First off I will let you know that I am a mother of 5, with a lot of experience in breastfeeding, as well as with the problems and concerns that come along with it. I am not a trained medical professional. I am not giving any medical advice, just sharing what I have learned from breastfeeding my own children with you. If you have any concerns please contact your health care provider.
What is breast milk? It is a living fluid made by you just for your baby, no product can ever come close! You first have colostrum which comes in when your baby is born before your real milk comes in. This protects your baby until his/her immune system begins to function. Usually between the 3rd or 4th day after your baby is born your milk will "come in".
Breastfeeding
When Your Milk Comes In:
Feed your baby often and as long as he/she likes.
Be gentle, your breast tissue is sensitive and can bruise easily at this time.
Try using a breast pump before you feed your baby so you are not so full. It is sometimes harder for baby to latch on to a very full breast.
Make sure your bra fits well. A bra that is too tight can cause blocked ducts, mastitis, or bruised tissue.
Ask your health care provider for an appropriate pain killer like Tylenol or Advil, they will not harm your baby.
A warm bath before nursing helps milk to flow and cool ice packs after nursing help to soothe sore breasts.
Some mothers find comfort in half frozen or chilled cabbage leaves kept in the inside their bra until they become body temperature (1/2 hour or so).
Boost Your Milk Supply:
Have a snack when baby nurses and eat as much as you need to satisfy your hunger
Don't force yourself to drink more than you want, but drink enough to quench your thirst.
Make sure the baby is positioned right.
Feed on demand
Wake baby at night if he/she sleeps for long periods
Cut out other sources of sucking like bottled juice and water or pacifiers
Don't introduce a nipple shield or formula
Express milk to increase stimulation, try dual pumping
Contact a local La Leche League Leader or in the United States a WIC program can provide useful information.
Make time for yourself!!!
Sore Or Cracked Nipple Suggestions:
Change your position in which you feed the baby
Express some milk before putting baby to breast to stimulate your let-down reflex so baby doesn't have to work as hard.
Express a little milk after baby eats and gently rub milk around your nipples and let dry.
Nurse from the less-sore side first.
Don't use soap on your nipples, it dries the skin.
Release the suction with your finger first if you need to take baby off the breast.
Mastisis
Signs Of Mastitis:
Red inflamed area on the breast often in a triangle shape.
Breast feels sore.
Flu like symptoms such as aches, shivers, fever, feeling tired and emotional.
You can try these self-help techniques, if they don't work in the first 12 to 24 hours and your flu like symptoms and swelling don't decrese you should see a doctor. Your doctor may put you on antibiotics that are safe for nursing mothers.
What you can do to help:
KEEP BREASTFEEDING!!!!!!
Nurse the baby more often.
Nurse from the sore side first.
Get rest if you are feeling the flu like symptoms.
Stimulate the cirrculation by exercising,swinging your arms, washing windows, or scrubbing floors.
Keep Mastitis From Coming Back:
Make sure baby is positioned right at breast.
Change the feeding postitons regularly.
If you have a re-occuring case of mastitis more than twice ask your doctor about swabbing babies throat and nose, the baby may have an infection that keeps infecting you.
Mother's Charter
It is your natural right to breastfeed your baby. It is your babies natural right to be breastfed.
Your breastmilk is talor-made for your baby. It is specifically designed to nourish your baby, who usually needs no other form of baby food or drink in early infancy.
During your pregnancy, you should receive up-to-date information about the health benefits of breastfeeding both to you and your baby. Exclusive breastfeeding to 4 months has been shown to provide the maximum health benefits to you both.
Your doctor or midwife should discuss breastfeeding fully with you during your prenatal care. Most breastfeeding problems can be prevented easily if you receive the right advice beforehand.
If you plan to have your baby in a hospital, ask to see a copy of the hospitals policy on breasfeeding. You need to be assured that you will receive help from skilled staff when you start to breastfeed.
Most mothers will want to be with their babies all the time. The hospital policy should clearly state that mothers and babies can be together 24 hours a day. This is called rooming-in.
You have a right to cuddle your baby right after delivery and to offer the important first breasfeeding. This is what your baby will instinctively want.
Healthcare staff should only advise that your baby be given artificial milk if it is medically necessary. In such cases, the reasons should be discussed with you in full before you give your consent.
If you and your baby have to be separated at any time, your baby should ideally receive your own expressed breast milk. Nurses or midwives will show you how to express your milk and maintain your supply.
Just like adults, babies like to drink different amounts at different times. Babies should be allowed to decide when to nurse adn for how long. This type of baby-fed feeding is often called feeding on demand.
Your right to breastfeed where and when you choose should never be questioned. No one should make you feel uncomfortable for doing what is best for your baby.
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If there is something you would like to read about that I haven't included in this page, please let me know by email. Please put "breastfeeding" in the subject line.
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Also check out Parent Haven's Breastfeeding Message Board!
