Breastfeeding FAQs

 

Why should I breastfeed, it's seems so easy to bottlefeed?

I want to breastfeed, what do I need to do?

How do I know if I have enough milk?

How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?

My baby nurses for more than 30 minutes and is still crying, he never seems content.

My nipples are sore, is there anything I can do?

Can I take medicine and still continue breastfeeding?

When should I contact a lactation consultant?

 

Why should I breastfeed, it's seems so easy to bottlefeed?     TOP

Most of what you do in life is learned, either by watching or reading.  Feeding your baby is the same. Unfortunately, in our society, bottle feeding is the most common so chances are you've seen plenty of people bottle feeding babies. You hold your baby and stick a bottle it it's mouth. Simple, right? Well, not really. As simple as it seems, even bottle feeding brings about questions. How much do we put in the bottle? How often do we feed babies? Is this the right "formula"? 

How many of us have seen natural feeding, the way nature intended? How many breastfed babies do you know? This is why breastfeeding seems difficult to some. We don't see it enough, we attempt to breastfeed the same way we bottle feed and THAT"s when the problems start.

Breast milk is meant for our babies. But if you need to be convinced please click on the following links:

Practice makes perfect. How many times have you gotten something right the first time?  Be patient with yourself and your new baby. It's so worth it in the end.

I want to breastfeed, what do I need to do?   TOP

Break the rules!  Forget everything you know about [bottle] feeding your baby and learn how babies breast feed. 

  • 1- Start breastfeeding as soon after births as possible, click here to read more about Protecting and Supporting Breastfeeding in the First 24 hours
  • 2- Assure proper positioning and latch, click here to view the Latch-On Video by Ameda
  • 3- Nurse on demand, this means you are watching your baby, not the clock. Whenever your baby seems hungry, you should offer the breast. Yes, this will seem like it is non-stop, but this is how your body regulates what your baby needs.
  • 4- No supplements, unless medically indicated
  • 5- Delay artificial nipples, this means bottles and pacifiers.
  • 6- Skin-to-skin as soon after birth as possible.
  • 7- Unrestricted breastfeeding sessions. Again, you are not watching the clock. Your baby is done feeding when he/she is no longer swallowing.  During the first couple of weeks you will feel that nursing your baby is time consuming and ALL consuming.  Give yourself time to learn how to read your baby's cues, breastfeeding is instictual for babies. Before you know it, you will both be completely in sync.
  • 8- Have a support system in place and attend breastfeeding support groups. Remember, we learn by watching.
  • Seek help for breastfeeding difficulties early on. This is KEY to your success. Many breastfeeding problems can be prevented with early access to help and appropriate management. CLICK HERE to learn about when to seek a Lactation Consultant.

How do I know if I have enough milk?   TOP

Starting off the right way is the best way to assure an adequate milk production.  Breastfeeding is a positive feedback mechanism. When your baby breastfeeds the hormone prolactin is released from the pituitary gland. Prolactin stimulates the breasts to produce milk.  You produce the most milk DURING the nursing session as milk is being taken from the breast. So the bottom line is MORE MILK OUT = MORE MILK MADE.

Any interruption of this cycle will interfere with the mother's milk supply. So allow your baby to breastfeed frequently, make sure your baby is breastfeeding well, don't time the feedings, avoid supplements (unless medically indicated) and delay artificial nipples for the first month.

How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?   TOP

Always make sure your baby is latching on deeply, watch and listen for swallowing, and look for milk in the baby's mouth. These are good signs that the baby is removing milk from your breast. It is not enough for the baby to "be at the breast", the baby needs to be drinking.

  • Count Wet diapers- By day three or four of life your baby should have six or more wet diapers a day
  • Count "poopy" Diapers- By day three or four your baby should have at least three large yellow bowel movements each day
  • Your baby returns to birth weight by week two
  • Gains about one ounce a day during the first few months

My baby nurses for more than 30 minutes and is still crying, he never seems content.   TOP

Your baby should feed frequently and without time limits. Offer the first breast and allow your baby to feed until he releases the breast himself, then offer the second breast. He may not seem interested, but 30 minutes later, he may want to feed again.  This is normal.  If, however, you feel your baby is nursing a very long time and doesn't seem content immediately after the feeding, your baby's latch may not be correct and suckling efforts ineffective.  Seek support from a board certified lactation consultant.

My nipples are sore, is there anything I can do?   TOP

Early on some nipple tenderness is normal, however, pain, cracked skin, flattened/wedge shaped nipple after nursing, or bleeding nipples is NOT normal.  This is usually caused by an incorrect latch, whereby, the baby is not taking enough breast tissue into its mouth. Seek help from a lactation consultant as soon as possible. Cracked skin is a source of infection.

Can I take medicine and still continue breastfeeding?   TOP

Most medications can be used when breastfeeding. Be sure to let your doctor know that you are breastfeeding so he can prescribe a medication that is safe for you to take. If you still have questions about a certain
medication please call us.

When should I contact a lactation consultant?   TOP
Make sure you contact a Board Certified Lactation Consultant...

♦If you need breast-feeding advice or support
♦If you are experiencing nipple pain
♦If you have bleeding, cracked or bruised nipples
♦If there is an inadequate or questionable weight gain or inadequate wet/dirty diapers any time
♦If your baby cannot latch on the breast or seems to latch on but "falls off" after a short time
♦If after day two, your baby is at the breast for long periods of time (over 45 minutes), is not content after nursing sessions, falls asleep immediately after latching, or is nursing less than 8 times a day
♦If you are having problems with your milk supply
♦If you are giving supplements because your milk "isn't in"
♦If you have had breast reduction or augmentation surgery
♦If you have twins or higher order multiples
♦If you have a baby that is premature or ill~If you expect to be away from your baby on a regular basis for work, school or travel
♦If your previous breastfeeding experience was unsatisfactory

 


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