Breastfeeding

by Stephanie Moore

In years past mothers had the support of maternity nurses for several days after the birth of their baby to help with breastfeeding and infant care. Now we send the new family home as soon as possible and hope they understand the proverbial "instruction manual" that accompanies the newborn.

Although we read about and are told that breastfeeding is the natural way to feed our babies, rarely is it emphasized that breastfeeding is a learned activity between each mother and each baby, and that it takes some practice even for the experienced nursing mother.

Babies are programmed to nurse frequently. Basic assessment of the baby's suck would include observation of rhythmic suckling associated with movements back by the ear, audible swallows, and evidence of milk in the baby's mouth. Along with frequent nursing, babies want us to spend money on diapers. Parents will want to assess the stooling and voiding patterns of their newborn. During the first week the baby is expected to saturate a minimum of one diaper/per day of age. The baby should stool a minimum of 1-2 times each 24 hours. For babies using disposable diapers, white toilet tissue placed in the diaper can make it easier to assess urination.

Stories of sore nipples and breast engorgement are two reasons some mothers may avoid breastfeeding altogether. Indeed common during the first weeks, neither should be considered the norm and both are avoidable. Sore nipples are usually the result of incorrect positioning of the newborn and/or the latch of the baby at the breast. In recent years a new product has provided soothing relief to sore nipples and hastened healing. A prudent investment for the first days of breastfeeding, a package of Soothies, the new glycerin gel pads, is well worth having in one’s post-partum toiletries.

Keeping all of this in mind, here are some easy pointers to enhance your early breastfeeding. Ask your family to help you position pillows around yourself and the baby, so that the baby's mouth is at the level of the nipple and snuggled closely into the breast tissue. Use pillows to support your elbow and arm so that you can use your arm to support the baby. A nursing pillow may be useful. Supporting the breast helps maintain a good latch throughout the breastfeeding session. Sitting up straight and using a footstool will help eliminate the curve in the lower lumbar. Position your baby "belly to belly" to your torso, with the infant's hips aligned with his/her ears and shoulders. Although you will probably want to try various common nursing positions, it’s okay to use your favorite nursing position as long as nursing is comfortable.

The most effective way to prevent breast engorgement is to nurse the baby frequently. Parents of a newborn quickly acquire a real-life appreciation of what "nurse every 2-3 hours" means, as a baby needs to nurse about 8-12 times in twenty-four hours to gain weight. Babies will go through an initial growth spurt sometime between 7 and 21 days of age, which will last for a few days. When this happens mothers may doubt themselves and their ability to produce enough breastmilk. If we listen to and observe our babies, they will tell us to nurse on demand. Should mom get engorged, warm, moist heat will comfort and will enhance let-down, and the expression of a small amount of breastmilk can ease the pressure and can make it easier for the baby to latch. Some mothers will also find that cold compresses are soothing when breasts are engorged. An easy way to make a compress is to take a disposable diaper and saturate it with warm water. The diaper will conform to the breast and will keep water from leaking. Once cooled the diaper can be put in the freezer to become a cold compress.

Breastfeeding is meant to be easy, natural, and enjoyable for both the mother and the infant. Should any problems, concerns, or questions arise surrounding breastfeeding, a certified lactation consultant and/or the infant's primary care provider should be consulted.

Stephanie Moore is a Registered Nurse with clinical expertise in Labor and Delivery. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and a Certified Childbirth Educator. Stephanie is the owner of Becoming Mothers, Boulder County’s maternity and breastfeeding specialty store. Becoming Mothers has a selection of nursing apparel from which to choose, breastfeeding supplies, and breastpumps for purchase and rental. Stephanie teaches Breastfeeding Basics every month. The class teaches the practical aspects of breastfeeding, and how to make nursing your baby an easy part of your new life as a mother.

Please feel free to contact Stephanie or her associates at Becoming Mothers, 303-499-4MOM (4666). Or visit www.becomingmothers.com. Becoming Mothers is located in the Meadows Shopping Center at Foothills and Baseline in Boulder.