Breastfeeding Tips

There may be times when your baby does not take enough milk and your breasts may become uncomfortably full, hard or warm. You can:

• Make sure baby latches on correctly and that you are positioned correctly
• Breastfeed newborns 8 – 12 times in a 24 hour period
• Avoid pacifiers and bottles during the first few weeks
• Try not to delay or skip feedings
• Put a warm wet cloth on your breasts before feedings or take a warm shower
• Massage your breasts gently before and during feeding
• Express some milk to soften your breast
• Put a cool cloth or ice pack on your breasts to reduce swelling between feedings

If a milk duct gets plugged up, your breasts can get sore. If this occurs, you can:

• Breastfeed often and start on the sore side first
• Try different positions to help remove the plug
• Try pointing the baby’s nose toward the tender spot on your breast
• Put a warm wet washcloth on your breast before feeding and massage the tender spot
• Rest and eat well
• If your symptoms include flu-like symptoms (body aches, congestion or a fever), you may have a breast infection. Keep breastfeeding and call your doctor. You might need antibiotics.

If you breastfeed your baby one year or longer, the benefits can include:

• Baby being protected from illness
• Baby getting the best of nutrition for proper growing
• Mom and baby enjoy special times with each other

When you baby’s teeth begin to arrive, baby might bite when their gums are swollen and sore with teething. When baby is actively nursing, they cannot bite. You can:

• Soothe your baby’s gums with a damp, cold washcloth or teething ring before nursing
• Give baby your complete attention while breastfeeding
• Watch for signs that your baby is finished and remove him or her from the breast
• Give extra attention to good positioning and latch-on

If you baby still bites, you can:

• By natural reaction, you might be startled and take your baby off the breast. After this sudden reaction, a lot of babies will not bite again

If your baby continues to bite, you need to:

• Stay calm
• Pull your baby in close so that he releases the nipple
• Or stop feeding

If your baby has been nursing well and then suddenly stops, this should only last about 2 to 4 days. Baby might be teething, ill, or distracted. This can also be caused when mom and baby are separated for a long period, or there are changes in routine.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

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© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved