Myth 8: Breastfeeding mothers must always use both
breasts at each feeding.
Fact: It is more important to let baby finish the first breast first, even
if that means that he doesn’t take the second breast at the same
feeding. The richer, higher-fat hind milk is accessed gradually as
the breast is drained. Some babies, if switched prematurely to the
second breast, may fill up on the lower-calorie foremilk from both
breasts rather than obtaining the normal balance of foremilk and
hind milk, resulting in infant dissatisfaction, abdominal distress,
and/or poor weight gain.
Signs Your Baby is Getting Enough Milk
• Weight gain. Your baby returns to his birth weight
by two weeks. An average weight gain after that is 1
ounce (30 g) per day until around 4 months of age.
• iaper output. By the middle of his first week of
D
life (day 3-4), your baby should be having at least
3 bowel movements a day the size of the “okay”
circle you make with your thumb and forefinger. It is
only after 6-8 weeks that some babies switch to less
frequent but larger bowel movements
• Your breasts. Your nipples are comfortable and
your breasts noticeably soften after most nursing
sessions.
• ursing behavior. Usually your baby has open
N
eyes when the feed starts, has periods of slow sucks
with regular pauses which indicate the swallowing of
milk (may be audible), and falls asleep or otherwise
appears content after most nursing sessions.
• Baby’s appearance. Your baby is alert and active,
appears healthy, has good color, firm skin, and is
growing in length and head circumference.
Myth 9: The mother should not be a pacifier for the baby.
Fact: Comforting and meeting sucking needs at the breast is
nature’s original design. Pacifiers (dummies, soothers) are literally a
substitute for the mother when she can’t be available. Breastfeeding
is designed to provide more than nutrition: nursing also provides a
baby with security and comfort, positive hormonal releases, bonding
and attachment, oral-facial and visual development, avoidance of
nipple confusion, and stimulation of an adequate milk supply.
Myth 10: If the mother has an infection she should
stop breastfeeding.
Fact: With very few exceptions, the mother’s continued breastfeeding
will actually protect the baby. By the time the mother has symptoms,
such as a fever, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, etc, she has likely
already given the baby the infection. If the baby does get sick,
he will be less sick if the mother continues breastfeeding. Also,
mastitis (breast inflammation), though painful, is not a reason to stop
breastfeeding. Mastitis will worsen if milk is not removed from the
affected breast, so frequent nursing is part of the treatment.
Resources:
Common Breastfeeding Myths from La Leche League International, http://www.llli.org/NB/LVAprMay98p21NB.html
Some Breastfeeding Myths, Handout #11, by Dr. Jack Newman, http://www.kellymom.com/newman/11some_bf_myths.html
Did you know breastfeeding
challenges can be overcome
with proper assistance?
La Leche League provides information, encouragement
and support for women choosing to nurse.
Attend Our Free Series Meetings
Second Saturday of
each month at 10:30am
First Floor Conference Room
King Edward VII Memorial Hospital
For breastfeeding help, call 236-1120,
email [email protected]
or visit us on Facbook at
La Leche League of Bermuda
Bermuda Parent ||| 11