Infant and toddler health

continued:

Breast-feeding: 7 tips for pumping success

4. Avoid or limit formula feedings

Formula feedings will reduce your baby's demand for breast milk, which will lower your milk production. To maintain your milk supply, it's important to pump anytime your baby has a formula feeding. Remember, the more you breast-feed your baby or pump while you're apart, the more milk you'll produce. It also helps to pump extra milk — either after or between breast-feeding sessions — and freeze it for future use.

5. Drink plenty of fluids

Water, juice and milk can help you stay hydrated, which promotes milk production. Limit soda, coffee and other caffeinated drinks, though. Too much caffeine may lead to irritability or interfere with your baby's sleep. If you choose to have an occasional alcoholic drink, avoid breast-feeding for two hours afterward.

6. Don't smoke

Aside from the well-known dangers of smoking, smoking can reduce your milk supply — and the nicotine in your breast milk may change the taste of the milk and interfere with your baby's sleep. If you smoke, ask your doctor for options to help you quit. In the meantime, avoid smoking just before or during a feeding.

7. Take good care of yourself

Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Include physical activity in your daily routine. Sleep when the baby sleeps — and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Also consider your birth control options. Birth control pills that contain estrogen may interfere with milk production. While you're breast-feeding, you may want to use condoms or other forms of birth control.

Breast-feeding is a commitment, and your efforts to maintain your milk supply are commendable. If you're having trouble maintaining your milk supply or you're concerned that you're not producing enough milk, ask your doctor or lactation consultant for other suggestions.

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References

Learning to breastfeed. The National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/learning. Accessed Nov. 20, 2009.
Breast-feeding your baby. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp029.cfm. Accessed Nov. 20, 2009.
Enger L, et al. Patient information: Breast pumps. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/index.html. Accessed Nov. 20, 2009.
Schanler RJ, et al. Patient information: Breastfeeding basics. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/index.html. Accessed Nov. 20, 2009.
Butte NF, et al. Patient information: Maternal health and nutrition during breastfeeding. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/index.html. Accessed Nov. 20, 2009.
Mennella J, et al. Breastfeeding and smoking: Short-term effects on infant feeding and sleep. Pediatrics. 2007;120:497.
LaFleur EA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 16, 2009.

FL00120 March 13, 2010

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Infant and toddler health