What do most mothers know about breastfeeding before their baby is born? Constance* says she didn't know that much, but she was sure she wanted to breastfeed. "I knew all the benefits of breastmilk for the child. I went to two La Leche League meetings, and I also knew that everything didn't always go smoothly."
Knowing that nursing is a learning process keeps your expectations reasonable, but keeping an open mind about how the relationship will evolve is important too. Lisa knew that certain stages of development could affect nursing. "I'd nurse until he got teeth and then I'd re-evaluate," she remembers, "but we're still nursing at 19 months."
The first nursing session is the beginning of a learning process. Some babies don't latch on properly right away. Lisa says the first time she nursed her baby wasn't as successful as it could have been.
"I don't think he got anything," she says. "But emotionally it was very rewarding. We didn't get the hang of latch-on until about the time we left the hospital, but while we were there, I asked for help every time from a nurse."
After Lisa's baby latched on properly, she felt wonderful. "I felt like saying 'Hey, look at us, we're doing it!'"
Some babies seem to be born knowing exactly how to nurse. Constance remembers her first nursing session as being very successful.
"It was within an hour after I gave birth," she says. "My baby latched on great — I was so relieved!"
She knows that the ability to nurse successfully from the beginning varies from baby to baby. "I was amazed that he knew how to latch on instinctively." Constance also received help during the first week. "Our pediatrician works with a lactation consultant who came to my home the day after the birth, and then called me every day for a week," she says. "We really didn't have any problems."
A mother's instincts are very powerful. It may take time to recognize these maternal feelings, or they may be unmistakable right away. One thing is for sure, they should be trusted. "Follow your instincts," says Lonnit. "Your heart knows what is right for your baby."
Donya agrees. "If your baby seems to need to nurse constantly in the beginning, do it." She recommends. "Follow your baby's cues and trust your own mothering instincts."
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