Breastfeeding forms a bond between mother and baby while also providing numerous health benefits to both, but it isn’t always an easy undertaking. Learn more about what to expect and get some tips to help you breastfeed with confidence.
What are the benefits of breastfeeding?
“Breast milk is one of the best things that your baby needs to grow and develop. It is rich in vitamins, minerals and nutrients, and it even changes to meet your baby’s needs as he or she gets older,” said Heather Potts, a certified nurse midwife and family nurse practitioner with the Vanderbilt Center for Women’s Health.
Breast milk contains the optimal proportion of nutrients babies require, including protein, carbohydrates, fat and calcium that contribute to brain growth and nervous system development. Breast milk also provides natural antibodies that promote resilience to illnesses. It has been linked to reduced risks of obesity, diabetes, asthma and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in babies.
Mothers who breastfeed experience lower rates of breast and ovarian cancer and postpartum depression. Lastly, as we see an uptick in dairy intolerance, breast milk is also easier for your baby to digest than cow’s milk.
Understanding latching, frequency and positioning
The three main components to breastfeeding successfully are latching, frequency and positioning.
- Latching refers to how a baby’s mouth attaches to the mother when feeding. Optimally, the baby’s mouth should cover a large portion of the areola in addition to the nipple for an effective milk transfer and to reduce soreness for the mother.
- Newborns typically need to be fed at a frequency of eight to 12 times a day due to their small stomachs. It is important to watch for your baby’s cues for hunger, such as rooting or sucking on fists, rather than adhering to a strict feeding schedule.
- Positioning can be difficult and varies from mother to mother. Common breastfeeding positions include a cradle hold, football hold, and lying down, but there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Experiment with different positions to determine what works best for you and your baby.
Common breastfeeding challenges
Breastfeeding may be natural, but that doesn’t mean it is easy. Common challenges include:
- Breast engorgement, which means the breast is uncomfortably full of milk. This can occur from sudden changes in feeding frequency, such as skipping pumping sessions or during the body’s natural transition from colostrum (the fluid the breast produces in the days immediately after childbirth) to mature milk. To alleviate discomfort from engorgement, try applying warm compresses before feeding and cold compresses afterward. Nursing often can also help regulate milk supply. Pumping is particularly helpful here if the baby is not hungry or away from the mother when transitioning back to a normal schedule.
- Sore nipples, which are common in the early days of breastfeeding. Proper latching and applying lanolin cream or breast milk are techniques that can be used to minimize soreness.
- Maintaining a healthy milk supply. Many moms worry about low milk supply, but most of the time, your body makes exactly what your baby needs, even if you don’t realize it. Breastfeeding frequently — especially in the first hours, days and weeks — is the main way to increase your milk supply. Your body will make milk to meet your baby’s demand. If supply issues or extreme soreness do not resolve, it may be beneficial to reach out to a lactation specialist who can offer guidance and additional support.
If you find yourself struggling to breastfeed for any reason, bottle feeding and using formula are alternatives that keep your baby happy and fed. Each journey is unique, so trust your instincts, figure out what works for you, and seek help if necessary.
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How can I get breastfeeding off to the best start?
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When your baby is born, put him or her skin-to-skin on your chest right after birth. It’s ideal to put the baby to the breast within the first hour of life. Spend lots of skin-to-skin time with your baby for the first few days. Offer your breast to the baby frequently, especially when you see early feeding cues. Avoid pacifiers, bottles and supplements that haven’t been prescribed by a medical provider until breastfeeding is well established (usually about a month).
Does breastfeeding hurt?
It shouldn’t hurt — it should feel like a strong tug or pull. If you feel pinched, pain throughout the feeding, your nipple looks pinched or your nipples are getting sore, ask for a lactation consultant. Changing positions or latch techniques will usually reduce discomfort. Nipple tenderness is fairly common while learning, but true pain is not normal. If your nipples feel tender, try rubbing some breast milk onto the nipple and air drying after feedings.
How will I know if my baby is getting enough milk?
Although you can’t measure how much breast milk your baby is getting, you can tell if your baby is getting enough. A newborn’s tummy is tiny at birth, and in the first days, you have exactly the amount of colostrum (first milk) he needs. His tummy gets bigger as you produce more milk. By the fifth day, you should have full, heavy breasts. You should hear the baby swallowing during feeding, and your breasts will soften with feedings.
Diapers are another sign of intake: What goes in must come out. As the baby is getting more milk, he will wet more diapers. By the fifth day, your baby should be having six or more good wet diapers and three or more dirty diapers.
Finally, it’s normal when a baby loses some weight in the hospital (usually around 7%). Baby should be at birth weight by two weeks and gain 3 to 7 ounces weekly after that.
Are there foods I can’t eat when I’m breastfeeding?
Most babies do fine with whatever food mom eats. It’s best to eat a wide variety of foods so that the baby will learn to like a variety of flavors in your milk. However, if your baby gets gassy or fussy four to six hours after you eat a certain food, you may want to avoid that food for a few weeks and then try again.
When is it necessary to stop breastfeeding because I’m taking a medication?
The good news is that it is not very often.
“Most medicines, even some of the sedation medications used for short medical procedures, are perfectly fine to continue as soon as the breastfeeding mom is fully awake,” said Dr. Anna Morad, director of the newborn nursery at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
The breasts act as barriers to keep out a lot of medications. If a medication has a large molecular weight or if it doesn’t bind well to fat, it may never enter the milk supply.
So, what to do if you hear the words “pump and dump?”
Ask questions. Sometimes, well-meaning health care providers are unsure or may consult outdated references. They may rely on their “first, do no harm” instinct when telling moms to stop breastfeeding.
“Ask your provider if there are alternative medications,” Morad said. “If there are no options, ask how long you are expected to be on incompatible medications.”
Should I consider a breastfeeding support group?
Whether you’re new to breastfeeding or are in the process of breastfeeding your second, third or fourth child, a breastfeeding support group may be of benefit. Plus, sharing your own experiences may help another parent with any issues, concerns or challenges.
A breastfeeding support group typically has a designated facilitator who helps ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. A support group should also allow people the freedom to share their experiences and concerns without the confines of a rigid meeting structure.
Parents can discuss any challenges or successes and receive support from others who are having similar experiences. A group is intended to foster camaraderie by celebrating triumphs, offering a safe space to vent frustrations, and providing constructive advice or feedback when needed.
Ask your OB-GYN or lactation consultant for recommendations of breastfeeding support groups in your area.
What are some resources you can consult?
- Tennessee Breastfeeding Hotline has lactation consultants on call around the clock to answer questions about medications.
- LactMed is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and has current research.
- Infant Risk Center is a research group that specializes in looking a rare medications and breastfeeding.
- Vanderbilt Lactation Support offers resources for nursing moms.
- La Leche League helps mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education.
