Helpful
Breast-feeding Information
Diet:
You don't have to avoid certain foods to breast-feed. Women
all over the world breast-feed and their diets can vary quite
a bit. A mother's calorie, protein, and calcium needs are
high during nursing. A healthy mom can still produce good
breast-milk on a poor diet, but she suffers nutritionally,
and her health will suffer as well. The balanced diet eaten
when you were pregnant will be fine, but add some high protein
snacks to meet your current needs. For example, boiled eggs,
cheese or peanut butter and crackers, or yogurt can help you
meet your extra needs for calcium and protein. Foods you like,
eaten in moderation, usually don't cause problems for the
baby. If you find something your baby reacts to either cut
back or eliminate the food for a short time and try the food
again at a later time.
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Drink
fluids to thirst. There is no need for excessive fluid
intake.
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Take
prenatal vitamins as long as you do breast-feed.
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Use caution when consuming alcoholic beverages, or smoking.
These substances can pass readily into breast-milk. Most
pediatricians would like a mom to pump and discard her
milk if she consumes more than one serving of an alcoholic
beverage. Resume breast-feeding when you feel that you
can safely drive a car after drinking.
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Cigarette
smoking passes the toxic chemicals to the baby via breast-milk
and exposure to second hand smoke. Try to cut back or
quit smoking prior to delivery or at least try not to
smoke around the baby. The concurrent use of nicotine
patches and smoking can expose the baby to toxic levels
of the harmful chemicals in tobacco.
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Caffeine
can make babies jittery and fussy. Moderation in coffee,
tea and cola consumption can usually keep mom from feeling
deprived and baby calm. Use moderation consuming coffee,
tea, diet coke etc. and you should be fine. Different
babies will have various levels of tolerance for caffeine.
Medications:
Any medications taken while nursing can affect breast-feeding
or be passed through the milk to the baby. Many medications
are very safe, and are frequently used without problems. Accurate
information is a critical part of the decision to take medication
and breast-feed. Any decisions re: medication and nursing
should be discussed with your pediatrician. A lactation consultant
can also be a good source of information about drugs and their
effects in breast-milk. Inform anyone who may be prescribing
medications for you that you are breast-feeding.
Nipple
care:
The nipple naturally secretes oils that keep the nipple soft
and free of bacteria. There's no need to clean or toughen
up the nipples prior to nursing so this protective layer is
not removed. If your nipples are dry use medical grade lanolin
such as Purelan or Lansinoh applied sparingly. These products
are available over the counter. There are many variations
of normal in nipple size and shape. A flat or inverted nipple
(one that doesn't protrude) can make it more difficult for
a baby to latch on to the breast. Wearing breast shells for
a few days prior to delivery during waking hours can help
change the shape of the nipple. There are other techniques
a lactation consultant can easily demonstrate to help with
latching the baby correctly on the nipple.
Latching
on/Positioning/Milk supply:
Breast-feeding shouldn't be painful. When pain is felt something
is wrong. Usually the baby isn't latched on properly. When
the baby is latched on properly he will be able to suck comfortably
and obtain all the milk he needs. How the baby is held and
positioned at the breast can really help or hinder how well
the baby can latch on and suck. The baby needs to be held
closely to the breast with his face directly in front of the
nipple, and his tummy-facing mom. In this position he is lying
comfortably on his side and can easily reach the breast. Mom
needs to hold her breast in a "C" hold, cupping the breast
underneath for support, but not covering the nipple with her
fingers. This area should be taken into the baby's mouth.
The baby needs to open his mouth wide as if he was yawning
and take the breast fully into his mouth. Mom can know if
the baby is latched on properly when she feels a comfortable
pulling or sucking sensation on her breast. The sucking should
not be noisy. When the baby is properly latched on and sucking
he will be able to quietly, comfortably suck as much milk
as he needs.
A
good feeding practice, is to let the baby nurse until the
breast feels soft after a feeding. The milk changes from the
beginning to the end of a feeding on a single breast. The
milk behind the nipple is fore-milk (much like skim milk.)
The milk at the end of the feeding is hind-milk (much like
cream). When the baby latches on and nurses well, he gets
all the milk he wants and will thrive. It is more comfortable
for mom when milk is effectively removed, and she will be
able to have a good milk supply. Feeling the breast become
softer after a feeding is very good way to know the baby is
getting the milk from the breast.
Count
the wet and stooled diapers to know if the baby is getting
enough milk. When nursing, the amount of milk sucked from
the breast can't be seen. Sometimes milk can be seen leaking
from the baby's mouth while nursing or swallowing and breathing
can be heard between sucks. If the baby has plenty of wet
and stooled diapers you can know the baby is getting enough
to eat even though the exact amount of milk isn't known. By
the fourth day of life the baby is usually more awake and
beginning to be hungry. At 4 days old, the baby should have
6-9 wet diapers and 1-2 stools in 24 hrs. Placing a diaper
liner or tissue laid flat inside the diaper can make counting
wet diapers easier. It can be difficult to tell if the baby
has urinated in the ultra dry diapers most parents use. If
enough wet/stooled diapers aren't seen call your pediatrician.
Contact a lactation consultant if needed.
The
baby will normally feed every 2-3 hours for the first 2-3
weeks of life, and should gain 4-8 oz. per week. Quick visits
for a weight check in the doctors' office can be a valuable
checkpoint if you're concerned. Babies normally lose 10% of
their birth weight, but should have regained it back by 2
-3 weeks of life. So there is no cause for concern if by the
2-week checkup the baby is at or a little above his birth
weight. He has lost and regained his weight. Talk with your
pediatrician about any concerns you may have. Stress or illness
in mom can reduce milk supply. Rest, healthy diet, and frequent
feedings help mom and baby ensure a good milk supply and an
enjoyable experience for both
Introduction
Tips
for success in breast-feeding
Helpful
breast-feeding information
Pumping/Returning
to work/Weaning
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