One of the most asked questions I get from clients is, “How do I know they’re getting enough?/ How do I know I have enough milk?”
If you’re feeding at the chest, watch your baby for hunger and fullness cues, as well as diaper output and weight gain to know they’re transferring enough milk. (Side note: If your baby was born early, they may not be able to give appropriate hunger cues, and should be fed every 2-2.5 hours until they can tell you when they’re hungry.)
Read MoreAs a lactation consultant, and as a mom who has pumped through college and in the workplace (my oldest and youngest are 10 years apart), this legislation is near and dear to my heart. I have had too many clients call me upset because their employer is forcing them to pump in the bathroom or bullying them for taking their break time. The PUMP Act will make pumping protections very clear and will empower employees to take action if their rights are being violated.
Read MoreHappy Milky Monday! As promised, this week we’ll talk about the foremilk/ hindmilk issue and how fat is released in your milk.
First, let’s discuss the letdown. Also known as the Milk Ejection Reflex, the letdown is when the milk sacs in your breast contract and force the milk through the milk ducts and out of the nipple. It’s triggered by hormones released by various stimuli like holding your baby, hearing your baby (or any baby) cry, nipple or breast stimulation (baby suckling or breast pumping), or even just setting up to nurse or pump.
Read MoreDuring pregnancy, hormones cause growth of the milk building systems within the breasts, and newborn milk called colostrum starts being produced about halfway through the pregnancy.
Colostrum is yellowish and clear in color and is thick and sticky, so it comes out in the perfect amount and speed for baby to learn how to eat. Remember, newborns have never felt hunger or needed to eat before being born, so nursing is something you learn together.
Read MoreIf you have an infant and you’re in any social media spaces, you’ve likely heard the term “tongue tie.” Spend just a few minutes browsing parenting groups on Facebook, and you’ll come across accounts of parents being told their babies “only have a slight tie,” or that “ties don’t affect breastfeeding/ bottle feeding/ reflux/etc…” I’ve had clients tell me their pediatrician dismissed their concerns and told them tongue tie is a fad diagnosis. I actually had to educate our family doctor on tongue ties and breastfeeding when my third child was born with a complete tongue tie and my nipples were scabbed and bleeding at 3 days postpartum.
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