Show Notes

Breastfeeding Tips: 

Use skin to skin with both Mom and Dad

Sometimes we help babies too much. 

The breast crawl - they do this naturally after delivery and would find their way on their own because your nipple smells like amniotic fluid.

Holding baby and latching them as soon as possible after birth will trigger your body’s hormones to produce as much or enough milk for baby. “Baby placing their order for future milk supply.” 

Babies use their hands to figure out where they are in space, so don’t pin their hands down or swaddle them when feeding. They orient more when they can use their hands. 

Breast size and nipple shape have nothing to do with milk supply or your ability to be successful with breastfeeding. 

Watch for early hunger cues: when they first open their eyes, lick their lips. When they are rooting or shaking their head, they are already hungry. When they are crying you’ve waited too long. 

Breastfeeding is not meant to be an excruciatingly painful experience, there will be tenderness but it shouldn’t be too painful. 

Same boobs, new baby. If you are having another child your breastfeeding experience will be completely different compared to your first or second child. 

Be flexible, set expectations low, give yourself a lot of grace

Your capacity to make more milk increases with each pregnancy, you’ll produce the most milk on your fourth pregnancy for example vs. your first or second pregnancy. 

When baby is gassy it’s most likely due to the latch, bottles, or tongue, not your diet Mama!!

Milk supply does decrease over time and if you are giving the baby a bottle and you aren’t pumping your supply will decrease. 

Babies need breastmilk or formula until 1 year old even though you can start real foods at around 6 months. 

What is Colostrum? - It’s a different type of milk that starts to form in the 2nd trimester. It is yellowish/orange in color, super thick, and is full of nutrients for baby. It is the perfect and appropriate amount and consistency for baby.

Day one baby only needs a serving of the size of a cherry per feeding. Between days 3-5, the colostrum changes to more of a milk color and consistency.

What is Tongue-tied? When the tongue is tighter than usual with a decreased range of motion. If their tongue is restricted, it will pop off your breast continuously. 

Diagnosis and Treatment: The only way to know is for a pediatric dentist or ear nose and throat MD to put their hands in their mouth and physically assess the movement of the tongue. 

It can be released with scissors or a laser procedure. 

What is Cluster Feeding?  A normal infant feeding behavior is related to development or wanting to eat more at certain times. In the first few days after birth as they nurse often, “they are placing their order for their milk supply.”

Engorgement: Two Kinds: When the milk comes in as it transitions from colostrum to milk and when your baby takes a long nap or stretches between feedings. There’s a lot of milk in there but there’s a lot of fluid as well. Here’s what you can do:

-Soften your breast before baby latches

-Massage around the nipple towards your armpits

-Sweeping motion towards your armpit using light pressure

Clogged Ducts: Clog in the duct itself, the milk gets stuck behind the duct, feels like a firm marble bump. 

Mastitis: tissue around the breast is warm, inflamed, and you feel like you have the flu. 

Galactagogues: foods, herbs, teas, that help with milk supply (fenugreek)

-“Making More Milk” Book

Pumping:

Your insurance is obligated to send you a pump for free. You do have to request it 

Measure your nipple and get a flange that is 2-4mm bigger than that

Get a hand pump (Hakka)

Get an electric pump (Spectra or Motif Luna) 

Don’t have only the wearable pump 

Recommendations for sore nipples: 

-Why are they sore? 

-Use moist wound care (like saline rinse)

-The Original Silver Nursing Cups: Silverette-pieces of silver you put on your nipples 

-Creams/balms feel good (mother love and earth mama) but clinically don’t help the nipple heal faster

Final Tips:

Be flexible, set expectations low

Words of encouragement: “You’re doing a great job, if you need help, ask for help.” “Give yourself grace, you aren’t going to be perfect at this. 

Product Recommendations:

My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow

Haaka Manual Breast Pump

Haaka Colostrum Collectors

Lansinoh Feeding Bottles

Silverette Nursing Cups - To soothe sore nipples!!!

DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMED MOM PODCAST DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

No material from our hosts or guests is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. We strive to provide you with education and information so that you can then go to your own provider and get an individualized approach to your medical needs and questions. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard in this podcast.