One of the most frequently asked questions from not only new mothers but also from would-be mothers (and dads) is “What are some tips for breastfeeding my newborn infant?”
There are innumerable myths and customs surrounding the issue of breastfeeding, not the least of which is found in our Indian cultures and customs. Some of these do have a sound basis and have found to show good results, but most others, I must say, are plain old wives tales and have nothing to do with successful breastfeeding.
So I thought I would put down my thoughts on some tips for successful breastfeeding from a midwifery perspective. As midwives, we counsel our mothers who give birth at the Healthy Mother Birthing Center in Hyderabad, how they can start and maintain a good breastfeeding practice for their babies.
1. Unless you have a medical condition that affects your milk production capability, it is impossible that you will not have milk once you have given birth. Amost all mothers have milk and are perfectly capable of nursing their newborns.
2. It requires some amount of patience and dedication on the part of the healthcare provider to teach new mothers correct techniques of holds and latches so that baby can get that first latch and breastfeed well, especially in the first hour after being born. It is really a joint effort by mother, midwife and baby that makes it successful
3. Success in breastfeeding is really a consequence of supply and demand. We have seen many healthcare providers literally condemn mothers by proclaiming “you have no milk” and promoting formula milk. We have also seen well meaning but uninformed relatives (mothers and in-laws) forcing cow’s milk on newborns. Both do severe harm!
4. After the initial colostrum (which is the first power packed nutrition for babies), pre-milk, and then milk comes in over the first 48-72 hours as and when baby starts nursing and continues nursing. We suggest mothers initially nurse their babies as and when they cry, and not put babies on any kind of schedule.
5. A good breastfeeding diet is a great help to new mothers for successful breastfeeding and production of milk.
6. It is essential that you bond with your baby by touching, “cooing and cuddling”, and talking softly as all these stimulate the production of the hormone “Oxytocin” which in turn stimulate the milk producing glands to let down milk.
7. Sometimes you may get sore nipples when breastfeeding your baby. Applying a little bit of your own expressed milk to the nipples immediately before and after nursing usually provides good relief. Over and above this, there are creams available in the market which will help you and yet are not harmful to your baby. It helps if you feed your baby by alternating between left and right breasts. But ultimately, if your hold or latch position is not correct it may lead to sore nipples. Getting help of a lactation consultant or midwife would be very helpful in getting the baby to latch correctly and thus avoid pain.
8. Keep your surrounding environment calm and peaceful when you breastfeed your infant. Just as spontaneous labor stops when there is stress and commotion all around, milk production also stops if you and your baby are in an environment which is stressful or noisy. (So no breastfeeding in front of the TV 
… Just kidding. Seriously, keep the volume way down if you must watch those daily dramas!!) and take the time to enjoy nourishing and nurturing your baby in some privacy.
9. Some good websites you can visit and learn more about breastfeeding are – a) www.kellymom.com b) http://www.llli.org/faq/positioning.html
10. Last but perhaps most important, help for your breastfeeding questions is only one click or phone call away. The Healthy Mother Breastfeeding Support Network is an online resource set up by experienced mothers to help new mothers and expectant mothers find answers to their questions about how to breastfeed their infants and related topics. This closed group is open to even those mothers who want to restart breastfeeding after having fed formula milk to their babies for some reason. Here is the link for the Healthy Mother Breastfeeding Support Network. Visit this page and ask to be made a member of the group and our admin will do the needful. We promise your questions will be answered.
11. You are welcome to contact us with your questions or comments.