Breastfeeding Questions and Concerns Every New Mom Should Know
inverted nipples
Before your baby is born, check your breasts for flat or inverted nipples. Place your thumb and forefinger around the areola in a “C” shape, about an inch from the base of the nipple, and gently press your thumb and forefinger together. Your nipple should project out. If your nipple pulls back into the breast or remains flat, seek the advice of your doctor, certified lactation consultant, or La Leche League leader.
Wearing plastic breast shells during the last few months of pregnancy can help your nipples protrude. However, some authorities suggest that a baby who is correctly attached to the breast will suckle effectively regardless of the size or shape of the mother’s nipples. Either way, it will help to understand proper positioning and talk to a lactation consultant or health care provider about it before your baby is born.
congestion
Uncomfortable breast fullness that can make your breasts feel hard, hot, and painful can occur because the baby is not removing enough milk. To clear up this engorgement, breastfeed your baby more often or use a breast pump. Pumping for comfort or pumping for just a few minutes, long enough to make your breasts feel comfortable, will not cause excess milk supply. It may also be helpful to apply cold compresses between feedings and/or warm compresses and circular massage just before and during feedings.
Sore nipples
Sore nipples are a common complaint at first. This may be a new experience for you and may indicate that your baby is not positioned correctly on the breast. If the pain goes away within a minute and you feel comfortable for the rest of your nursing session, there is nothing to worry about. If not, call a lactation consultant or La Leche League leader for suggestions.
Causes of sore nipples include:
- The baby latches on too close to the nipple and does not take in enough areolar tissue.
- The baby’s lower lip is tucked in instead of sticking out.
- The baby sucks the nipple into his mouth instead of opening it fully to accept the breast.
- The baby’s gums rub against the nipple as they come off the breast.
- The baby puts pressure on the tissues and causes pain when trying to push out the inverted or flat nipples during the first days or weeks of breastfeeding.
- Moisture remains on an inverted nipple for a long period of time.
Suggestions:
Clogged Ducts
Too much milk left in the breast can cause a plugged duct. This can happen for a variety of reasons and can result in a sore spot on your breast that is red and slightly warm to the touch.
Treatment measures for a blocked duct include:
- Wear loose clothing and a bra that does not fasten.
- Resting a lot.
- Nurse as often as the baby is cooperative and/or pump between feeds.
- Nursing baby 8-12 times every 24 hours.
- Apply moist or dry heat to the sore spot before nursing.
- Begin each nursing session at the breast with the sore spot.
- Position the baby so that his chin lines up with the sore spot.
- Massage the sore spot during lactation.
breast infection
If you develop other symptoms, such as fever, chills, pain, or breast pain that is generalized rather than in one place, you may have a breast infection, also known as mastitis. Contact a certified lactation consultant, La Leche League leader, or health care provider for advice. Some sinus infections will go away with the same treatment you would use for a plugged duct.
If your symptoms persist or you have a high fever, your healthcare provider may prescribe an antibiotic. Most antibiotics are safe to take while breastfeeding, but discuss this with your healthcare provider to be sure.
Is the baby getting enough milk?
Weight gain is the most accurate way to tell if your baby is getting enough milk, so weigh your baby. A normal weight gain is about four to eight ounces per week. As your baby gets a bit older, the weight gain will become more noticeable. If you are worried about your baby, talk to your health care provider or a lactation consultant.
Also, keep track of your baby’s diaper changes as what goes in must come out. At first, your baby will only wet one or two diapers a day. After your milk supply increases, your baby should have five to seven wet diapers (six to eight if she uses cloth diapers) and three to five bowel movements each day. Some babies may have a small bowel movement with each diaper change.
The first stools will be dark black in color, with a tarry consistency. Both the color and consistency will change in a day or two after your milk supply increases. The color of breast milk stool is usually mustard yellow, but can range from tan to yellow or greenish yellow. The consistency is loose and seedy and will remain that way as long as your baby receives only human milk. Also, while nursing, your baby should swallow after every couple of sucks, so listen if she swallows. Other indicators include your breasts becoming softer after feedings, your baby’s skin feeling smooth and firm, and the baby seeming satisfied after feedings.
However, if your baby shows any of the following signs, contact your healthcare provider immediately:
- weak cry
- Skin without resilience (when it is pinched it looks pinched)
- dry mouth and dry eyes
- Less than the usual amount of tears
- Minimal urine output (less than two wet diapers in 24 hours)
- Fever
- The fontanelle (soft spot) on the baby’s head is sunken or depressed
If you have previously had breast surgery, be sure to tell your healthcare provider. Many mothers have been able to fully breastfeed their babies after breast surgery. However, it is important that your healthcare provider is aware of your history and past breast surgeries so that you and your baby can be closely monitored to make sure your milk supply is good and that the baby is gaining. of weight.
Increase your milk supply
The amount of milk you produce depends on how much and how often you express milk from your breasts. As the baby’s demand increases, your body will increase its supply, but you may find the following suggestions helpful if you are concerned about your milk supply:
- Feed the baby on both breasts at each nursing session.
- Feed the baby twice on each breast at each nursing session.
- Use the lying down position from time to time to rest while the baby nurses.
- Breastfeed at the first signs of the baby.
- Drink plenty of fluids (according to your individual needs).
- Use a breast pump between feedings.
- Consult a certified lactation consultant for a complete lactation assessment.
Baby wakes up constantly at night
There are many reasons why a baby wakes up at night. You may have a newborn who is a light sleeper and wakes up easily. Also, human milk is digested twice as fast as formula, so breastfed babies are hungrier than bottle-fed babies.
The baby is always sleepy
Some medicines used during labor and delivery can make the baby very sleepy. If the baby sleeps constantly for the first week, it is important to wake him up to breastfeed so that your milk supply is established and the baby grows and gains weight normally. Try to nurse often at night when you are calmer. Contact another mother or lactation consultant for tips on waking a sleeping baby.
Breastfeeding and maternal medications
Most antibiotics and pain relievers are compatible with lactation. However, you should always discuss any medication with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
The potential risks of a medication, whether prescribed by a doctor or purchased over the counter, must be weighed against the risks of weaning and formula feeding.
When to ask for help with breastfeeding
Seek help when:
- Your newborn wets fewer than five to seven diapers, or three to five bowel movements a day, even after your milk supply increases in the first week.
- The baby’s urine is dark in color or has a strong odor.
- Nipple or breast pain worsens and persists between feedings.
- Breastfeeding becomes painful. (A little soreness at first is normal, but it should go away as your baby learns to breastfeed.)
Gas-filled baby seeds You may have heard that babies react to foods in their mothers’ diet, but this is quite rare. Infant formula is much more likely to cause some sort of problem than a reaction to the mother’s diet.
Infant massage often helps calm a baby who seems to have gas, so you can read books on infant massage to find a technique your baby likes. You can also try colic retention to see if it helps make the baby more comfortable. Place your baby tummy down on her forearm with her head in the crook of your elbow, her hand supporting her abdomen, and her legs dangling downward.
Supplements and Artificial Nipples
Water supplements or artificial milk (formula) in the first few weeks of breastfeeding can contribute to a poor milk supply, prolonged engorgement, jaundice, or cow’s milk allergy or intolerance problems for both you and your baby.
Avoid artificial nipples and pacifiers because they can confuse your baby when he is learning to breastfeed. A baby uses her mouth and tongue differently when she takes a bottle or pacifier compared to a human breast. Among other things, artificial nipples are firmer than your breast, and the baby holds them in front of his mouth. If the baby does the same thing while she is nursing, she may not be sucking enough and may not be getting as much milk.
Your nipples may hurt in the process. Some very sensitive babies even refuse to breastfeed after using artificial nipples.
Since there’s no way to know ahead of time if your baby will be able to switch easily, it’s best to avoid artificial nipples until your baby has been breastfeeding well for at least three to four weeks and the likelihood of confusion is reduced. . If you need to feed your baby other than at the breast, use an alternative to bottles, such as a spoon, dropper, or small feeding cup. Consult an experienced lactation consultant about these options.