Breastfeeding
Questions and Answers
My mom formula fed me and my siblings and we are all healthy, so why should I breastfeed if formula is so “improved” these days?
Research shows that as a group, breastfed babies tend to have lower rates of certain illnesses. Studies found that breastfed babies are less at risk for ear infections, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, necrotizing enterocolitis, Chrohn's disease, allergies, asthma, childhood and adult cancers, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Formula, which is sometimes called artificial baby milk, is an incomplete attempt to copy breast milk, as it contains no antibodies, living cells, enzymes, or hormones. Breast milk is custom made in response to your baby's health and dietary needs.
I heard you are so tired and exhausted after having your baby. Can I get my rest in the hospital and start breastfeeding the baby when I get home?
No. It is very important to start nursing your baby right after birth, even if you have a c-section. Your baby is very awake and alert for the first couple of hours after birth, especially before he goes under the warmer in the nursery. You want to request rooming in, which means that the baby stays with you rather than in the nursery so you can care for your baby and nurse whenever the baby needs to. That will stimulate your hormones to start the let down reflex, letting your body know that you are going to breastfeed and preventing engorgement. Colostrum is the first substance that the baby gets from your breast and it is very rich in proteins, antibodies, and immunities, which is unique to your breast milk and protects your baby from getting sick and helps flush out the digestive system to help prevent jaundice. You certainly don't want your baby to miss out on that. Remember to take advantage of all the great caregivers in the hospital to educate you and assist you with all that you need to know before discharge.
How do I know if my baby is getting enough breast milk if I can't see how many ounces he is getting?
Starting right after birth, you should be nursing your baby at least 10-12 times in 24 hours. He should be content, alert, and gaining about a pound a month. You should hear him swallowing and your breasts should feel softer and lighter after each feeding. The first few days there should be one wet/soiled diaper for every day old the baby is.
After your milk supply is well established, your baby should be having at least 6-8 wet diapers and at least 1-2 loose, yellow runny bowel movements within 24 hours. The most accurate way to confirm weight gain is to visit your health care provider for a weight check.
How often should I feed my baby?
Generally, you should feed your baby as often as he needs to nurse. It will probably be about every 2 to 3 hours for the first few weeks. Breast milk is digested much faster than formula so they generally can't go as long between feedings. Your baby's stomach will also get bigger with time. As your milk supply goes up and your baby learns to nurse more efficiently, he will go longer between feedings.
Do I have to eat really healthy if I breastfeed?
You should eat a good healthy diet like you did during your pregnancy. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and learn to read labels so you are not eating foods with a lot of added chemicals. You should eat about 500 more calories of nutritious foods everyday. Drink plenty of water, as your breast milk is approximately 85% water and you need to stay hydrated. Try to limit smoking (or give it up), alcohol, caffeine, and fish with high levels of mercury. Keep taking your prenatal vitamins until you have completely stopped nursing.
Do I need a breast pump?
Breast pumps are used if you will be separated from your baby or if there is a need to have another caregiver give your expressed breast milk. There are many types of pumps to choose from but use a good quality pump with double pumping attachments to help maintain your supply. Express your milk as many times per day as you would breastfeed. Never use someone else's breast pump. If you will be separated from your baby for long periods of time such as a very premature or hospitalized newborn, you may need to consider renting a hospital grade heavy duty pump.
HELP! I hate nursing, it hurts, my nipples are sore and my breasts are huge. Why isn't it the great, wonderful bonding experience that I read about in all the magazines?
Don't give up. Honestly, most first time nursing moms experience many challenges to breastfeeding the first few weeks. The first 2 weeks postpartum are fraught with inaccurate advice, lack of support, sleep deprivation, latch-on and positioning difficulties, and engorgement. Don't give up; just seek some help that is available to you. It is essential to get the help right away and a suggestion is to get a professional lactation consultant (IBCLC) to watch you nursing and to give you the personalized latch-on, positioning techniques, and plan of care that will work best for you. In addition, there are local support groups where you can join other like-minded moms who have “been there, done that”, made it through the rough phase and can give you first hand support, advice, and encouragement.
