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The breastfeeding bond
It's 3 a.m. and you're sound asleep when you hear it -- again. The unmistakable sound of your hungry baby. No matter how many times she wakes you, you may never quite get used to those middle-of-the-night feedings. You rub your weary eyes and, still half sleeping, draw your baby to your breast. Soon she's gazing up at you with those big baby blues and suckling happily, gleaning from your body the nutrients she needs to survive -- and from your heart, the nurturing she needs to thrive.
Before you know it, she's cooing contentedly and suddenly, being awake at this unspeakable hour doesn't seem so bad after all.
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Fueling Healthy Bodies
Experts agree that breastfed babies are healthier babies. Among the benefits are protection against viruses, bacterial infections, urinary tract infections, severe diarrhea, juvenile diabetes, allergies, anemia, and ear infections. There is also evidence to suggest that breastfed babies grow up leaner and maybe even a little smarter.
But the benefits aren't all baby's alone. Breastfeeding mothers tend to lose pregnancy weight more quickly and are statistically less likely to contract premenopausal breast cancer.
Advice to New Mothers
The most important virtue a newly breastfeeding mother can posses is patience. Just remember that this is a new experience for both you and your baby, and as natural as it is, it can still take a bit of adjustment.
- Begin to nurse as soon as possible after birth, keeping in mind that your baby may be too exhausted to be hungry right away. But hunger pangs will set in soon enough.
- Your body won't produce milk at first, but will provide the baby with colostrum, a pre-milk substance filled with all kinds of antibodies designed to give your baby's immune system a head start in life. Suckling colostrum will encourage milk production, probably between the second and sixth day of nursing.
- Avoid offering your baby a pacifier or bottle in the first few weeks; this gives them another way of satisfying their urge to suck and can interfere with successful breastfeeding.
- Don't try to impose a feeding schedule on a new baby. If allowed to nurse when hungry, your baby will learn to consume more milk at one time and feedings will spread out with time.
- An infant who is getting enough fluids will produce about five wet disposable diapers or six wet cloth diapers in a 24-hour period. Use this as a guide if you're in doubt.
- Encourage your baby to latch onto not only your nipple, but part of the areola surrounding it as well; this will help prevent a sore nipple.
- Your baby will nurse more at the first breast offered than the one that follows. To even things out, alternate which breast you start with.
- If there is milk left in either breast after a feeding, express and discard it, or reserve it for a future feeding. Use within 48 hours if kept refrigerated. Frozen breast milk can be stored for up to one month after collection if the temperature of the freezer is 0?F or below.
Getting the Best Results from a Breast Pump
A breast pump keeps your breasts stimulated for milk production when you're away from your baby and allows you to store your milk for future feedings. Unfortunately, there's no ideal substitute for a suckling baby and breast pumps can cause nipple discomfort. So to make things as easy on yourself as possible, choose a pump carefully.
- Make sure the nipple adapter fits the contours of your breast.
- Pump during a time that your baby would normally be nursing or first thing in the morning, when your milk supply is at its most plentiful.
- To stimulate the letdown reflex that allows milk to flow, try any or all of the following:
- Apply warm, wet compresses to the breasts.
- Massage the breasts using light, circular motions.
- Look at a picture of your baby or imagine your baby nursing.
- Try to imitate the baby's nursing technique with a rhythmical, gentle tugging action.
- Alternate between breasts, pumping each for about five minutes at a time until all the milk is drained.
- Manual pumps are typically less expensive than electric models and offer increased sensitivity when it comes to pressure control.
- Make sure that you clean all parts of the pump thoroughly after use to avoid bacterial contamination.
Nursing Bras and Pads
- To ensure a comfortable fit after the baby is born, shop for a nursing bra between your 28th and 36th weeks of pregnancy, before your rib cage expands.
- Choose a bra that will allow you to adjust chest and cup sizes as your dimensions change.
- Remember to leave room for pads and shields.
- Make sure you can unlatch and lower the cup with one hand, because you'll have a baby in the other.
- You won't want to fuss with special laundering requirements; look for a bra that's machine washable.
- If you plan on using nursing pads, three bras will probably suffice. If not, buy up to eight to anticipate frequent changes and laundering.
- Washable fabric nursing pads are more absorbent than disposables and less likely to chafe your skin.
- Choose cotton pads without plastic liners to encourage air circulation.
- Disposable nursing pads are more convenient, but they keep the nipple moist between feedings. This may result in more frequent nipple infections.
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Appropriate Uses
Electric, battery, and hand-operated breast pumps
Keeps breasts stimulated for milk production.
Electric and battery-operated breast pumps
Imitates an infant's sucking motion and draws milk from the feeding breast so that it can be stored.
Hand expression funnel
Facilitates the collection of hand-expressed milk into a baby bottle.
Nursing bra
Makes it convenient for the nursing mother to breastfeed.
Nursing pad
Used in bras to absorb breast milk leakage, helping the body and clothing stay dry.
Nursing pillow
Supports the baby's weight and reduces the mother's back strain during nursing.
Know How It Works Before Trying It
- For the pump to work properly, it is important to have proper fit and adequate suction.
- Make sure the nipple adapter on the pump fits the shape of your breast and you know how to operate the suction action.
- Make sure your hands and the equipment are clean before using.
- To successfully use a pump, you must first trigger the "letdown response," which signals your breast to release milk.
How to Trigger the Letdown Response
- Make sure you are relaxed and not rushed.
- Put warm, wet cloths on your breasts.
- Massage your breasts in a circular motion from the shoulders to the middle of the chest.
- Think of your baby suckling or look at a picture of your baby.
Treat Breast Milk as a Delicate Perishable
- Use the oldest frozen milk first as long as it is less than 1 month old.
- Do not heat the frozen milk with boiling water or by using the microwave. This will destroy the protective proteins in the milk and your baby may be inadvertently burned by the hot milk.
- Frozen milk can be thawed by placing it the refrigerator overnight or by holding the container under cool running water.
- Do not thaw more milk than your baby will drink because the excess cannot be refrozen.
- Smell the milk after it has been thawed and before feeding your baby. If it smells spoiled or rancid, discard it.
Storing Breast Milk
- If possible, breast milk should be used immediately after collection. Otherwise, refrigerate or freeze immediately.
- If you are planning to store breast milk, used sterilized containers.
- Never mix breast milk and formula in the same container.
- Breast milk can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours after collection. Place it in the back of the refrigerator because it is colder.
- Frozen breast milk can be stored for up to one month after collection if the temperature of the freezer is 0?F or below.
- Before freezing breast milk, date the containers.
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Take Care of Yourself
- You may experience discomfort if you lean forward to put your nipple into your baby's mouth. Instead, bring your baby to your breast.
- Sore nipples may result if your baby sucks on just your nipple. Make sure that all of the nipple and some of the areola are in the baby's mouth.
- To prevent nursing from becoming less productive, don't use a pacifier in the early weeks after birth.
- Mothers who exercise frequently or diet while breastfeeding can experience changes in the color, consistency, odor, and nutrient levels of their breast milk.
- Washable pads are less likely to chafe. Disposable pads can prevent air from circulating, making the moist nipple area more prone to infections.
Be Careful
- Follow manufacturer's warnings for use.
- Do not use the simple, bicycle horn-style pumps. They may result in tissue damage.
Remember the Following
- Refrigerate breast milk in a sterilized container immediately after pumping.
- Never mix breast milk and formula in the same bottle.
- Thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator or under cool running water; thawing it in the microwave or in boiling water can cause scalding.
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Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
Sources & Further Reading
Books
- 1. Jones, S; W Freitag.Guide to Baby Products, 5th ed. Consumer Reports Books, Yonkers, NY, 1996.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
Articles
- 1. Williams, RD.Breast-Feeding Best Bet for Babies. FDA Consumer. US FDA, October 1995.
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