FAQ about breastfeeding
This Frequently Asked Questions section is adapted from the Nursing Mothers Counsel of Oregon.
Does breastfeeding hurt?
How do I know if my baby is getting enough?
Will breastfeeding tie me to my home or prevent me from returning to work?
How long should I breastfeed my baby?
Do I have to learn how to breastfeed or will it just come naturally?
How do I latch on my baby to breastfeed?
What are the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding?
What are the risks of exclusive formula feeding?
Does breastfeeding hurt?
Breastfeeding should not hurt, though the first few days can be quite uncomfortable. The baby should not nurse on the nipple only. If you feel pain, the baby is not latched onto your breast properly.
How do I know if my baby is getting enough?
If your newborn is having six or more wet diapers a day, and is gaining weight, you can feel comfortable that your baby is getting enough milk.
The best way to ensure your baby will get enough milk is to respond early and often to hunger cues such as rooting and sucking on hands. Crying is considered a late hunger cue.
A mothe'rs body makes milk on a supply-and-demand cycle, so the more you nurse, the more milk you will produce to meet your baby's needs.
Most birthing hospitals and lactation consultants will welcome you and your baby for a pre and post nursing weight check, so you know how many ounces your baby is consuming in an average feed.
It is also normal for babies to nurse more frequently when they go through a growth spurt. Babies will cluster feed to get up mom's milk supply. Mothers may experience a few days where they nurse much more frequently. This is a normal part of the cycle and just means that the baby is getting ready to grow, and in anticipation of that, is nursing frequently to bring in more milk. The mother's supply will adjust in a few days and feedings will space out again.
Will breastfeeding tie me to my home or prevent me from returning to work?
With careful planning, you can continue giving your baby breast milk when youre away.
If you plan to return to work, you can make arrangements to pump your breastmilk in a clean, private place during lunch or other breaks. Then refrigerate, place in a cooler, or freeze the milk for the baby to be fed later.
Oregon has a worksite accommodation law for employers of 25 of more employees. Read more about the law on the Return to Work section of this website.
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How long should I breastfeed my baby?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life.
Six months of age is the general time it's appropriate to add solid foods to the baby's diet while continuing to breastfeed.
The APP recommends that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and for as long as thereafter as mom and baby mutually desired.
The World Health Organization (WHO) & UNICEF both recommend breastfeeding a minimum of two years.
Do I have to learn how to breastfeed, or will it just come naturally?
Breastfeeding is a natural behavior, but it is also a learned behavior that takes patience and practice for both mom and baby to learn.
Before the baby is born, take a breastfeeding class if you can.
Learning the names for your and your baby's anatomy and what to expect in the normal course of nursing will go a long way toward getting a good latch from the start and being able to use help that is available to you on the phone.
Where to go for classes:
- Many birthing hospitals now offer breastfeeding classes as part of the birthing classes, or separately.
- La Leche League (LLL) is an international organization with a great website and ongoing mother support groups. Some LLL Leaders also offer phone support.
- Nursing Mothers Counsel of Oregon (NMC) has a great website, free prenatal breastfeeding classes in the Portland, Metro and SW Washington areas, and free phonelines: 503-282-3338 in Portland and 360-750-0656 in SW Washington. Note: It is OK to call these numbers from other areas, but it is not toll-free.
Once the baby is born, it is great to have someone with you who has nursed their own baby, or a professional lactation consultant who has been trained to help. Barring that, the presence of calm, loving friends and family can be very helpful in getting things off to a good start.
There are also many great breastfeeding books available and its good to have a few at your bedside. The Nursing Mothers Companion is a popular resource.
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How do you latch on a baby to breastfeed?
The best how to guide and problem solving index is found on the La Leche League International website.
What are the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding?
In addition to the information listed under the Why Should I Breastfeed section of this website, benefits include:
Emotional: Breastfeeding is an opportunity for mom and baby to bond, connect, relax, and play together. This boosts baby's mental and emotional development, and also assists mom's relaxation with and enjoyment of parenting. Breastfeeding is helpful and healing for moms and babies who are separated due to work, illness or other cause.
Monetary & Environmental Cost: Formula costs a family $1000 - $1500 annually. Waste from tin cans, plastic bottles, & nipples add solid waste, the manufacture process pollutes and fuel is used for production and transportation. Breast milk is low/no cost, convenient and sterile.
Childbirth Recovery: Quicker return to pre-pregnancy weight and less risk of hemorrhage after birth.
Reduced risk of maternal cancers: Including breast, ovarian, and cervical.
Breast milk itself: Changes as your baby grows, fights germs, is easier to digest, and diapers are less stinky!
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What are the risks of exclusive artificial feeding?
In addition to the information listed under the Why Should I Breastfeed section of this website, risks include:
Lifetime Risks: Elevated cholesterol, obesity, type I diabetes and dental work.
Contamination: Infant formulas have frequently been recalled due to contamination.
Allergies: Formula-fed infants risk allergic symptoms at greater rates and in greater severity than breastfed infants. Allergic reactions contribute to ear infections, respiratory illness, and gastrointestinal discomfort and disease.
Disease: Formula-fed infants show higher rates of infectious disease & have more autoimmune disease. They also have increased risk of Insulin Dependant Diabetes.
Mortality (death): Formula fed infants have a higher mortality rate and increased risk of SIDS. A risk benefit analysis in the US determined that for every 1000 infants born, four will die because they are not breastfed.
Did you know ...
According to the World Health Organization, artificial formula is considered the fourth choice for infant feeding?
First choice is a mother breastfeeding her own baby,
Second is expressed breast milk from an infant's own mother,
Third is breast milk from a healthy wet-nurse or a human-milk bank.
Last is a breast milk substitute such as artificial formula.
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