Breastfeeding 101

Breastfeeding 101

By Helen M. Rose, M.D.

It’s all about the latch!

Breastfeeding can be challenging, but for many women, once they master “the latch”, it’s pretty easy after that.  Every woman is different and there is a plethora of advice out there.  Start in the hospital when your baby is born.  Ask for help from an experienced nurse or lactation consultant during EVERY feeding.  Don’t be alarmed with varying advice, there is no “right way” to nurse your baby.  Some general tips include:

• During the latch, the baby’s lips should cover the areola; the nipple should be well inside the mouth.
• Move your baby toward the breast, not the breast toward the baby.
• Initial discomfort is normal, but if you are in pain throughout the feeding, the latch might be poor.
• Try to avoid bottle nipples and pacifiers if possible.

Prevent Sore Nipples

Many women become discouraged with breastfeeding because of terrible nipple pain during the process.  It’s important to prevent severe pain. 

• Check the latch-a poor latch is a very common reason for nipple pain.  For example many times only the tip of the nipple is in the baby’s mouth and this will cause pain.
• Many mothers find that using lanolin cream on the nipple before and after each feeding is soothing.
• Don’t use soap on the nipple more than daily and avoid lotion - both can be drying, irritating, or can have a fragrance that is not appealing to the baby.

Pumping

Pumping can be a great help to a new mother. Dad can feed the baby at 2 a.m.! It’s also pretty cumbersome and hard to find the time to do.

• Try to pump in the morning, your milk supply is greatest then (one hour after the first feed- pump both breasts for 15 -20 minutes.)
• Try Pumping  one breast while the baby nurses on the other, lean the arm carrying the baby on the arm of a couch.
• Wait a few weeks to start pumping if able.  Your milk will be more established and you will feel more comfortable with the whole process (there are exceptions to this, and you physician or lactation consultant might advise pumping sooner.)
• Use a high quality, mechanical pump.  Hand pumping is incredibly difficult.

Going Back to Work

This may be the most overwhelming challenge to a nursing mother.  You can do it; it just takes motivation and patience.

§         Start pumping at least 2-3 weeks prior to going back to work - milk can keep in the main compartment of your freezer for approximately 3 months or more if you have a deep freezer.

§         Pump more sessions, not for more time each session - this keeps your supply strong.

§         Find a private area at work, ideally with a sink, to pump - not a bathroom!

§         Carry a photo of your baby to look at while you pump.

A great book to help you with the process is “New Mother’s Guide to Breastfeeding”, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Good Luck and enjoy!

Helen Rose, M.D.

Pediatrician

The Pediatric Group

66 Mt. Lucas Road

Princeton, NJ  08540

(609)924-4892

www.pedgroup.com

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