|
Most women can make plenty of milk.
In the majority of women, milk supply is determined by the frequency
and efficiency of milk removal by the baby. In other words, the more frequently
and the more completely your baby empties your breasts through active suckling,
the more milk you will make. There are exceptions to this rule, but in most
cases, milk supply is a supply-and-demand operation. For this reason, the
best approach to breastfeeding is to feed your baby as often as he or she
is willing to feed, or about 8 to 12 times each day. Keeping the baby actively
nursing will help her get the most milk she can, which in turn helps you
to make the most you can in future feedings. When problems such as poor latch,
passive feedings, jaundice, or engorgement interfere with the baby's removal
of milk from the breast, you must seek help from a lactation consultant as
soon as possible. Failing to do so may impact the baby's growth and development,
and can reduce your milk supply.
Breastfeeding should be comfortable.
During the first few days of breastfeeding, there are many new things
to learn for both mom and baby. Sometimes, this period of learning results
in a few episodes of improper latch, causing sore nipples to occur. The important
thing to remember is that any soreness that lasts longer than a couple of
seconds should be considered abnormal. Persistent nipple pain or any visible
damage to the nipple tissue needs immediate assessment by a lactation consultant
to determine the cause, and to identify the best remedy to alleviate it.
Similarly, it is not normal to have persistent or severe breast pain, even
in the days while the milk is developing. Milk onset causes full, heavy breasts,
but they should not be overly painful. Any severe breast pain, or any episodes
where it appears that the breasts have become too hard to let milk pass through
freely need immediate attention from your lactation consultant. Severe engorgement
can cause a drastic reduction in milk supply later, so time is of the essence!
A baby's feedings may not be predictable.
Many times, we hear of babies who "feed every 3 hours" or who "slept
all night by a month of age." While there may be some babies who behave in
these patterned and predictable ways, most babies follow their own unique
patterns of waking, sleeping, and eating. One mistake that parents often
make is trying to fit baby into a specific schedule, based on predictions
made before the baby's needs were known. What is most important, especially
in the first weeks after birth, is allowing the baby to determine his own
feeding schedule. Some babies want to "cluster feed" with some feedings being
nearly one after the other, followed by a stretch of sleep. Others prefer
to feed about 2 hours apart, around the clock, with only occasional sleep
stretches of longer lengths. Parents who are uncertain about the adequacy
of their baby's feeding intakes, due to frequent feeding demands, can have
the milk intakes assessed by the lactation consultant through test weights.
In this method, the baby's weight is taken just before and after the feeding
is done, using a very accurate gram-weight scale. The amount of milk taken
can be calculated by the amount of grams gained by the baby during the feeding.
Just call Tess to schedule test weights if there is any concern about the
efficiency of baby's feedings.
Breastfeeding gets much easier with support and time!
Most people would agree that the first days to weeks of breastfeeding
take some real energy and can be frustrating. What seems like a "natural"
event actually requires some practice, for both mother and baby. It is helpful
to remember how awkward we all feel when we try anything for the first time!
The first time you wrote your name as a child, the first time you drove a
car, and the first time you tried to feed your baby all have a similar, unfamiliar
feeling. We wouldn't learn how to write our name without our parents' help.
Driving a car takes patience and instruction. Why should breastfeeding be
any different? It is usually a very good idea to have a skilled set of hands
nearby as we learn the basics of breastfeeding, and it's also wise to have
baby's weight closely monitored for awhile. Calling your lactation consultant
can make the difference you need to make it to the easy road that lies ahead!
|
|
|
|
