FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Breastfeeding

1. Is it normal for breastfeeding to hurt?

Although some tenderness during the first few days of breastfeeding is relatively common, this should be a temporary situation which lasts only a few days and should never be so bad that the mother dreads nursing. Any pain that is more than mild is abnormal and is almost always due to the baby latching on poorly. Any nipple pain that is not getting better by day 3 or 4 or lasts beyond 5 or 6 days should not be ignored. A new onset of pain when things have been going well for a while may be due to a yeast infection of the nipples. Limiting feeding time does not prevent soreness.

2. How can I tell if my baby is sucking properly?

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.

3. Does extended breastfeeding have any health benefits?

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian cancer.

4. Should I limit the time my baby is nursing?

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.

5. What is the natural age of weaning my child off breastfeeding?

Katherine Dettwyler, PhD suggests that the natural age of weaning for human babies is 2.5 to 7 years of age.

6. What do I need to consider when weaning my child?

Weaning is a very personal decision and one that should not be made lightly. Breast feeding is really important. It is where children receive most of their nurturing. When considering whether it is time to wean, you need to think about what you will do to replace nursing in your child´s life. Has your child lost the urge to suck? It is widely accepted that it important for this urge to be fulfilled. You need to consider how you feel and how your baby feels about nursing.

7. Does breastfeeding tie the mother down?

A baby can be nursed anywhere, anytime, and thus breastfeeding is liberating for the mother. There is no need to drag around bottles or formula, worry about where to warm up the milk,nor to worry about sterility. You will not worry about how your baby is, because he/she is with you.

8. What should my nipples look like after nursing?

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.

9. How can I prepare for breastfeeding?

Attend a La Leche League meeting while you are pregnant to develop a network of support before the baby is born.

10. When is the best time to start breastfeeding my baby?

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.

11. My breasts did not enlarge during pregnancy. Can I still breastfeed?

There are a very few women who cannot produce enough milk (though they can continue to breastfeed by supplementing with a lactation aid). Some of these women say that their breasts did not enlarge during pregnancy. However, the vast majority of women whose breasts do not seem to enlarge during pregnancy produce more than enough milk.

12. What nutritional benefits are there for nursing a toddler?

In the second year of life, 500ml of breastmilk provides: 95% of Vitamin C requirements, 45% of Vitamin A requirements,38% of protein requirements,31% of energy requirements.

13. Can I breastfeed if I am taking pain medication?

Discuss your pain medication with your doctor. There are very few medications that cannot be taken while you are breastfeeding.

14. Is it too difficult to breastfeed twins?

Breastfeeding twins is easier than bottle feeding twins, if breastfeeding is going well. This is why it is so important that a special effort should be made to get breastfeeding started right when the mother has had twins. Many women have breastfed triplets successfully. Twins and triplets take a lot of work and time no matter how the infants are fed.

15. Do I have enough milk for my baby the first few days after birth?

It often seems as though there is not enough or no milk in the first few days after birth because the baby is not latched on properly and therefore is unable to get the milk. Once the mother´s milk is abundant, a baby can latch on poorly and still may get plenty of milk. However, if the baby is latched on poorly, he/she cannot get milk. This accounts for “but he´s been on the breast for 2 hours and is still hungry when I take him off”. By not latching on well, the baby is unable to get the mother´s first milk, called colostrum.

16. Does breastfeeding my toddler make them smarter?

Extensive research on the relationship between cognitive achievement (IQ scores, grades in school) and breastfeeding has shown the greatest gains for those children breastfed the longest.

17. Can I breastfeed when I’m sick?

Breastmilk is the best medicine! If you have a cold or the flu, you can continue breastfeeding. Your baby will benefit from the antibodies in your milk.

18. Are all babies capable of breastfeeding?

Finally, try not to get too discouraged. There are some babies who will never physically be able to nurse. They are the exception rather than the rule. Most babies, with patience and perseverance, will eventually be able to reap the many benefits of breastfeeding.

Have any questions that aren’t on here? Message or comment and ask away.