01-7-2008 - Prenatal Class #2-Breastfeeding

My mood while writing this blog: Tired

Breastfeeding

Your baby should be fed, on cue, at least every two to three hours. Nursing your baby early and often helps to keep your breasts soft and helps to lessen or even prevent engorgement. Watch your little one for signs of hunger, such as sucking sounds and/or lip movements, rapid eye movement during the light sleep cycle and changes in facial expression. Try to anticipate your baby´s hunger by watching for these signs. Nursing on cue stimulates your breasts to produce plenty of milk. The more your baby nurses, the more milk you will make.

When breastfeeding a newborn, find a comfortable position either seated or lying. Have some pillows handy for comfort and support as needed. Place your feet on a low footstool (you can also use a large telephone book) to raise your knees a bit above hip level.

If you are breastfeeding and your baby is congested, it can help to allow him/her to nurse in an upright position...such as sitting on your lap facing you. This allows for better sinus drainage, easier breathing, and the baby can obtain milk easier.

When breastfeeding your baby, it is best to nurse in a quiet, darkened place to eliminate distractions. Any distraction can often disrupt the feeding process.

General Care of Nipples

• Normal hygiene is recommended for cleansing of breasts.
• Change breast pads often and avoid breast pads with a plastic backing.
• Make sure you are unlatching your baby correctly.

How to Unlatch Your Baby

If you need to take your baby off the breast (i.e. nipple pain when latching), keeping your baby close to the breast, insert your forefinger or pinkie finger into the corner of the baby's mouth, sliding your finger alongside of the breast far enough inside the mouth so that you hear a gentle "popping" sound (suction/seal is broken). Quickly slide the baby away from your breast.

Sore Nipples

You can avoid sore nipples with a good latch. If you feel nipple pain during latching or feeding, seek help.

Plugged Ducts

Plugged ducts are lumps in your breasts, which occur when your breast is not properly drained. To prevent plugged ducts, make sure your baby is latching well. Massaging your breasts during feedings may help you find and relieve plugged ducts.

Mastitis

Mastitis is a result of swelling and infection in the breast (usually caused by a plugged duct which is not relieved). Mastitis comes on quickly with flu-like muscular aching followed by fever, chills, and a hot/reddened/tender area on the breast. If you have mastitis, DO NOT STOP BREASTFEEDING.