How to Breast-Feed

You should discuss your decision to breast-feed with those who are important to you. It is much more difficult to succeed if your partner, parents, or children don't understand why you want to breast-feed your new baby. A young child may be concerned that his new brother or sister is actually hurting you. Your other children may become jealous of all the attention you give the new baby. Preparing them makes it easier.

Some men become jealous of a new baby, and breast-feeding may make matters worse. Discuss your decision ahead of time as one way to lessen these feelings. And be sure to make the father a participant in routine baby care.


Many misconceptions still exist about breast-feeding. Many women find it frustrating if they don't breast-feed easily and instinctively -- they don't realize they need to learn the best way to breast-feed. Years ago, women learned breast-feeding techniques from their mothers, older sisters, and older women who breast-fed their children. But chances are your mother did not breast-feed you, so she can't really help you with your own breast-feeding.

Classes in breast-feeding techniques are available. Lactation consultants, breast-feeding clinics, and organizations such as La Leche League offer support and encouragement for women having problems with breast-feeding. If you should experience breast-feeding difficulties, remember that the treatment for most breast-feeding problems is to continue breast-feeding.

Getting Started

Most women now have the opportunity to breast-feed their newborns shortly after giving birth. Unless you are so exhausted from the delivery that you can't stay awake, you should try nursing your new baby as soon as possible. Often this means nursing on the delivery table.

Don't be discouraged if your baby isn't interested -- remember, she's been through a tough and tiring process, too. She may be too worn out to be interested in feeding. Don't take this as a rejection. Some women's breasts don't seem to have colostrum (the substance you feed your baby until your milk comes in) immediately after delivery; don't be discouraged-the colostrum, then the milk, will come in.

Feel free to ask questions of your doctor, obstetrics nurse, or lactation consultant about breast-feeding. Very few new mothers cannot breast-feed. Most who feel they have to discontinue just give up too soon. As mentioned earlier, the best treatment for most breast-feeding problems (for example, blocked ducts or insufficient milk supply) is to continue to breast-feed. When you start, your nipples may be a little sore, especially if you are very fair-skinned. This is natural; they aren't accustomed to this type of work and need some time to toughen up.

Allergies

It is extremely rare for a baby to be allergic to her mother's breast milk. If any family members have allergies, particularly to milk or milk products, your baby is more likely to have problems with formula than with your milk. If you suspect an allergy, consult your child's doctor. Some experts recommend that babies from families with allergies breast-feed, and that the mother avoid eating known or commonly allergenic foods while breast-feeding.

Diapers and Bowel Movements

Many parents of breast-fed babies notice their babies' bowel movements are different from those of bottle-fed babies. The bowel movements are soft and yellowish. Changing the soiled diapers of a breast-fed baby may not be as unpleasant as dealing with the diapers of a bottle-fed infant. Because breast milk is so well absorbed, breast-fed infants are rarely constipated. All of this changes once a baby starts formula or solids.

When You Should Not Breast-Feed
There are very few instances when you should discontinue or avoid breast-feeding. If, for example, you must take a drug that crosses into the breast milk and has the potential for harming your baby, you should elect not to breast-feed. In addition, certain diseases and infections (although few in number) may force you to avoid breast-feeding your baby.

Many doctors use the guideline that if you are too sick to bottle-feed, you should not breast-feed. Ask your doctor if you are unsure.


Breast-Feeding and Working

Some women wonder if they can continue to breast-feed once they return to work. Most women in this situation find they can, with a little planning. Remember that breast-feeding is not an all-or-nothing proposition.

The human breast makes milk on a supply and demand basis. The more milk is taken out of the breast, the more milk is made. And human breast milk production is very adaptable. Many women have no problems with breast-feeding in the morning before work, when they pick up their baby in the afternoon, during the evening, and again at night.

You can also reckon with the missed feedings during the day. You can freeze breast milk for up to two weeks. You also may be able to pump your breasts at work and refrigerate the milk in a clean bottle. This pumped breast milk can be fed to your baby the next day by your babysitter so your child's diet consists solely of breast milk.

If you are to successfully combine work and breast-feeding, you must be flexible. What works for one woman may not work best for you. Experiment with your schedule and the times you feed your baby.

Stopping Breast-Feeding

How long to breast-feed is an individual decision. Most women stop within the first year. Remember, even if you breast-feed for only a few months, you have given your baby that much of a head start in good nutrition and protection from some illnesses.

Sometimes a baby decides on her own when it's time to stop breast-feeding. She may lose interest in the breast or prefer solids and a cup to breast milk.

Some women breast-feed for two or more years. If this is your choice, make sure your older child gets adequate calories and nutrition from solid foods in addition to breast milk.

Because the food you eat affects the content of your breast milk, there are some dietary concerns for when you are breast-feeding. We will tell you the foods you should avoid while nursing in the next section.

How Long Should You Breast-Feed?
Breast milk alone supplies all the nutrition your baby needs for at least her first four to six months of life. Wait until your baby is at least four to six months old before starting solids. Even at that age, she gets most of her nutrients from the breast milk, not from the solids. A good guideline to follow is your baby should be old enough, and sufficiently coordinated enough, to let you know when she is full. If she can't yet do this, she isn't old enough to start eating solid foods. Also, until she is at least one year old, you should offer her breast milk or formula before you give her any solid foods.