If you had to give a new mom one piece of breastfeeding advice, what would it be?
Trust your body to support your baby. As you were able to conceive, carry and give birth to a perfect baby, you can surely feed him through yourself. Let yourself be guided by your instincts, which are best awakened when you are with your baby as much as possible. Enjoy the contact of your bare skin with the baby's bare skin while breastfeeding, cuddling, carrying, co-sleeping. Even just looking at your baby will make breastfeeding easier.

What do you think are the most common mistakes mothers make when breastfeeding?
I think that breastfeeding is greatly influenced by the setting of our society, which is still not entirely positive in this regard. Our great-grandmothers had a much simpler position, breastfeeding was something completely normal that women didn't even have to learn because they saw it in their family, in other women. In generations of socialist women, breastfeeding was almost eradicated. She was breastfed for the first three months and then immediately Sunar, the baby to the nursery and quickly to work. Breastfeeding a walking baby? Well, maybe not! Or in public? Not at all! Fortunately, today's women are returning to breastfeeding, but it is not easy. Who to learn from? Despite the fact that breastfeeding is so natural, it is not at all important for future mothers to look for the right information, because there is not much time to search for information during the hectic period of six months. And here I refer to the book Practical guide to breastfeeding by Andrea Poloková and the website mamila.sk, which provides professional lactation advice. Or the Czech websites komi.cz or poradkyneprikojeni.cz.

Every breastfeeding is right

Is there such a thing as right and wrong breastfeeding?
There is nothing wrong with breastfeeding, all breastfeeding is right. But mothers can make mistakes when breastfeeding that can cause premature weaning. All problems with breastfeeding or with breasts are solved again only by breastfeeding. Both mother and baby learn to breastfeed - again only by breastfeeding. What do you think is the biggest myth associated with breastfeeding? This could be the wrong recommendation about the two-hour gap between feedings. Breastfeed your baby as needed and not by hours. Another such widely held myth is that some women have weak milk. Nothing like that has been scientifically proven.

You mention weak milk. Mothers often feel that their milk supply is low. What can be done about it?
You rightly mention that it is a feeling. In fact, it doesn't have to be like that at all. I know what I'm talking about. Even with the third child, I couldn't avoid thinking "What if I don't have enough milk? What if he cries because he's hungry?" And this despite the fact that Maxík was gaining weight and was a happy baby. There was certainly a fear of professional failure. How will I advise other mothers if I can't help myself? I would like to reassure other mothers that they are not alone, and that thoughts can come at any time, especially at a time when a woman is most psychologically vulnerable. Whether it's just an impression, or there really isn't enough milk, what really helps is maximum mother-child contact, co-sleeping, wearing a wrap, skin-to-skin contact, bathing together. It is certainly good not to use pacifiers, bottles, hats. The key is to properly latch the baby to the breast, when the baby's nose is at the level of the nipple when the breast is offered. The child opens the meringue wide and at that moment we attach it. This is asymmetric sucking, where a larger part of the areola peeks out above the upper lip than below the lower. A very effective method not only for increasing milk production, is breast compression during breastfeeding. You can find photos and videos of proper latching and breast compression on the website mamila.sk, which I already mentioned.

You will relax beautifully while breastfeeding

So what helps to increase milk production?
It is certainly good for the mother to drink plenty, to prevent her breasts from getting cold, and to rest. Frequent breastfeeding helps to increase milk production, because breastfeeding works on the supply-demand principle. The more the baby sucks, the more milk is produced. It may seem to you that your breasts are empty, but after the baby is attached, the milk starts to flow, also because part of the milk is formed directly at the moment of breastfeeding. The most milk is produced at night, when the level of the hormone prolactin, which is in charge of milk production, is higher. The herbs fenugreek, St. John's wort, moringa oil or the over-the-counter drug Motilium can also help to increase milk production.

As for not enough milk - maternity hospitals often recommend weighing the baby before and after breastfeeding. But it often stresses mothers out. What is your opinion on it?
With respect, it is as you say. It stresses mothers out more than it helps them. That's why I don't recommend weighing the baby at home at all. An indicator that a baby has enough milk is his contentment and approximately six wet diapers per day.

They say breastfeeding shouldn't hurt. But what if it hurts?
Breastfeeding really shouldn't hurt, it should even be pleasant. Not only will you have a nice rest with it, but nature rewards you and your baby for breastfeeding with a hormonal cocktail that will cause a pleasant feeling. Unfortunately, in the first few days, you probably won't completely avoid pain. Sensitive nipples have to get used to a greater load. It is not necessary for the baby to nurse for more than 20 minutes, because then your nipples are under undue stress. Healing ointments will help, as well as drying a little milk and ventilation in the air. It is also important to prevent cracks that occur when you want to stop breastfeeding and pull the baby away from the breast without removing the negative pressure by pulling away the corner of the baby's nipple.

The child should decide to stop breastfeeding

How long do you recommend mothers to breastfeed?
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until the end of the 6th month, but even after feeding complementary foods, breastfeeding remains an important part of the diet. Ideally, the child should decide to stop breastfeeding, and this does not happen before the age of two and a half. It may seem too long to you, but you will definitely find that breastfeeding does not actually limit you in anything, whether it is drinking coffee, moderate alcohol consumption, sports... None of this is an obstacle to breastfeeding. On the contrary, breastfeeding makes it much easier for you to take care of your child. Instead of putting them to sleep for a long time, you simply feed them, instead of comforting an upset or sick child, you simply feed them. Breastfeeding is a wonderful educational tool and it is a shame to give it up. You always have milk with you. Fresh, at the right temperature, maximally nutritious and in ecological packaging.

And what if the baby suddenly stops wanting milk?
Such a situation can also arise. This is a so-called "strike" and occurs most often between the 3rd and 5th month. Refusal to breastfeed is usually associated with reduced milk production, when the child is dissatisfied with the flow of milk. In addition to the already mentioned advice on increasing milk production, you can try breastfeeding the baby before falling asleep and after waking up, when the baby is not fully conscious. Breastfeed in a quiet room. Try different breastfeeding positions, e.g. lying down, in a scarf, on a balloon. But definitely do not force the baby to breastfeed.

About Zuzana

Zuzana Vychodilová has three children. Two basically adults and a year and a half old Maxík. For the past seven years, she has been accompanying women to childbirth as a doula and subsequently helps them with baby care - including breastfeeding and swaddling. She likes to practice yoga. She adds variety to her maternity leave by jogging with a stroller combined with year-round swimming in Svratka. If you are interested, you can arrange a consultation with her at vychodilovaz@seznam.cz to see her website .

Photo: www.freepik.com