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    breastfeeding and the first 6 weeks

    June 16, 2020 · Tips

    7 tips for encouraging a positive breastfeeding journey in the first 6 weeks

    This journal post on breastfeeding during the fourth trimester, and more importantly the first 6 weeks was inspired by a wonderful podcast with Amberley Harris. ‘Talking Tits’ on Beyond the Bump. We put up a post on our instagram shortly after listening but decided the information deserved a permanent spot on our website.

    baby looking up at her mother while breastfeeding

    I am so passionate about breastfeeding and the fourth trimester. How you spend the first 6 weeks of your fourth trimester can significantly impact your breastfeeding journey.

    Amberley shares her top 5 tips for starting on the right foot for your breastfeeding journey. She highlights the wonderful benefits of breastmilk and ways to encourage a positive and successful breastfeeding relationship. So much of her advice works in such perfect harmony with honouring the first six weeks with home nesting. Using those early weeks to surrender, tune in and connect. 

    Here are our top 7 take homes from the interview to incorporate into your fourth trimester.

    ⊍⊍ skin on skin 

    Incorporating skin on skin feeding is such a brilliant way to initiate a strong breastfeeding relationship. It allows babe to use all of their senses to feed. Keeping them alert and actively feeding. Skin on skin time is so magical. It released hormones that relive stress and stabilise a babies temperature, breathing rate, heart rate and blood sugar. A mama’s body is incredible.

    ⊍⊍ feed on demand

    Demand equals supply. Let your baby be the driver of your milk supply. Our babies are sending those signals by sucking at the breast. We have the most impact on supply in the first 6 weeks, it is the most influential on those milk making cells in our breasts. That’s the time it takes to establish our milk production.

    ⊍⊍ get to know your boobs

    Get really well acquainted with your boobs. Feel them before during and after a feed. You will start to learn to feel when your baby hasn’t properly drained your breast. Look at them in the mirror, they will be different to what they used to be. Probably a lot bigger! Get to know them so you can identify when any red patches or lumps appear. These are the early signs of blocked milk ducts which can lead to mastitis. 

    ⊍⊍ follow their lead 

    Don’t worry about structure or routine when breastfeeding during the first 6 weeks. Even better still, the first 12 weeks – the fourth trimester. Use this time to really respond to your baby and to learn their cues. Listen to a feed, identify their suck swallow pattern, observe the movement of their chin. New babies feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. When they frequently stimulate your boobs they bring in an abundant milk supply. 

    ⊍⊍ mothering through breastfeeding 

    breastfeeding a baby

    Mothering through breastfeeding is truely amazing. Breastfeeding is not just about nutrition. Babies breastfeed for a lot of other reasons outside of hunger. They are hot, cold, tired or overstimulated. Babies want to suckle for comfort too and that’s okay. You can’t spoil or smother them with too much love. Be there for them and create that bond and connection. Treasure these new mamahood moments.

    ⊍⊍ navigating nipple damage

    Nipple damage is caused by an improper latch. Remember it is called breast feeding and not nipple feeding. It can be so beneficial to seek professional guidance with latching so you can identify and feel correct attachment. Reach out and connect with a lactation consultant before you have your baby. Then you have someone you know and trust if things pop up. Amberley gets all her mamas with nipple damage to continue with skin to skin and allow the baby to breast crawl for most of their feeds. This allows them to use all of their senses and instincts to latch and feed. 

    ⊍⊍ good health 

    Breastfeeding works really really well and is such an intelligent system but it is also a learned skill. It takes time, practice and concentration. We can get so caught up over analysing things. To support your milk supply you just need to be in good health. Focus on your nutrition and staying hydrated. Milk boosters work really well too but they work differently for everyone. Some mama’s respond well to lactation teas, and others to lactation cookies. Some to Fenugreek and others to Blessed Thistle. If you are worried about supply, speak to a professional, there is perceived low supply and actual low supply. New mamas can get caught up in worrying through comparison with other mamas and their experiences and stories. 

    mum breastfeeding a baby in the first 6 weeks

    Your village can make such a difference to your breastfeeding journey. Having their understating and support of your fourth trimester intentions. Having our beautiful recipes delivered to you while you honour those early weeks. Asking other mamas in your village to guide you when you are a little lost.

    We can teach each other so much as women – we can empower each other. There is so much to learn that we can share amongst ourselves. Breastfeeding is a learned skill and for most of us – it isn’t until we have our own baby and breastfeed for the first time that we see it up close.

    Be prepared to be a little clumsy and feel as though you need an extra set of arms. Be kind to yourself, and remember, with a little practice you will get there and it will be so worth it. Breast milk is incredible and breastfeeding is magical.

    love leila x

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. BrodiE says

      September 15, 2020 at 9:32 am

      Love love love this article! So many beautiful tips. It’s such a special time. I am 6weeks postpartum with my second little boy at the moment. It’s so important to listen to our bodies and our babies, we have all the answers just need to trust that maternal intuition 💗

      Reply
      • village for mama says

        October 13, 2020 at 1:57 am

        Thank you Brodie! It really is so important to try and block out all the noise and tune into that maternal intuition isn’t it! I hope you had a magical supported and nourished fourth trimester with your second little one. Such a beautiful time. Leila x

        Reply

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    Perhaps this year we can be a little kinder to our Perhaps this year we can be a little kinder to ourselves. We can celebrate and admire the beauty in all stages of motherhood. Remove the words ‘bounce back’ from our pregnancy and postpartum vocabulary. 
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I was going to sit and type a bit of a reflection on this year. Instead I just want to say this... 
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This year has been a weird and wonderful one... 
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Most have faced hardships and challenges like no other. Some have experienced loss greater than ever and others have welcomed new little loves. I’ve watched people adapt, evolve, collaborate, laugh, cry, dream, hope and most importantly prevail against all odds. 
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That’s the wonder of life, despite the hardship there is still beauty. So much beauty. 
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This year I launched village for mama and self published the book. It was a hard juggle whilst being a mama to an adventurous, spirited and determined daughter who never sleeps! But, I wouldn’t have it any other way, for without her, this village would not exist. 
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I have made it my mission to help more mamas experience a magical well supported and nourished fourth trimester. However, as I reflect on this, I actually hope that we all experience a magical, well nourished and supported new year. A year of connection, community, inspiration, collaboration and happiness. 
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Thank you to every single one of you who have supported me along the way. To all the beautiful mamas who have purchased a book and to all of you who have made up my virtual village. I am beyond grateful for your support and I look forward to a new year of growing and connecting. 
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Happy new year mamas,
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Leila x 
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New life captured by @shelleylawnikanis
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Sounds silly I know, but those early tender postpartum weeks are incomparable to any other moment in time. The hormones, love, discomfort, awe, overwhelm, fear, angst, admiration all bubbling away in one big mixing pot of postpartum magic.
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After you give birth, regardless of how,
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You see, your uterus is tender and contracting down to its original size (ahhhhmaazing body mama) and the where the placenta (magical organ) once was, is now a large wound. An empty space the size of a dinner plate, raw, repairing and causing lengthy blood loss.
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So not only are giant nappies the best thing ever for the weeks to follow... a comfortable cuddle for your bits and a perfect solution for dealing with the inevitable. Rest and warm nourishing food are equally as valuable for the healing process after your body has just gone through the extraordinary gift of birthing new life. 
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So mama, put your feet and your bits up, keep warm, rest and devour delicious deliveries from your village 
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Ps. This a repost from a while ago because over the last few months so many new mamas have joined me on here and I am so so grateful for all of you! Hello and welcome if you are one of them and have read this far.  This  is one of my favourite posts from this year while I’m reflecting on all that has happened in the world of @villageformama.
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mama beauty and babe @newdarlings  #postpartum #fourthtrimester #thisismotherhood
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Photo via @jollymamafrance
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With love and gratitude, I have chosen you to be a part of my village. Would you kindly deliver this meal to our family after we welcome our new baby.
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Nourishing and nutrient dense food is essential during the early weeks and months after giving birth. Not only to help support my healing process but to ensure I have enough energy to feed and nurture the latest addition to the family. 
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One of the greatest challenges a new mother faces is the time to allow herself to heal. If the sign on the door invites you in, be sure to offer a helping hand before you snuggle the baby. Pop a load of washing on and make us both a cup of tea! 
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If the sign on the door says that today’s not the day, please do not be offended; I may not be up for hosting or perhaps I’m deep in a much-needed nap. There will be plenty of opportunities for cuddles in the future.
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Thank you for being part of my village,
All my love 
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New mama,

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