Breastfeeding Basics Every Mom Should Know

1. If you are pregnant, one of your big decisions will be whether to breastfeed or bottle feed your baby.

Today most women breast feed because it is not widely recognized that breast feeding provides numerous benefits for both mother and baby. Before a mother’s milk comes in, the baby receives colostrum by breast feeding. Colostrum is rich in antibodies and supports the baby’s immunity. Even with only colostrum, breastfeeding causes the release of oxytocin in the mother, which helps contract the uterus. Breastfeeding also encourages the production of prolactin which promotes the mother’s sense of well being and promotes the let-down of breast milk. And last but certainly not least, breastfeeding promotes bonding between mother and baby.

2. What does your baby need to do to breast feed?

At birth, the baby only needs to have its mother’s colostrum. If a baby hasn’t learned to latch on at birth, it is very important help the baby to latch on to the mother’s nipple. If a baby is having trouble latching on, place the baby’s lower lip on the lower part of the breast’s areola and nipple. Sucking is a very basic instinct. Babies like to suck on everything, including their toes.

3. Can I supplement breast milk with formula?

About 45 years ago, before insurance companies thwarted health care so much, a mom and baby could stay in the hospital until they were ready to go home, a hospital stay included being sure the mother was breast feeding successfully. Today, babies born vaginally are twice as likely to return to the hospital for failure to thrive. Those mothers having c-sections stay in the hospital longer and have more time to learn to successfully manage nursing. For babies, gaining weight is very important. If you need to supplement breast milk with formula, do so.

A baby should double its weight in 6 months and triple it at one year. An 8-pound baby should weigh 16 pounds at 6 months and 24 pounds at a year.

4. Is it common for breast-feeding mothers to experience menopause-like symptoms?

Yes, most breast-feeding moms experience symptoms similar to menopause. The most common one written about is vaginal dryness. Other symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, sleep disorders, and mood changes.

5. What causes these menopause-like symptoms?

Your pituitary gland produces prolactin to help create milk. Prolactin is also produced in the uterus and breasts. The increasing prolactin in the blood stream lowers estrogen and progesterone levels. It’s the lower estrogen and progesterone levels resulting from menopause that causes the symptoms associated with menopause. The mood changes associated with this decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels are involved in the baby blues and postpartum depression. Baby blues which persist longer than a few weeks will be considered postpartum depression. These changes are usually temporary, but can persist in some women.

6. How long should I breast feed?

How long you choose to breast feed your child is up to you. Breast feeding is very personal and flexible. My grandparents talked about a child in their community who breast fed until he started first grade. There are no set rules for how long to breastfeed. You and your child decide.