Hi Mummies,
Just want to share some tips on bfeeding to u all
Hope it will come in handy:
To my experience, u need to get the pump before baby comes out. At least a good single electric pump or a good manual pump. Best is the dual Medela pump. A lot of mummies swear it makes a difference when u have a good pump in hand. If cannot afford, look out for second hands. The 1st month is very very important. it is the only time u can build up your supply. After the 1st month, i'll take 1 or 2 months times to increase supply and very tough. Having a pump in hand will help heaps. During the 1st month we will experience lots of engorgements. This is the chance for us to latch and pump (around 2 hours apart) to increase supply. Read that at evening, we may need to even do it hourly as suplly will be lower at this time compared to morning. Ways of encouraging supply during the first month includes:
1) While latching on one side, pump on the other side at the same time. Is a way of telling the brain u have twins to feed. The brain will adjust the supply accodingly.
2) When baby finished sucking (either 1 or 2 sides), pump and access milk (bear in mind that the hind milk will come in doplets form and not spraying form - pump and squeeze till no more drips). If there is another let down (a tinggling sensation), milk will come out as fountain again
3) When pumping, it's better to squeeze of massage the breast to yeild more milk. For me, because supply is always at the border line, I have to squeeze every single time when I pump, else I won't have enough for baby.
4) Be positive and relax. Keep telling yourself milk is coming and is enough. Negative thoughts and worries will reduce milk supply.
5) Drinking hot drinks or soup before pumping can help stimulate milk.
6) Hot tower placed on breast will help relieve engourgement and stimulate milk.
7) Do not drag feedings else u are telling the brain u don't need so much milk. This is how mummies who decided to stop bfeeding do. They will drag the feeding time hourly till no more milk.
8) Always empty your breast fully each feed or pump. It's very important cause u are telling the brain u really need the milk till the very last drop. When I latch my baby, I do not need to squeeze my breasts as bb's suction is the best in stimulating milk. It is the most relaxing method for me in breastfeeding. When the breast is empty, u will feel your breast very light and feels saggy.
9) When u are in the hospital, learn all the 3 technicques of latching on. Craddle hold, football hold and lying down position. All these 3 postions will come in handy when we have engourgements. Aim baby's chin towards the lump. This way it will clear the blockage.
10) After pumping or latching, no need to clean the nipples till next feed. squeeze a little breast milk (not too much, just apply thin layer) and apply it on the nipple. Air it till dry to avoid nipple sourness or problems. Breast milk heals wounds on the nipple if leave to dry. Time to time, u'll need to clean the nipple with olive oil or nipple cream to remove any recedue blockage on the nipple. Apply cream or oil on a facial cotton and wipe the nipples.
11) During the 1st month, its normal that baby need to latch on 1-2 hours apart. They will be times where bb will sleep 2-3 or even 4 hours in a streach. If bb sleeping this long, we have to pump out the milk.
12) How do u know if bb is drinking or just treathing the nipple like a pacifier?
- if u can see bb gulping in rhythym, bb is drinking. If bb is not drinking, its just light or shallow suckling. If bb fell asleep half way, tickle the ear or lower lip or the top of the feet. If still sleeping, try changinf bbs diaper to stimulate bb again.
13) If u experience any problems in nursing, call the lactation consultant for advice. There was one time I had a very painful ulcer on the nipple. The lactation consultant adviced me to break the ulcer with a sterilized needdle. Believe it or not, it works.
Here are some more tips:
1) Bbs early hungry signs: bb smacking lips or putting or rubbing her hands on her mouth. Dont feed only when bb cries, may result in getting sore nipples if latch on a crying bb. Watch out for this early signs to achieve more relaxing latching.
2) Skin to skin contact can calm a bb.
How to know if bb is getting enough milk? - after the 3 or 4th days
- bb would have 3-7 stools (2.5cm or bigger in 24 hours.
- Should gain 170g (6 ounces) per week or 28g (1ounce) a day.
- Minimum 113 - 142g (4-5 ounces) per week
- Bfeed 8-12 times in 24 hours. (during the 1st month) - this is a guide for stimulating supply.
- Cluster feeding can happen in the evening as supply may be lower in the evening.
