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“A friend turned me onto this product after I complained that the plastic bags I’d been using to store milk were a total mess.
I actually have 2 sets – one that I keep in the fridge and one that I keep in the freezer. I particularly love the ‘first in, first out’ method of retrieval, since the bags had a tendency (sic) of co-mingling and I’d have to rummage through, wasting time and getting annoyed.
...I want other moms to know that this product makes life easier.
This is a good one, moms!!! Go for it!”
- KBS, Chicago, IL |
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Meet the Mother’s Milk Mate Board of Lactation Consultants:
• Patricia B. Drazin, RLC, IBCLC, CST
• Robyn Roche-Paull, IBCLC, LLLL
• Janice Banther, CCCE, CLD, CD (DONA), CHBE
The following answers are provided by Patrica B. Drazin |
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- Is it normal for a breast-fed baby to have yellow stools?
Yes. The “normal” color of the stool of breastfed babies is yellow, but there is a wide range of what is considered normal. Typically, the stool of breastfed babies is soft and may be “seedy.”
- How will I know if my baby is getting enough milk when I breastfeed?
Look at your baby – how is your baby behaving? Is he or she happy and content between feedings? Does your baby sleep and wake on their own? Are they stooling and urinating? See my article addressing this question at http://www.lactationsupportgroup.com/FAQ.html.
If you are concerned, find an internationally board-certified lactation consultant to help you: They are there to answer your questions and concerns.*
- How will I know when my baby is full?
Babies that get sufficient milk come off the breast spontaneously when they finish, often falling asleep. Their body will be totally relaxed. See my article, How to Know If Your Baby is Getting Enough at http://www.lactationsupportgroup.com/FAQ.html.
If you are concerned, find an internationally board-certified lactation consultant to help you: They are there to answer your questions and concerns.*
- How often will my baby nurse?
Babies vary in their eating patterns, just like all other people. Breastmilk is digested in 90 minutes, so feedings every 1 ½ to 2 hours is normal. Some babies eat large meals and don’t eat for longer periods of time, and some babies are grazers who eat frequent small meals.
- Should I offer both breasts each time I feed?
You can offer both, but don’t be concerned if your baby goes to sleep after the first breast and is not interested in taking the second. Start with that one at the next feed. During some feeds, your baby may take both.
- How can I make sure my baby latches on correctly?
Latching should NOT (yes, I am yelling) be painful. If the latch is painful, seek assistance from an internationally board-certified lactation consultant.*
- Are there any foods I should avoid while breastfeeding?
Under NORMAL circumstance there are no foods you ought to avoid when breastfeeding. The caution is that it is better not to binge. All the foods you eat flavor your milk. This is why your child will grow up eating the foods you eat. Research has demonstrated that breastfed babies are more receptive to a wider variety of foods than non-breastfed babies. You may have a drink, or two. Moderation is the key!
- Can I get pregnant while breastfeeding?
Yes. Lactational Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) has been shown to be 98% effective in preventing pregnancy during the first six months postpartum for mothers who are fully or nearly fully breastfeeding their infants. After that time, you may want to consider contraception, but keep in mind that some contraceptives are more disruptive to breastfeeding than others.
- What tips can you offer on continuing to breastfeed after returning to work?
Start with planning –
1. Prior to beginning your maternity leave, arrange for a suitable place at work to pump.
2. Buy a good personal pump or rent a hospital-grade pump.
3.
Start pumping and storing approximately a month in advance of your return to work. This will decrease your stress when you return to work, for you will know that there is always extra milk in the freezer for the times you are unable to pump or you don’t pump enough.
4.
For more tips - see my article on working and breastfeeding at http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/chicago/breastfeeding-working-moms.htm
- Can I breastfeed if I have small breasts?
Yes. The size of one’s breasts has nothing to do with the functional components of the breast. Breast size is determined by fat cells.
* Lactation Consultants can be found through www.ilca.org. Yes, they charge a reasonable fee for a consultation. I have a blog addressing this at http://lactationsupportgroup.com/blog/?p=17. Keep in mind that they are specialized health care professionals who are dedicated to helping breastfeeding families.
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