Top 5 tips for successful breastfeeding

This is a post I never, ever thought I'd be writing. Breastfeeding did not come naturally to me, and the struggles I went through definitely warrant their own post (in the pipeline).

However, over the past three months, I feel like I've learnt a few survival tips, which will hopefully help some of you fellow mums out there.

1. Do not feed on a bad latch

I know this is an obvious one, but I cannot stress the importance of this enough. In the early days, yes, breastfeeding hurts. But it shouldn't be excruciating. I remember one particular time when I was resting my feet on the Argos book and, unbeknown to me, throughout the feed I'd shredded the entire front page with my toe curling! As a result of feeding on a bad latch, my nipples ended up cracked and bleeding, which led to multiple other problems.

If the feed is still unbearable a minute or so into the feed, then unlatch and try again.

A great place to look for advice is La Leche League GB.

2. Air dry whenever and wherever possible

Damp nipples that are wrapped up in non-breathable breast pads and clothing are asking for trouble. I had a terrible time with thrush in the early weeks and I wouldn't wish the pain on my worst enemy.

After a feed, be sure to let your nipples dry fully before covering them up. Ideally, leave your top off for a good 10 minutes or so. Trust me, you'll get so used to walking around topless you'll almost certainly walk past your window at one point or answer the front door with your bra up round your neck!!

3. Invest in some reusable breast pads

As mentioned above, I was blighted by thrush, and I'm sure the plastic-backed breast pads I was using didn't help. Plus, their hard texture irritated my super-sensitive nipples and even stuck to the open wounds (nice).

So, I invested in some washable breast pads, which are breathable and much softer on the skin. I chose these and have no complaints. Just remember, if you have an infection, change the pads at least after every feed and wash them on a high temperature.

4. Slather on the coconut oil

Yes, Lansinoh is award-winning and is recommended on pretty much every breastfeeding website and in numerous articles. However, I did not get on with it. I found it sticky and, not to mention, very expensive.

I've always been a fan of using oils for skincare and swore by argon oil and coconut oil throughout my pregnancy. For me, it just seemed right to use an oil to treat my poor, cracked nipples. And it worked!

Within a few days of switching to coconut oil, I immediately saw an improvement. The red-raw skin around my nipples dried up and dropped off (sorry if TMI!!) and unveiled lovely soft, supple skin underneath. And the cracks across my nipples gradually closed over, and became far less painful over time.

Even now, three months into breastfeeding, I still religiously apply coconut oil after every feed, as I am terrified of my skin going back to how it was in those first few weeks!

I know you can spend a fortune on coconut oil, but I get this one from Aldi! Total bargain at £2.49 and it lasts forever!

5. Have a change of scenery

This was a bit of a lightbulb moment for me.

I'd been feeding on the same sofa in our house, with the same feeding pillow, since returning from the hospital. I had a lot of mini breakdowns on that sofa!! The morning my breasts were so engorged that little Pip wouldn't feed was a real low point and tears were shed. Just looking at that sofa, even now, conjures up a whole host of negative emotions.

Then, one day, I was at my parents' house and needed to feed Pip. Being in a different location, without all my breastfeeding paraphernalia, allowed me to take a fresh approach to feeding and it was honestly such a liberating moment. I actually thought, for the first time, I can do this.

From then on, I never fed on the main sofa in our house. I moved to the hard, upright sofa (which I had originally ruled out as being too uncomfortable for long feeding marathons) and ditched the breastfeeding pillow and replaced it with just an ordinary cushion (like I had at my parents' house). The new sofa made me sit more upright and less hunched over, and I naturally crossed my legs, and for me that just worked.

So, experiment with different positions around the house (oi oi!) until you find a place that feels right for you. And treat every new location as a fresh start.

Josie x