As you enter the latter stages of pregnancy you realize there are many changes on the way. Raising a child can be difficult but it is definitely rewarding.
You will probably read every book in your local library and learn everything you can about caring for a baby, changing diapers, and making your house safe.
Before you go padding every sharp corner in the house there are a few basic ideas you need to worry about first.
Breast feeding technique is just about the most important new skill you'll have to master.
Unfortunately, this isn't something that you can learn or pick up from a book. Breast-feeding is something that most mothers and babies learn together once the infant is born.
It can't hurt to have some familiarity with the process before you start, though. Talk to your doctor regarding any of your questions. You may even want to see a lactation consultant to make sure you are latching your baby correctly.
You will probably learn a few great tips about breast-feeding through your research. For instance, you'll learn that the earlier you start, the better it is for your baby to get used to being breast fed.
Once the demand is there your breasts will produce milk, so let the baby suckle even if milk doesn't come immediately.
Another thing you'll learn is that the first few days in a baby's life are some of the most important, at least when it comes to breast feeding. In those first few days, your breasts produce a thick milk called colostrum.
This milk is full of the important nutrition and antibodies your baby needs and is a slightly yellowish color. These antibodies are important for fighting off infections and helping with the baby's growth and development.
There is no formula available that can replace colostrum so give it your best effort to breast feed over this period.
Lactation consultants will tell you that mastering the technique is the most difficult part of breast-feeding. You have to relax and be persistent in those first few days.
Your infant needs to learn how to suckle and release the milk, and you need to learn how to encourage him to latch onto your breasts and to let go when your breast is empty.
Lactation consultants can show you the proper technique, and you'll master it in a short time. The more you and your baby breast feed, the easier and more natural it will become.
