Ten Common Questions About Breastfeeding
August is National and World Breastfeeding Awareness Month. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), breastfeeding during the first six months of life provides all the nutrition an infant needs. Still, many new moms have questions surrounding breastfeeding.
1. Is my baby getting enough to eat?
This is a very common question. There are several ways to determine if your baby is getting enough to eat. First, watch the feeding and look for swallows. Have your lactation consultant or nurse help you identify these. Second, monitor your baby's output. Is the baby having an appropriate number of wet and dirty diapers? This number changes every day of your baby's life. At five days of life, the goal is to have 5-7 wet diapers and 3-4 yellow, seedy stools. The last way is to monitor your baby's weight. We expect a baby to lose weight in the first few days and then start to regain at a rate of one-half to one ounce per day. Staying in touch with your lactation consultant or doctor can help you assess your baby's development. If you have concerns, don't hesitate to reach out and call your doctor, lactation consultant, or hospital maternity unit.
2. What are the benefits of breastfeeding?
There are many benefits to breastfeeding for a baby and Mom. We continue to learn more about the benefits, including a stronger immune system for the baby, reduced cancer risks for both the baby and the mother, and cost savings, among others. Recent studies have revealed a wealth of information about the long-term benefits of breastfeeding. The value of exclusive breast milk in an infant's diet is incredible. This involves programming the baby's immune system for lifelong health and reducing the risk of autoimmune diseases, cancer, and many other diseases later in life. Any amount of breast milk is beneficial in a baby's diet.
3. How do I know my baby is actually getting milk?
The best way to determine if a baby is getting milk is to observe the baby feeding. By watching, you can see the sucking pattern and swallows. These patterns can change over the first days, and swallows will increase daily with feedings. Around day three, your milk production will increase, and it will be easier to see swallows regularly. Reach out to your local lactation specialist for assistance in identifying these.
4. Is there anything I can't eat or drink while breastfeeding?
A mother with healthy eating habits usually doesn't have to change her diet while breastfeeding. It's recommended to have a balanced diet with a variety of foods. There are some things that a baby may be sensitive to in your diet. These may include large amounts of dairy products, gas-producing foods, spicy/acidic foods, and caffeine. Initially, we encourage you to continue eating your regular diet, similar to what you ate during pregnancy. Then watch how your baby reacts. If they are fussy or gassy, review what you have eaten and reduce the consumption of an item that may be causing issues. You may want to keep a food journal for a few days. This will help to identify what foods may be bothering your baby. Food allergies are rare, and most babies do well with any foods from their mother's diet as they have tasted it in their amniotic fluid for nine months. If you have concerns, consult with your baby's doctor or a lactation consultant.
5. When can I start pumping?
Pumping can be done at any time. If your baby is struggling to latch/feed in the first days, you may start pumping to help stimulate your milk production and get milk for your baby. The frequency is variable depending on the situation. If your baby cannot feed at the breast at all, you will want to pump approximately 8-12 times daily for approximately 15-20 minutes on each breast. If you become engorged and uncomfortably full, you may pump or hand express milk for a short time after feeding your baby to relieve fullness. If engorgement is causing your baby to struggle with latching on, pumping or hand expressing before the feeding can help facilitate a better latch. Otherwise, if your baby is feeding well, you may start pumping 2-4 weeks after delivery to prepare for going back to work. Pumping once or twice daily, in addition to feeding the baby, can provide you with some extra backup milk when you are away from your baby.
6. How can I boost my low supply?
Low supply can be increased in several ways. First, we return to the fundamentals of supply and demand. The more your body is stimulated and asked for more milk, the more it will produce. It is important to feed or pump 8-12 times per day, especially in the first month. This includes during the night. The first month is a crucial time for establishing long-term milk production. There are certain foods referred to as lactogenic foods that may help support good milk production. There are also over-the-counter or prescription supplements that can help as well. Discuss these options with your doctor or a lactation consultant. If your baby needs additional supplements, such as more milk than your body is producing, they can be given directly through breastfeeding. This is a great option to provide your baby with the necessary nutrition and stimulate your milk supply.
7. How can Dad get involved in the breastfeeding process?
Dads are excellent support for Mom and can be very involved with breastfeeding. First, encouragement from Dad or support people can give Mom the extra boost she needs to make it through a challenging period. Hearing encouraging words of support and love can make a big difference. Dad is great at helping take care of your baby right after a feeding. Moms may sometimes experience the effects of oxytocin during feedings, which can make them feel very relaxed and sleepy. This helps mom get some power sleep, and then Dad can take the baby, change a diaper or two, and soothe the baby back to sleep. Dad can sometimes help Mom get a baby positioned at the breast and make everything comfortable for Mom, including getting a snack or drink. Dad can attend the breastfeeding classes prenatally with mom and learn all the tips to help breastfeeding get off to a good start. They will sometimes remember things that Mom has forgotten. Dads and support people can do so many things, and I am so excited when I see great teamwork in action.
8. Should I still breastfeed if I'm sick?
Absolutely. When a mother is exposed to a germ in her environment or becomes sick, her body starts to produce antibodies that aim to fight that germ. So, her milk becomes a custom-made pharmacy for babies. The baby will get live antibodies in the milk that are fighting that germ in the baby's environment. The baby doesn't have to get sick and have her body start producing antibodies. Baby gets it custom-made from mom. A few infections (chickenpox, herpes lesions on the breast, HIV, etc.) have restrictions on breastfeeding. If you have any concerns, consult your doctor or a lactation consultant.
9. How can I best manage to breastfeed once I return to work?
The workplace has become more friendly for breastfeeding in recent years. Most workplaces have a designated pumping/nursing room where you can express milk for your baby. Before returning to work, you should talk with your employer about your need to pump regularly during the workday and determine the best place. You would need to pump approximately 15 minutes every 2-4 hrs., depending upon your baby's feeding schedule. Planning and gathering supplies (such as a pump, cooler pack, bottles, storage bag, and a designated storage area at work) can help alleviate some stress before returning to work. You may also want to start pumping at home 1-2 times daily during your maternity leave to establish a backup supply of milk for your freezer. This will give you peace of mind if you fall behind on pumping at work. Try some trials with your baby, offering a bottle 3-4 weeks after birth, occasionally, to help your baby get used to it. Then, when it gets closer to return-to-work time, do some trial runs with your babysitter as well. This will reduce stress for both mom and baby, making the transition easier. Talk with Dad and support people to help with dinners, cleaning, and more, so you can spend lots of time snuggling and relaxing with your baby before and after work. You deserve it, and extra snuggling/nursing will help you make good milk too! Visit womenshealth.gov to find great information about pumping and returning to work.
10. What breastfeeding resources are available to me?
A multitude of breastfeeding resources are available. We recommend starting first with your local hospital, health department/WIC office, or La Leche League group. There are many caring health professionals and lactation support people to help you with your journey. You may be able to schedule a visit/attend a class, or participate in a support group with a lactation consultant in your area to learn more before giving birth. If you are having any difficulties with breastfeeding, you should schedule a visit with a lactation consultant. It is also a great thing to attend a breastfeeding support group. La Leche League is a great support organization – moms helping moms. Your local hospital or health department may sponsor one as well. We hold one at Firelands Health weekly. One of our lactation consultants is always present, and we weigh babies, discuss concerns or questions, and moms support each other. There are also many resources available online.
As always, we are here to help you with your breastfeeding journey. At Firelands Health, we have lactation consultants available seven days a week to assist our inpatient population. We also offer an outpatient lactation clinic, a weekly breastfeeding support group, and education classes. Feel free to reach out to us at 419-557-7596 or firelands.com/breastfeeding for additional information.
