8 Good Experiences of Breastfeeding Mothers During Baby’s First Month

After nine months of emotional rollercoasters and many discomforts, you now have your bundle of joy in your arms. But the journey doesn’t end here; in fact, it has just started.

Breastfeeding is now the most important task that not only benefits your baby but also you as a mother. It’s the process of feeding your baby milk, normally directly from your breast. Sometimes it’s also called nursing.

However, not every mother breastfeeds her baby. Thus, the decision to do so is personal. Experts in the field—the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)—have expressed their stand on this topic.

The ACOG and AAP have devised strategies and asserted that mothers should breastfeed their newborn babies exclusively for at least six months. The remarkable benefits are endless for the mother. We will look at them shortly.

But first, let’s look at some of the common lactation problems for nursing mothers during the first month of the baby.

Problem #1: Breastfeeding Pain 

Experiencing pain isn’t surprising. This is usually due to sore, tender nipples, particularly when the milk comes in the first four days after delivery. This can worsen in the first few months since your baby will be feeding constantly.

The constant feeding of your newborn can even lead to your nipples cracking, blistering, or bleeding. One of the most likely causes is the incorrect latching of your newborn.

Ideally, your baby should have most of the lower section of the areola—the dark skin surrounding your nipple—in their mouth when feeding, with your nipple against the top of their mouth, cupped underneath by the baby’s tongue.

The breastfeeding positions are cross-cradle, lying-down, ‘rugby ball’ (underarm), and laid-back. These help lessen the pressure on the painful parts of your breast. Try experimenting with these different positions during each feeding session.

You can also try soothing your nipple to reduce soreness and dry skin using ultra-pure lanolin cream. This can be done using your own breast milk or cold hydrogel pads. Soothing relieves pain as well as creates a proper condition for healing.

But if the problem persists, don’t hesitate to reach out to Omega Pediatrics. We offer lactation services to help you adjust to your newborn. We aim to have a positive experience with you on your breastfeeding journey.

Problem #2: Breasts are Full and Hard

This is another common problem in which milk will come in and fill your breasts, making them firmer. However, this is never a serious problem since once you start to breastfeed, this problem will go away.

But in some instances, the breasts become firmer and even painful. This condition is known as breast engorgement and lasts up to 48 hours. Your newborn will find it hard to latch since your nipple gets flattened. The ideal solution is frequent feeding.

The simple solution is to feed your infant frequently enough, at least 8–12 times daily. However, if the problem persists, seek help from a professional. A lactation consultant could help you.

Problem #3: Too Much Milk

Sometimes you may experience an oversupply of milk in the first few weeks after giving birth. This condition should go away in a day or so. Until then, your breasts will feel firm and painful and may start to leak milk.

Your baby may cough and choke due to the pressure of the milk coming out. Your baby will then have a painful tummy or an explosive, fizzing, greenish poop as well.

This problem solves itself quickly once your breasts adjust to regular feeding. But there’s something you can do. Before each session, express some milk out with your hand, lessening the force or pressure of milk flow. 

Benefits of Breastfeeding: Good Experiences of Mothers

The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months and continuing once you introduce solid foods until the baby is at least one year old.

The World Health Organization (WHO), on the other hand, recommends breastfeeding until your baby is at least two years old. These recommendations aren’t just fancy expert opinions.

As much as we highly encourage this program for your newborn, we also want you to feel good and appreciate this unique skin-to-skin bond. We at Omega Pediatrics express our advocacy, too, about exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.

Aside from the baby, the mother can also reap the benefits, and these are scientifically backed. We list them below:

1.   Bonding with your baby.

Perhaps one of the best experiences for mothers is bonding with their newborn baby. Beneficial hormones are released, strengthening the maternal-child bond. Also, producing all the nutrients your baby needs to grow gives you a sense of confidence.

Many studies have found that the bond between a nursing mother and her baby is stronger than any other human contact. Holding your baby to your chest provides you with a more potent psychological experience than carrying the baby inside your womb.

When deciding whether to breastfeed or not, remember that the foundation of the relationship between you and your baby is anchored in the connections of breastfeeding. Emotional health will improve with fewer feelings of nervousness.

Indeed, breastfeeding develops a stronger sense of connection with your infant. This, in turn, creates a healthy psychological foundation for many years to come.

2.   Losing your baby weight. 

Though some mothers tend to gain weight during the first few weeks after childbirth, some effortlessly shed baby fat due to breastfeeding. It has been shown to burn more calories in mothers after just three months.

Studies have found that mothers who breastfeed are likely to return to their pre-pregnancy weight compared to those who don’t at all. This is a favorable outcome since it reduces the chances of obesity and hypertension.

Another reason why breastfeeding burns calories is that the fat amassed during pregnancy is used to produce breast milk. Thus, continually doing so for up to six months can lead to considerable weight loss.

However, this experience varies among lactating mothers. If you want to lose weight after giving birth, consider increasing your workout intensity while monitoring your diet. This is the most reliable way to lose weight.

3.   Reduced risk of diseases.

Mothers are afforded long-lasting protection against a wide range of diseases. This includes ovarian cancer, breast cancer, arthritis, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood fat.

4.   Lower risk of depression.

Many mothers are at risk of developing postpartum depression (PPD) right after giving birth. However, studies have shown that women who breastfeed are less likely to develop PPD compared to those who don’t.

The same study also found that those experiencing PPD are more likely to have issues with breastfeeding. Thus, if you have such symptoms, seeking professional help is the best route.

5.   Natural postpartum infertility.

According to recent studies, breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months is about 98% as effective as oral contraceptives. Also, mothers who breastfeed exclusively remain amenorrhoeic for longer periods compared to mothers who nurse irregularly.

For some mothers, they also experience a delay in their return to fertility by inhibiting ovulation. This is because, during lactation, they may not ovulate or have regular periods. However, the length of non-ovulation varies among women.

Experts believe this postpartum infertility can prevent more births compared to all other forms of contraception combined.

6.   Recover from childbirth.

Each time your baby breastfeeds, it’s also helping you to recover from the rigors of childbirth. This is because oxytocin induces uterine contractions. Especially in the days after birth, it helps to expel your placenta naturally, reducing blood loss.

7.   No worries about formula errors or contamination.

Mothers and caregivers are relieved of the chances of making mistakes in formula preparation, including mixing proportions. Also, the risks of bacterial contamination during the cleaning of the supplies are greatly reduced, if not diminished.

Unless you express breast milk directly into nursing bottles and store it for later use, breastfeeding involves no or little handling of breast milk. Less handling means there will be fewer chances of exposure to contaminants.

Typically, with breastfeeding, you’re assured that your baby receives clean, fresh milk directly from your breast.

8.   Saves money and time.

You save time by not doing so many routine tasks. You don’t need to measure formula every feeding, spend time cleaning and sterilizing nipples and bottles, or mix and stir bottles during odd hours, like in the middle of the night.

Additionally, you don’t need to figure out a bunch of different ways to warm up bottles when on the road and during your weekend malling and calculate how much your infant needs to drink each day.

More importantly, you save money since you won’t be spending on formula. Also, no plastic nipples, feeding bottles, or warmers that you will bother to purchase, too. Indirectly, there’s no consumption of electricity since you won’t use bottle warmers.

Indeed, breastfeeding goes down to the economics of life. It helps you save tons of time and money. You will also save time and money by seeing a lactation consultant.

Breastfeed Your Baby Right from Birth

Nothing completes the joy of motherhood more than holding your baby against your chest and expressing your breast milk. Breastfeeding, indeed, is the all-encompassing bonding between the mother and her newborn.

The marvels of breastfeeding aren’t only for the baby but for the mother, too. Aside from the bond that develops, it helps you lose the baby weight, helps with postpartum depression, reduces the risk of diseases, and is a natural form of birth control.

As advocates of breastfeeding, we hope to instill in mothers the benefits we have outlined for you in this article. We at Omega Pediatrics are one family. We extend our concern for the mothers as well as our young patients.

For expectant and soon-to-be mothers, we would love to meet with you and discuss breastfeeding. We gladly welcome you to our office. We look forward to your appointment with Omega Pediatrics.