Simply Peggy's Mommies-N-Babies Page

If you are breastfeeding or know someone that is, you should read this!

This information is mainly going to help you get through your baby's growth spurts. And believe me: You will be glad that you read this when that time comes!

Here are some things that  no one  told me about breastfeeding but I wish they had!

Had I known of them, my son would've been breastfed longer and he and I both would've been spared a lot of stress and many tears (his and mine!).

This time around,with  little Miss Zoey,it  is so much easier and a relaxing experience. She is one happy fat baby, and I've got plenty of milk to feed her :-)

First of:

there is no such thing as "running out of milk".

It is a supply and demand situation.

The more you latch your child on to your breasts, the more milk you will produce.

What you absolutely MUST DO from the first day that you are nursing  to keep up your supply and your baby  happy (as well as yourself sane) during a growth spurt  is the following:

PUMP!

PUMP!!

PUMP!!!

and freeze!!!!

I suggest that you pump and freeze every morning, because that is usually the time of day that you will have the most amount available.

Having breastmilk in the freezer will prevent you from giving up on breastfeeding, out of fear that your baby is not getting enough.

When you can tell that your child is going through a growth spurt because your supply has lessened, compared to the demand , go ahead and feed your baby a bottle of  your frozen breastmilk. 

BUT you MUST pump directly (about 15 min later) after having fed him/her a bottle, to let your body know that it must produce more.

You need to pump 15 minutes per breast.

I strongly recommend that you purchase a breast pump BEFORE you deliver your child.

I am forever grateful that my "sister in law" Amy sent me mine when she did. Because of complications that both the baby and I had to endure during and after labor, I was unable to nurse her until she was 2 weeks old. She was formula fed until then, and it nearly killed me that I had to pump and dump my precious colostrum.

This brings me to my next  piece of advice!

Have Daddy, or another family member, feed the Baby the frozen breastmilk in the bottle (at least) once a day to let it get acquainted with it. This way it will accept - and not reject-  the bottle during a growth spurt.But remember: you have to pump. You should try do it while he/she is being bottle fed, just to be "in sync" with your baby's feeding times.

YOU SHOULD NEVER GIVE THE BOTTLE IF YOU CANNOT PUMP TO MAKE UP FOR IT.

At first, you will probably be dissapointed at the little amount that you are pumping, but it's one of the greatest feelings when you see it become more and more each day. It lets you actually SEE that you are producing your child's milk. This will make you feel much more confident and relaxed about being able to nurse your baby :-)

Something else that will help put your mind at ease, is to have a baby scale on which you can monitor your baby's weight gain.

So, lets make a list of the things you will need and preferrably already have ready when you bring your child home.

Must-haves:

Breast Pump - one that pumps both breasts at the same time will cut the time you spend on pumping in half

Breastmilk Bags - to store and freeze breastmilk

Bottles

Nipples for bottles -  the kind that are shaped like a breast's nipple

Nursing Pillow - to support your arm(s) while nursing

Nursing Cover - so that you may breastfeed in public without exposing yourself to everyone

What would be nice to have:

Rocking Chair and Ottoman - you and Baby will spend A LOT of time nursing..so, you MUST be comfortable!

Baby scale - to monitor baby's weight gain and put your mind at ease

CHECK MY "MUST-HAVES!" PAGE FOR THE ITEMS I HAVE AND ABSOLUTELY LOVE AND RECOMMEND!

WHO you should contact if you are experiencing difficulties:

Lactation Consultant - your OB/GYN or Pediatrician should be able to provide you with the name and contact info of one

I wish you much success!