1. Always remember the number one rule for keeping the breast milk flowing – regular and frequent feedings
The more often you allow your baby to suck, the more milk is produced and released. Note that its is the frequency rather than the duration of a feeding that will increase the amount of your breast milk. If there are times when you appear to have too much breast milk, do not cut down on the feedings. What you should do is express the milk. Place it in bottles or freeze it.

2. Avoid stress
If you are stressed it may reduce the amount of milk you can produce. You may also pass it on to your baby. A stressed baby may fuss too much, be upset and not latch properly.

3. Always be comfortable when you breast feed
If you are at ease and you and the baby are relaxed both physically and mentally, you both will have little difficulty in remaining nursing longer. If you cannot sit still because the position or environment is discomfiting, the breast feeding experience will not be long enough to encourage milk production.

4. Do not hurry
Take your time when you feed your baby. Make sure you do not have to rush. If you can sit and enjoy nursing, then the baby will latch longer and more frequently. This, again, results in continued milk production.

5. When you are sitting, drop your shoulders, breath in then out and relax as you place your baby to your breast
Keep your shoulders and arms loose during feeding. Throughout the session breathe slowly and regularly.

6. If you wish to ensure milk production, make sure your baby is latching onto your breast properly
He or she must encompass the nipple, with the lower jaw enclosing the areola.

7. You may help yourself and the flow of milk through visualization
Mentally focus on the milk flowing into your breast.

8. Drink
It may help if you have a glass of juice or water nearby to sip on while you breast feed.

9. Remove all distractions so you can focus on the task of breast feeding your child
Not only does this help you bond with your child and create a breast feeding team, it will help you devote the right type of time and attention to the feeding. Inform everybody to leave you alone until afterwards. Do remember to turn off the phone. Leave all your technological gadgets behind. Avoid, turn off or remove any item or object that will distract you from breast feeding.

10. It may help the production of milk if you avoid certain foods or drinks
In general, do not consume anything that you are sensitive to. If it causes a reaction within your body, it will effect milk promotion.

11. Do not use certain medications if you are breast feeding
Some do impair milk production. Laxatives and diuretics are 2 common types of non prescription drugs that can affect your milk flow. The Pill and several antibiotics are prescription drugs who also interfere with milk production. Penicillin remains safe for use, but not if a precondition to allergy exists. Acetaminophen is acceptable but aspirin is not recommended. If you have a cough or cold, avoid antihistamines. Not only can they make your baby fussy and sleepy, they can inhibit milk production. Always talk to your medical professional before you ingest or continue to take a specific drug or medication while you are breast feeding.

12. You may also want to try some harmless herbal or natural ingredients to encourage milk production
One such recommended substance is fenugreek. It is harmless. You can drink it in tea form or purchase it as a capsule in many health food stores. Blessed thistle is another herb with purported milk enhancing qualities. You can find it in capsule form, as well. Be sure you are not allergic to these substances. Also be aware that they, like any other herb, or natural or manufactured substance can cause side-effects.

13. Lastly, you can consider a pharmaceutical product to help you produce enough milk or, at least, to stimulate milk production at the beginning
Check with your doctor before you try any of the medications recommended for this purpose. A common drug for this purpose has been domperidone. Although it has not been specifically designed or intended for augmenting breast milk production, the American Academy of Pediatrics has approved of its usage in this particular instance. Do not forget, however, that side-effects have been recorded in the use of this and other milk-inducing drugs.

If you have any questions about your milk production you can always act your doctor. Alternatively, you can figure the amounts out by using a breast pump. Use an electric milk pump to remove the milk instead of nursing. Pump each breast individually or one breast twice. The total pumping time should be between 20 to 25 minutes. The exception is a double-breast pumping kit. Time would, therefore, be around half – 12 to 15 minutes. Feed this milk to your infant.

After 2 hours, pump again. Measure the amount collected then multiply it by 12. This provides you with an estimate of your daily production rate. Compare it to the expected rate for your baby’s age and weight. Charts are available from your doctor and in several books on the subject of breast feeding.

Remember there are many different factors involved in your ongoing production of breast milk for your baby. You are not doing this alone. There are both external and interior factors that impact upon your ability to keep the milk flowing. Be sure you consider all possibilities to ensure the supply of breast milk continues to feed your baby and help him or her thrive.

Breast Feeding Tips – Stress Free

Stress interferes with the flow of milk. If either you or your baby are stressed out, problems will ensue. You will not be able to concentrate on the task at hand. The bay and you may become fretful. In fact, a stressed out infant may even refuse to suck. This, in turn, will throw off your milk removal and production system. Your breasts may become engorged and sore; your baby hungry and irritable.

Find a place where you and your baby can relax. It must be comfortable physically and emotionally stress-free. Try to avoid anything that may upset you during the period just before you feed your baby. If you find this is not always possible, try meditating or taking a few minutes to gather yourself before you start to breast feed. Think of the pleasure breast feeding gives you. Focus on the positive aspects of your life and start the act of breast feeding with this or these concepts in mind.

Breast Feeding Tips- Peaceful Setting

Create the perfect spot for breast feeding your baby. Decide before hand what you need and want to create the place. Set the scene. If you want, incorporate all types of pleasurable and relaxing elements. These can include music, cushions, a beverage, a video and scents. It all depends upon your particular tastes. It also relies on what your baby needs and enjoys. While you may find heavy metal conducive to your frame of mind, the infant may prefer something a lot softer and easier on his or her ears.

If you find pleasure sitting at the window watching the world go by, do so. If you need a large chair or prefer cushions or even the bed, do so. Do have a drink on hand. You will need it. Do make yourself comfortable and do relax.

Breast Feeding Tips – Comfortable Position

You can be stress free and have a perfectly peaceful setting and still not be comfortable. Comfort is essential if you are to enjoy the breast feeding experience. If you are not comfortable, you will not want to breast feed. You will be annoyed. You may even eventually abandon the process and opt for bottle or formula feeding.

To be comfortable when you breast feed requires good or even excellent back support. This does not mean something rigid and hard. It also means you need to avoid the type of cushions an ancient story-book pasha and his harem would have envied. You need to be able to support your baby while your back does not suffer from any form of stress or strain. A simple chair is better than a couch. An armchair often provides the right combination of comfort and support. Yet, no matter how comfortable the chair is, you may not be comfortable if you cannot find the right way to hold your infant.

To discover the correct – for you, hold, you can try several positions. You will need to experiment with them to see which is right for your body and for your baby. Try the various types before you actually have the child. In this manner, you will have some familiarity with them. You may also realize which seems to be the most comfortable and which one works for you.

The purpose of the position is to allow the baby to easily latch on to your breast. The baby must be able to grab hold of the breast with a wide-open mouth. The mouth must be positioned so his or her lower gum is well below the base of the nipple on the areola. It is essential if the baby is to comfortably suck and achieve maximum milk withdrawal that he or she be able to latch in this manner.

The most basic position for maximum comfort and latching is the cradle or cuddle hold. You hold the baby tucked so he or she is tucked under your arm. The head is cradled at the front and the feet are back under your arm. This allows the baby to reach and suck on your breast. The cradle hold is the classic position for breast feeding. It may not, however, work for you and your baby. Some have trouble manipulating or positioning the baby’s head. This is particularly true for the early or first days of breast feeding. In such instances, it is better to adopt one of the other holding positions.

The cross-over hold is one option. You use one or two cushions. Place these on your lap. Make sure the cushions are high enough to allow the infant easy access to your breast. Put your infant on the cushions somewhat on the his or her side, facing towards your body. Hold the baby using your one hand and your non-dominant arm from the wrist to the elbow to support the head. Your hand should rest between the baby’s shoulder blades while it supports the back of the head. Your thumb will reside just below one ear while your fingers will be behind the other ear. Tip the head back slightly. This should bring the nose in alignment with the breast. Manipulate the breast into the ideal shape for sucking, stimulate the baby’s rooting sensation then place him or her to your breast. This method is more effective for small infants.

The football hold is another option for comfortable and successful breast feeding. As with all other types, you need to sit yourself down comfortably. You will require a pillow upon which to place your arm. The baby will be facing you in a semi-sitting position. The arm closest to the infant will support the back. The hand will hold up the head and neck. Your thumb and fingers will support the ears. You will position the head for easy access to the breast for latching – adopting identical methods to the cross-over position with the nose in front of the nipple.

The football hold is readily employed when

1. You have had a Caesarean section and wish to avoid direct contact between the baby and your tender abdomen
2. You have large breasts.
3. The baby is very small, particularly true if the infant is premature.
4. You find yourself with twins.

 Another common holding position is the side-lying position. As the name indicates, you and your infant lie on your sides. Your tummy connects with his or her tummy. You place your finger beneath your breast. You use the finger to elevate the breast, meanwhile pulling the baby close so he or she can latch on. This method is easier if the baby is 4 to 6 weeks old. The baby can then find and root with little assistance.

The side-lying position is most commonly used by woman when

1. You have had a Caesarean but are flat.
2. You do not feel comfortable in a sitting position.
3. You require help when you are trying to get your baby to latch.
4. Your infant is sleepy. He or she is reluctant to latch on and seems unable to stay awake for very long.
5. You are doing night feeding.

Breast Feeding Tips – No Interruptions, Please

Breast feeding is mom and baby time. Especially at the beginning of the process, you will need to feed without interruptions or disturbances. If necessary, place yourself in a room and hang a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door. Make sure your family and well-meaning friends and acquaintances know and understand this is your time to be alone with the baby. They can visit and make a fuss over the infant at another time.

Turn off the phone and cell phone. Do not bring your Blackberry or other electronic device into this space with you unless it provides you with comfortable or soothing music or words. You need to focus on creating a solid relationship with your baby. You can handle other so-called emergencies outside of this small world, after you have breast fed.

Being comfortable is essential if both you and your infant are to enjoy the time you spend breast feeding. If you cannot focus because of phones, loud noises or the demands of others, you will not enjoy the time with your baby. You need to create a comfortable place where only you and the baby can go. Your partner may be welcome, but may be not for the entire session. This is between you and your baby. On the other hand, if having your partner or family members present adds to your comfort level, include them. This is, after all, about making the experience a pleasurable one. If having your partner around is as essential to you as a comfortable chair and music, include him or her on your list of essential items.

You can be certain of 2 things. Your baby knows he is hungry and wants to eat. You know you want to feed your baby. The two of you have to meet on this common ground. The question is how? The answer is to make sure the feeding process is baby and not mother led.

Baby led breast feeding is directed towards feeding the baby when he or she exhibits hunger signals. You do not try to make the baby’s needs fit into your schedule. You do not set up some mandatory feeding plan from which you never veer. Instead, you arrange your schedule to adapt to your baby’s needs. This does not mean you cannot accommodate your own needs and plans. You will, however, need to shift your plans and your baby’s needs to create a harmonious compromise in line with the demands of hunger. In this way, you have less problems with milk production. Therefore, your baby will receive enough nutrition and the milk train will keep on rolling.

The process of baby-led feeding is particularly important during the first 48 hours. During this period, feeding gives you time and help you to learn your baby’s feeding cues. These are crucial of you want to create a baby-mommy team. The first priority, therefore, is to recognize during the first weeks the signs of hunger your baby will exhibit. Become aware of specific indications of his or her need. These include the following signs:

• Wriggling
  The baby will move his or her legs and arms around.
• Head movements
  The infant moves the head from side-to-side searching for you and your breast. This can take place even though he or she is already on your lap or in your arms.

• Fingers
  The child will place the fingers in the mouth.

If you see your baby exhibiting any of these early signs, pick him or her up and place to your breast. If you fail to recognize the indications of hunger, the baby will become more and more distressed. As a result, specific stress cues of hunger will become obvious. Your baby may

• Fuss
  Your baby will fuss about while making squeaking sounds.
• Wriggle
  The wriggling will increase.
• Cries
  The infant will start to utter sharp, short cries.
• Vocalization
  The cries will increase in volume, becoming louder. The baby will scream until he or she is red in the face.

The signs are not always clearly seen. You can miss or ignore them if you are not near by. You have to be close to your child to see the indications of hunger. If you miss the cues, you throw the pattern of milk production, delivery and expressing off. As a result, you may decrease overall milk production.

Being aware of your baby’s needs helps you to establish a rhythm in your feeding. You develop a pattern – part of a dance. Think of it as a performing art in which you and the baby operate as one unit. Become aware of the other’s needs and note the changes as he or she develops. In the initial stages, after colostrum and as the baby reaches its birth rate, he or she will develop a natural feeding and sleeping pattern. As the infant grows and continues to feed, the choreography of the dance will eventually alter.

The baby will develop feeding clusters. After sleeping he or she will awake full of energy and ready to breast feed. Sometimes the baby will require several cluster feedings. These power feedings are frequently in the evenings and afternoons. You and your body will adjust. You will become aware of the other’s needs and your need to relieve your breast of milk. Becoming in tune with your baby’s requirements and yours will help you become a baby team.

What also helps form you and baby into a team is the onset of the moth-baby dialogue. Rarely does a mother simply sit and feed her infant. A pattern of physical and emotional bonding is occurring during breast feeding. It is the perfect time for mother and child to establish a tie. You will do so, hopefully unconsciously, by stroking the infant. You will touch and stroke his or her fine soft hair. You will find yourself turning out the rest of your world, slowing down and focusing only on this moment in time.

While holding your baby to your breast, stop and consider the position. Look down at this small bundle of humanity. How are you holding him or her? Is she or he wriggling in your arms in an attempt to get closer? Is the baby burrowing further into your body as he or she latches onto your breast?

Now, listen to your infant’s breath. Hear the rhythm he or she makes as they gulp and swallow. Feel the strong tug of their tiny mouth on your firm breast. Enjoy the sensation as the milk flows naturally from your body. Luxuriate in the touch of the baby’s small hands as they curve against your body and the snuggling and wriggling of this little body against yours.

Besides the signs your baby provides, you have to also listen to your indications. While you may love feeding your baby, there are times when you need to escape. Sometimes, due to circumstance, you have to leave your child during breast feeding times. Often, you are working or taking care of other affairs. At other times, you just need time to yourself. This is not unnatural. It is also not a crime, a sin or abandonment. You can also turn your break from breast feeding into an opportunity. This will allow your partner some time alone with the baby. He or she can bond with the infant by feeding him or her. However, if you want to be away from your child during breast feeding times and still ensure that he or she is breast fed, you need to provide the necessary nourishment.

In order to do this, you will have to express or pump your breast milk. For this, you will require a breast pump in some shape or form. It can be electric, hand or foot operated. The breast pump should be something you can operate freely and easily without any pain to your breasts.

The pumping process also requires containers for storage and equipment for their sterilization. All are available online or at various specialty shops or major outlets. Be sure to purchase at least 3 to 4 bottles with nipples as well as several freezer bags. These should be sufficient to allow you to pump and store milk. You may also want to purchase some stickers or labels. You can, therefore date them. You can also label them with the contents thus preventing mistaken use.

You can pump milk when you have excess. You can also remove some prior to and following a feeding. In fact, the best time to extract milk if after you have fed the infant. If you feel full at any time, get out the pump and remove the milk. The pumping action will stimulate further milk production. In fact, if you are away for longer than 3 or 4 hours, you will need to use the pump. In doing so, you will prevent engorgement. Be sure to remove the equivalent of at least 3 to 4 ounces per feeding time.

As you continue to breast feed, you will establish a rhythm. Both you and your child will fall into the optimum position and comfort level for the dance. The desire to meet the baby’s requirements, the action of placing your baby to your breast, your awareness of the flow and tingle of the milk ejection reflex, followed by a sense of satisfaction and even completeness as your infant sucks at your breast is part of your new steps as a mother. By recognizing and responding to the hunger cues of your baby and through taking your own needs into consideration, both you and your infant will soon be able to develop a compatible bond. You will forge a breast feeding team.

Be sure you really want to breast feed. Do not lie to yourself. If you have any doubts at all, it can effect the enjoyment of the event. It may also negatively impact upon the frequency in feeding and your ability to produce milk.

You need to commit yourself to breast feeding. You cannot enter it in a half hearted matter. Once you decide to breast feed, be sure you approach it in a positive and reaffirming manner.

Be aware that not everybody will approve of your decision. In public and private some individuals do not see breast feeding in the same light that you do. Are you able to handle and shrug off the criticism?

Are you flexible and patient? Breast feeding can be demanding. It requires adjustments on your behalf. Your time may not be your own. Can you adapt to the changes in your schedule. Your hours, let alone your days, weeks and months, are no longer your own.

Be sure you have your partner behind you. You do not need any flack from your nearest and dearest. You need both their support and encouragement. Talk to him or her about your decision both before and after your decision. Discuss the pros and cons as well as why you prefer to breast feed over the alternatives. Accept his opinion and discuss it honestly. Remember it is not only your life that breast feeding may effect.

When you choose your doctor, midwife or other practitioner, be aware of their own prejudices and opinions. Try to opt for someone who is well-qualified and does not denigrate your decision. The professionals do not have to agree with your stance, but the advice they give you on all matters should be helpful and respectful. They should not ignore your choice or press their preference upon you. At the same time, you must listen to any justifiable objections they offer.

Surround yourself with friends and family members who are breast feeding positive. If they do not approve, and many will not, at least have them to agree to disagree and leave it at that.

Take the time to look around for various support groups. If you are a single mother, they may help you maintain your composure and sanity during the difficult times. If you are in a relationship, it is still good to have someone who understand you and your situation. Talk with your friends about possible groups and associations they found or find helpful. See if your area has some type of breast feeding support group. Look for a local lactation consultant. Talk to other new parents.

While you cannot actually practice breast feeding, you can make some preparation for the event. Take advantage of the time before you give birth to learn more about your body. Make a list of what you can do prior to the event. Do explore the possibilities of what you can do before your newborn arrives. It will help to make the experience more pleasurable for all the parties involved.

Breast Feeding Equipment – Pump, Presser or Expresser

One of the most common items you might want to purchase is a pump, presser or expresser. This piece of equipment is used to express milk from your breasts for storage and/or later use. If you want to go back to work, you will need a breast milk pump. If you want to retain your sanity, you will require a breast pump. A breast pump allows you to spend some time away from your baby while still providing him or her with your breast milk.

There are a variety of breast pumps from which to choose. You can pick an electric pump, a hand operated version or a foot model. It is a personal choice. Whatever works for you.

Breast Feeding Equipment – Bottles

In addition, if you decide to press your milk, you will require several other objects. You will need several bottles in which to press the milk. These will require nipples or teats. You may also want several bags if you plant to freeze the breast milk. Furthermore, to ensure the milk retains its purity, you will have to have sterilizing equipment.

Breast Feeding Equipment – Nursing Bar

Clothing is another item you need to consider purchasing. This is not the pregnancy or nursing outfits, although you can opt to buy them. What you will need is a nursing bra. It is good to have 3 or 4 bras. Be sure you obtain the right size and shape. Remember the bra size may fluctuate during the breast feeding process. Be sure they provide both comfort and convenience.

Breast Feeding Equipment – Breast Pads and Shields

In addition to the bras, you may need both breast pads and shields. The pads will stop you from lactating into and staining your clothing. The shields are to cover the nipples as well. Shields help protect your sensitive nipples from rubbing or harm. You can also purchase a breast shell to help your breast and its nipple can meet the needs of your baby’s latching demands.

Breast Feeding Equipment – Other Items

There are other items you may want to purchase in preparation for birth and breast feeding. You might feel it is necessary to get pillow supports or cushions to help you become comfortable while you feed your baby. Nipple cream may be a purchase, if you believe you will need its help in keeping your breasts in perfect functioning condition. There are even chairs touted as breast feeding chairs.

If you feel you need an specific piece of breast feeding equipment, talk to your doctor, first. Speak to others who may be helpful and knowledgeable in the area. Go online and see what they offer. There are different sites that offer advice and/or sell specific breast feeding related products.

Your one hand should be at your feeding breast with the nipple thurst out with the help of your fingers and thumb of your that hand. The child learns to suck the milk soon by the breast’s nipple. Keep the child’s nose clear from any obstruction so that he or she breathes well.

The new-born does not require much milk in the beginning. Till he or she develops appetite for milk to the full, feed him or her with warm water through a disinfected bottle. In the first week after the delivery, the duration of breast-feeding your child should never exceed 5 minutes. From the second week, when the child has learnt to suck milk properly and has fully developed appetite, you can increase the duration to ten minutes or till the child is satisfied. Sometimes the child may bite at your nipples in irritation. It would mean that either the positioning of the child is not correct or there is some disturbance in the milk flow. Before feeding your child it is advisable to clean your nipple by water or a wet towel, especially during summers or rainy season when you sweat more.

All through the breast-feeding period the mother should wear a sturdy brassier to support her breasts properly. These days there is a special’ ‘mother’s breassier” available in the market which is ideal for this purpose.

Also make sure that the child belches after having milk otherwise this trapped wind creates digestive problems. There are two ways of making him or her belch. By making him sit against the pillow to pressurise his or her stomach to belch air through his mouth and by holding, the child against your shoulder.

Breasts secrete milk, a nature’s way of feeding the newborn. It is natural, instantly available and a complete food.

It is safe, inexpensive, right in composition and temperature, easily digestible and contains antibodies which protect the baby against infection and allergies.

Close contact of the baby with the mother while feeding, creates security, and comfort for the child and fulfilment for the mother. Breast-feeding can thus be a mutually satisfying emotional experience. To many women, not having breast-fed their babies is a great disappointment.

Milk is produced by the cells lining the alveoli in the breast gland. During the course of pregnancy, hormones from the ovary and placenta, inhibit milk production. After delivery, these hormones rapidly decrease and when the baby suckles, the nerves in the nipple which are stimulated, send impulses and stimulate the pituitary gland (anterior pituitary) situated in the brain to release a hormone called prolactin in the blood which in turn stimulates cells to produce milk. Another hormone from the pituitary (posterior pituitary) called oxytocin is also secreted in the blood as the nipple is stimulated by suckling, which makes the contractile cells around the gland con­tract and squeeze milk from the cells into the milk ducts. It is called “let down reflex”. The more the breast is sucked, the more hormones and therefore, milk are produced. Suckling, therefore, is the natural stimulant fur milk production.

The dilated portion of milk ducts behind the areola before ending into the nipple act as reservoirs where milk is stored. The muscles in the nipple and under the areola prevent overflow. These muscles relax when the baby suckles; and allow the milk to flow from the reservoirs into the baby’s mouth. Milk can also be expressed manually.

A thin yellow milk called Colostrum, is produced for the first two days. It is nutritious, rich in protein, minerals and vitamins and contains maximum antibodies which protect baby from infection and facilitate the passage of meconium (the greenish black viscid stools of the newborn). Milk starts flowing from the third or fourth day  and breasts feel full with the “come in” of the milk.

Clean nipples and areola with water, and dry, as part of personal hygiene. Do not use soap or rub heavily with towel; it takes away the natural lubricant.

Sometimes there is pain in the whole breast or just in the nipples. A well fitting brassiere worn all 24 hours may provide relief. Application of warmth also relieves these symptoms.

During pregnancy and lactation when the breasts become heavier, a well fitting brassiere must be worn, to support ligaments. It also avoids stretching of the skin of the breasts and thus prevents sagging. A brassiere with a front fastener will be most suitable, during lactation period.

It is essential to relax and be cheerful during pregnancy and lactation. Any stress, emotional or otherwise may disturb milk secretion.

A ‘balanced diet’ which provides not only more calories and proteins but also iron, calcium and vitamins is a must. A little more than the normal diet including green vegetables and fruits with suf11cient quantities of water and other liquids will ensure adequate milk supply.

Related Post:

Breast Care During Pregnancy

There are many erroneous notions about the ‘advantages’ of continuing breast-feeding like if it is continued, the woman will not menstruate, and that even if she does, normal breast-feeding can continue. Despite the prevalence of this belief, if, as often happens, the mother or the child experiences discomfort on the first or the second day of menstruation, breast­feeding must be discontinued at once, and bottle-feeding should be substituted.

The best and most convenient time for weaning is when the baby is eight to ten months old. Breast-feeding is no longer advantageous beyond that time, as the nutritional requirements of the baby increase and the supply of milk decreases around that time.