If you're breastfeeding, the first rule is to relax. Find a quiet place, away from distractions and visitors, for your first feedings. And don't watch the clock - the baby doesn't. If the father feels a bit left out, remember that there are things he CAN do, such as changing and bathing the baby and bringing it to the big bed for night feedings. Some parents decide to give the baby one bottle of formula* a day, both to help involve Dad and to let Mom get some needed sleep or a change to get out of the house. If you use powered infant formula, it's easy to mix up just one bottle at a time.

Dressing Comfortably for breastfeeding

• Take a front-buttoning nightgown or one with concealed slits with you to the hospital.
• War a stretch bra, if you like, which can simply be lifted up for nursing**. Some women buy bras before they go to the hospital, getting a size larger (and a CUP size larger) than they wore during pregnancy, but this isn't right for everyone. Perhaps best is to buy a bra extender in a sewing notions department for the extra "give" you may need.
• Try using a man's soft handkerchief in your bra cup to prevent leaks from coming through, or use about four layers of an old knitted undershirt or stitched-together two to three inch circles of terrycloth. Or cut a heavy sanitary napkin or diaper to fit. (And of course there are commercially available nursing pads or other products.)
• Remember that printed tops will make stains less visible if you do leak!
• Unbutton front-buttoning blouses from the bottom for modest nursing. Or wear a knit pullover; the baby's head will cover your bare midriff, and the pullover will cover your breast.
• Keep a lose-fitting cardigan handy and don't overlook the quick cover up possibilities of ponchos. carves or receiving blankets.

Nursing Techniques

• Protect linens and blankets, when you nurse in bed, by covering them with a crib sized water proof protector.
• Use a big bed pillow with arms for nursing in bed.
• Wrap up in a big blanket or get into a snuggle sack wit the baby in the winter if you sit up to nurse at night. Mile flows better if your warm and cozy.
• Select a cushioned rocker, armchair or sofa for nursing when your' up , one with low arms to rest your own arms on, and put a pillow under your nursing arm. If your buying a rocker, remember that a wooden one will be easier to keep clean than an upholstered one.
• Put the baby on a pillow on your lap; you may find that doing so puts him or her at just the right level for comfort.
• Keep track of which breast you used last by transferring a safety pin form one side of our bra trap to the other. Or buy a light weight expandable bracelet and slip it from one wrist to the other. Or use a ring that is loose enough to transfer easily from hand to hand. You may want to start on the right side each morning; you'll be able to remember how many times you've fed the baby and work it out. Most mothers start nursing with the breast used LAST.
• Put your finger in the corner of the baby's mouth to break the suction and ease him or her off your breast, when you want to stop nursing.
• If the baby falls asleep, change the diaper to help wake him or her when your ready to change breasts.
• Wear a bright "necklace" of colored wooden beads or ribbons for your baby to look at while you're nursing.
• Be aware that some babies fin it hard to settle down against slippery nylon or polyester. If you're wearing a shirt or top of either fabric, slip a diaper or receiving blanket between yourself and the baby.
• Try expressing milk in a warm shower or bath if you're engorged and the baby isn't ready to nurse. Experiment with all types of breast pumps; they don't all work for everyone.

Burping
Don't worry if your baby doesn't always burp after a feeding, especially if you're breastfeeding. If he or she seems comfortable after you've given it a good try, forget it. Do be careful not to "pat" too hard; you may cause the baby to vomit.***  Some parents find it better to use a gentle upward stroke instead of patting.

• Put your baby on your shoulder with a diaper underneath and gently pat his or her back between the shoulder blades.
• Tie a bib around YOUR neck if you get tired of a diaper, and switch the bib from shoulder to shoulder as you switch the baby.
• Lay the baby on your lap, tummy down, with his or her head tur4ned a little to the side. Pat or gently rub, form the bottom up.
• Make a "horseshoe" with your thumb and index finger and put the baby's chin into it as he or she "sits" on your lap, leaning against your arm. Pat or stroke upward.
• Put your hand under the baby's sternum and lean the baby toward your palm (draped with cloth or diaper), while firmly but gently rubbing his or her back.
• Squeeze the baby's back gently, while the baby is on your shoulder or in our lap, beginning at the kidney area and working slowing up to the shoulders.

This information was provided from the book " Vicki Lansky's Practical Parenting Tips - the first 5 years" Copy Right 1982 by Vicki Lansky

Comments from TLC
*While formula is an alternative to breast milk when a bottle becomes necessary, so is pumping breast milk.  This way the baby is not having to adjust to different foods so soon!  Just pump up a bottle or two and keep refrigerated or frozen, so they are handy when Dad or babysitter needs to feed for you!
**Most department stores sell breast feeding bras that are very comfortable and open in the front to allow for feeding.
***A firm but gentle rubbing of the back works very well when trying to get the baby to burp also.

Personal Experience
I nursed both of my children until they were about one year of age.
I can remember that it was a bit uncomfortable at first - until my breasts toughened up a bit.  Sometimes it hurt so bad I thought my toe nails were going to curl!!  But once I got through the first week or so, it proved to be well worth it.  I bonded with my children in a way, that I could not imagine doing with a bottle.

I loved the way that they would "hug" me with their little hands and arms and look up into my eyes as they fed.

Night feedings were a breeze!  I kept my baby in a bassinet right next to the bed. When she would wake up hungry, I simply picked her up, laid her by my side and breast fed (half a sleep). She would fall asleep next to me cuddling close, with a full tummy.  No getting up and fixing a bottle!  

I would pump breast milk and keep it refrigerated for when I could not be there, or for Daddy to feed her.  Although, I must admit, neither one of my children liked the bottle very much.

I've heard many people say that they just "can't" breast feed - but I also think some people give up too soon. Stick with it, and you'll be glad you did!

K. Evans
TLC