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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!




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