Breastfeeding 101: FAQ's

Do breastfed babies need a multivitamin?
Babies very rarely need vitamin supplements. Usually vitamin D is the common concern by moms of breastfed babies. Babies who do need them are babies with lack of sufficient sunlight. Babies who have very limited exposure to the suns natural source of vitamin D are at greater risk.This would include, babies who are always inside or covered at all times outdoors by blankets or high SPF sunscreen. If you live in a far northern latitude or perhaps a very urban area with tall buildings and pollution that limits natural exposure to sunlight your baby too might be at risk of not generating enough of his/her own vitamin D. However, if mothers are taking a good multivitamin such as a prenatal and or getting enough vitamin D through diet and sun exposure she should have enough vitamin D in her breast milk for her child.

What are some complications associated with breastfeeding (i.e. mastitis, plugged ducts, etc.)
As this answer was very detailed and the suggestions/treatments are lengthy, Tamra suggested this website.

Why do I seem to get such a small amount when pumping?
It is normal for moms to get ½ oz to 2 oz from both breasts combined during a pumping session. Very often moms must pump 2-3 times to replace one nursing session. Many moms expect to get 4-8oz when they pump. However, this is an unrealistic expectation. Moms who can get even 4oz from both breasts when pumping are experiencing an unusually large output. Pumping is a very poor indicator of how much milk a mother has. Everyone’s body responds differently to a pump some better or worse than others. Although this is discouraging to many moms who are trying to pump exclusively or even those pumping part time it is a normal occurrence. A baby is almost always better at removing milk than any pump. If you feel it is a recent happening make sure you first check that you have a quality working pump. Secondly has there has been any recent illness for which you are taking medications that can decrease supply, or are you experiencing hormonal changes due to period, ovulation, or birth control? Lastly if the baby is going through a growth spurt or you are feeding more frequently this may explain a noted decrease in output for the pump. Although many things can affect your milk supply, those are the most common culprits of sudden reduction.

What is feeding-on-demand and how frequently will that take place?
Feeding on demand simply means watching the baby and not the clock. Let your baby be your guide. Babies usually eat every 2-3 hours but during growth spurts, this may take place every 30 min to an hour. If this happens and you are feeding on demand you can be sure your baby is getting just what they need as well as telling your body just how much to make.

What is comfort nursing?
Comfort nursing is a special way breastfeeding moms are able to soothe their baby. Your body produces special hormones that help relax and calm both mother and baby. These hormones are passed through the mom into the breast milk. Babies enjoy the closeness and warmth of their mother as well as that warm fuzzy feeling they get when they are nursing. Much like a favorite toy or blanket, babies bond with the special nursing connection they have with their mother. Babies may want to nurse when they are sad, sick, hurting, sleepy or even when they just want to feel close to mommy. Babies have a special suck they use when comfort nursing or pacifying at the breast. This suck, although stimulating mommy’s milk supply, very little milk is actually removed from the breast. You never have to worry that you will over feed a breastfed baby because of this special suck. Some babies who seem to nurse for very long periods may be pacifying at the end of the feeding. With their mother is a very comfortable place for baby to be.

How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?
Tamra again suggested this website as a great reference.

Can the foods I eat affect my baby?
Each baby is different and what effects one baby may not effect another. Watch your baby for signs of extra fussiness or gassiness, even spitting up excessively after adding certain foods to your diet. Common culprits may be dairy, caffeine, or vegetables such as broccoli. If a baby is having trouble and the mother’s diet is a concern, simply eliminating these foods may help.

Alcohol consumed by a breastfeeding mother can affect the baby. The general rule is if you can feel the effects of alcohol it would be a good idea to wait until you no longer feel those affects to nurse the baby. It is not necessary to pump and dump the milk if you wait until the alcohol has metabolized out of your body.

Should I still breastfeed if I'm sick?
Yes, almost all maternal illnesses are compatible with breastfeeding. Not only is it important to keep your supply up while you are sick through nursing and or pumping but you body is producing antibodies against your illness that will be passed through your breast milk to your baby to prevent them from catching the same illness and if they do get sick it will likely be less severe. Make sure any medication you are prescribed or purchase over the counter is compatible with nursing. If you ask your doctor or a lactation consultant there is almost always an alternative medicine that is safe to take while breastfeeding.

How do I know the baby is latching correctly?
To get very detailed answers as well as illustrations, click here.

When should I introduce a bottle?
Mothers introduce bottles at different times for many reasons. Ideally a baby should learn to nurse effectively at the breast for 3 weeks before any bottles and or pacifiers are introduced. This allows the baby to learn to nurse really well and to regulate moms milk supply to an adequate amount for their personal requirements as it can very baby to baby.

How should I store expressed milk?
Breast milk can be stored in bottles, breast milk bags, even ice cube trays which yield about 1oz per cube. It is important to store breast milk in small amounts so that very little is wasted if it is thawed but not needed. Usually 1-4oz is the most recommended for storing in one container. Storage also depends on the space you have to store it. Understanding where and how long breast milk can be stored is helpful. It is also important to note that unlike formula, breast milk is anti-infective, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral.

Breast milk storage:
- At room temperature for up to 8-12 hours.
- In the fridge for up to 8-11 days.
- In the freezer, at the back, for 6 months
- In a deep freeze for up to 12 months

My baby seems to nurse constantly, is it a growth spurt?
Growth spurts typically occur at 3-6-8-12 weeks but these can happen more or less frequently depending on the baby. A growth spurt isn’t a time where the baby does not have enough milk, but rather a time in which baby instinctively knows to nurse more frequently to increase supply for future needs. Mom’s should not have to supplement during this time if the baby is exclusively breastfeeding, but rather nurse as much as possible to help baby with the amazing work he/she is trying to do. Your body will instinctively start producing more to meet the needs the baby is signaling it to make.

For more info: Tamra stated that she and her colleagues utilize Dr. Jack Newman's website regularly. Dr. Newman is well known in the world of breastfeeding and has published several books on the subject. The website was already sited several times above, but here it is again.
For a history of breastfeeding, click here.
To read about breastfeeding in modern times, click here.

August 14th, 2009 8:09 am MT.

By Abigail Lacert: Tamra Brady, a lactation consultant (and friend of mine) in Oklahoma was nice enough to sit down and answer some common questions related to breastfeeding.Breastfeeding 101: FAQ's