Nursing Mothers of Raleigh - breastfeeding support meetings

1.  Preparation during preganancy

• Advance breast preparation is not necessary.
• Things to know about your breasts.
• Helpful supplies to have at home for breastfeeding.

2.  Getting started breastfeeding

• Newborns are not born hungry, but need to suck.
• Breastfeeding issues on your birth plan.
• Baby's first food: Colostrum.
• Promoting early breastfeeding success while in the hospital.

3.   Positioning and Latch On

• Demonstration of positions for breastfeeding:
• (football, cradle, across the lap, lying down).
• The how-tos of latching on.
• Signs of a good breastfeeding in both Mom and Baby.
• Positioning and posture tips for Moms to make breastfeeding comfortable.

4.  Breast Care while breastfeeding

• Soaps and creams on your breasts.
• Bras and breastfeeding.

5.  Mother's Diet while breastfeeding

• No special diet needed.
• Figuring out what may be making your baby fussy.

6.   Sore Nipples

• Breastfeeding shouldn't hurt.
• Tips for nursing when your nipples are already sore.

7.   Feeding your Newborn

• Healthy newborns feed 8-10 times in 24 hrs.
• Waking the baby for adequate feedings.
• How to wake a sleepy baby.

8.   Engorgement

• Why does engorgement happen?
• Working through engorgement and staying comfortable.
• Use of ice packs, cabbage leaves, pumping and showers.
• When will engorgement end?

9.   Support for the breastfeeding Mother

• Mom's responsibility is only to feed the baby and rest.
• Dad can help support breastfeeding too.
• Ideas for family members that want to help.

10.   Two Weeks to Six Weeks

• Adjusting to life with your baby.
• Appetite Spurts, when they happen, what they are.
• Nursing in public.
• What to do about leaking milk?

11.  Dealing with a Fussy Baby

• Use of pacifiers with breastfed babies.
• How babies get overstimulated.
• Caffeine, nicotine, and others drugs in mother's milk.
• Fluoride, vitamins, and iron supplements.
• Medications that may help relieve gas in baby.