baby & toddler
L&L | AUGUST 2019 | 35Is breastfeeding
supposed to
be painful?
While you can feel your baby feeding in the
first few days to weeks, it shouldn’t be painful.
If it’s painful, your baby’s latch may be incorrect.
His mouth should be wide open, taking in as
much breast and areola as possible, with his
lips splayed out on the breast. If your baby’s
mouth is closed and the latch is shallow, he
will feed off the nipple, which will cause
a great deal of pain. This can lead
to cracked and sore nipples.When
will my milk
come in?
For many new moms, the first few days of
breastfeeding can be confusing, as they can
feel unsure about whether their baby is getting
any milk. To make matters worse, they’re often
told their “milk hasn’t come in”, implying they
don’t have any. But you will produce colostrum
after birth. This rich, nutritious milk is secreted
in small quantities during the first few days
following birth. The colostrum will begin
to change to milk, which can take
between three and five days
to fill your breasts.
Is my baby
actually
drinking?
A newborn will nurse for
various reasons. If allowed
to, some babies will stay on
the breast for long periods.
Babies comfort suck at the
breast – they use the nipple
as a pacifier and can appear
to nurse for hours. Often, new
moms mistake this for feeding. If you’re
unsure if your baby is actually drinking
or “dummy” sucking, ask yourself:
● Is he swallowing?
● Is his jaw dropping up and
down as he sucks?
● Is the breast now drained and
he still seems to be feeding?Do I have enough
milk for my baby?
As the breast isn’t translucent, and you
can’t see just how much milk your baby
has had, many women worry that their
baby is not getting enough milk. You
will know your baby is feeding well if:
● He has six to eight wet and/or dirty
nappies a day. This usually equates
to a nappy change per feed.
Newborn stools are usually frequent,
but may start to decrease once
your baby is older that six weeks.
● You feel your breasts fill up between
feeds and then drain after a
feed. In the first few weeks
of breastfeeding, a
feeling of fullness in your
breasts will be obvious,
but will diminish as
breastfeeding becomes
more established.
● Your baby is gaining
weight every week.
On average, most
newborns gain around
150g to 200g a week.
● Your baby settles after a
feed for a reasonable amount
of time (two to three hours)
before waking for the next feed.Are my breasts
engorged?
You may notice your breasts often feel
hard between feeds. Milk may leak and
you may be prone to blocked ducts that
can lead to bouts of mastitis. Your baby
may be fussy at the breast and make
gulping, choking noises as the milk
starts to flow. He may pull back in an
attempt to slow the flow of milk.
Try feeding in a “laid-back” position.
This means lying all the way back
with your baby lying across your body
facing the breast tummy to mummy.How can I boost
my low supply?
Your milk supply could be low
for a number of reasons. If you
are concerned you don’t have
enough milk, try the following:
● Feed your baby more often – the
more you feed, the more you make.
● Pump for five to 10 minutes
immediately after your baby
has finished feeding.
● Eat a balanced diet and
drink plenty of fluid.
● Try to rest as often as possible.
● Try brewer’s yeast and fenugreek.
● Consult a lactation consultant. »