Mothers have breastfed their kids since time immemorial. For first-time mothers, however, this experience can feel incredibly strange and foreign.
Much like giving birth, breastfeeding is natural, healthy, and beautiful, although it doesn't necessarily come easily to every woman and baby.
To most moms, breastfeeding comes naturally, but it can still be intimidating for first-timers. The good news is that first-time struggles and pain are perfectly normal; it doesn't mean that it's time to give up.
All mothers experience difficulty especially with their first child since everything is new, and the same goes for breastfeeding.
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for babies up to six months of age. Breastmilk along with supplementary food is still highly encouraged until the child reaches two years old. Beyond that, mothers can wean their child or continue breastfeeding. This guideline from WHO is another testament to how nutritious breastmilk is.
Parents learn on the job, but it doesn't hurt to seek some extra information to prepare for the good and not-so-fun parts of being a new mom and dad. Breastfeeding isn't something one can exactly practice before the baby arrives. However, new parents will panic less in the face of a minor difficulty when they know what to expect.
Here are 35 helpful tips, tricks, and nuggets of wisdom which covers everything from nursing discomfort to the incredible benefits of breastfeeding to ease the mind of moms and dads who are embarking on the journey of parenthood for the first time.
