7 Tips for Breastfeeding Success That No One Tells You About

Introduction:

(The title text is written on the chest of a shoulders-down image of a torso of a person breastfeeding a baby. Below, text is displayed on label-maker-style strips.)

As a feminist who wanted to exclusively breastfeed, but ended up supplementing with formula for the first few months, I had a hard time finding written resources that addressed breastfeeding from a perspective that resonated with me.

These are some things I wish I’d known.

Panel 1:

(A glass of ice water is labeled “drink water like it’s a hot day.” An egg-and-cheese sandwich on a croissant is labeled “eat high-fat, high-protein food.” And a chocolate milkshake is labeled “milk shake.”)

Tip 1. Don’t be a martyr.

Sometimes, a lot of us succumb to pressure to deny our own needs. Taking care of a small baby feels like the perfect time to do this. But physical reality doesn’t allow it. Your body has a job to do, and it needs fuel.

Panel 2:

(A person wearing underwear and leaning back while breastfeeding a small baby. Person is holding up two fingers in a peace sign. The person has hairy legs, labeled “too cool to shave,” and there is a clock labeled “Time ain’t nothin’ but a number.”)

Tip 2. Embrace your inner hippie.

Even if you had a hospital birth, an epidural, a caesarean section. Even if you’re not a hippie at all.

When I was learning to breastfeed, I was basically half-naked all the time. Telling myself to embrace my inner hippie both made me laugh and actually helped.

Panel 3:

(Diane-Keaton-in-Baby-Boom-esque person juggles a baby, baby bottles, a briefcase, and a high-heeled shoe)

Tip 3. But also embrace your inner 80s power bitch, and know that formula’s okay.

Buy some formula to have on hand if you need it. Breastfeeding might work for a while, or not at all, or it might work in the end but be way harder than you thought. You will feed your baby one way or another.

Panel 4:

(Three breast pumps are hanging out. The one in the middle is much larger than the others. Inside each breast shield reads a different message:“I kinda suck. I REALLY suck! Ahem! I sort of suck.”)

Tip 4. Get the best pump you can afford.

While commercial pumps can be great once your supply is well established, I recommend renting a hospital-grade pump when you’re getting started. I rented mine from a drug store for $50/month after spending my insurance money on a sucky pump from Target that I wish I hadn’t bought.

Panel 5:

(An apron is labeled “‘Hooter Hider’ (just wear a scarf). A black T-shirt with a $75 price tag is labeled “fancy nursing shirt” (just wear a tank top under your t-shirt).  A simple pink bra is labeled “nursing bra” – okay, you might want a couple of these.)

Tip 5. Don’t feel like you have to buy what they’re selling.

It’s not that buying any of those products is bad, but there’s always going to be someone trying to sell you something.

And when you’re vulnerable and new, you can get overwhelmed feeling like you “need” all of this expensive stuff that isn’t really necessary. Capitalism sucks.

Panel 6:

(Person breastfeeding, looking at their phone, with a lightbulb above their head. Phone is labeled “best breastfeeding article ever: ‘The More I Learn About Breastmilk, the More Amazed I Am’ by Angela Garbes“) 

Tip 6. Educate yourself!

Because formula was extremely popular – to the exclusion of breastfeeding – for quite a long time, there is a knowledge gap in the generations before us.

We need to be proactive and seek information and support. The science of breastfeeding is really cool. Knowledge is power. It doesn’t mean you have to stick with breastfeeding if it’s not working for you, but knowing some of the cool things about breastfeeding can help you when other people question why you’re doing it.

Panel 7:

(United States of America with a frowny face on it.)

Tip 7. Don’t live in the US.

Oh and speaking of capitalism: Live in Poland, Italy, Croatia, Macedonia, Belarus, Denmark, Iceland or one of the other 178 countries where paid maternity leave is guaranteed for working moms!*

Or live in a place where breastfeeding and babies are fully integrated into community and society. If you live in the US, you’re facing an uphill battle, and no advice on how to personally approach things can change that.

Just know that you are not alone.

*The Huffington Post Canada, Maternity Leaves Around the World: Worst and Best Countries for Paid Maternity Leave; May 22, 2012, updated Nov 18, 2015

Panel 8:

(Handwritten text in a pink box, above typed text.)

Most of all, remember: Your baby has good instincts, and so do you.

There is so much judgment around how to feed babies, and if it doesn’t work out the way you hoped, you might place judgement on yourself. But you don’t deserve it. You’re doing great.

There are many, many people for whom it doesn’t come easily, and you will figure out what works for you.