.
In some of the most common breastfeeding methods, the mother cradles her child in her arms, allowing her to view and adjust the baby’s latch. The mother can hold the baby’s weight with the arm closest to the breast, the opposite arm, or both arms simultaneously.
These cradling positions can prove taxing on the upper body, however. To avoid arm fatigue, you could try reclining while nursing, leaning back into a couch or chair and letting your baby rest across your body. Alternately, you could lie on your side, with your baby also lying down and facing your breasts. On days when you’re exhausted, this position could be particularly appealing – just don’t get so comfortable that you doze off.
Truthfully, there are too many breastfeeding methods and potential adjustments to fully detail in this article. The most important thing is knowing that you have options; pain, discomfort, or difficulty latching could be a sign to try a new approach. For a good list of safe and comfortable positions, consult this resource from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.
Along your nursing journey, someone may have suggested that you periodically change your nursing position to fully drain all the ducts in your breasts. While lactation specialists dispel this myth (all ducts drain regardless of position), there’s another reason to mix up your routine.
Even the most comfortable nursing position will place particular demands on your body, and repetitive movements can wear on you over time. So instead of picking just one go-to breastfeeding method, try finding two or more that work for you and your baby. A steady rotation of positions will help prevent pain or injuries associated with repetitive movements.
Nurture Your Nipples
Many moms will tell you: After all those latching attempts, your nipples need a little love. Sore nipples are a common complaint among nursing mothers; others even find that their nipples crack and bleed.
These injuries aren’t inevitable, and small adjustments can go a long way toward preventing unnecessary discomfort. The first variable to look at is the latch: If you experience pain when your baby latches, try shifting your nursing position. You could also try adjusting the latch by gentling moving your child’s head, though experts suggest attempting to do so without unlatching the baby entirely (repeated unlatching can actually exacerbate nursing issues).
Another tip is to feed your baby more frequently: Large delays between feedings can make your child latch a bit aggressively out of hunger, and engorged breasts are painful in their own right. For moms whose nipples still hurt, a variety of creams, gels, and protective shields are available.
If your discomfort persists, however, seek help from your doctor or a lactation consultant. Ongoing nipple pain could be a sign of a more serious latching problem (such as tongue-tie) or medical issue (such as thrush).
It’s Helpful to Hydrate
Since you’re giving away a significant dose of fluids every day, don’t forget to stay hydrated. You may not need to drastically increase the amount of water you drink, but make sure you’re getting enough to meet basic recommendations.
According to experts, breastfeeding women should aim to consume about 105 ounces of fluids daily. That total can include beverages other than water, but you’ll want to watch it with certain kinds of drinks. Physicians recommended limiting caffeine, alcohol, and sugary sodas while nursing, so make sure you’re being smart about what you’re sipping.
Buy the Right Nursing Bra
Nursing bras have a reputation for looking (and feeling) frumpy, but many models pair functionality with stylish flair. Plus, there’s more variety out there than you may imagine. Underwire not your thing? Try a sports bra style. Sick of bras altogether? Opt for a nursing tank instead.
Experts suggest getting professionally sized for the perfect fit because your breast size while nursing may differ significantly from your typical dimensions. You can even be proactive and get sized while you’re still pregnant: At about 36 weeks, your breasts will be approximately the size that they’ll be six to eight weeks after giving birth. Most maternity boutiques and some department stores will have someone on staff to perform a fitting.
Create Your Ideal Nursing Station
You can’t always control your nursing environment: Breastfeeding on the go can get challenging, especially in places without proper accommodations. That’s all the more reason to invest in the ideal at-home nursing station, with all the items you need within arm’s reach.
Priority No. 1 is a comfortable nursing chair, which should accommodate your preferred nursing style. The ability to recline is a major plus, and you’ll appreciate something with plenty of padding. In close proximity to your chair, position a chest or end table with key supplies, from nipple cream to magazines.
Last but not least, you’ll need the perfect nursing pillow, which can simultaneously alleviate pain and solve common nursing problems. In fact, nursing pillow selection is so important that it’s worth discussing your options in more detail.
You may want to read: Best Maternity Pillows
Picking the Pillow: The Boppy Pillow and Other Alternatives
New parents can get particular about their nursing pillows, swearing by certain brands and particular models. And because personal preference should guide your selection, we can’t endorse any single nursing pillow above all others.
Still, there are some major types worth mentioning; understanding your alternatives should help you narrow your search to some extent. Moreover, you may have heard of some major brands already. In the maternity space, few names prompt more recognition than the Boppy Pillow, which has served breastfeeding moms for more than three decades.
Why all the Boppy Pillow buzz, and is it the right nursing pillow for you? We’ll break down the Boppy Pillow’s appeal and discuss some popular alternatives.
The Boppy Pillow: A Classic in Comfort
Thanks to the brand’s longevity, the term “Boppy Pillow” has come to mean slightly different things to multiple generations of moms. Officially, the Boppy Company manufactures a range of products for new and expecting mothers – including several kinds of pillows.
The brand’s most popular product variation, a C-shaped nursing pillow, has been so widely used that the term “Boppy” now refers to pillows of that shape more generally. To Boppy’s certain chagrin, many competitors have more or less copied the design, adding small flourishes and adjustments.
One reason for the ubiquity of the Boppy Pillow’s shape is that the “C” is multifunctional. There’s the classic approach, of course: Mom encircles the “C” around her midsection while sitting, then places her baby on the pillow for easy latching access.
But other methods work just as well: The pillow can support the baby as it sits, with their back against the pillow and their legs toward the opening. Infants can also be propped up on the pillow for “tummy time.” These options can be great for nursing or for whenever your arms need a break.
Even better, the Boppy Pillow’s advantages begin before your baby arrives. Many pregnant moms use the pillow’s C-shape to support their bellies while asleep. Others place it between their knees or thighs for additional comfort.
In terms of versatility and durability, a Boppy Pillow will serve you well in a range of situations throughout your child’s first year. They’re also travel-friendly and machine washable, which will prove to be key perks as time goes on.
However, it is imperative to use Boppy Pillows only as intended. While your infant may get drowsy within the pillow’s comfy clutches, never leave your baby sleeping in one unattended. Additionally, some parents will find the absence of a stabilizing strap disconcerting: The pillow may shift around during the nursing process, requiring adjustments.
Other Popular Nursing Pillows
While the Boppy Pillow offers plenty of advantages, rival shapes also have plenty of fans. Many Boppy Pillow alternatives are specifically designed with support in mind, catering to moms dealing with injuries or recovering from surgery. If you find the Boppy Pillow a little flimsy or poorly suited to your body’s demands, these other options are well worth considering.
- O-shaped pillows: In contrast to the Boppy’s C-shaped design, these pillows offer full wraparound support. This form provides more support to the mother’s back and a strap keeps everything sturdy. Some models even come with pockets around the pillow’s exterior so keeping supplies nearby is easy.
- Stacked-pillow design: Pillows of this type don’t encircle the mother’s body. Rather, they provide a surface for the baby to recline atop several pillow layers. Typically, the mother places the pillow stack on her lap, bringing the baby’s head level with her breasts. The adjustable layers allow for copious adjustment, great for anyone with an injury.
- Cylindrical design: Sometimes described as an elongated doughnut, this type of nursing pillow adds welcome comfort to cradle holds. You can stick your arm through the pillow’s center then prop up your child’s head and neck on the additional padding. You can also use it to support your child’s head without inserting your arm at all.
Each of these types offers distinct perks, so give them some thought before automatically purchasing the popular Boppy Pillow. If you’re stumped about the best kind to buy, take a look at our more extensive nursing pillow guide.
You may want to read: Best Nursing Pajamas
Adapting Over Time: The Quest for Nursing Comfort
We hope this article empowers you to nurse more comfortably. From changing your positioning to picking the perfect pillow, there’s always hope for a better breastfeeding experience. While nursing can feel natural to some mothers, it often requires patience and persistence as well.
If you encounter nursing challenges, take care of yourself along the journey. Don’t beat yourself up when things don’t go smoothly; just keep experimenting. And if you’re seriously concerned, don’t hesitate to seek help from a doctor or lactation consultant. There’s no shame in getting an expert opinion – and no need to go through nursing alone.