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Breastfeeding Tips
Pregnancy Breast Tenderness
Breast tenderness is an early sign of pregnancy. Pregnancy breast tenderness is common, and will usually lessen after the first trimester. Breast tenderness is caused by the hormones your body releases during pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone, helping your body prepare for birth and breastfeeding. These are the same hormones released right before your monthly menstruation cycle, only to much larger extent. Pregnancy breast tenderness also occurs because your body begins to produce more blood (up to 50 percent) to pass more nutrients to the fetus. The fat layer of your breasts is increasing and your milk glands are beginning to swell. While uncomfortable, it is a normal and biologically necessary process to prepare for breastfeeding your newborn.
For most women, pregnancy breast tenderness does lessen over time and is usually not more than an irritation. For other women, it can be extremely uncomfortable and seem to never dissipate. You may also notice that your pregnancy breast tenderness is worse during sexual activity or exercise, generally activity that increases blood flow. This is common, especially during your first trimester of your first pregnancy. There are ways to help your pregnancy breast tenderness. You can try a supportive cotton bra from a maternity store. Underwire bras may be more uncomfortable, and some cloth such as polyester or lace may also increase discomfort. For some women, not wearing a nightgown or bra will help, but others may want a supportive maternity bra designed to lessen the pressure placed on your breast. You can also ask your obstetrician for help and advice.
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Get Ready for Breastfeeding
Most women who attempt breastfeeding will encounter breastfeeding problems at some point, usually at the very beginning. These problems include the baby not latching on properly, or refusing to feed, sore nipples and a general feeling in the mother of failing before she has even begun. Any or all of these problems can cause a nursing mother to give up on breastfeeding in the early stages.
But it’s a shame to give up on breastfeeding because of hurdles that can, in most cases, be overcome. The most important thing for a nursing mother to remember is to relax. This can be difficult when your baby is screaming, but the more anxiety the mother feels the more upset the baby will become. Arrange yourself so you are comfortable, with cushions positioned behind your back and under your arms or whichever is best for you. Try to feed your baby in a quiet area where you are unlikely to be disturbed. Hold your baby so he or she is laying across your body, supported by your arms in a cradled position and let your baby find your nipple rather than forcing it.
If you still find the process difficult then do your best to find as much breastfeeding information as you can. Breastfeeding help should always be readily available to a new mother so no one has to suffer in silence. Get breastfeeding advice from the professionals and persevere. The first few weeks can be hard, but it’s well worth it if you can see yourself and your baby through that difficult period. In the long run the rewards of breastfeeding far out way any early problems you might face.
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Breastfeeding and Working Mothers
You don't have to stop breastfeeding just because you've gone back to work. You can successfully breastfeed your baby and effectively do your work by following these tips:
* If possible, find a quiet place to pump every two to three hours at work.
* Store your pumped breast milk in a refrigerator, and transport it home at the end of each day in a cooler.
* Nurse your baby right before you leave for work each morning, and nurse again as soon as you get home.
* If you can't pump at work, you can continue to breastfeed, although your baby's caregiver will need to give her formula or stored breastmilk during your absence. Breastfeed as often as you can once you return home each day.
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Learning to Live with Leaky Breasts (Colostrum) During Pregnancy
Colostrum is the first milk your newborn baby will receive from your breasts. It contains less fat and sugar than the breast milk you will produce further down the line, but colostrum has more protein, which is just the thing a new born baby needs. Your breasts may begin to leak a small amount of colostrum in the last few weeks leading up to the birth. This can occur anywhere from sixteen weeks onward. Don’t be alarmed if your breasts do begin to leak, it’s perfectly natural. At this last stage in your pregnancy your body is getting ready for the baby to arrive and all systems are go, that includes the production of colostrum during pregnancy.
If it becomes a problem or you are leaking more than just a few drops, breast pads, which you will need once the baby is here anyway, can be easily inserted into your bra and will stop any embarrassing leaks from being seen through your clothes.
When you are in the late stages of pregnancy but are not leaking colostrum, this does not mean you will be unable to breastfeed. There is no link between leaky breasts (colostrum) during pregnancy and the amount of milk you will subsequently produce for your baby. You may never see colostrum during your pregnancy and still go on to successfully breastfeed your baby.
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Breastfeeding and Breast milk
Your milk won't actually come in until 24 to 48 hours after you have delivered your baby. It is still important to breastfeed your baby, however. Your breast will secrete a substance called colostrum, which is thick and yellow. Colostrum is full of antibodies, and it will be enough to sustain your baby until your milk does come in. If possible, breastfeed your baby while you are still in recovery. Once your milk comes in, your breasts may feel engorged. You'll need to nurse your baby every two hours or more often. Your milk supply is based on demand. The more you nurse, the more milk you'll produce.
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Pregnancy Breast Tenderness
Breast tenderness is actually one of the first signs that a woman is pregnant. Beginning four to six weeks into the pregnancy, sore breasts can be an indicator before a woman has taken a pregnancy test, and well before she has experienced any other signs such as nausea.
Pregnancy breast tenderness is something a woman’s body will go through during the course of her first, second and third trimesters. Some women’s breasts will become very sore, swollen or tender, while others only notice minor changes. What expecting mothers will certainly notice is a change in the size of their breasts.
Later in pregnancy breasts may feel heavy with a tingling sensation in the nipples. As your body prepares to breastfeed your baby, your breasts will typically increase by at least one cup size. All of these changes are perfectly normal and you should do as much as possible to make yourself comfortable by supporting your breasts with a good maternity bra, which will also help your breasts retain their shape after delivery.
Once you begin breastfeeding it’s likely you will experience soreness in your breasts to some degree, again, this varies and doesn’t mean you should stop breastfeeding. It might sound odd if you have very sore breasts during pregnancy, but some women do like the changes to their breasts and are disappointed when these new, larger breasts return to their original size after pregnancy!
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Breastfeeding and Nursing Bras
If you are planning to breastfeed, you'll need to purchase at least a couple of nursing bras before you deliver your baby. You will want to pack these in your suitcase to take to the hospital. While you are pregnant, your breasts will probably grow to at least one size larger than normal. Once your milk supply comes in, however, your breasts will be even larger. It is important to purchase a nursing bra that is roomy enough to allow for extra growth once your baby has arrived. If you are large-breasted, look for bras that have wider straps. While many women prefer underwire bras, it is a good idea to wait until your milk is well-established before wearing one of these because the underwires can constrict your milk duct.
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Breastfeeding Basics
Most women can easily breastfeed their baby, but it does take a few weeks to become more comfortable breastfeeding. Keep the following breastfeeding basics in mind.
* Begin breastfeeding as soon as possible after your baby is born. Don't worry if she doesn't seem interested at first. This is a bonding time.
* It takes 24 to 48 hours for your milk to come in. Before this your baby will get the enriched substance called colostrum.
* You'll breastfeed your baby every two hours or so. Feed him on demand.
* If you think you might have a clogged milk duct, nurse more frequently on that breast until you feel relief.
* If you begin to run a fever while nursing and have soreness in your breast, contact your doctor. You may be suffering from mastitis.
* The more you nurse, the more milk you'll produce.
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Breastfeeding and Weaning
The process of weaning your breastfeeding baby may take several weeks. If you are planning on weaning your baby before returning to work, you'll need to begin the weaning process at least three weeks before your return. The easiest and least painful way to wean your baby from breastfeeding is to drop one feeding at a time. It is typically easier to drop a mid-day feeding, especially if you are introducing solid foods to your baby's diet. Wait a couple of days or so before dropping your next breastfeeding session, and allow your breast to adjust. Eventually, you'll be able to drop all but one or two breastfeeding times, and your milk will begin to dry up, making weaning a much more pleasant experience for you and your baby.
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Breastfeeding Problems
Breastfeeding mothers sometimes encounter problems. Most of these problems can be worked out, and breastfeeding can continue. There are several common problems that many women experience.
* Low milk supply-Milk production is based on supply and demand. If you feel that your milk supply is low, breastfeed your baby more often.
* Clogged milk ducts-Sometimes milk ducts can become clogged and cause soreness to breastfeeding moms. Nurse more often and for longer periods on the affected breast until you feel relief.
* Mastitis-Mastitis is characterized by a triagular shaped, red area on the side of the breast. It is typically very painful and is an indication of an infection in breastfeeding mothers. If a breastfeeding mom is diagnosed with mastitis, she will usually be given antibiotics.
* Inverted nipples-Sometimes a newborn has problems latching on because of a woman's inverted nipples. Nipple shields can be used to help baby breastfeed, at least in the first few weeks after he or she has been born.
You should contact your doctor if you're concerned about any of the issues.
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Breastfeeding Schedules
Because breast milk is easier to digest than formula, babies typically have to breastfeed more often. Your newborn baby may breastfeed as often as every hour to two hours for the first few weeks. It is important that you breastfeed on demand. In doing so, you are establishing a good supply of breast milk for your baby. Your newborn baby may not be on much of a schedule in her first few weeks of life, but eventually you'll be able to establish a breastfeeding routine. Once your baby is between four and six months of age, you'll begin introducing solid foods. However, breast milk should be the main source of your child's nutrition. Your baby's breastfeeding schedule will eventually spread out, and she won't need a breastfeeding session at night.
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Breastfeeding Positions
There are several breastfeeding positions that are popular among beastfeeding moms. These positions include the following:
* Football Hold-This breastfeeding position has the mother holding the baby along the side of her body so that baby's feet are closer to mom's back, and her tummy is wrapped around mom's side.
* Cradle Hold-This breastfeeding position has the mother cradling baby in her arms and supporting baby's head with one hand while the other hand guides baby's mouth to her breast.
* Side-lying Position-This breastfeeding position has mom lying on her side with baby pressed against her, belly to belly, as baby nurses.
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Breastfeeding and Alcohol
Alcohol, even in small amounts, can travel through breast milk into a baby's system. Babies who have injested alcohol in breast milk will become sleepy, but they won't rest for very long, and their sleep won't be very restful either. Breast milk may also be reduced in supply, and babies who were exposed to regular amounts of alcohol while breastfeeding were sometimes found to be developmentally delayed. The bottom line...don't drink if you are breastfeeding. If you do have a drink, time it so that you will not breastfeed for at least a couple of hours after the drink.
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Breastfeeding and Dad
Just because you are breastfeeding your baby doesn't mean that dad has to feel left out. There are many ways for dads to become closer to their babies. Sometimes breastfeeding moms need a break, so dads can give baby a bottle of breast milk or formula. Dads can also take baby for walks, read and sing to baby, and rock baby to sleep. If you are the dad of a newborn baby, give your wife moral support as she breastfeeds by reading books on breastfeeding and seeing that she eats right and gets plenty of rest.
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Breastfeeding in Public
Many women hesitate to breastfeed their babies in public. You can breastfeed your baby comfortably and discreetly, however, without hiding in a restaurant or store bathroom. Many department stores now offer comfortable lounges which can accomodate nursing mothers. You can also breastfeed in public if you follow these tips.
* Throw a baby blanket or shawl across your shoulder, covering your baby, then begin nursing.
* Use an infant sling that has extra material that can be thrown over your breastfeeding baby, offering more privacy.
* Wear clothing especially designed for breastfeeding moms. There are many styles of tops and dresses that have openings discreetly placed for easy access when nursing a baby.
* Wear two-piece outfits, such as shirts and pants, and simply lift your shirt only high enough to allow baby access to your breast. Your baby's body will cover any bare skin you might be showing.
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A Modern History of Breastfeeding
A bit of history here, during our parents’ and grandparents’ era, bottle formula was marketed as being healthier than breast milk, and parents were told that children should be given bottle formula sooner rather than later. It was during this period of time that mothers made the transition from breastfeeding a child until they were toddlers (2-3 years) to bottle feeding between 6 months and 1 year.
So, in the days before formula, it was common to see a 3 year old still breastfeeding. During the last few decades, it has become uncommon--in part because many mothers are in the workforce and breastfeeding is not convenient, but also because of a growing stigma surrounding breastfeeding that took hold around the 1950s.
Thanks to research from groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, March of Dimes and La Leche League, more mothers are rediscovering the joys and benefits of breastfeeding. All three associations mentioned encourage give breastfeeding until your baby is at least six months old, but preferable one year old. However, this is not a finite science; the American Academy of Pediatricians states that breastfeeding should occur as long as it is mutually desired by the mother and child.
More and more research suggests that the longer your baby receives human breast milk instead of formula or cow's milk, the better. Choosing when to stop breastfeeding is a personal choice. Many toddlers simply stop on their own, whereas others will have to be weaned from the breast.
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Breastfeeding Information and Help
You might need some breastfeeding help if you have a newborn that is reluctant to nurse. Newborns may be reluctant to nurse for different reasons. You may notice your baby:
· Resistant to the breast
· Fights becoming attached to the breast
· Cannot latch onto the breast, keeps detaching from the breast or will not suck while attached to the breast.
It is important to remember that this is normal infant behavior and will change with some breastfeeding help and time. Some newborns will not latch onto the breast right after birth. In this case it is a good idea to pump the colostrum and give to the baby via a feeding syringe or dropper (even if it’s just a little bit). You also want to make sure that you are pumping your breast milk regularly when the baby is reluctant to breastfeed to prevent engorgement.
Breastfeeding information can be found at La Leche League International (llli.org), a great resource for breastfeeding help. You can also contact your local hospital, nurse, and physician for breastfeeding information and help.
If you need some breastfeeding help, try nursing the newborn while the baby is sleepy or asleep, the infant's natural instinct will take over during this time. Also, try nursing in a quiet and dark room where the newborn will not be distracted. You can also nurse while walking or rocking, this type of motion relaxes the newborn. Different positions such as lying down may also help.
