Breastfeeding Advice

You know I have been writing a lot of commentary around baby things and breastfeeding. I was looking at my history today and there is a lot of information that I have written for my website Breastmates. This is just part of being a WAHM and having communication with the outside world!

Here is a summary so far. To see our current full range go to this page:
http://www.breastfeedingproductsonline.com/Articles_Breastfeeding_Nursing.html


baby hunger signs
baby layette list
benefits breastfeeding
boosting milk supply
bottle feeding baby tips
bra fitting
bra fitting auckland
breast changes
breast feeding discrimination
breast feeding fashions
breast feeding tips
breast pump sizes
breast pumps
breastfeeding after csection
breastfeeding clothing
breastfeeding latching
breastfeeding time
breastfeeding tips
breastfeeding twins
breastfeeding video
cracked nipples
drinking breastfeeding
enough milk
expressing breast milk
expressing working
formula feeding
grandmother
heating baby milk
HOTmilk Lingerie
hotmilk lingerie online
hotmilk media
hotmilk worldwide
how to express milk
lactation boosting cookies
leaky boobs
mastitis
maternity bra advice
maternity bra fitting
maternity sanitary pads
medela large bottles
medela spare pquestions
medela spares
nappy bags
new baby questions
packing your hospital bag
sexy lingerie
sexy maternity underwear
sexy nursing bra
tigers milk recipe
weaning
africa
essential purchases
maternity sleepwear
starting solids

Cracked Nipples Sux

Getting cracked nipples is probably going to be the most painful thing you will have to endure when you start breastfeeding. (if you get them). Not all mothers get cracked nipples, but it is a very common occurence when you are first getting breast feeding established. The first few times that you breastfeed baby after your amazing birthing experience, are going to be crucial. The very first time you feed baby in the recovery ward - you will likely have no idea what to do, and you may not be able to feel much anyway depending on what pain relief you had during labour.

Try and only put baby on your breast when they have a full open mouth. The midwife will probably be 'shoving' your baby's head right up to your breast.

If it is not comfortable, break baby's mouth seal with your finger and try again.

Cracked nipples, crazed nipples, or sore nipples are so common.

I suggest you use Purelan nipple cream after every feed, so pack this in your hospital bag.

I know it sounds rude, but try and let the air circulate your nipples as that can help.

And work on your latching. Get a midwife to help you every time you latch baby to your breast when in the hospital.

If it still hurts 1 or 2 days when you get home, speak to your midwife or doctor.

Occassionally a baby may have trouble latching due to tongue tie - they cant lift up their tongue and get the sucking motion working as well. This can be cut by doctor.

If you still have very painful nipples (like with blood) you may want to look at getting some silicone nipple protectors. They go over your nipple while baby is sucking. Made from very thin silicone, and baby can still get the skin-to-skin contact with you. Though some midwives will not recommend these because they don't like anything that inhibits or restricts the amount of skin contact. But if these can reduce your pain and still help you to breastfeed then they are something that i would personally recommend!

Read more of our breastfeeding articles here: http://www.breastmates.co.nz/Articles_Breastfeeding_Nursing.html And visit our webstore here: http://www.breastmates.co.nz/

Breastfeeding Twins

I had a customer that came to my shop last week, she was expecting twins to arrive. She asked me for some advice on how to breastfeed twins and how to hold twins while feeding them. So I have done a bit of research.

The full article is here: http://www.breastmates.co.nz/adv_breastfeeding_twins.html

Please just be prior warned that many mothers of twins receive criticism from others that do not share their enthusiasm for breastfeeding. They may pressure you to use formula or other foods before they are needed.

Believe in your ability to produce enough milk for your babies. As long as you are offering them breast milk then your breast's will be producing enough milk to satisfy them. Breasts work based on Supply and Demand!

Congratulations and enjoy your baby twins and your twin breastfeeding experience.

View our web store to see some great breastfeeding products that can help you out with breast feeding your twins: http://www.breastmates.co.nz/

Breastfeeding Video

I am thinking of making a breast feeding video, like a tuition on how to hold, latch, position and feed your baby. Based on what I have learnt, and how I currnently breast feed my son.

I think mothers might find this useful, like an introduction to breast feeding and some free breastfeeding advice, or breastfeeding help for those that need it.

My baby is a good feeder, I'm good at lactating. Maybe someone else will find my information useful.

Will have to record the breastfeeding video and crop out my face!!

I should have done this a while ago, when my baby was still a newborn, and then it would have been "breastfeeding a newborn" video which first time moms might have found more useful. He is 5 months old now. I will try and get my husband to record a short breastfeeding video of me and our baby, and I will upload the breast feeding video to my website articles to share.

Sometimes I have been breastfeeding him while I work on the computer, maybe I should just user the cyber camera thing!! haha

I run a business that supplies maternity products and breastfeeding resources online. All of my breastfeeding advice and breast feeding articles can be found here:

http://www.breastmates.co.nz/Articles_Breastfeeding_Nursing.html


UPDATE: Here is the first "self recorded" video that I made http://breastmates-nz.blogspot.com/2008/12/i-dont-know-if-i-ever-did-post-about.html

Breastfeeding Tips

Starting to breastfeed your baby can be a stressful and nerve wrecking experience. It is such a change from having your breasts private! The following tips have been prepared by the mother than runs Breastmates Breastfeeding store, based on her own experience of breastfeeding two children.

1. Stay calm. If you start to feel uptight or wound up, take a break for a few minutes and then try again. Baby may be able to pick up on your anxiety.
2. Don't place high expectations on yourself. It can take a while before your milk flows, before baby gets the hang of latching, and before you get things sorted.
3. While you are still in the hospital or maternity ward, make sure the nurse helps you to latch baby every time you feed. Ring your buzzer to call the nurse.
4. Breastfeeding does hurt to start with. As the baby draws your nipple into their mouth it can be a painful tearful experience for mum. The pain should stop about thirty seconds or so after baby is latched. It may be like this for 3 or 4 days with a newborn. If the problem persists - seek help from your midwife, plunket nurse, doctor or a lactation consultant.
5. The key to successful breastfeeding is making sure baby has the correct latch. Put baby on your breast when their mouth is open wide and full. Pull baby's head to your breast - don't drop your nipple down to baby as you will get sore shoulders and back.
6. When baby is latched their lips will be covering your breast in a "K" shape that looks like the K on Cellog's Special K cereal.
7. Always use lots of nipple cream after every feed. This is really important when you are first starting to breastfeed, so put some in nipple cream when packing your hospital bag. Apply after every feed.
8. If baby has an incorrect latch or if baby is not suckling properly, it is very easy to get cracked, grazed and very sore nipples. Always apply the nipple cream. And if baby is not latched comfortably on you, break the seal of their lips using your finger and start again.
9. If you are getting a sore neck, shoulders, or back it could be due to the weight of supporting baby in your arms while breastfeeding. You could invest in a special breastfeeding pillow which can ease the pressure on you. Or try some pillows or cushions from your bed to raise baby up.
10. It can take a while before you get co-ordinated enough to breastfeed discretely. Initially it will be easier if you have an open front top, and maternity bra. Then you can open the nursing bra cup and feed baby.
11. Be prepared with breast pads. Some mothers have a fast flow and quick letdown, and leak alot. Some mothers don't leak at all. You could try some disposable breast pads, or to save some money have a look at reusable breast pads.
12. Be prepared for the time it takes to breastfeed. Some baby's will take 20 minutes or longer to feed at your breast. And you will have to do this regularly through out the day. Most newborn baby's feed 3 to 4 hourly to start with. Your baby is relying on you for all their nutrition.
13. Get plenty of rest.
14. Drink plenty of water - have a glass of water after every breast feed.
15. And eat well - eat meals with lots of protein.
16. If you have another child, pack a lunch box, drink bottle and special activity box (stickers, colouring in, etc) for them first thing in the morning. Keep this at a level that the child can reach. Bring this out when you are feeding baby to amuse the older child while you are breastfeeding.
17. When you have got through the first two weeks or so, breastfeeding should be an enjoyable experience for you. Its a cheap and quick way to feed a baby.
18. If breastfeeding does not work for you, don't beat yourself up about it. It is important that baby is happy and healthy, and that mum is happy and healthy too.

For more information please view Breastmates specialty breastfeeding store.

For professional medical advice please speak with your midwife, plunket nurse, doctor, specialist, or lactation consultant.

Breastfeeding is Hard

Breastfeeding is hard. It's certainly not as easy as people think. It takes a while to get used to it. Breastfeeding hurts! Its draining. It's not often people share their bad experiences breastfeeding.

But once you get it working right, its all good!

There is alot of pressure on women these days to breastfeed, and some mothers feel guilty if they cant breastfeed. I apologise if Breastmates Limited intimidates any mothers or if the Breastmates Limited makes any mothers feel guilty for not breastfeeding. Please do what ever is right for yourself and your family, you should be proud that you have a happy and healthy baby.

We have prepared some tips on bottle feeding as well as some tips to help breastfeeding work for you. It can be really really hard for mothers to find information on formula or bottle feeding because the World Health Organisation does not permit any advertising for formula for infants under 6 months of age. Please Note that i am not advertising formula to you. http://www.breastmates.co.nz/adv_bottle_feeding_baby_tips.html

If you do need advice on breastfeeding, a little encouragement, some products to help with breastfeeding or just a listening ear (via email), that is what Breastmates is here for, and I can help you.

I am proud that I have been able to breastfeed both of my children, and I would like to be able to help you do the same for your baby.

Here's a recent Pop Art style picture of my two sons. Son#2 is just on 5 months old and loves his boobie juice.

How Much Time Does Breastfeeding Take?

Mothers often worry about the time it takes to breastfeed baby, they are not sure whether their baby is nursing and feeding too quickly, or perhaps they wonder if baby is breastfeeding and sucking too slowly, or not getting enough breast milk.

Don't worry. All baby's are different. If your baby is latching and feeding, just sit back and relax and enjoy the quiet bonding time with your baby.

If your baby has plenty of wet nappies and is sleeping well, not waking up hungry in the middle of a sleep, then you are doing a fine job!

There are no set rules for the about of time it takes to breastfeed baby, all babies and mothers milk flow are different.

Many babies feed for around 10 to 20 minutes per breast. Some babies take 5 minutes per breast.

Watch your baby and make sure that your baby empties out one breast before you offer to nurse baby from the second breast.

if your baby is feeding properly, watch for their jaw going suck-swallow-suck-swallow.

if your baby is just on your nipple for comfort, and not feeding well, you will see baby just suck suck suck and not swallow. Becareful as this can cause nipple damage.

For more information about breastfeeding see our website.

How to Know if Baby is Getting Enough Breastmilk?

It is hard to know if baby is getting enough milk when you are breastfeeding - its not like you have a bottle gauge to view the quantity!

It is normal for newborns to loose weight in the first few days following birth, but most babies gain weight to go back up to their original birth weight after the first 2 weeks. After that, babies usually gain around 100 grams to 200 grams a week, for the first few months.

In the first weeks after birth, most babies will need to have around eight + breast feeds in a 24 hour period.

Breastfeeding times may not be evenly spaced throughout the day. It is very common for babies to have cluster feeds in the evening.

Initially, newborn babies will have around six wet nappies per day, at around 1-2 bowel motions a day, until they get to around 6 weeks of age. This shows that baby is getting plenty of breast milk. After then the number of nappy changes will decrease a little.

If baby gets a good feed of breast milk, then baby will sleep well and feed well, and eventually the number of times that you have to feed baby during the day/night will drop back and you will get into a routine.

A baby who is wetting nappies frequently, gaining weight, and thriving is getting enough milk.

By 8 or 9 weeks of age, a baby will start going longer between feeding times.

By 12 weeks of age, baby will probably be in a pattern of around six breastfeeds during a 24 hour period. Though this number will be different depending on the size of your baby etc.

But if you are not sure - you should seek advice from your midwife, plunket nurse, doctor or medical professional.

For more information about breastfeeding, view our website

Preparing for Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding information for new parents, and how to prepare for breastfeeding a newborn. If in doubt, please speak to your LMC, midwife, doctor, or Lactation Consultant.

Before Baby Prep
Read one or two good breastfeeding books, a great one is published by La Leche League.
Attend a seminar on breastfeeding, or antental classes which give advice on breastfeeding.

You will need to buy: plenty of quality breast pads, hand towels or flannels for spills and squirts, a good breastfeeding bra fitted late in pregnancy, and a breastfeeding pillow. Nipple cream is also suggested in case of cracked or grazed nipples which can occur in the early days. Breastfeeding singlets or nursing tops are also a good way to maintain discretion and help to breastfeed discretely.

You will need to use a chair that supports you and the baby while you are feeding. The legs of the chair should not be too high off the ground, and the chair arms need to be quite low to allow you to hold the baby and be comfortable while feeding. Your feet should sit flat on the floor while feeding.

We have some more tips and advice for breastfeeding on our website. Continue to read our Prepare for Breastfeeding advice here.