Advice for the New Breastfeeding Mom

Dear New Breastfeeding Mama,

All rights reserved by Rebeca CygnusAre you feeling completely overwhelmed by your new profession as Mother of a New Baby?  Are you googling sore nipples and how often should my newborn breastfeed while sitting awake at 3:30am?  Are you like me and only prepared for pregnancy and labor, but forgot to read the books about how to take care of a newborn?

Well, then look no further, my sweet friend!  Put the google search DOWN!

While I don't have all of the answers to breastfeeding and parenting  (let's be honest....who really does?), I do have some short and sweet resources that may be helpful for you in your time of need.  

And if you don't find what you are looking for on this list, add your question to the comments and I will do my best to provide you with the help you need!

Here are my Top 6 Advice for the New Breastfeeding Mom articles:

1. My Newborn is So Sleepy!

2. Laid-Back Breastfeeding: Physically and Mentally

3. Napping and Postpartum Sleep Deprivation

4. Common Concerns While Breastfeeding - Sore Nipple Therapy

5. Common Concerns While Breastfeeding - Help!  I'm Engorged!

6. How to Bring in Your Milk Supply More Quickly

Know Your Newborn's Rights After a Hospital Birth: What Are Your Choices?

Did you know that you don't have to cut your baby's umbilical cord immediately after he/she is born?

Did you know that you could hold off on standard hospital procedures after your baby is born, given he/she is healthy, until after the first breastfeeding session (and beyond?)

I am somewhat embarrassed to admit, but I was one of those mothers who walked into labor and delivery trusting everything my OBGYN said.  I had not done any extra research on the policies and procedures that took place during a hospital birth.  I had no idea how these medicalized birth practices could impact my delivery, my child's future well-being, my breastfeeding initiation, and my recovery.  

Now that I have been in the birth and postpartum professional world for over 3 years, I am shocked about how little I knew about my rights during birth and beyond.  And I have a masters degree, dammit! I am an educated woman about everything else in my life, so why didn't I learn more about birthing practices?  

Fortunately, there are many research-based articles on the web that will help you make a decision about whether these routine hospital procedures are for you or not.

So which procedures are under your control?

1. All initial evaluations can take place while the baby is resting on mom's chest.

2. Your baby doesn't need a bath in the hospital - the vernix helps fight infections and is moisturizing, so rub it in!

3. If you don't have chlamydia or gonorrhea, your baby doesn't need drops in the eyes after birth.

4. Vitamin K shots - does your baby really need this?  

And these are just a few....

For more information about your newborn's rights after a hospital birth, take the time to listen to this fabulous online radio show episode from Pregtastic called, Know Your Rights!  Routine Hospital Procedures for You and Your Newborn.

Also, while you are at it, make sure your hospital is breastfeeding-supportive.  In 2012, you would think they all are, but, again, I was shocked at how many of them are not.  Best for Babes has a great article that can help you figure this out: Top 10 Questions to Help You Find a Breastfeeding-Supportive Hospital.

Why TSA Needs Some Serious Professional Development Classes about Breastfeeding

I have to admit that I was completely dumbfounded when I read the article about how a TSA worker required a breastfeeding, working mom to pump in a public airport restroom to save her $200 pump from being confiscated.  Were the bottles filled with over 3.4oz of breast milk (which is completely legal) – NO!  Was her breast pump any different than a battery-operated computer or DVD player – Nope!  So, what was this man possibly thinking?  Apparently, he wasn’t thinking, which is an enormous problem when dealing with public safety.

Amy Strand, a breastfeeding mother of four, was forced to pump, next to the sink, in a public airport restroom.   Having just poured out her precious pumped breast milk, so that she didn’t have to justify carrying liquids in her carry-on luggage, a moronic TSA agent made the audacious request that Amy must pump her breast milk into the bottles to prove that this is what they were used for.  Otherwise, he would confiscate them.

As a breastfeeding advocate, I am mortified by this news story.  Why?

1. When society makes life more difficult for breastfeeding mothers, we see a decline in breastfeeding rates.
2. When breastfeeding mothers feel an increased risk for being humiliated in public for breastfeeding or pumping, we see a decline in breastfeeding rates and an increased risk for postpartum depression.

As an avid traveler, I am also disgusted by this news story.  Why?

1. What type of education level are we requiring for someone to work for TSA and protect my safety as a frequent flier?  Middle School diploma, perhaps?  Now that’s scary!

How many of you breastfeeding moms have flown, carrying pumped milk in your carry-on?    

Did you find that this was somewhat stress-provoking?

I remember when my son, Ryan, was 6 months old, I flew up to Northern California to visit my newly-born niece, leaving my son at home with my mom.  I wanted to bring my breast pump as a carry-on, just in case.  What if my luggage was lost?  How would I preserve my milk supply without my pump?  Standing in the security line, I began to panic.  What if I had to explain what the pump was used for?  What if they took away my freshly pumped milk?  Sure enough, I got pulled out of line to explain my pump to a kid that looked no older than 21.  While I was mortified as I took out all of the pump pieces and my bottles of breast milk, the TSA agent was obviously more embarrassed.  I explained what everything was and that the liquid in the bottles was breast milk that I planned to bring home to my exclusively breastfed son.  As I put all of my pump pieces and bottles back into the pump case, I remember thinking, “I bet this kid won’t bother another pumping mom again.”  I had hoped it was a little glimpse into the breastfeeding world for that kid.

Apparently, I was the lucky one.  At least I wasn’t required to demonstrate how my pump functioned in front of a bathroom full of complete strangers.  Amy Strand wins the Breastfeeding Mother of the Year Award in my mind.  Not only did she withstand utter humiliation, but she stood up for what she believed in. 

As for TSA, I think it is quite apparent that it is time to retrain your agents about your policies and procedures.  Moreover, maybe consider hiring the professional development staff from Nordstrom to teach the basics of customer service!

Know Your Rights!

Moms, here are the TSA Guidelines for Traveling with Children and Traveling with Formula, Breast milk, or Juice.  Maybe we should all print these out and pack them in our carry-on bag, just in case the TSA agent didn’t receive the proper training!

The Lactation Consultant Who Changed My Life

On March 7, 2012, International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) globally will celebrate their 11th official Annual IBCLC Day.  The theme for this year’s celebration isIBCLCs Make an Impact and this powerful statement definitely rings true in my life.

Six and a half years ago, an amazing, gentle IBCLC entered my home and changed the course of my life forever.  My son, Ben, was 4 days old.  I had just returned home from the pediatrician’s office and breastfeeding was NOT going well at all.  My fuller milk had not ‘come in’ yet.  My nipples were completely torn to shreds.  My son wanted to eat non-stop and my sanity had started to wane. 

Then, enter Eve.  Eve brought a scale, a bag of tricks, and a calmness that enveloped my entire home.  She had a way about her that put everyone at ease, including my hungry baby boy.  Within 90 minutes, Ben had latched (with the temporary help of a nipple shield), transferred 2oz (apparently my milk decided to perform for Eve, as well), and had happily fallen asleep on my chest.  More than providing latching assistance, though, Eve helped me to feel more confident about myself as a new breastfeeding mother, which is what I needed more than anything.

Over the next few months, I would stop by Eve’s weekly breastfeeding support group, to ask breastfeeding/reflux questions, visit with other breastfeeding mothers, and get a quick dose of self-confidence.  No matter what breastfeeding challenges I was facing at the time, Eve knew how to calm my fears and encourage me to trust my instincts.  It was the best money I had ever spent.

As my milk supply started to dwindle when my son was about 5 months old, I don’t know why I didn’t think to contact Eve.  In retrospect, I guess I didn’t think it was her job to support me past those first few months.  These thoughts may have been quite ridiculous, but at the time made sense to me.  My milk completely dried up when my son was 8 months old, which meant that I wasn’t able to meet my final breastfeeding goal of nursing past 1 year.  I have always regretted not reaching out for help at that time; however, that was no fault of Eve’s.

Eve’s impact on my life has been boundless.  As a nursing mother, she reinvigorated my self-confidence, which helped me to become a better parent.  As a woman, she taught me the importance of supporting other women through the journey of motherhood.  As a teacher, she taught me that listening can be more powerful than solving a problem.  And as a business woman, she inspired me to change my profession so that I could offer similar caring postpartum support to new mothers.

Eve, my IBCLC, made an immeasurable impact on my life, and I will be forever grateful!  My life is infinitely better and more fulfilling having met her. 

Gentle Weaning: Techniques and Resources

In this third article in our Gentle Weaning series, we will start the conversation about different techniques you can try to gently wean your baby.  If you are wondering about how to pace the weaning process, check out our last article, Gentle Weaning: What is the Process?

Every breastfeeding mother eventually weans her child.  It is part of the evolutionary process.  Whether your baby is a few months old or a preschool-age child, there comes a time when the act of breastfeeding no longer occurs.   When the time is right for both you and your child to wean, there are quite a few techniques you can use to help make the process go more smoothly. 

 I have searched books and the Internet to find some of the best resources out there.  I would love if you would please share your own resources and experiences, as well, so that we can all benefit from them!

 Techniques for Gently Weaning your Breastfed Child

Choose one feeding per day to replace with something else.  If your child is not on solid foods yet, then this would have to be some other nutritionally-based liquid.  Consider using previously pumped milk, or donor milk, in a bottle or cup.  If you child is eating solids, replace this breastfeeding session with fruits, vegetables, protein, grains, etc.  Fill a cup with water, pumped milk, or another nutritional liquid to help keep your child hydrated.

When you replace this feeding session, don’t stimulate your breasts at that time.  Skipping this nursing session should help to slowly decrease your milk supply, without the discomfort of engorgement.  After a week or two of skipping that nursing session once a day, choose another feeding to drop.  Continue this process until you have completed weaned.  This process may take weeks or months…. It is completely up to you. 

Don’t offer, don’t refuse.  This gentle weaning technique is more appropriate for an older child, rather than an infant.  What it means is that you don’t offer to nurse your child unless he/she asks to nurse.  This process may take longer than the other, as your child is never denied a chance to nurse if he/she needs to or wants to breastfeed. 

Save naptime and bedtime as the last feeding sessions to wean.  Bedtime and naptime are often the most difficult nursing sessions to end for both emotional and convenience reasons.  Save these for last.  Attempt to drop all of the other feedings first before you attempt those associated with naptime and bedtime. 

Create a new routine.  If you and your child like to nurse before a nap or bedtime, replace this nursing session with another routine.  Here are a few ideas:

Have your partner put your child to bed

Read your child a story

Sing to your child and relax in a rocking chair or bed (somewhere that is a different location than where you nursed before.)

If your child is old enough, ask him/her to choose what he/she would like to do instead.

Distract your child or offer something else.  If you can anticipate that your child is going to want to nurse at a certain time, offer him/her something else to do.  Kellymom.com recommends distracting with a favorite snack, a playdate with a friend, playing outside, or reading a favorite book as a few ideas.

Attempt nighttime weaning and daytime weaning at different times.  Trying to daytime wean and nighttime wean at the same time can be extremely overwhelming.  It’s best to choose one or the other and start there.  Kellymom.com has some terrific suggestions for ways to nighttime wean.

Celebrate your breastfeeding accomplishments at the end.  Weaning can be a very emotional process for both mother and child.  I remember my last nursing session with my son like it was yesterday.  We had this cozy, green rocking chair in his bedroom and I just sat there, rocking his soundly sleeping body in my arms, for about an hour after he finished nursing that last time.  I reflected upon the breastfeeding challenges we had overcome and the joy it had brought to the both of us.   I felt so blessed to have shared those moments with my sweet boy.

Now, this is NOT an exhaustive list of techniques to help you gently wean your child…not in the least.  Here are a few of my favorite blog posts about this topic:

Natural Parents Network: Gently Weaning a Preschooler

PhD in Parenting: A Different Kind of Baby-Led Weaning

San Diego Breastfeeding Center: Our Breastfeeding Memoirs, Chapter Two

Common Concerns While Breastfeeding - Help! I’m Engorged!

Welcome to our blog series…. Common Concerns While Breastfeeding.  These aren’t the complicated, ‘come-to-my-house-immediately’ phone calls I receive.  Rather, these are the questions that come from clients and friends in the middle of the night, by text or by email, that don’t necessarily warrant a lactation consultation.  They can often be easily resolved with a few simple tricks.  So, I would like to share those tricks with you!

Check Out My Cleavage!

I remember the first time I knew my milk had ‘come in.’ It was 4am.  My son was 4 days old.  And I woke up to my breasts looking like I had visited the local plastic surgeon a few hours prior.  I immediately woke up my husband and announced with pride, “Take a look at this cleavage!”  Even without a bra I had cleavage!  It was amazing!

Several hours later, those taut, perky breasts had become quite sore and I was searching for any remedy to help soften their powerful fullness.  I knew that they weren’t engorged, but I also didn’t want to get to that point of challenging return.

What is engorgement?

Photo by Lindo Nkwanyana on Unsplash

While breast fullness between days 2-5 postpartum is normal, your breasts should still be somewhat pliable.  Think of a full balloon.  While a balloon is taut, you can also squeeze it and shape it.  This is how your breasts should feel as your body transitions from making colostrum to your ‘fuller milk.’ 

Engorgement is much more severe.  When your breasts are engorged, they can feel heavy, tender, and/or painful.  Sometimes engorged breasts will look tight and shiny, as if the skin is being stretched beyond its elasticity.  Engorged breasts can become so congested that it is difficult to even remove the milk. Engorgement is most common those first few days postpartum or as your baby gets older and begins to sleep for more consecutive hours at night.

What causes engorgement?

Engorgement is caused by milk stasis (milk not moving out of the breast.) There are many reasons that a mom might become engorged.

• Several birth interventions, which may result in lots of IV fluids in the hospital

• Poor latch where the baby is not removing milk efficiently – definitely see a lactation consultant for this issue

• Subsequent children - I was a lot more 'full' with baby #2, than with baby #1. Your body has a memory and your milk often comes in more quickly and forcefully with each subsequent baby

• Your little one slept longer at night than usual

• Skipped feedings

• Inflammation

• Low immunity (caused by lack of sleep, stress as a new mom, stress of going back to work, etc. – Can you imagine that????)

How can I reduce my breast fullness or engorgement?

• Breastfeed frequently and effectively from both breasts. In those first few weeks, your baby should be breastfeeding 8 or more times in 24 hours, actively sucking for about 30-40 minutes per feeding session

• If your baby cannot latch because your breasts are so engorged:

  • Use ‘Reverse Pressure Softening’, which pushes the excess fluid away from your nipple, helping your baby latch more easily.

  • Hand express or pump on a low setting before latching your baby, to help your breasts to become more pliable and easier to latch onto.

• To reduce inflammation, treat your breasts as you would a swollen ankle – ice packs/frozen peas in between feeding sessions to help reduce the swelling.

• Use warm compresses right before breastfeeding. The warmth will help to open your blood vessels and hopefully help your milk to begin dripping, thereby making it easier for your baby to latch on.

• Take a warm shower and lean forward. The gravity and warmth should help reduce inflammation. Use very gentle massage only, as deep massage can cause more inflammation.

• Take care of yourself and your immune system – rest, drink lots of water, eat immunity-supporting foods

• Eat cucumber and watermelon to reduce all-over body swelling (like your hands and feet)

• If your baby isn't latching well or removing milk efficiently, you may find it helpful to pump for about 10-15 minutes after breastfeeding to remove the backed-up milk in your breast.

• Ask your doctor/holistic practitioner for recommendations for inflammation-reducing medication, herbs, and homeopathy.

If your breast engorgement foes not resolve within a few days, becomes worse and turns into plugged ducts or mastitis, definitely call a lactation consultant for some additional assistance!

Celebrating Older Siblings Before a New Baby Arrives

This is Kim, Robin’s sister-in-law. I have three amazing daughters. In my 4.5 years of being a mom, I’ve read a fair amount about parenting and have gotten some really great (and some really terrible, uninvited, and/or borderline-criminal) advice along the way. I thought I’d share some of the highlights with you from time to time.

When I got pregnant for a second and third time, like most parents, I was concerned about how my older children would react. I didn’t want them to feel replaced and I didn’t want them to resent the new arrival. 

When I got pregnant with my second child, my first was only a year old. She barely understood what was happening. So, I had her talk to the baby through my belly, try out the bouncy chair and the crib, separate the baby’s clothes, and small jobs like that to help her feel a part of the process.

When I got pregnant with my third, my girls were four and two. They were much more aware of what was going on. So, I tried to come up with more involved activities to get the girls excited about being big sisters to a new baby and to help them feel as though they were involved in the preparation for her arrival. Here’s what we did:
 

ART WALL
After we decided on the bedding set for the new baby’s nursery a few months before the baby was due, I went to the art supply store and got a bunch of different sized canvases and paints that matched the bedding. The girls and I then measured the space above the baby’s crib and decided on how we would arrange the canvases. [This is a great math/spatial reasoning project for older children.] Once we planned for the arrangement, I hung the blank canvases on the wall. Over the course of the rest of my pregnancy, we would occasionally take canvases off the wall and paint them. As we finished the paintings, we hung them back up so that we could see the “art wall” take shape. It was great to have a go-to project when the girls were bored, plus it gave us the chance to experiment with different painting techniques. The girls loved seeing their work displayed on the wall, and it was fun for them to make a handmade gift for their sister. The girls actually finished the last canvas with their grandma while mom and dad were in the hospital with the new baby. Perfect timing! And it looks gorgeous!

ONESIE TIE DYE or PAINTING
The girls got a tie dye kit as a gift and they had so much fun making their own shirts, so I thought they would really enjoy another project making clothes for their baby sister. I remembered that when my older girls were babies, I rarely chose to put them in plain white onesies when there were so many cuter outfits to choose from, so we took the plain white onesies and tie dyed them, along with some shirts and a receiving blanket. This activity is definitely better for older kids, since the actual dyeing should really be done by an adult and younger ones lose interest quickly. Alternatively, use fabric paint or markers so that the big sibs can be more involved and you don’t have to do it all in one go (tie dye must all be used in one sitting).
 

BIG SISTER PARTY
Because I was having a third girl and in need of pretty much nothing, I saw no reason to have a baby shower. Instead, I decided to have a “Big Sister Tea Party” to celebrate the girls. I based the activities on a blessingway party, and tailored it for their age. A month or so before I planned on having the party, I started mentioning it to the girls and asked them to come up with a guest list, which I made sure remained small and intimate. Then we went to the store to get them special dresses that were specifically for the party (this helped build up the anticipation, since they were so excited to wear the dresses!). I also made them some garlands for their hair so they would feel extra special. On the invitation, I asked that there be no gifts, but instead guests could bring their favorite quotes about sisters and/or pretty beads. 

At the party, we had a few stations. On the main table, guests could make pages for the girls’ “Big Sister Book.” Before the party, I had cut pages to size and printed out cute pictures of the girl as well as quotes about sisters. Guests could glue those to the pages and decorate them with markers, crayons, and colored pencils. After the party, I laminated the pages and turned them into a book for the girls. 

At a side table, I had various colors of sculpy clay for guests to make beads for the girls “big sister necklaces.” After the party, I baked the beads and we strung them into necklaces that the girls could wear when they met their sister for the first time. If I were to do this again, I would give guests a little more guidance to make smaller beads. The beads ended up being huge and heavy, and the girls found the necklaces uncomfortable to wear. They still had fun though!

Towards the end of the party, we did belly and face painting. It is “traditional” to use henna to paint mama’s belly at a blessingway, but the henna can stain and takes a while to dry. So instead I went with face painting crayons. First, the kids all came and painted my belly, and then the adults helped paint the kids’ faces. What a huge hit!

And what’s a party without a little something sweet? Since it was a tea party, I made little finger sandwiches and tea, and then after that I made cupcakes. I brought each girl a cupcake with a candle, and the guests made wishes for the girls as big sisters before they blew them out.

Obviously, the party took a ton of planning and effort, but I’m sure there are simpler ways to do it. As long as the big sibs feel special and have a good time, mission accomplished!



These are just some ideas for making the transition to being a big sib exciting and fun. There are infinite possibilities! Work with your soon-to-be big sibs to figure out what you would like to do and go for it!

I’m Sick! Should I Still Breastfeed My Baby?

It’s that time of year again!  FLU SEASON!!!  In San Diego, we have been hit especially hard with the 3-5 day stomach flu these past few weeks.  I am getting phone calls, texts, and emails from worried mothers wondering if they should breastfeed their infants while they are sick.  The overwhelming answer is YES, and this is why.

When we are bombarded with germs in our environment, our bodies create immunity towards these germs so that we can stay healthy.  Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t.  A breastfeeding mother not only creates immunity for her own body, but her breastmilk contains immunological properties (antibodies) as well, which are passed on to her nursing child.  It’s as if your baby is getting an extra dose of immunity with each breastfeeding session.  Also, by the time a mother and/or baby begin to show symptoms of a cold, flu, etc., they have already been contagious for a few days, so no need to stop now.  This is why it is absolutely imperative for a breastfeeding mother to continue to nurse her child while she sick….it will hopefully keep your baby from getting sick, or at least to a lesser degree.

What Can A Mother Do to Continue to Breastfeed While Sick?

When you have a cold or the flu, all you want to do is climb in bed and sleep the day away.  This is nearly impossible if you have a child in the home, whether she is nursing or not.  Here are some ways to manage those horrible days when you are completely under the weather:

Healing Chicken Ginger SoupStay as hydrated as possible, especially if you have the stomach flu.  When your fluids are low, it may cause a temporary decrease in your milk supply, which can be concerning for a breastfeeding mother.  Drink lots of water and/or coconut water (which has electrolytes!).  Have a loved one make you soup.  My favorite soup to make while sick is this Healing Chicken Ginger Soup.  Add some hot sauce to it and it will clean your nose right up.  If you are dealing with some stomach discomfort, you may want to leave out anything spicy.

Stay away from medications that dry up your sinuses (like antihistamines).  They can temporarily decrease your milk supply.  Instead, use a cool mist humidifier with eucalyptus to help open up your sinuses.  I also love the neti pot, which really clears out your nose.  Just make sure that you REALLY clean it after using it, as there were some concerns raised in the last few months. Check out this article about Safely Using Your Neti Pot. Here is an article about How to Use a Neti Pot. Ask an herbalist about which herbs are safe to take while breastfeeding to relieve your discomfort.

If you decide to take medication to help with your symptoms, check out LactMed to see if it is safe to take while breastfeeding.  You could also call your local Lactation Consultant and ask her to check the medication in Thomas Hale’s book, Medications and Mother’s Milk.

Support your own immunity.  Get as much rest as possible.  Eat a nutrient-rich diet full of Vitamin D, Vitamin B, and Omega 3s or at least take a multivitamin every day.

For more detailed information about medications you can take while breastfeeding, check out this wonderful article on Breastfeeding Basics: When a Nursing Mother Gets Sick.

Please note: there are a very few rare instances when a mother would need to stop breastfeeding due to a serious illness.  Per Dr. Ruth Lawrence, “HIV and HTLV-1 are the only infectious diseases that are considered absolute contraindications to breastfeeding in developed countries’ (Lawrence & Lawrence, 2001.)

Foremilk vs. Hindmilk: The Unnecessary Controversy

Foremilk vs. hindmilk seems to be quite a popular topic among breastfeeding mothers.  If I switch the baby too soon to the other breast, will he get the hindmilk?  How do I ensure that my baby is getting all of the fatty milk that he needs?  Sometimes I feel like too much breastfeeding information can add stress to a new mom.  And this is why….

All breastmilk, whether it is 1 minute into the feeding session or 25 minutes into the feeding session, has both foremilk and hindmilk.  As your baby drinks from the breast, she/he gets both the low-fat milk (foremilk) and the cream (hindmilk.)  The better your baby drains your breast per feeding, the more hindmilk she/he has access to, as this creamier milk hangs out back further in the milk ducts, so it has further to travel.

Here are some ways to know that your baby is getting enough breastmilk in the first few months:

• Your baby is feeding 8 or more times in a 24 hour period
• Your baby is gaining 4-7 oz. per week
• Your baby is having several wet a day
• Your baby is having several yellow-poop diapers a day
• Your breasts feel softer and more pliable after your baby feeds

If your baby is meeting the above criteria, then there is really no need to look at the clock or worry about if she/he is getting enough of the creamy hindmilk.  Follow your baby’s cues….she/he will let you know when she/he is full or ready to feed from the other breast.

Now, what if your baby has green, frothy poops, lots of gas, and chokes while breastfeeding?

Looking at these symptoms, the first question I would ask is, “Do you have enough breastmilk to feed an entire village?”  If the answer is yes, then what we are probably working with is an oversupply.   If the answer is no, then it is probably time to look into your diet to see if your baby is intolerant to something you are eating. (We will discuss this next week in a different article)

If you have a tremendous supply, your baby is probably drinking a lot of breastmilk.  Since the cream (fat) hangs out further away from the nipple, your baby has to take in more milk to bring down that cream.   When this happens, lactase (an enzyme in your baby’s tummy) is overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of breastmilk lactose it has to digest, so that lactose starts to ferment, causing gas.  By gently slowing down your milk supply, your baby won’t feel so full before she/he gets to all of the milk fat she/he needs, thereby allowing the lactase to breakdown a manageable amount of lactose.

How do you gently slow down your milk supply?

Lean back

If your baby is choking and sputtering while breastfeeding, it is possible that your flow is overwhelming her/him.  It’s like the garden hose has been turned on and there is no reprieve!  So, lean back.  Picture yourself in a lazyboy chair, with your feet up, all relaxed.  When you lean back, gravity naturally slows down your fast flow, thereby helping your baby tolerate your flow and control how much she/he is taking in at a time.  For more information on laid back breastfeeding, see our article Laid-back Breastfeeding: Physically and Mentally and the Biological Nurturing Web site.

Place your baby in an upright position

When your baby is in a more upright position (head higher than bottom) your baby can tolerate a fast flow more easily.  You can do this in many ways:

• Have your baby straddle your leg, almost sitting up, and leaning into your breast
• If your baby likes to feed in more of a cradle position, lower her/his bottom into your lap so that she/he is more diagonal (head above bottom)
• If you are using a breastfeeding pillow, place a blanket under your baby’s head so that it elevates it above her/his bottom

Breastfeed one side per feeding

Feed your baby from one breast per feeding.  This will help to gently slow down your milk supply, as your milk supply is based on how much milk is emptied at each feeding.  Now your baby will pull all of that fatty milk down through your milk ducts, thereby helping him/her to feel more full and satisfied before he/she takes in too much milk. 

Please note: When breastfeeding from one side per feeding, it is important to pay attention to your breasts.  If they begin to feel overly full and uncomfortable, you will want to offer that side to reduce the pressure.  Think of that side as dessertJ  If your baby is not hungry anymore, you may need to hand express or pump the skipped side for a minute or two, just to relieve the pressure.  Once you have been doing this for a while, your milk supply should regulate. 

Another note: Always pay attention to your baby’s feeding cues.  Around 2-3 months of age, many babies end up needing to feed from both sides again.  This means it is time to start offering both breasts during a feed again.

Herbs

Sage tea is a great way to gently reduce your supply.  Since each mother reacts to herbs differently, it is important to try this slowly.  One mom I worked with noticed that her supply decreased by 50% every time she drank sage tea, so she only drank it when her supply had drastically increased over time.  Another mom I worked with drank a cup once a week and noticed that it kept her supply in balance.  Again, pay attention to your body and work with a Lactation Consultant if necessary. 

How Can I Support My Friend Whose Baby is in the NICU?

One of my favorite blogs out there is Secrets of Baby Behavior.  This is a research/experienced-based blog written by the very talented, well-educated, all-female staff at the UC Davis Human Lactation Center.  Their latest post, Supporting Parents of Preemies: Tips for Friends and Family, really struck a chord with me and I had the immediate urge to share with you all. 

While I have never had a preemie, nor a baby in the NICU, I have had several friends who have.  This list just illuminated all of the ways I wished I could have supported them better, and the ways in which I WILL support them if the situation arises in the future.  It is unbearable to watch a friend go through the heartbreak of having a child who is not well, but at least this list shares a few tools to help in a positive way.

As a side note, one of the coolest web sites I have seen lately is Food Tidings.  This is a site we used to organize dinner drop-offs for a friend whose baby was in the NICU.  Wouldn’t it be great if we set up a schedule for food drop-offs for all of our friends who just had babies?  BEST GIFT EVER!

Please click here to read the article about Supporting Parents of Preemies: Tips for Friends and Family.