Breastfeeding 101: Tips and Support for New Moms

New mom holding baby during feeding, highlighting breastfeeding support and bonding.

By Carlotta Endsley, Lactation Consultant

If you are expecting a baby and still deciding how you want to feed your child, learning about your options early can make all the difference. Breastfeeding is a natural and beneficial choice for many families, and understanding what to expect before your baby arrives can help you feel more confident and prepared.

For local parents in the Texarkana area, there are several resources available to support you on your breastfeeding journey. Childbirth and breastfeeding classes are offered through local organizations, giving you the opportunity to learn techniques, ask questions, and connect with experienced professionals.

If you are a WIC client, the Bowie County Health Center WIC program offers breastfeeding classes as well as Peer Counselors who provide guidance and support for new mothers.

Additional education and support can be found through programs like First Choice Pregnancy Resource Center, which offers childbirth and breastfeeding classes for expecting families.

The La Leche League also provides ongoing support through monthly meetings where mothers can share experiences and receive encouragement. For more information, contact Georgia Berry at (870-653-3062).

For mothers interested in donating breastmilk, the Mother’s Milk Bank of North Texas offers a safe and meaningful way to help other babies in need.

Common Breastfeeding Myths BUSTED

My breasts feel empty.
I must not be making enough milk.

Breast “fullness” is not an accurate indication of how much milk you are producing. Your breasts will likely feel full when your milk comes in (around 3-4 days postpartum) or if you are going too long between feedings. Even if they feel empty, your breasts are programmed to respond to how often your baby nurses by producing more milk.

You shouldn’t nurse your baby if you are sick.

Continuing to breastfeed while you are ill is actually a great way to protect your baby from getting sick due to the immune-boosting benefits of breastmilk.

My baby is eating constantly.

I must not be making enough milk. Breastmilk is much easier to digest than formula, which means babies often get hungrier sooner and eat more often. Infants will usually eat more often during growth spurts, which occur around 7-10 days, 2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, 6 months and 9 months. Keep an eye on your baby’s wet and dirty diapers for a better indication of how much milk she is actually eating.

It is normal for breastfeeding to hurt.

Breastfeeding may be uncomfortable at first as your baby figures out how to latch properly and your breasts adjust to all of the physical contact, but pain after the first few days can indicate an incorrect latch or even tongue- or lip-tie. If you are experience pain while breastfeeding, contact a Lactation Consultant for support.

You can find out how much milk you are making by pumping.

Babies are much more efficient than breast pumps at extracting milk from mother’s breast, while many factors can influence how much milk you pump – including stress, breast pump fit and design, and environment. Use your baby’s wet and dirty diapers to tell you more accurately whether he is getting enough milk.

It is common for women not to produce enough milk.

Actually, it is more common for women to produce an abundance of milk rather than not enough. If your breastfed baby is not getting enough milk (best indicated by frequency of wet and dirty diapers), it could be a sign of a poor latch or another issue that can best be addressed by a visit with a Lactation Consultant.

Breastfeeding keeps the mother tied down.

Breastfeeding provides more flexibility than bottle-feeding because you have nothing to take with you, nothing to prepare, and nothing to clean (unless you are pumping, of course). As public breastfeeding becomes more mainstream, many businesses offer private and comfortable “nursing rooms” for mothers to use to feed their babies while in public. Many mothers also use covers to nurse whenever and wherever their babies are hungry.