Breastfeeding 101: Where to Start with Breastfeeding and Breast Pumping

As a new parent, there are so many changes and questions.  Is my baby getting enough sleep?  Is my baby warm enough? Is my baby sick?  Many new mothers have concerns about feeding.  Let’s look at common questions parents have about breastfeeding.

For babies:  lower chances of lung infections, type 1 diabetes, diarrhea, ear infections and being overweight.  Also, breast milk is rich in vitamins, minerals, nutrients and other things like antibodies to help your baby be healthy and grow.  

For new moms, benefits include lowering your chances of having high blood pressure, developing certain breast and ovarian cancers, and type 2 diabetes.  

The American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization recommends exclusively (no other foods or liquids) providing breast milk for the first 6 months of life, and then solid foods along with breast milk up to age two years or longer.  You may also have your own goals of how long you would like to breastfeed or pump your milk.  A lactation consultant can help you meet your lactation goals and learn to efficiently use your breast pump.

In general, breastfeeding should not be painful.  If breastfeeding does hurt, here are some common reasons why it might be happening:

• Baby’s Latch and Breastfeeding Positions:  If not latched well, this can cause pain.  Your baby should not be latched on your nipple. There are many different types of ways to position and hold your baby when breastfeeding (just make sure to support baby’s head); find the best one that works for you.  
• Nipple Trauma:  Nipple trauma and pain can be caused by not releasing the baby’s mouth or suction before removing from the breast or not having the correct pump flange.  To determine the best flange size, you can measure your nipple (not your areola) and work with a lactation consultant.
• Plugged Milk Duct:  A plugged milk duct is a sore lump in the breast and happens when the milk is not removed from the breast.  The best way to release a plugged milk duct is to feed your baby.  Light massage may also be helpful.

• Thrush:  Thrush is a yeast infection and looks like a creamy, white patch and may be found in your baby’s mouth, tongue, gums and cheeks. If this occurs, please call your healthcare provider.    
• Engorgement:  Engorged breasts can happen when milk is not removed from the breast and may be warm, tender and hard, and you may have a fever.  If this occurs, please call your healthcare provider or lactation consultant as this could lead to a breast infection (mastitis).    

Meeting with a lactation consultant during your breastfeeding journey can help you with any of these concerns.

Colostrum is the first milk your body makes.  It is available for your baby the first 2 to 5 days after birth.  Colostrum is a golden yellow color and high in protein, vitamins, minerals and antibodies that help to build your baby’s immune system.

You do not need to change how you eat when you are breastfeeding.  The goal is to try and eat healthy foods and a variety of foods.  There are recommendations to limit the amount of high mercury seafood and caffeine as these can have effects on your baby.  Your healthcare provider may recommend that you take a vitamin/mineral supplement.

The good news is many medications have little or no effect on your baby’s health or on your milk supply.  There are a few medications not recommended during lactation.  If you have concerns regarding any medications you are taking including vitamin, mineral or herbal supplements, and over-the-counter medication, please discuss with your or your baby’s pediatrician or health care provider. 

There are many types of breast pumps, which can be overwhelming for those new to pumping. Achieving a good milk let-down is important when pumping. At Aeroflow Breastpumps, we can help you determine the best pump for you based on your needs and your health insurance coverage. Please visit our homepage so we can help you get started today! 

Returning to work or school after having your baby can be an exciting and nervous time. Here are a few things you'll want to do to best prepare yourself: 

• Talk with your childcare provider about your desire to provide milk for your baby. 
• Practice using your pump before returning to work or school so you know how to put the pump together and how it operates. 
• Pump every 2 to 3 hours, or around 2 to 3 times per 8-hour workday. 
• Build a supply of refrigerated or frozen milk before your first day back. 
• Before going back to work or school, practice giving your baby a bottle of your milk so they can practice too. Your baby may like to be fed with a bottle from someone other than you.

There are many state and federal laws that protect parents' workplace lactation rights.  Chat with your boss or employer about your desire to pump at work and how your workplace can support your lactation goals. Talk to a lactation consultant to discuss the best breast pump and bottle options. 

Returning to work or school after having your baby can be an exciting and nervous time. Here are a few things you'll want to do to best prepare yourself: 

• Fill milk in storage bags only ¾ full since milk expands during freezing.
• Do not store previously frozen milk in the freezer, only in the refrigerator.
• Avoid reheating milk, give room temperature milk instead of reheating.
• Warm milk by sitting a bottle into a small bowl of warm water or use a bottle warmer (avoid using the microwave because of uneven heating).
• Thaw milk in a refrigerator for 12 hours or under running room temperature water.
• Store milk in the back of a refrigerator or freezer, not the door.  

A lactation consultant (IBCLC) is a specialized healthcare provider who can help you with your lactation journey.  They are there for you to ask any questions you have about breastfeeding, especially how to navigate the first year of feeding, pumping your breast milk, your postpartum experience, and helpful breastfeeding classes and support groups.  You can find and schedule a one-on-one appointment with a lactation consultant on lactationlink.com. 

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021).  Breastfeeding and Returning to Your Workplace.   Accessed at https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/breastfeeding/workplace-breastfeeding.html.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021).  Breastfeeding Benefits Both Mother and Baby.   Accessed at https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/features/breastfeeding-benefits/index.html.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022).  Frequently Asked Questions about Breastfeeding.  Accessed at https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/faq/index.html. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022).  Maternal Diet.  Accessed at https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special- ircumstances/diet-and-micronutrients/maternal-diet.html.

Centers for Disease Control Prevention. (2022).  Prescription Medication Use.  Accessed at https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/vaccinations-medications-drugs/prescription-medication-use.html. 

Eglash, A, Simon, L, The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.  (2017).  ABM Clinical Protocol #8:  Human Milk Storage Information for Home Use for Full-Term Infants.  Breastfeeding Medicine, 12(7):  390-395.

Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency.  (2021).  Advice About Eating Fish.  Accessed at https://www.fda.gov/media/102331/download.

HerSource Health (N.D.)  Breastmilk Storage Chart.  

National Conference of State Legislators.  (2022).  Breastfeeding State Laws.  Accessed at https://www.ncsl.org/health/breastfeeding-state-laws. 

Reece-Stremtan, S, Marinelli, K, The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.  (2015).  ABM Clinical Protocol #21:  Guidelines for Breastfeeding and Substance Use or Substance Use Disorder.  Breastfeeding Medicine, 10(3): 135-141.

United States Department of Agriculture WIC Breastfeeding Support.  (2022).  Breastfeeding Benefits.  Accessed at https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/breastfeeding-benefits. 

United States Department of Agriculture WIC Breastfeeding Support.  (2022).  Help for Sore Nipples.  Accessed at https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/sore-nipples.

United States Department of Agriculture WIC Breastfeeding Support.  (2022).  Plugged Ducts, Mastitis, and Thrush.  Accessed at https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/plugged-ducts-mastitis-and-thrush.

United State Department of Labor. (2022).  Break Time for Nursing Mothers.  Accessed at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/nursing-mothers.