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The Ultimate Guide to Breastfeeding: Tips, Tools, and Hacks

Breastfeeding is a beautiful way to nourish and bond with your baby, but it can come with its share of challenges. From positioning to milk supply, the journey can be full of questions and trial and error. This guide provides a well-rounded look at the essentials for breastfeeding

 

1. Getting Started with Breastfeeding: The Basics

The early days of breastfeeding are all about establishing a routine, figuring out positioning, and helping your baby latch effectively.

  • Learn before baby arrives: If you haven’t had your baby yet, check out our blog post with tips and tricks for preparing to breastfeed while you’re still pregnant.
  • Go Skin-to-Skin as soon and as much as possible: Aim to start breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. Skin-to-skin contact helps stimulate milk production and encourages your baby’s instinct to latch. 
  • Master the Latch: A good latch is key to comfortable feeding. Ensure your baby has a wide-open mouth, taking in both the nipple and a large portion of the areola. If it’s painful, gently break the suction and try again.
  • Experiment with various holds, such as the cradle, cross-cradle, side-lying, or football hold, to find what is most comfortable for you and your baby.

 

2. Essential Tools for Breastfeeding Success

While you don’t need a lot of gear to breastfeed, there are 5 Breastfeeding Essentials Every New Mom Needs that will make your life easier, especially in the first days. These products are designed to make your journey more comfortable. For a full breakdown of our top recommendations, check out our blog post.

 

3. Breastfeeding Tips for Common Challenges

Many moms encounter hurdles along the way. Here are some tips for navigating common breastfeeding issues:

Dealing with Low Milk Supply:

  • Root Cause: Stress, a poor latch, and a baby who isn’t feeding often enough are all common culprits.
  • How to Manage It: Try nursing more frequently and emptying one breast before switching to the other. The primary driver of milk production is the principle of supply and demand. If milk isn’t being removed frequently and efficiently, your body signals to produce less.
  • Certain foods, called galactagogues (like oats and fenugreek), may help boost supply. “Power pumping” can also help (pumping in a pattern of on-off cycles) it mimics cluster feeding and tells your body to make more milk. Reach out to a lactation consultant for personalized advice.

Managing Engorgement:

  • Root Cause: Engorgement occurs when your milk supply comes in and your breasts become overly full, hard, and painful. This is caused by a buildup of milk and increased blood flow to the breast tissue. It’s a sign that your body is producing milk, but it can make latching difficult for your baby.
  • How to Manage It: Managing engorgement is about relieving pressure without signaling your body to produce more milk. A key strategy is to avoid over-pumping, as this can worsen symptoms by tricking your body into increasing supply. Instead, try these techniques:
    • Targeted Milk Removal: Gentle pression will help you soften your breasts and remove a small amount of milk. It also makes things easier for your baby. Do it with your hands or with a manual pump, but never with an electric pump ,as it has too much suction power. You only need to help the fluids start to move around again, do not empty your breasts as this will signal your body to make more milk. 
    • Temperature: Warm showers help soften the breasts and cold compress help relieve the swelling.
    • Supportive, well-fitting bra: The steady pressure can help the fluid keep moving.
    • Over-the-counter pain relievers: Only as advised by your healthcare provider.

Handling Nipple Pain:

  • Root Cause: Over 90% of nipple pain is caused by a shallow latch. When a baby doesn’t take in enough of the areola, the nipple is compressed against the roof of the baby’s mouth, causing friction and pain.
  • How to Manage It: If a latch is painful, gently break the suction with your finger and start over. Focus on a deep, wide-mouthed latch. Soothing creams can help, but if pain persists, it could be a sign of a tongue tie, thrush, or another issue. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can assess your latch and provide personalized guidance. Additionally, give your nipples time to air-dry after each feeding, constant humidity can crack your nipples skin and cause you discomfort, if you are dealing with this already, try using a healing nipple cream.

Breastfeeding in Public:

  • Practice at home with a cover or in front of a mirror to get comfortable. Many moms find wearing a nursing-friendly top and using a cover (or not!) helps them feed confidently in public.

 

4. Hacks for a Smoother Breastfeeding Experience

A few simple hacks can make the breastfeeding journey easier and more enjoyable.

  • Track Feedings Easily: Apps like Baby Tracker or feeding log notebooks can help you track feeding times and durations, making it easier to spot patterns and monitor your baby’s intake.
  • Keep Burp Cloths Everywhere: Spit-up is part of the deal, so stashing burp cloths in multiple rooms—and even in your car and diaper bag—can help you handle messes on the fly.
  • Find the Right Flange Size Fast Using the wrong flange size when pumping can lead to pain and inefficient milk removal. The standard flanges that come with most pumps are often too big. To quickly find the correct fit, use a nipple ruler to measure the diameter of your nipple. Once you have this measurement, you can refer to the sizing guides provided by the pump brand you are using to find the perfect size for you.
  • Set Up Nursing Stations Beyond Your Home Instead of constantly hauling your nursing supplies around—and risking losing or forgetting something—you can set up “nursing stations” in places you visit often. If you spend a lot of time at a family member’s house, ask if you can designate a small, comfortable corner. All you need is a chair, a power outlet and a bag or basket of essentials like water, snacks, burp cloths, phone charger manual pump or a discreet automatic pump, milk storage bags, wipes. Having this kit ready to go means you won’t have to remember to pack everything each day.
  • Watch for Baby’s Hunger Cues Instead of waiting for your baby to start crying, which is often a late sign of hunger, try to learn their early feeding cues. These can include rooting (turning their head toward your breast and opening their mouth), sucking on their hands, or smacking their lips. Responding to these early cues makes for a calmer, less stressful feeding session for both of you. It also helps you breastfeed more frequently, which is essential for establishing and maintaining a good milk supply.

5. Taking Care of Yourself While Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is demanding, and taking care of yourself is crucial to maintaining your energy and mental health.

  • Rest When You Can: This is easier said than done, but sleep is vital for milk production and your mental health. Accept help from family and friends when possible.
  • Stay Hydrated: Keep a large water bottle nearby. Hydration and nutrition play a key role in milk production.
  • Eat a Balanced Diet: Your body needs plenty of nutrient-dense foods to produce milk and keep your energy up. Aim for a diet rich in protein, whole grains, and healthy fats.
  • Find Your Community: You are not alone on this journey. Many moms find it incredibly helpful to share their experiences and get advice from others. Look for breastfeeding support groups. (New Mom School offers free breastfeeding support classes! Find a location near you here.)

6. Knowing When to Seek Help

Don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional if you’re struggling. Early intervention can make all the difference in a successful and positive breastfeeding experience.

For the Baby:
  • Inadequate Weight Gain: The most crucial indicator that your baby may not be getting enough milk. Your baby should be back to their birth weight by 2 weeks old and should be gaining 5-7 ounces per week after your milk has come in.
  • Too Few Wet/Dirty Diapers: After the first five days of life, your baby should have at least 6 wet diapers and 4 or more stools per day. Dark yellow or concentrated urine can also be a red flag.
  • Poor Latch: If your baby is consistently having trouble latching on, making a clicking sound, or seems to be “gumming” the nipple, it’s a sign they may not be feeding effectively.
  • Constant Fussiness or Sleepiness: If your baby seems unsettled and hungry after most feeds, or if they are too sleepy to wake for feeds (sleeping more than 4 hours at a time), it could indicate they’re not getting enough milk.
  • Jaundice: A lactation consultant can help if your baby is jaundiced, as frequent, effective feeding can help them clear bilirubin.
For the Mother:
  • Persistent Pain: While some initial tenderness is normal, breastfeeding should not be consistently painful. If you have severe nipple pain, cracking, or bleeding that does not improve after the first few days, you should seek help.
  • Signs of Infection: If you feel flu-like symptoms, such as fever, body aches, and fatigue, accompanied by a painful, hot, and red area on your breast, you may have mastitis. This requires prompt medical attention.
  • Trouble with Milk Supply: If you feel that your milk hasn’t come in by day five after birth, or if your breasts don’t feel softer after a feeding, you may need guidance on boosting your supply.
  • Engorgement That Doesn’t Resolve: While engorgement is common, if your breasts are hard and painful and your baby cannot latch on, you may need help with milk expression techniques to relieve the pressure and prevent a plugged duct.
  • Emotional Distress: If breastfeeding is causing you significant stress, anxiety, or feelings of failure, talking to a professional can help you navigate these emotions and find a feeding solution that works for you and your family.

7. Frequently Asked Questions About Breastfeeding

Q: Is breastfeeding supposed to be painful?

  • A: No. While a strong tugging sensation is normal, breastfeeding should not be painful. A shallow latch causes most pain. Gently unlatch and try again, focusing on a wide, deep latch.

Q: How does having a C-section affect breastfeeding?

  • A: A C-section may delay your milk coming in, but it does not prevent you from breastfeeding. Be mindful of your incision and try positions like the football hold or side-lying to minimize pressure.

Q: Can I breastfeed with flat or inverted nipples?

  • A: Yes. It may require patience and experimentation with different holds. A lactation consultant can also provide guidance on using a nipple shield to help your baby latch.

Q: Can I breastfeed my baby if they have a tongue or lip tie? 

  • A: A tongue-tie (when the band of tissue under the tongue is too short) or a lip-tie can make it difficult for a baby to latch deeply, leading to nipple pain for you and inefficient milk transfer for your baby. While some babies can breastfeed successfully with a tie, others may struggle. A lactation consultant can assess the latch and, if necessary, refer you to a healthcare provider who can perform a simple procedure to release the tie.

Q: What should I do if my baby suddenly refuses to breastfeed? 

  • A: This is known as a “nursing strike” and is often temporary. It can be caused by teething pain, a cold, a change in your milk flavor, or a disruption in routine. The most important things to do are to feed your baby expressed milk via a bottle or cup to ensure they eat, and to pump regularly to maintain your milk supply. Offer the breast when your baby is sleepy or in a calm setting, and focus on skin-to-skin contact to re-establish a connection.

Q: Is it safe to drink alcohol while breastfeeding?

  • A: Moderate alcohol consumption (up to one drink) is generally not harmful. The safest practice is to wait at least 2 hours after a single drink before nursing to allow alcohol levels to decrease.

Q: How can I build a supply of pumped milk for when I’m away?

  • A: Once breastfeeding is well-established, add a pumping session in the morning, which is when your supply is often highest. Pump for 10-15 minutes after a feed to signal your body to produce more.

Q: I have a huge milk supply. Is that a problem? 

  • A: An oversupply can be uncomfortable and cause issues like engorgement, plugged ducts, or mastitis. For your baby, a fast milk flow (let-down) can cause them to gulp, cough, or get gassy. To manage oversupply, try “block feeding,” where you only offer one breast per feeding or for a set period of time (e.g., 3-4 hours). You can also use gravity to your advantage by nursing in a laid-back or reclined position, which slows the flow.

Q: How long can I store breast milk?

  • A: Breast milk is good for up to 4 hours at room temperature, 4 days in the refrigerator, and about 6 months in a standard freezer.

Q: What is thrush and how can I treat it?

  • A: Thrush is a yeast infection that affects both you and your baby. It can cause burning nipple pain for you and a white coating on your baby’s tongue. Both of you must be treated with antifungal medication.

New Mom School Recommended Breastfeeding Resources

  • Droplet: We know that making plenty of milk is the key to successful breastfeeding. But did you know that the first hour after delivery is the most effective time to begin? Discover the best tool to begin breastfeeding: your hands.
  • Milkology. The site features a huge freebie library packed with checklists, cheat sheets, guides, printables, and more.
  • La Leche League is the OG of support for breastfeeding parents. The organization promotes breastfeeding worldwide and helps parents to breastfeed through support, encouragement, information and online education. Their popular local breastfeeding support group meet-ups have gone virtual–simply check the organization’s Facebook page to find one local to your area.
  • Milky Mamas Breastfeeding Support Group on Facebook With over 100,000 members, is another great place to ask questions, share your struggles and get support from other breastfeeding parents.
  • Shelly Jacobs New Mom School’s in-house expert in Newport, CA is an incredible resource – not only because of her expertise but also because she struggled to breastfeed herself. She gets it! Check out her website, sign up for her emails, book time with her (IRL or online) and check out her digital “Early Milk Matters” course.
  • New Mom School’s FREE Breastfeeding Support Classes (open to anyone!). Find our locations here.

New Mom School Breastfeeding Product Picks

A Reminder for you

We hope this guide has given you the tools for a successful breastfeeding journey. But remember, breastfeeding doesn’t work out for every mom, and that’s okay. Your worth as a mother is measured in so many ways beyond how you feed your baby. Whether you’re exclusively breastfeeding, using a combination of breast milk and formula, or exclusively formula-feeding, know that fed is best. For an honest look at one mom’s story, read about Alex’s journey.

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