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| Frequently Asked Questions About Breastfeeding • What do I need to do to take care of my breasts before the baby is born? • How do I pick a nursing bra? • How do I prepare my nipples? • What do I need to do to take care of my breasts after the baby is born? • How do I know my baby is getting enough milk? • How often should my baby nurse? |
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What do I need to do to take care of my breasts before the baby is born? You do not need to do anything different. Keep your breasts clean and dry. If you notice leakage, use cloth or disposable nursing pads. Milk production begins in the 5th month so it is common for women to leak. But if you don’t leak, don’t worry; the baby will be able to get the milk out when it is time. Whether you wear a bra or not is a personal preference. However, if you normally wear a bra you will probably feel more comfortable in one now. You will need to get some larger, nursing bras during the pregnancy. |
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| How do I pick a nursing bra? Have your measurements done by a professional bra fitter. Usually saleswomen in maternity stores and department stores know how to do this. Wait until the 8th month of pregnancy to buy a nursing bra. Then get at least one bra that is a cup size larger than your breasts when you buying your bras. Try not to get under wire bras because they can cut off the milk ducts and cause sore breasts while you are nursing. They have also been linked to breast cancer. Look for wide, non-elastic straps. Try opening and closing the nursing flaps. You should be able to do this without looking and with one hand, because you will be holding your baby with your other hand! |
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How do I prepare my nipples? You don’t! Mother Nature is doing that for you. That is why your areola (the area around your nipple) is getting darker. The extra color means that there are extra skin cells there and the glands located there keep your nipples soft and strong. |
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What do I need to do to take care of my breasts after the baby is born? Again, you do not need to do anything special. Wash your breasts with plain water in the shower; soap can dry the nipples out making them more prone to cracking. You do not need to clean your breasts before each feeding. Use nursing pads if you leak and change them if they get soaked. |
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| How do I know my baby is getting enough milk? Your baby may only have one or two wet diapers the first day or two after the birth. Beginning around the third day, expect 3-5 urines and 3-4 stools per day. By 5-7 days of age, expect 4-6 urines and 3-6 stools. Babies normally lose weight in the first days after the birth, so don’t be alarmed when this happens. They should be back up to their birth weight by 2 weeks of age. Once your milk supply becomes plentiful around the 3rd of 4th day, expect your baby to gain at least 4-7 ounces per week, or a pound a month. Breastfed babies nurse frequently, often every one to three hours, averaging about 8-12 times per day. So do not worry if it seems all your baby wants to do is nurse! This does not mean you don’t have enough milk. Your baby should appear healthy, with good color, firm skin, and he should be alert and active while awake. If you are concerned about you baby getting enough milk, contact your midwife or doctor or seek the help of a lactation consultant. |
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How often should my baby nurse? A breastfed baby should nurse every 1 to 3 hours. This means you will probably feel as if you do nothing but nurse your baby! This is normal, especially in the first month or so. In the first few days before your milk comes in, you should nurse your baby 15 minutes on each breast at each feeding. Once your milk comes in allow your baby to nurse as long as he/she wants on one breast and then offer the other breast. It is very important that you do not limit the time on each breast once the milk comes in because there are two types of milk. The milk that comes out first is the foremilk and consists mostly of water and electrolytes. Its purpose is to prevent dehydration. As the baby nurses for a while, the hindmilk comes in. This rich, creamy milk ensures adequate caloric intake and weight gain. So limiting a feeding to 15 minutes may mean depriving your baby of the rich, creamy milk that comes out only after several minutes of sucking. If your baby has emptied one breast and is still hungry then offer the second breast. Alternate the breast that you offer first at each feeding so that both breasts receive equal stimulation. |
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Bellymama Midwifery * Corina Fitch, L.M., R.N., C.P.M.
Bellymama Midwifery is a private midwifery practice offering pre-pregnancy counseling,
complete prenatal care, childbirth education, blessingways, and bellymasks,
home and birth center birth,VBAC, waterbirth, postpartum care, and breastfeeding support.