Help! My breast are engorged!

Many woman who are breastfeeding experience this and it is normal for your breasts to become larger, heavier, and a little tender when they begin making more milk. Sometimes this fullness may turn into engorgement, when your breasts feel very hard and painful. You also may have breast swelling, tenderness, warmth, redness, throbbing, and flattening of the nipple. Engorgement sometimes also causes a low-grade fever and can be confused with a breast infection. Engorgement is the result of the milk building up. It usually happens during the third to fifth day after birth, but it can happen at any time.
Engorgement can lead to plugged ducts or a breast infection, so it is important to try to prevent it before this happens. If treated properly engorgement should resolve,  usually in a couple of days.

Now what?

Breastfeed often after birth, allowing the baby to feed as long as he or she likes, as long as he or she is latched on well and sucking effectively. In the early weeks after birth, you should wake your baby to feed if four hours have passed since the beginning of the last feeding.  (This opinion varies, you know your baby best and if they need to sleep longer, use your "mom instincts".  They are ususally right!) 

Make sure you have a good latch. If you are having trouble or you feel things are not going well,you can contact your nearest Lactation Consultant or La Leche League. 

Breastfeed often on the affected side to remove the milk, keep it moving freely, and prevent the breast from becoming overly full.

Avoid overusing pacifiers and using bottles to supplement feedings.

Hand express or pump a little milk to first soften the breast, aereola and nipple before breastfeeding, or use an electric breast pump if you have one, but not for too long. Remember more milk out means more milk you will make! Your body is trying to adjust and make the right amount for your little one.

Massage the breast. This works really well in a nice warm shower. Don't be surprised if you notice milk leaking out if you do this. This is normal and probably will provide some relief.

Use cold compresses in between feedings to help ease pain.

If you are returning to work, try to pump your milk on the same schedule that the baby breastfed at home. Or, you can pump at least every four hours.

Get enough rest, proper nutrition, and fluids.

Wear a well-fitting, supportive bra that is not too tight. Use some breast pads if you feel that you might leak!

These things should help and engorgement usually doesn't last more than a couple of days. Once your body adjusts to the demands of your baby, you might have some leakage and a bit of soreness but it should go away. If you are still having pain or engorgement, it is important that you contact your local breastfeeding support person.

When Do You Need a Hospital Grade Pump?

There is a lot of information about pumping out there these days. Many moms are even putting breast pumps on their baby registry. How do you know what your breastfeeding experience will be before your baby even arrives?  What if your baby is premature?

 It also depends on your goal. Is your goal to breastfeed your baby or feed your baby breast milk? Purchasing a breast pump is something that you should think about and be prepared for , but you can wait until after the baby is born.

If your goal is to breastfeed, you may only need a manual pump for occasional expression. If you are planning to feed your baby breastmilk and not actually breastfeed then you will most likely want (and need!) a double electric pump. If your baby is premature or you have problems with low milk supply then you will most likely need a hospital grade pump, and a lactation consultant.

Hospital grade breast pumps provide top of the line pumping technology. This type of pump is the ideal choice for mothers of multiples or pre-term infants. Hospital grade pumps are also the best pump option for mothers who need to initiate lactation or increase milk production.

Hospital grade pumps are available as rentals from hospitals, health units and some pharmacies.  Each mother will need her own milk collection kit to use with the hospital pump.

This is a great way to get started with pumping. You may not need to pump long term, or you may need the functions that a hospital grade pump can offer such as more cycle speeds and more options for increasing the milk. Once you have your milk supply established you can move on to the next phase.

If you are going to continue pumping you can go to a personal use pump. Some pumps will use the same kits as the hospital grade pumps. For example if you use an Ameda Elite or Platinum pump, your collection kit will work with an Ameda Purely Yours personal use breast pump.

Trying to decide which type of pump you need can be tough, but you do want to take into consideration things like milk contamination, ease of use and comfort while pumping. Talking to a breastfeeding specialist and other moms may give you some help, but you will be the one who knows what kind of pump you will need.  It is a big investment to purchase a double electric pump so you want to make sure you make the right decision.

If you are not sure, then renting a hospital grade pump is your best option. This will help you make the decision if pumping is for you!  Remember breast is best, but sometimes you need an option to help give your baby the breastmilk if you are unable.

Good luck and happy feeding!

Should Pumping Hurt?

Some moms assume pumping should be painful. Not so! “No pain, no gain” does not apply here. Painful pumping means something needs to be adjusted. What causes pain? The two most common causes are: 1) pump suction set too high and 2) flange fit issues.

Pump Suction Set Too High. First, the strongest pump suction does not always pump the most milk. In fact, too-high suction can actually slow your milk flow. Set your pump at the highest suction that feels good…and no higher. (If you’re gritting your teeth, it’s too high!)

Pumping milk is not like sucking a drink through a straw. With a straw, the stronger you suck, the more you get. When pumping, most milk comes only when a let-down, or milk release, happens. Without a milk release, most milk stays in the breast. What is a milk release?

• Hormones cause muscles in the breast to squeeze and milk ducts to widen, pushing the milk out.
• Some mothers feel tingling. Others feel nothing.
  

A milk release can happen with a touch at the breast, hearing a baby cry, or even by thinking about your baby. Feelings of stress, anger, or upset can block milk release.

While breastfeeding, most mothers have three or four milk releases, often without knowing it. To get more milk with your pump, you need more milk releases, not stronger suction. See our Q&A Series sheet Making the Most of Your Breast Pump on the MCP website under the "about breastfeeding tab" for tips on triggering more milk releases during pumping.

Flange Fit Issues. Many mothers pump comfortably with the standard size flange (25 mm diameter nipple opening). But if pumping hurts even on low suction, you most likely need another size. If the standard flange is too small or too large, a better-fitting flange will feel more comfortable and may even pump more milk.

To check your flange fit, watch your nipple during pumping. If you see a little space around your nipple as it’s drawn into the flange’s nipple tunnel, you have a good fit. If your nipple rubs against its sides, the flange is too small (click here to see fit photos). If too much of the dark area around the nipple is pulled in or the nipple bounces in and out of the tunnel, it is too large.

Thankfully, Ameda has seven different flange sizes available, so you can go larger or smaller, as needed. (Click here to see the range of fit options.) Nipple size changes with birth, breastfeeding, and pumping, so the pump flange that fit you well when you started pumping may need to change as you pump more. For that reason, you’ll want to recheck your flange fit from time to time.

Breast or Nipple Issues. There are other possible causes of pain during pumping related to breast and nipple health. If your pain is not due to too much suction or the too-small or too-large flanges, it is time to ask more questions. Do you have nipple trauma (broken skin on the nipple)? Could you have a bacterial infection of the nipple (can occur with a history of nipple trauma)? Do you have an overgrowth of yeast (also known as thrush or candida)? Is mastitis a possibility? Does your nipple turn white, red, or blue after pumping? If so, see your lactation or other health-care provider to rule out Raynaud’s Phenomenon and other possible causes.

Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA, Lactation Consultant, Ameda Breastfeeding Products
Coauthor of Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers

Nipple Pain and Trauma - oh what to do!

In the early weeks of breastfeeding you may experience sore or tender nipples. Tender nipples at the start of a breastfeeding are normal during the first week or two. But pain, cracks, blisters, and bleeding are not. Your comfort depends on where your nipple lands in baby’s mouth. And this depends on how your baby takes the breast, or latches on. Learning the correct latch takes practice, and the help of a Lactation consultant is often needed.

To understand this better use your tongue to feel the roof of your mouth. Behind your teeth are ridges. Behind the ridges the roof feels hard. When your nipple is pressed against this hard area in your baby’s mouth, it can hurt.

But farther back in your mouth the roof turns from hard to soft. Near this is the area some call "the comfort zone." Once your nipple reaches your baby’s comfort zone, breastfeeding feels good. There is no undue friction or pressure on your nipple.

To make this happen, let gravity help. Lean back with good neck, shoulder, and back support and your hips forward. Lay your baby tummy down between your exposed breasts. When your calm, hungry baby feels your body against her chin, torso, legs, and feet, this triggers her inborn feeding reflexes. When her chin touches your body, her mouth opens and she begins to search for the breast. In these "laid-back positions," gravity helps the nipple reach the comfort zone.

Image of proper latch. The nipple should be deep and past the hard palate.

In other positions, you need to work harder to help your baby take the breast deeply.

• With your baby’s body pressed firmly against you and her nose in line with your nipple, let her head tilt back a bit (avoid pushing on the back of her head)
• Allow her chin to touch the breast then move away.
• Repeat until her mouth opens really wide, like a yawn.
• As she moves onto the breast chin first, gently press your baby’s shoulders from behind for a deeper latch.

That last gentle shove helps the nipple reach the comfort zone. Breastfeeding tends to feel better when your baby latches on off-center, so her lower jaw lands far from the nipple.

In the process of mastering the latch, you may experience pain, and sore cracked nipples. If you feel nipple tendeness or discomfort,  Ameda ComfortGel pads can prevent clothing friction and sootheand help heal your nipples.  Ameda ComfortGel pads are comfortable to apply and easyto use. Just wear in your bra like a nursing pad. Plus, they do not stain clothing. Each water-based ComfortGel pad may last up to six days, making it an economical and convenient choice. Also, because Ameda ComfortGel hydrogel pads will not absorb any milk you can use them with Ameda No Show premium breast pads against your bra. This is the best moist would healing treatment available today. Ask for them at your pharmacy counter.

　

CNN article regarding Used Breast Pumps

This is written from an unbiased person in the US, who happens to be a medical doctor! Very aware of contamination issues and safety!  Used pumps are popular, just be informed when you are shopping for one.

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/13/is-a-used-breast-pump-safe/

Ameda Product support videos

Well, have you ever had a question about your Ameda pump and our customer service center is closed? Well now you can have access to multiple videos at the click of your mouse!  Want to find out how to put the pump collection kit together? How about checking if your flange is the right size? Now there are some videos online to help you with your questions.


http://www.ameda.com/ameda-products/product-videos

Happy video watching!

What's in the Bottle - From Nancy Morbacher ICBLC

What's In the Bottle?

Nancy Mohrbacher Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 8:54AM

Scientists have found that babies not breastfed have a 30% to 40% increased risk of childhood obesity.¹ Milk intake and weight gain vary greatly among formula-fed and breastfed babies.  (For more, see my earlier post.) Formula-fed babies consume 49% more milk at 1 month, 57% more at 3 months, and 71% more at 5 months.² This significant difference in milk intake is due in part to how milk flows from breast and bottle.  Recent studies have examined these feeding differences in more detail to help answer the question “How is obesity risk affected when the feeding bottle contains mother’s milk?”  

The study mentioned above provides a partial answer.  Caregivers’ behaviors during bottle-feeding—which are independent of the milk—influence babies’ intake.  For example, when bottles contain more than 6 oz. (177 mL), babies consume more milk.  Also, babies whose caregivers encourage them to finish the bottle are heavier than other babies.
An important part of obesity prevention is the ability to self-regulate what we eat to match our energy needs.  Breastfeeding naturally teaches babies this self-regulation by giving them more control over feedings.  While breastfeeding, baby must actively draw milk from the breast.  He learns to take milk when hungry and stop when full.  This helps baby become attuned to his body’s hunger and satisfaction cues.  During bottle-feeding, baby’s role is more passive.  Fast, consistent flow and regular coaxing to take more milk, even when full, can lead to a habit of overfeeding and poor self-regulation.
In one recent study of 1250 U.S. babies, researchers used bottle-emptying as a measure of poor infant self-regulation.³ (An earlier study verified this link.⁴) It didn’t matter whether expressed milk or formula was in the bottle.  The more often the babies were fed by bottle during their first 6 months, the more likely they were to empty the bottle during their second 6 months.  Only 27% of the babies who were exclusively breastfed during their first 6 months emptied the bottle during their second 6 months.  Of those fed at first by both breast and bottle, 54% later emptied the bottle.  Of those fed at first only by bottle, 68% later emptied it.
In a U.S. pilot study,⁵ weight gain was monitored for the first 4 months in 37 human-milk-fed babies.  Nineteen were bottle-fed no more than once per day and 18 were bottle-fed significant amounts of expressed milk because their mothers were employed full time.  Although the difference in weight gain between these groups was not statistically significant due to the small sample size, the differences were obvious.  From 4 to 6 months of age 10% of the babies in the breastfeeding group were at or above the 85^th percentile for weight, whereas 33% of those in the bottle-feeding group were at or above the 85^th percentile.
Mother’s milk plays a vital role in a healthy beginning.  But as these studies demonstrate, there is more to breastfeeding than the milk.  Even when mother’s milk is in the bottle, regular bottle-feeding can increase a baby’s risk of childhood obesity.
References
¹Dewey, K.G., Infant feeding and growth.  In G. Goldberg, A. Prentice, P.A. Filtreau, S., & Simondon, K. (Eds.)  Breastfeeding : Early influences on later health (pp. 57-66).  New York, NY: Springer.
²Kramer, M. S., Guo, T., Platt, R. W., Vanilovich, I., Sevkovskaya, Z., Dzikovich, I., et al. Feeding effects on growth during infancy. Journal of Pediatrics 2004; 145(5): 600-605.
³ Li, R., Fein, S.B., & Grummer-Strawn, L.  Do infant fed from bottles lack self-regulation of milk intake compared with directly breastfed infants?  Pediatrics 2010; 125(6): e1386-e1393.
⁴Li, R., Fein, S.B., & Grummer-Strawn, L.M.  Association of breastfeeding intensity and bottle-emptying behaviors at early infancy with infants’ risk for excess weight at late infancy.  Pediatrics 2008; 122 Suppl 2: S77-S84.

Should you buy a used breast pump?

Well, we have been asked this question many times, and there is a lot of information and mis-information out there. There are 2 types of breast pumps - single user and multiple user (hospital grade pumps or rental pumps).
Hospital grade pumps are sealed. It prevents any viruses from being transferred between users and should be wiped with a disinfectant cleaner after each patient. These are meant to be used over and over, sometimes many times in a day.  They have a much sturdier motor and will generally last much longer. As long as each user has their own collection kit, or a hospital sterilized one the risk of transfer of viruses and or bacteria is very small.
The bigger issue is all of the pumps you can find on used sites such as Craigslist and EBay. First of all, many of them are old, will be void of warranty and the collection kits might contain BPA which was banned in Canadian baby products in 2008.  Second of all, many people feel they are being thrifty or helpful by selling or lending their pumps to a friend. Health Canada designates (not the breast pump companies!) these items as single user. You can't return these to the stores if they are broken or if you don't like it. You must deal directly with the manufacturer or distributor for any warranty issues. I have always looked at it this way. Would you share your diabetes monitor? It is essentially the same thing, as breast milk is considered a body fluid on the same level as blood. Plus would you really want to put your newborn sweet baby at risk?
There are 2 types of electric breast pumps out there - closed systems and open systems. If you are for sure planning to buy a used pump, make sure you buy one that uses a closed system. A closed system means that the milk in the collection kits stays contained and there is no way to travel into the tubing to get into the pump motor. No matter which type you buy make sure you buy a completely new collection kit for the milk. This is the most at risk part of the pump. You can purchase them at any rental pump location or at most of the places that sell new breast pumps.
There is also the main question you need to ask yourself about why you are buying a pump. Are you planning to breast feed your baby or feed your baby breast milk? The answer to that will give you a good insight as to whether you will even need an electric pump. For most moms who are planning to breastfeed and give the occasional bottle, a hand pump will suffice.  You might find your baby won't take a bottle and prefers the breast or you might have the best intention of breast feeding and run into complications you didn't know you would face. Either way you don't need to invest in a pump until after the baby comes. Do all of your searches and have an idea of what kind of pump you think you will want; and when your beautiful sweet baby comes along you will have a good idea of your breastfeeding rhythm. Every breastfeeding "couple" has its own rhythm (Nancy Morbacher - The 7 Natural Laws of Breastfeeding) and you will find yours!

Will my baby get enough milk before my milk comes in?

Your Newborn's Stomach - Day 1-10
The chart below shows the average size of a newborn's stomach and how much milk it can hold at birth. Now you can see why your colostrum, or early milk, is more than enough to fill your newborn's tummy.

But there is more. Researchers have found that on Day 1, the newborn's small stomach does not stretch to hold more, as it will even a day later.
Countless hospital nurses have learned the hard way that on the first day when newborns are fed an ounce or two by bottle, most of it tends to come right back up. The walls of the newborn stomach stay firm, pushing out the extra milk rather than stretching to hold it.
On Day 1, a newborn's stomach can hold about one-sixth to one-fourth of an ounce (5 to 7 ml) per feeding. Not surprisingly, this amount of colostrum is ready and waiting in the breast.
By Day 3, as the baby gets many more of these small feedings, his stomach expands to about the size of a ping pong ball to hold more milk.
By Day 10 it is the size of an extra large chicken egg.
Is it a good idea to give a newborn more milk at each feeding to try to stretch out the stomach sooner? No. This is not a case of more is better. Many small feedings set up a healthy eating pattern right from the start. Experts tell us that it is healthier for adults to eat smaller amounts more often, and the same is true for babies and children. Coaxing a baby to take more milk may lead to overfeeding. If feeling overfull at feedings becomes the norm for a baby, this may lead to unhealthy eating habits that contribute to childhood obesity later.

Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA, Lactation Consultant, Ameda Breastfeeding Products
Coauthor of Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers

An amazing story about the power of breastmilk

This mother is amazing, doing all she can for her terminally ill child. Breastmilk is a poweful substance and it is helping her child live.


http://www.healinganaya.com/

Ameda Platinum Hospital Grade Breastpump review

Found this great post today from a mom who has used the Platinum pump! So glad the mom was able to accomplish her goal.


By Mary Morsbach

As an exclusive pumper for 11 month old twins, I can sincerely say that I have tried my fair share of breast pumps. Whether it be a hospital grade, double electric, or manual, each pump has its benefits and shortcomings.

http://mommynewsblog.com/ameda-platinum-hospital-grade-breastpump-review/

Dads and breastfeeding! Tips to help when you feel helpless!!

We have so many challenges with a newborn, why do we need to add more? Many dads want to feel like they are a part of the breastfeeding experience, so how can they when they can't feed baby? Ameda has put together some breastfeeding answer sheets to address some common challenges. Below is the information for Dads. You don't always need a bottle to help! Babies love skin to skin contact, and that is a great way for dads to bond and for babies to get the contact they love! Enjoy  your new baby! Check out motherschoiceproducts.com for  more breastfeeding answers! Look under the about breastfeeding tab!

Why are the first weeks of breastfeeding so intense?

Be prepared. This is a time of intense breastfeeding. Here are breastfeeding basics from Day 4 to Week 6.

Fun Facts

• A baby's stomach stretches from the size of a shooter marble on Day 1 to a chicken egg by Day 10.
• Most babies feed 8-12 times a day but not at set times. They may bunch feedings close together for part of the day.
• Babies may take one breast at a feeding, or they may need to feed from both breasts. Let your baby decide.
• Most mothers start to make much more milk starting on Day 3 or 4.
• Drained breasts make milk faster. Full breasts make milk slower.
• Breastfeed only. Avoid pacifiers and any other liquids.
• Your milk production grows from about 1 ounce (30 mL) to about 30 ounces (900 mL) between Days 1 and 40.

What to Expect

• If your breasts feel very full, breastfeed more or express milk. This will make you feel better, not worse.
• By Day 3-5, baby's black stools turn first green and then yellow. After that, expect 3-4 or more yellow stools every day.
• Expect 5-6 or more wet diapers a day by Day 5.
• Your baby should be back to birth weight by 2 weeks. Then expect baby to gain about 7 ounces (210 g) a week or 2 lbs (900 g) a month.
• Your baby may want to feed again soon after breastfeeding. This is normal now.
• Most babies sleep for one 4-5 hour stretch each day. It may not be at night.

Things to Learn

• Breastfeed whenever your baby wants to. You'll know it's time when baby's head turns from side to side with an open mouth. Or when she puts her hand to her mouth.
• Don't wait until your baby fusses or cries. When upset, it's harder to feed well.
• Use a position that feels good for you and your baby.
• Learn to sleep while you breastfeed. Practice during the day.
• If breastfeeding hurts, get help. A small change in how your baby takes the breast may be all you need to feel better.
• Find a mother's group near you. Spend time with other breastfeeding mothers.

Seek Breastfeeding Help When

• Breastfeeding hurts.
• Baby loose more than 10% of birth weight or after Day 4 gains weight too slowly.

Even when breastfeeding is going well, you may experience some of the following:

• Your baby has fussy times. (Most babies do.)
• She wants to feed again soon after breastfeeding. (Most babies do.)
• She wants to feed more often. (This adjusts your milk production.)
• Your breasts no longer feel full. (Usually at about 3-4 weeks.)
• She wants to feed less often or for a shorter time. (Babies get faster with practice.)
• She wakes a lot at night. (Babies need to do this to get enough milk.)
• She will take a bottle after breastfeeding. (Babies like to suck.)
• You can't express much milk. (This skill takes practice.)

You Know You Have Plenty of Milk When

• Baby Gains Weight Well On Breast Alone
  • 0-4 months: 7 ounces (210 g) a week or 2 lbs. (900g) a month
     

Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA, Lactation Consultant, Ameda Breastfeeding Products
Coauthor of Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers

How to be less stressed with a newborn? Breastfeed!

Caring for a newborn can sometimes be stressful no matter how baby is fed. But research has found that mothers who do not breastfeed are more stressed than mothers who do. Two obvious reasons for these differences are the calming effects of skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding and the release of the stress-relieving hormone oxytocin.


Swedish research has found that higher oxytocin blood levels decrease blood pressure and levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. In one U.S. study of 24 women who both breastfed and bottle-fed, researchers assessed the study mothers’ moods before and after breastfeeding and before and after bottle-feeding. Their findings indicated that the mothers were calmer after breastfeeding than after bottle-feeding. This study was significant because it eliminated one of the major problems in comparing breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women: the often substantial differences between women who choose one feeding method over the other. Since the same mothers were studied after both breast and bottle, this potentially confounding factor was eliminated. The down-regulation of stress that breastfeeding provides is no doubt one reason research has linked longer breastfeeding duration to better cardiovascular outcomes in mothers later in life.

Another U.S. study of 181 mothers measured mothers’ reactions to stress, including its effect on the immune system and their mood. The researchers found that the immune systems of non-breastfeeding mothers were more depressed by life stressors, and these mothers developed more infections than the breastfeeding mothers. The non-breastfeeding mothers also had higher levels of anxiety and fatigue. The researchers suggest that higher levels of blood prolactin stimulated by breastfeeding was related to more positive mood, greater immunity to infection, and decreased stress.

References
Dimitrov, S., Lange, T., Fehm, H. L., & Born, J. (2004). A regulatory role of prolactin, growth hormone, and corticosteroids for human T-cell production of cytokines. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 18(4), 368-374.
Groer, M. W., & Davis, M. W. (2006). Cytokines, infections, stress, and dysphoric moods in breastfeeders and formula feeders. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 35(5), 599-607.
Jonas, W., Nissen, E., Ransjo-Arvidson, A. B., Wiklund, I., Henriksson, P., & Uvnas-Moberg, K. (2008). Short- and long-term decrease of blood pressure in women during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding Medicine, 3(2), 103-109.
Mezzacappa, E. S., Guethlein, W., & Katkin, E. S. (2002). Breast-feeding and maternal health in online mothers. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 24(4), 299-309.
Schwarz, E. B., Ray, R. M., Stuebe, A. M., Allison, M. A., Ness, R. B., Freiberg, M. S., et al. (2009). Duration of lactation and risk factors for maternal cardiovascular disease. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 113(5), 974-982.
Uvnas-Moberg, K. (1998). Antistress Pattern Induced by Oxytocin. News in Physiological Sciences,

Pain with breastfeeding - What can you do?

Your comfort during breastfeeding depends, in large part, on where your nipple lands in your baby’s mouth. And that depends on how your baby takes the breast, or latches on. When your baby attaches to the breast deeply, she’s able to get milk effectively, and you are able to nurse comfortably.
To understand the difference between a deep latch and a shallow latch, use your tongue or finger to feel the roof of your mouth.
Behind your teeth and the ridges, the roof feels hard. When your nipple is pressed against this hard area in your baby’s mouth, it can hurt.
Farther in your mouth, you’ll feel where the roof turns from hard to soft. Some have nicknamed this area “the comfort zone.” Once your nipple reaches your baby’s comfort zone, breastfeeding feels good. There is no undue friction or pressure on your nipple.
To make breastfeeding easier, support your baby’s inborn feeding skills by bringing her entire body in contact with yours.
In laid-back positions, gravity helps the nipple reach the comfort zone. In other positions, you need to work harder to help your baby take the breast deeply. As your baby latches:

• With your baby’s body pressed firmly against you and her nose in line with your nipple, let her head tilt back a bit (avoid pushing on the back of her head).
• Allow her chin to touch the breast then move away.
• Repeat until her mouth opens really wide, like a yawn.
• As she moves onto the breast chin first, gently press your baby’s shoulders from behind for a deeper latch.
   

That last gentle shove helps the nipple reach the comfort zone. Breastfeeding tends to feel better when your baby latches on off-center, so her lower jaw lands far from the nipple.

Signs of Deep Breastfeeding

• You feel a tugging but no pain. (In the first week or so, you may feel some pain at first but this should ease quickly.)
• You may hear your baby swallowing.
• Both of her lips are rolled out.
• You see more of the dark area around the nipple above your baby’s upper lip than below, which means the latch is off-center as it should be.
• Your baby breastfeeds with a wide-open mouth, not a narrow mouth.
• When baby comes off, the nipple is rounded, not pointy looking.
   

Breastfeed until your baby is done. When she comes off the breast, burp her or change her diaper. Then, offer the other breast. Babies take one breast at some feedings and both breasts at other feedings.
If breastfeeding hurts, seek help right away from a board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC). See “Resources.” Nipple pain can almost always be alleviated by adjusting the way the baby takes the breast. The sooner you see someone who can help, the better. Some will also recommend an HPA Lanolin cream to help speed the healing process if you have cracked or bleeding nipples. This is safe for breastfeeding and not harmful to the baby.

Shaping the Breast
If your baby has trouble taking the breast, shaping the breast may help. To do this:

• Be sure your thumb and fingers run in the same direction as her lips. (Imagine your thumb as your baby’s moustache.)
• Keep your fingers back, out of her way.
• By squeezing the breast a little, this “nipple sandwich” may be easier for her to grasp.
   

Where you put your hand to shape the breast varies by the direction the baby approaches the breast. If she is lying across the breasts, shape your thumb and fingers like a “U.” If she you hold your baby along your side, shape your thumb and fingers more like a “C.” Remember, your fingers should run in the same direction as your baby’s mouth.
Breastfeeding is less work if your baby goes to the breast at breast level. Some babies do better early on if you support your breast. Others don’t need support. Do what works best.

Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA, Lactation Consultant, Ameda Breastfeeding Products
Coauthor of Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers

How to get a feel for breastfeeding!

In our systems-oriented world, it’s easy to override our instinct
Here’s how to get the “feel” for breastfeeding.
There are some things in life that are best learned by tapping into our left-brain, the analytical, rational hemisphere. It’s there that logic guides, studying sequentially facilitates learning, and rules rule. Then there is the right brain, more holistic and intuitive way to learn. Some things you process best by intellect, others by experience. Which brings us to breastfeeding.
There are countless articles and books and websites that explain everything you need to know to breastfeed, instruction that ignores the fact that breastfeeding is an interactive experience, dependent on communication between you and your baby. It’s not a matter of placing Point A (baby’s mouth) over Point B (mother’s breast) and commencing breastfeeding. Rather it’s more like a dance that engages the whole body. Each breastfeeding couple sets its own rhythm and pace.
Mothers and babies have physiological responses that draw them to each other, that encourage them to look at each other, touch each other, and interact. Much of this behavior is guided by the right side of the brain.

It’s time to take a right-brain perspective on breastfeeding.
How exactly do you use a right-brained approach to learning to breastfeed your baby? First, take some deep breaths and let go of those worries about doing things “wrong.” Instead of thinking of breastfeeding as a skill you need to master, or a measure of your worth as a mother, think about breastfeeding as an expression of your relationship. As you spend time with your baby, you’ll be more adept at reading her cues. As you hold her, your baby will be more comfortable seeking your breast.
Breastfeeding will flow naturally out of your affectionate relationship. And your body dynamics can make breastfeeding easier or harder. Here are some specific things you can do to help:
Start with a calm baby. One mistake that many women make is to wait to try breastfeeding until their babies are screaming. Think about it. Do you learn best when you are upset? Probably not. The other reason to start with a calm baby has to do with physics. When a baby is screaming, her tongue is on the roof of her mouth. You will never get your breast in her mouth when her tongue is there.
Watch for early feeding cues. These cues include turning her head when someone touches her cheek and hand-to-mouth. Take note of when she starts smacking her lips or putting her hands to her mouth. This is an ideal time to try breastfeeding.
You may not always catch your baby in the early hunger stages (such as when you’re sound asleep!) and may sometimes have to deal with a baby who is upset. Also, some babies go from a little hungry to very hungry very quickly. If you need to calm your baby, offer the breast. If this doesn’t work, don’t force the issue. First, soothe your baby by holding, swaying, rocking, or walking. Then try these suggestions:

• Lean back in a comfortable position. Semi-reclined positions in which your back, neck, shoulders, and arms are well-supported are sometimes referred to as laid-back. breastfeeding. These may be the same position you use to watch your favorite TV show.
• Lay your baby, tummy down between your breasts. Your baby can be either dressed or stripped down to her diaper. Then make your breast accessible. Your chest is a very calming place for your baby. She can hear your voice and your heartbeat. She can smell you and get the feeling of your skin. Talk with her and make eye contact to bring you closer to your baby.
• Follow your baby’s lead. When a calm baby lies tummy down on her mother’s laid-back body, this triggers instinctive feeding behaviors such as head-bobbing and movements toward the breast. If she is lying between your breasts, she probably won’t need much help. Encourage her with your voice. Babies can’t understand your words at this age, but they can understand your tone of voice. And feel free to touch and stroke her as the spirit moves you.
   

Play while you learn to breastfeed. Rather than worrying about doing things wrong, focus on your relationship with your baby and think of breastfeeding as a part of this larger whole. Breastfeeding often flows naturally from this attitude. Sometimes your baby may try to take the breast even when she not really hungry but just to try out this new behavior. Practice times are good and will help her breastfeed better when she is hungry.

Adapted from the book Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers by Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA and Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, PhD, IBCLC

Welcome to our new blog!

Mothers Choice products is a company dedicated to mothers, mothering and breastfeeding. We strive to bring you the finest quality products and now we are offering support for breastfeeding and new moms! Many of our staff are registered nurses and breastfeeding councillors. We will be posting about breastfeeding issues and other useful tips! Feedback is always appreciated.