Breastfeeding Techniques Can Help Balance Production

In many women, it is common for one breast to produce more milk than the other. This happens for anatomical reasons, such as the number of milk ducts. It can also result when mom or baby has a preference for one breast over the other. While this can cause some breast size difference, it is usually not noticeable. If you are bothered by the discrepancy between the two, you can try certain techniques to increase production on the slower producing breast.

Try starting your breastfeeding sessions on the smaller breast first. This will encourage baby to thoroughly empty the breast, thus causing it to produce more milk. Also consider pumping for 5-10 minutes after a feeding, only on the side that produces less milk. Finally, try adding an additional pumping session between feedings, but only on the smaller breast.

Nurse Baby Early and Often

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.

Regular Suck-Swallow Pattern

Do you hear a regular suck-swallow pattern, with occasional pauses once your baby is well attached? A good let-down can be recognized by this pattern of sucking and is a good indication that your baby is getting plenty of your milk.

Sleepy Babies

It is very important to make feeding your baby your number one priority. When a baby is not getting enough calories, he/she gets more and more tired. Sleepy babies need some stimulation during the day. When your baby naps, watch for signs of wakefulness, such as sucking on fingers or fist, rapid eye movement and little sounds. This is a good time to feed him/her. Skin-to-skin is stimulating for babies and will help your baby to stay awake for a good feed.

Pain

If you experience pain while your baby is nursing, then it is an indication that something is wrong. Gently break your baby´s suction and try positioning him/her again. It is important not to just tolerate the pain because of the damage it can do to your nipples.

Getting comfortable

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.

Best Diet for Breastfeeding Mothers

Breastfeeding mothers should choose a healthy and nutritional food to ensure good health. A mother can still successfully breast feed and have a not so healthy diet, but it is best for a breastfeeding mom to eat healthy.

The diet for a breastfeeding mother should include the following:

-Fresh fruits and vegetables, any types cooked the way you like them, but not fried.
-Whole grains, rice, wheat, corn, and barley. Whole grains are much healthier for everyone; not just nursing mothers.
-Lean proteins, chicken, turkey, dairy products and eggs.
-Limit fat intake

Foods for nursing mothers should be fresh, unprocessed and have little additives in them.

At one time, breastfeeding mothers were believed to need around 500 extra calories a day. However, this has recently been determined to be too much for some women. Therefore, it is important that all nursing mothers maintain a healthy diet and be aware of caloric intake throughout the day.

Positioning of Baby´s Lips

Your baby´s lips should look like "fish-lips" and should not be folded in.

What do I Do If I Suspect There Is A Problem?

If you suspect that your baby is having a problem nursing, it is important not be afraid to ask for help. Often this is the difference between succeeding at breastfeeding or failing. The best person to go to is a LLL leader or a board certified lactation consultant.

Appearance Of Your Nipples

Are your nipples round and pink in color? Check your nipples as your baby comes off your breast. If they seem crunched or creased, or if your nipples appear white at the tip, it can indicate a problem with positioning or a sucking difficulty.

Positioning

In order to position the baby to your breast, use your hand to support the back of the neck, rather than the head. Newborns usually don´t like having their heads forced into a particular position. With the opposite hand, hold your breast in the "C-hold" (thumb on top and finger cupped underneath breast, keeping fingers back from your areola). Tickle the lower lip with your nipple until he/she opens his/her mouth wide, like a yawn, and then hug him/her in quickly to your breast.

Positioning of Baby´s Tongue

Your baby´s tongue should be visibly cupping your breast. This is often very difficult to see for yourself. Ask your partner to check the positioning of your baby´s tongue during a feed to be sure it is cupped underneath the breast as she nurses. If she is sucking on her tongue it may not be visible.

Early Initiation

Research has shown that in the two hours following the birth, infants are in a state of alertness, which is accompanied by a strong sucking reflex. These early feeds have an imprinting effect and help to get breastfeeding off to a good start. Although breastfeeding without delay is best, it is not a bad thing if circumstances don´t allow it. Many moms whose babies have gotten a delayed start at nursing have gone on to establish a very successful and rewarding nursing relationship.