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Breast-feeding: What every mom needs to know
Gauge your success
When your baby is latched on successfully, you'll feel a gentle pulling sensation on your breast — rather than a pinching or biting sensation on your nipple. Your breasts may feel firm or full before the feeding, and softer or emptier afterward. Look for your baby to gain weight steadily, produce at least six wet diapers a day and be content between feedings. Your baby's stools will become yellow, seedy and loose.
Take care of your nipples
After each feeding, it's OK to let the milk dry naturally on your nipple. If you're in a hurry, gently pat your nipple dry. To keep your nipples dry between feedings, change bra pads often. When you bathe, keep soap, shampoo and other cleansers away from your nipples. If your nipples are dry or cracked, apply an ointment containing lanolin after each feeding.
Make healthy lifestyle choices
Your lifestyle choices are just as important when you're breast-feeding as they were when you were pregnant.
- Eat a healthy diet. Opt for fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Your health care provider might recommend continuing to take a daily prenatal vitamin as well.
- Drink lots 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.
- Rest as much as possible. If you can, sleep when the baby sleeps.
- 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.
- Be cautious with medication. Only take medication with your health care provider's OK.
You might also check with your baby's doctor about vitamin D supplements, especially if you're exclusively breast-feeding. Breast milk may not provide enough vitamin D, which is essential to help your baby absorb calcium and phosphorus — necessary for strong bones.
Give it time
If breast-feeding is tougher than you expected, try not to get discouraged. Breast-feeding every few hours is exhausting, and it's OK to have a slow start. Just remember that the more often you breast-feed your baby, the more milk your breasts will produce — and the more natural breast-feeding is likely to feel.
If you're struggling, ask a lactation consultant or your baby's doctor for help — especially if every feeding is painful or your baby isn't gaining weight. Although your nipples may be tender for the first few weeks, breast-feeding isn't supposed to hurt. If you haven't worked with a lactation consultant, ask your baby's doctor for a referral or check with the obstetrics department at a local hospital.
Previous page(2 of 2)
- Learning to breastfeed. The National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/learning. Accessed Nov. 23, 2009.
- Breast-feeding your baby. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp029.cfm. Accessed Nov. 23, 2009.
- Schanler RJ, et al. Patient information: Breastfeeding basics. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/index.html. Accessed Nov. 23, 2009.
- Schanler RJ, et al. Patient information: Common breastfeeding problems. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/index.html. Accessed Nov. 23, 2009.
- Butte NF, et al. Patient information: Maternal health and nutrition during breastfeeding. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/index.html. Accessed Nov. 23, 2009.
- Mennella J, et al. Breastfeeding and smoking: Short-term effects on infant feeding and sleep. Pediatrics. 2007;120:497.
- Mulligan ML, et al. Implications of vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy and lactation. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In press. Accessed Nov. 23, 2009.
- Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The changing concept of sudden infant death syndrome: Diagnostic coding shifts, controversies regarding the sleeping environment, and new variables to consider in reducing risk. Pediatrics. 2005;116:1245.
- James DC, et al. Position of the American Dietetic Association: Promoting and supporting breastfeeding. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2009;109:1926.
- Wagner CL, et al. Prevention of rickets and vitamin D deficiency in infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2008;122:1142.
- LaFleur EA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 16, 2009.
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