Lactation

VPG advocates breast feeding as the most advantageous and natural form of infant nutrition. Our certified lactation consultant can provide expert pre and post partum assistance to help ensure a successful effort.

How to Tell if Your Breastfeeding Baby is Getting Enough

Milk comes in
Initial engorgement occurs 2-4 days after delivery and causes breasts to feel full to firm and warm to the touch. This initial swelling will last 24-36 hours. Nursing the baby 8-12 times in a 24 hour period will reduce the engorgement and ensure good milk supply. Engorgement that persists beyond the first few days after delivery is due to delayed emptying of the breast.

Good latch
Good latch to the breast is essential to avoid sore or cracked nipples. In addition, good latch allows for efficient nursing and establishment of a good milk supply. Babies have a "flutter" suck for stimulating "letdown" and for pacification; very little milk is retrieved with this sick. They also should have a "rhythmic tugging" suck that should be followed by frequent swallow sounds.

Don't watch the clock
Allow your baby to nurse the first breast until the frequent swallow sounds subside and your breast feels soft to the touch. Sometimes this will take only 10 minutes, sometimes 20 minutes or more. The second breast can be offered next if the baby is still hungry. Start with this breast at the next feeding.

Cluster feeds

Cluster feeds, also called "marathon nursing", are due to the limited size of your baby's stomach and the ease with which breast milk digests. It is not unusual for your baby to nurse 3-4 times at one hour intervals then have a 2-3 hour break followed by another cluster of feedings. Feedings are timed from the beginning of one feeding to the beginning of the next feeding. Keep a log of your baby's feedings and diapers to help you assess how well (s)he is doing.

Diapers

Your baby should have 6-8 urine diapers every 24 hours by the time (s)he is one week old. Urine should be clear in color. Dark urine or "brick red" spots in the diaper may indicate your baby is not getting enough milk. Disposable diapers can difficult to assess for urine content. Lining the diaper with a tissue can help you count their wet diapers more easily.

Your baby's stool should turn from black meconium to green transitional and then to yellow milk stool by the time they are five days old. The stool will be thin in consistency and resemble watered down yellow mustard. Often times, breast feed babies will appear to have "seeds" in their poop. This is normal. Frequency of stools may vary from several small stools per day to one to two large ones. The total quantity of stool in a 24 hour period should be at least enough to fill the cupped palm of your hand. Sometimes babies will skip a day or two between poops. This is ok as long as the baby is comfortable., has a soft abdomen, and has a soft, easy to pass poop the next time he or she goes. Stool that has not turned to yellow or is very scant in quantity may indicate that your baby is not getting enough milk.

Let down

Let down or "milk ejection reflex" is a sensation that may occur after 2-3 weeks of breast feeding. Described as tightening, pressure, tingling, or "pins and needles" when your milk begins to flow. It can also be triggered simply by hearing your baby cry or thinking about your baby. Not all women who are breast feeding feel this sensation, but combined with other factors it could mean your milk supply is low.

Weight gain

Your baby should lose no more than 10% of his/her birth weight, regain to birth weight by 2 weeks of age and continue to gain 1/2 to 1 ounce per day after that.

If you are unsure about your milk supply or are concerned about your baby's weight or hydration level, contact the office for advice and a possible weight check.

Our lactation consultant, can help you manage breast feeding problems especially when they are addressed immediately!

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