The Birth Song Botanicals Blog

7 Tips for Breastfeeding Success

7 Tips for Breastfeeding Success

In some ways, breastfeeding is an instinctual art, but in other ways, it is a learned skill that takes time and space to master. Have you ever looked in a breastfeeding book and the images looked blissful? Well those women have mastered breastfeeding. It takes time and lots of practice to master something. Let me give you an example of what I mean. Have you ever looked at a yoga book and thought that the poses looked easy? What happened when you tried the poses for the first time? Did you wobble and topple over? Right! We all do. The woman doing yoga has mastered the poses. She practiced and practiced for months and maybe years before she got the confidence up to have someone photograph her for the book.

 

It’s the same with breastfeeding. It looks natural and easy, but it is a learned skill that requires perfect practice to master. This type of mastery requires patience and persistence.

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How to Increase Your Breastmilk Supply Quickly

How to Increase Your Breastmilk Supply Quickly

Are you one of the millions of breastfeeding moms who are concerned about your milk supply? Do you NEED to increase your supply quickly? Or maintain your supply while you're working? Are you trying to nurse and pump? If so you are in the right place, on today's episode of apothecary wisdom, we will help you boost your supply so you can make a bunch of thick, rich breastmilk that satisfies your baby and stocks your freezer!

Milk supply is possibly the most uncertain, concerning part of feeding our babies. We can't see how much they are drinking, and what we don't know can be worrisome. However, sometimes the concerns about low breastmilk supply are simply that, concerns. Or they are someone else's unfounded worry being put on you. Of course, there are times that our supply is low, and they need to be addressed right away.  

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Breastfeeding 101- Best Breastfeeding Practices

Breastfeeding 101- Best Breastfeeding Practices

Whether you're brand new to breastfeeding or just looking for a refresher, you are in the right place. Today is all about Breastfeeding 101 we are covering the 9 Best Breastfeeding Practices to support you and your baby as you learn to nurse. This video will help you avoid and navigate through the most common breastfeeding problems. My goal is to support your breastfeeding journey and help you make it a smooth and enjoyable as possible.

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Tandem Breastfeeding

Tandem Breastfeeding

On average, breastfeeding regulates postpartum menses and a return to fertility long enough that babies are often spaced a couple of years apart even without other forms of birth control. Of course, averages don’t mean a whole lot for individuals—all of our bodies are beautifully unique. But even when the average holds true, it’s common and even recommended to breastfeed well into toddlerhood. Chances are, there are many of you who have been or will be faced with the prospect of tandem breastfeeding.

Yet even though it makes perfect biological sense for one child’s breastfeeding journey to coincide with their sibling’s, it’s not often depicted or discussed. So when a mama becomes pregnant before baby weans, they’re often left wondering what to do. Rest assured, tandem nursing is well within that “range of normal” that we so often look to. Today, we’ll walk through some of the concerns, benefits, and struggles of tandem breastfeeding. You’re not alone—and your nursling doesn’t have to be, either!

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Best Baby Carriers for Breastfeeding

Best Baby Carriers for Breastfeeding
When you have the basics of breastfeeding down, you will be able to start exploring the option of nursing your baby in a baby carrier hands-free! Learning how to do this may take some time and patience. It is important to find the right kind of carrier for you and your baby, one that fits you both well. But once you have, it can be really wonderful. Continue reading

How Often Should I Breastfeed?

How Often Should I Breastfeed?
Knowing when to nurse your baby seems like it should be the easiest thing in the world. However, there are so many different recommendations out there about what to do - If you should schedule, if you should not, how long to nurse on each breast, how long to wait in between nursing sessions. It can all become very confusing. However, you and your baby are designed to work together in harmony. Trust that if you respond to your baby and trust your babies nursing cues, you and your baby will find your rhythm together. Continue reading

Self Care Must Haves for New Moms

Self Care Must Haves for New Moms
Your postpartum time with your new baby can be a magical time of bonding, snuggles, sweet baby sounds, breastfeeding, healing, and rest. It can also be exhausting, frustrating, physically uncomfortable, and challenging. Focusing on your own care means you will more easily be able to care for your newborn. For many of us, it is hard to put our own needs first - as women we often focus on what is best for the whole group, and put our individual needs behind others. However, when you have just given birth and are caring for a newborn, your needs and the baby’s needs work together in a special way. When you are taken care of, it is easier for you to take care of your baby. Now is the time to focus on what is best for you and your newborn. Continue reading

Healthy Snacks for Breastfeeding

Healthy Snacks for Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding nutrition does not have to be complicated. Simple, whole food, with a focus on nutrient dense ingredients, will help to give you what you need while you are healing after the birth of your baby and building your milk supply. And it can be delicious! Bon appetite to you - and your nursling! Continue reading

Re-Lactation and Induced Lactation: Breastfeeding After a Break or When You Never Have

Re-Lactation and Induced Lactation: Breastfeeding After a Break or When You Never Have
Breastfeeding after a period of not lactating is possible! If you changed your mind and want to breastfeed your baby longer, or if you couldn’t breastfeed for a period of time because of illness or a needed medication - no matter the reason, you can breastfeed your baby again. Did you know that’s it is also possible to induce lactation if you have never given birth or been pregnant? Relactation is bringing your milk back after a period of not lactating. Induced lactation is making milk when you have not previously. Continue reading

Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk?

Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk?
For a new mama, nothing is more important than seeing her baby thrive and grow. Nursing a baby for the first time can be an overwhelming experience. Between making sure you have a good latch, dealing with sore nipples (what IS normal anyway?), and making sure you have snacks and water within reach, it is so easy to get frustrated. However, more than anything else, new mamas worry about their babies getting enough milk. Continue reading