Best Nursing Tips for a New Mom

Are you a new mom that’s excited to begin her nursing journey? In order to have a successful nursing journey, there are some things you can do. Check out these best nursing tips for a new mom.

Drink lots of water.

While you are trying to establish your breastfeeding relationship with your newborn, you are going to need to drink a lot of water. In fact, water will become your best friend over the next few months. Water helps your body stay hydrated as your body produces milk to feed your baby. Don’t forget that your body can still absorb water from other resources to help your body meet the demands of feeding a baby.

Snack as often as possible.

Nursing does take a lot of calories and snacking often helps your body have enough energy to keep moving through. According to research, just to produce milk, your body needs a certain amount of calories. You can check out this research that helps each woman fine tune her caloric intake while breastfeeding. Most experts would agree that a breastfeeding mom needs to intake around 300-500 extra calories a day to keep her milk supply rich.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Although it seems like you’re the only one who can feed baby there are ways to still ask for help. You can ask your significant other to bathe, rock, pat, or change a diaper. If you’re feeling tired and need to rest, don’t feel bad about pumping a bottle and allowing someone else to take a feeding. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign that you’re exhausted and just need someone to help you out a little bit.

Keep in mind that newborn babies eat a lot.

It can be overwhelming when you realize how often newborns eat. As a nursing mom, it’s okay to let your baby eat when they are hungry. Allowing your baby to eat and empty one breast and then move onto the other is completely normal. If baby doesn’t finish both breasts, start the next feeding with the breast he or she ended with last time.

Breastfeeding is a lot of work but it’s so worth it in the end.

It can take a breastfeeding relationship a while to form and that’s okay. Don’t get discouraged if you have not perfected breastfeeding by the first week. Try to be as patient as possible with your new baby and enjoy this close bond that’s forming right now.