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