Live Web Chat on Thursday: ‘Ask the Expert’ all about Breastfeeding

Hi everyone. Thanks for joining us. Today we’re asking the Experts about Breastfeeding. Joining us to answer your questions are Amber Chandler of Breastfeeding Mamas – a Peninsula (and beyond) support group for breastfeeding mothers …

and Angela Burton, a certified lactation consultant who is also a La Leche leader. Together they can answer all your questions about breastfeeding. Welcome. Angela and Amber please let us know when you’re signed in.

Hi Prue, Angela here

hi prue..amber her

Before we take readers’ questions, could you tell people some of the advantages of breastfeeding. Why should people breastfeed?

Yes, certainly. Human milk is perfectlky designed for human babies…

There are so many benefits to breastfeeding…too many to list. The first and most important one is that it is tailor made for your baby. There are health benefits to both mother and child

What specific health benefits are there?

It has just the right amount of proteins, fats and carbs that babies need to grow and develop to their full physical potential…

It is a live substance that contains many important components that cannot be found anywhere else…only in breast milk

It has specific disease-fighting immune factors that help prevent gastro-intestinal, respiratory and bacterial infections…

I have also heard that it prevents obesity later in life. Is there any truth to that?

It decreases certain cancers in women…linked to lower chances of childhood obesity…lower chances of diabetes…all major concerns of todays soceity

breastfed babies have fewer ear infections, colds, and diarrea.

Re pregnancy: yes you can become pregnant while breastfeeding…

Breastfeeding generally does slow down the return of your period…some women i know have gone over 18 months without one. it doesnt mean that you wont get pregnant but it does lower your chances…exclusively bf

Readers: We are talking about breastfeeding with 2 experts on the subject. Ask your questions now.

if it hurts, something is probably wrong. Breastfeeding should not hurt.

Soreness- make sure baby has a deep enough latch- not just the nipple…

What are the most common problems that women encounter with breastfeeding?

after giving birth, your nipples are generally extra sensitive due to hormones released. This is supposed to help you better establish a latch. Nipple to nose and chin up is the ideal positioning

Readers: Look for a story on the support group Breastfeeding Mamas in Sunday’s Good Life section of the Daily Press – June 17.

and check that baby’s tongue is over the bottom gum. baby’s lips should be turned outward, not sucked in, an baby needs to have a very wide open mouth before latching…

How long to breastfeed…

you should bf for as long as you feel comfortable doing it. It is recommended to exclusively bf for the first six months and at least 1 year by the AAP. The World Health Organization and Unicef recommend a minimum of two years. Any amount of breast milk is better than none

AAP reccommends at least 1 year, with 1st 6 months exclusive

the aap actually recommends bf for as long as mutually desired by mother and child

Do you think there is a time when it’s too long to breastfeed? when a child is too old?

Is there a time when the benefits are no longer there and it’s just habit?

There is no upper limit on breastfeeding age, just when it’s no longer comfortable for mom or child

i personally feel like that is a choice left up to mother and child…many older children tend to nurse only at nap and bed time. across the world, it is normal to see children bf up to 7 years.

Readers: We are talking with Angela Burton, a lactation consultant and leader of La Leche; and Amber Chandler, a peer counselor with Breastfeeding Mamsas.

Generally speaking on getting enough milk, you keep a watch on the number of wet and poopy diapers and also weight gain. bf babies grow on a different curve than formula fed ones do

It’s a good habit, since mom’s milk still has the disease-fighting and nutritional factors in it that help the child stay healthy and grow well.

breast milk much like broccoli, does not lose its nutrional value

Baby getting enough? watch diapers and weight gain…

6-8 wet and 4+ dirty in the first weeks…

as far as foods to avoid…you can pretty much eat anything while nursing. You do want to limit the foods that would be high in mercury

Average weight gain in bf baby in first weeks, after milk comes in, 5-8oz.

Bottle use…

many moms combine bottle & brast so that they can return to work/school

Foods…

it is ok to use a bottle during the day but you generally dont want to introduce a bottle until bf is well established. This is generally at least 6-8 weeks in. When feeding from a bottle, you should pace feed which supports the bf relationship. When you introduce a bottle to early, it can interfere with your supply and lead to issues with nipple confusion

There are no foods that moms absolutely can’t eat, but some babies are sensitive to some foods…

dairy soy and wheat are the most common

How often should you weigh the baby to see how it’s doing?

Weight checks…

this is generally done at the docs office and they will let you know when they have concerns. if they are concerned, they will bring you in regularly to do weight checks. If you feel baby isnt growing right or getting enough, you can ask to have one done or seek the help of a lc who can do them for you

Readers: We have just a few more minutes for you to ask your questions of our breastfeeding experts. The chat ends at 11 a.m. Amber and Angela have answers to every possible question on the topic!

at first, I like to see a weekly weight check until baby is gaining…

By lc you mean lactation counselor?

this might be only one if baby gains quickly, or more if there is no gain in the first week. Weight gain should start soon after mom’s milk increases, around day 3-5

there is no schedule for nursing. as a general rule, nursing should be taking place every two to three hours (8-12 times per day). when you have a newborn, they can nurse much more often than that and more often during each growth spurt

lc laction consultant. this is what Ms Angela Burton is…an ibclc

to establish a good milk supply and ensure baby’s growth, most babies need to nurse 10-12 times/day

when feeding little one, there is no schedule. on demand feeding is best for supply and best for babe

Nurse on baby’s cue…

most babies will find their own schedule, and later can adjust to yours

babies root, they put their hands to mouth crying is a late indicator. you should not wait for crying

feeding cues…

moving into light sleep, mouving mouth in sucking motion, hands to mouth, squirming, as Amber said, crying is a late cue

you have the most milk in the morning. you can pump after nursing at that time. you can also pump while nursing

Is there a good source/site the reader who is having trouble pumping milk can go to?

we regularly use kellymom.com. it is a great resource in general for any breastfeeding mother. dr sears also has a tip list for successful pumping

Readers: Thank you for your participation. The chat will be available in our archive at www.dailypress.com/health and excerpts will be published in the paper.

For daily updated health news, go to www.dailypress.com/healthnotes. Look for the story on Breastfeeding Mamas in this Sunday’s edition of the Daily Press.

Thanks for having us…please join our bf support group for further answers to your questions and support
www.facebook.com/groups/breastfeedingmamas

another website www.pumpingmoms.org

Amber and Angela — Could you answer that last question and then give contact information for your groups. Thanks very much.

You are always making milk…

you will make more milk, the more you remove

i pumped for a very long time. i found there was always milk for baby after pumping but not always milk for pumping after nursing. The pump is much less efficient at removing milk than the baby. Your breasts are like a factory…always in production and the more stimulation the more they will produce

so true amber

angela burton…please give out your practice info as well

Thanks so much Amber and Angela. After you give your contact info I’ll close the chat.

the information for our support group is

www.facebook.com/groups/breastfeedingmamas

if you are not on facebook, please feel free to email us at
[email protected]

good luck!!!!!!!

please do join breastfeeding mams on facebook.
also, La Leche League Hampton Roads
Angela Burton IBCLC 876-5144

Thanks very much. Bye.

Bye