Hi mummies. Have been on 2 days MC + my #1 was super naughty today so din chat much here. I just briefly scanned through and reply what I can.
BM:
1) How long can we leave the BM capped in the room temp?
Freshly expressed BM = 4 hrs
Frozen BM that is thawed and heated = 1-2 hrs
2) When do we need to freeze the BM? Can we just fridge it?
Fridge can last 48 hrs. Frozen can last up to 3 mths in a seperate compartment freezer & up to 6 mths in a deep freezer.
3) When is the expiry date for the freeze/fridge BM?
Fridge can last 48 hrs. Frozen can last up to 3 mths in a seperate compartment freezer & up to 6 mths in a deep freezer.
4) What is the temp to warm the milk that is suitable for consumption and not damaging the nutrients?
Warm to human temperature is sufficient actually.
5) Usually newborns will sleep a lot, when is time for milk and they are still sleeping, should we wake them up or let them sleep?
There are different schools of thoughts for this. Some say every 3 hrs shld wake for feeding, no more no less, to get a routine. Others say feed on demand as long as its not excessive sleeping (like 4-5 hrs).
6) How do we know if they are latching on sucking milk and not sucking for comfort?
Watch the throat to see if they are swallowing. IMO, some sucking for comfort is ok too as long as not excessive. Helps to increase your supply too.
7) Is 10-15min on each breast enough for them?
BF babies will know when to stop. If they appear satisfied, its fine.
8) If bb finishes drinking one breast, is it necessary to pump the other breast or can we wait till next feed then feed the other breast?
There is no hard and fast answer for this. Depends on whether the breast is overly full or not. If it is, advisable to express some so that it does not become engorged. The other part is whether you want to increase your supply that much from the start. Pumping the other breast is creating an artificial supply which shld increase your supply. Increase supply is good if you do not have sufficient but extreme over supply results in other problems like engorgement and blocked ducts. The other thing to consider is that if your feeding is every 2 hrs and you pump the other side, this tells your body that your baby needs 2 breasts of milk every 2 hrs - can you maintain pumping both breasts every 2 hrs in the long run (esp when you return to work)?
9) Is there a way to lie down latching them on instead of sitting up and carrying them? So we can also rest together mah...
Yes. You can latch your baby whilst lying down. Learn this asap and you really do get more rest. Though if you do this all the time, you have to know how to ensure milk from other parts of the breast are also removed sufficiently as 1 style of feeding removes milk from 1 part of the breast more than others.
10) What should we eat to boost up the milk supply? Drink more liquid or drink more fish soup?
Water is the most important as milk is 70% or more water.
Re: Diapers
I swear by Nepia but I heard Goo.N is very good too. Mamy Poko is very good but on the more expensive side. Pampers is over-rated IMO - quality is not as good as it was long time ago and frankly, it gave my #1 rashes and leaks.
