Breastfeeding Tips - Helpful Hints to Successful Breastfeeding and Breastpumping

1. Trust Your Body.

Trust your body. Your body has the unique ability to produce the right amount of breast milk - to produce more milk to keep up with the increased demand. The more often your baby nurses, the more milk your breasts produce.

2. Remember and Review Your Breastfeeding Basics.

Since you can't measure the amount of breast milk your baby takes at each breastfeeding (compared to a bottle feeding), you should watch for reassuring signs that your baby is getting enough to eat:

Is my baby gaining weight? Steady weight gain is often the most reliable sign that a baby is getting enough to eat (although most babies lose up to 10 percent of their birth weight soon after birth, that weight is typically regained, and more, during the first two weeks).

How often is my baby breastfeeding? Most newborns breastfeed eight to 12 times a day — about every two to three hours (thought infants are often become satisfied with six to eight feedings a day within two to three months after birth).

Do you hear your baby swallowing ? If you listen carefully, you'll be able to hear your baby swallowing. Also look for a strong, steady, rhythmic motion in your baby's cheek. There may be a pause while your baby swallows. A small amount of milk may even dribble out of your baby's mouth.

Is my baby latched latched on? 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.

What about my baby's diapers? For the first few weeks, expect your baby to have six to eight wet diapers a day. A wet diaper will weigh about the same as a dry disposable diaper filled with 2 to 4 tablespoons of water. A well-nourished baby also will have one to three — or even more — bowel movements a day. The stool will be dark and sticky for the first few days, eventually becoming seedy, loose and golden yellow.

3. Trust Your Instincts.

You know your baby best. If you sense something isn't right, contact your baby's doctor — especially if your baby is not gaining weight, wetting as many diapers or pooping as often as you expect, isn't interested in feedings or is consistently fussy after feedings or seems sleepy all the time.

Every baby is unique. You may be surprised by your baby's hunger — or lack of appetite. As long as your baby grows and develops normally, you can be sure that you're meeting his or her nutritional needs.

Breast Pumping Tips - Help From Moms

New moms often feel awkward or uncomfortable when breast pumping at first. And, a breast pump can take some getting used to. However, once you become familiar with the feel and the mechanics of your breast pump, you'll likely be at ease. Here are various tips breast pumping mothers have sent us, based on their own breast pumping experiences.

Breast pumping advice from moms generally falls into one of two different categories, practical advice and emotional help and support:

Practical Tips for Effective and Efficient Breast Pumping

• Invest in a good pump from the start. Sometimes moms can get plenty of milk at first, but run in to difficulty after three or four months, when it takes a stronger breast pump to stimulate letdown. A good pump should continue to work for you.
• Have everything you need ready before you start breast pumping - bottles, labels, pen or marker, and cleaning supplies.
• You may not get milk for a few moments, so be patient. The first few pumps create the suction, and breast milk flows after that.
• If you plan to return to work and use a breast pump, prepare as early as possible. Tell your employer that you wish to use a breast pump and arrange for a private place at work where you can do so.
• To keep your milk supply up, try to pump as much as your baby would be nursing if you were home.
• Try to pump into the same bottles that you give to your baby.
• Try switch-pumping. As in switch-nursing, changing sides can stimulate letdown, resulting in increased breast milk flow.
• If you seem to be leaking milk when you pump, lean forward a bit, to help the milk flow into the pump.
• If your breast pump doesn't seem to be working well, make sure that all the parts are in the right places and fitted together properly. Check the instructions and assembly — a valve that's loose or a rubber pump piece not pushed in properly can make a big difference.
• If you have large nipples or your nipples swell along the sides of the pump tunnel, then try a larger kit or shield. Call the company that makes your breast pump and ask for a large or extra large kit.
• Buy some nice hand lotion to use after breast pumping - you'll be washing those pumping parts constantly and will need a good moisturizer.
• If breast pumping is painful, pump more gently and slowly. Or, you might want to try another kind of breast pump.

Words of Advice and Support From Breast Pumping Moms

• Believe in what you're doing. It may be difficult getting used to breast pumping, but remember all the benefits your breast milk provides your baby.
• If you breast pump at work, think of your breast milk as a loving gift you bring home every work day for your baby.
• Surround yourself with supportive friends and co-workers. Breast pumping can be difficult enough without an unsupportive realtionship or environment.
• While you breast pump, find something enjoyable to do: work, relax, read, meditate...whatever feels most satisfying.
• Remember that you'll only be breast pumping for a short time in your and your child's life. Parenthood will be about all sorts of other more gratifying experiences for which pumping and breastfeeding lay the solid groundwork.
• Try keeping a current picture of your baby at hand. Some find that it helps to concentrate on thinking of your baby, even leading to a faster milk letdown.
• Consider buying a pump before you have your baby. Those first few days after birth, you may become engorged and a good pump can help alleviate the pain and discomfort and help your baby latch on better.
• When breast pumping feels like just another grueling, sleepless thing that you do.....laugh about it. You're breast pumping because you love your baby.