Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I breastfeed if my breasts are small?

A. Yes! Breast size does not limit the ability to produce milk for your baby.

Q. Can I work and continue to breastfeed?

A. With a little advance planning, you should. Visit my page dedicated to mothers who works and want to continue nursing.

Q. How can I tell if my baby is getting enough to eat?

A. Initially, your newborn should nurse 8-12 times and have at least five wet diapers in a 24 hour period. Your breasts (or breast, if baby is not taking both at one feeding yet) should feel softer after nursing, indicating it is empty or nearly so. Regular weight gain as evidenced at doctor visits should help determine if baby is getting enough to thrive.

Q. Is it true my baby will need to eat more often than a formula fed baby?

A. Generally, yes. There is a two-fold reason for this. First, breastmilk is made to break down more easily than formula, so baby digests it much faster. Breastmilk digests in about 45 minutes, whereas formula can take hours. Secondly, frequent nursing, especially in the first few weeks after birth, allows you to build up a good milk supply.

Q. I was told that if I breastfeed, I won't be able to give my baby a bottle or pacifier. Is this true?

A. Not completely. To minimize "nipple confusion", you should wait several weeks before introducing a "foreign" nipple. The sucking motion for the breast versus other nipples is different, and until baby is at least 3 or 4 weeks old, try to limit artificial nipples.

Q. How long should baby nurse on each breast?

A. Babies live by their own internal clocks, which is to say, they will nurse until they are no longer hungry. Limiting the time your baby has to nurse may reduce your milk supply unnecessarily, and your baby may actually need to nurse more often, since he is not "filling his tank" at every nursing opportunity. There are many health professionals who would disagree with this, but your baby is the only one who knows when he has had enough to eat!

Q. Won't breastfeeding make my breasts sag?

A. Not necessarily. Pregnancy and age are more influential factors than breastfeeding when it comes to loss of elasticity and stretching.

Q. I want to stop breastfeeding. How do I minimize engorgement?

A. Try slowly weaning baby by substituing one normal nursing time with a bottle. Wait a few days for your body to get used to producing less milk, and substitute another time with a bottle. Continue until baby is completely on a bottle. Remember, it may be a while before you completely stop producing milk, but this method will reduce the chance of becoming uncomfortable engorged.

If you must wean suddenly, the outer leaves of a cold head of cabbage lining the inside of your bra will help dry up your milk. There is a chemical in the cabbage leaves that dries up your milk supply. (Yes, it sounds ridiculous, but it works.) Leave the leaves in your bra until they have sufficiently wilted. (Do NOT use this remedy if you are engorged but want to continue nursing, as it may dry up your milk.)

Q. My milk just came in and I am very engorged. What can I do to relieve the discomfort?

A. Your first reaction may be to run out and buy a pump. The more you express from your breasts, the more milk your body will produce. Therefore, pumping is not a good idea unless your breasts are too full for baby to latch on to. Warm, moist cloths or a warm shower may help relieve some of the discomfort, but regular nursing (every 2 hours or so) is the best way to get over engorgement. If baby cannot latch on, try using ice to reduce the swelling or expressing just enough milk to make it possible for baby to latch on. Engorgement usually only lasts a day or two, when your body begins to adjust to your baby's needs. (By the way, engorgement is generally less of a problem in moms who have breastfed a baby previously.)

Q. At what point is my baby receiving the maximum benefit from breastfeeding?

A. If you only breastfeed a few times, your baby has already received some of your antibodies to protect it from sickness. The longer you breastfeed, the greater the benefit, for both you and baby! (See the Benefits page for details.) At about a year, baby is usually getting more nutrition from outside sources than from you, but this doesn't mean you should stop breastfeeding. The length of time you breastfeed should be you and your baby's decision.

This page hosted by Get Your Own Free Home Page