text: Becoming a new mother is a very exciting time in a woman’s life. Your mother, grandmother, aunts and friends may have given you plenty of advice about breastfeeding, but they may have left out a few things. UnityPoint Clinic is here to fill you in on everything you need to know about breastfeeding.
  Breastfeeding Can Hurt
  First and foremost, the first few weeks of breastfeeding can be painful. If the baby latches on to the nipple properly, the first minute is painful because the nipple and areola are being pulled into the baby’s mouth. After the first minute, the pain should begin to ease. You may need to reposition the baby if the pain continues. If the baby continually latches on incorrectly, the mother can get sore, cracked nipples.
  Pain from breastfeeding may be the result of something else known as Mastitis. Mastitis is an infection found in the breast tissue that causes pain, redness and swelling. The majority of lactation mastitis cases occur within the first 12 weeks after birth. If you experience any of following symptoms, consult your provider:
  Tenderness in the breast
  Swelling
  Pain
  Fever of 101° F or above
  Feeling ill
  Having body aches similar to the flu
  Newborns Like to Nurse Often
  Newborns like to nurse between eight to 12 times a day during the first month. Do you feel like you’re feeding more often? You may be. Frequent feedings happen because babies digest breast milk more easily than formula. Newborns should not go more than four hours without feeding, even during the night.
  Some new mothers may experience low or high milk supply. A low milk supply may be caused by several things. Nipple pain or the baby not latching well can affect a mother’s milk production. Some women may have a hormonal or physical disorder that could also cause milk supply to be low. On the other hand, some women may produce large quantities of milk because of hyperlactation. A woman with hyperlactation produces more milk than her baby needs. The milk can come out quickly, in turn making it difficult for the baby to feed.
  Babies Can Reject Breastfeeding
  Occasionally, babies may decide they’re not interested in breastfeeding, even if they have been successfully breastfeeding for a period of time. This can be caused by several different things, such as:
  The baby is experiencing pain. Pain can be caused by a variety of different factors, including teething, having a cold sore, or thrush.
  Being sick. If a baby has a cold or stuffy nose, breathing while breastfeeding can be difficult.
  Stress. If a baby is overstimulated or there was a long separation between you and the baby, he or she may fuss and make it difficult to feed.
  Unusual scents. Changing the soaps, perfumes or lotion you use may cause the baby to lose interest in breastfeeding.
  Breasts Can Leak Milk
  It’s normal for breasts to leak while breastfeeding. Leaking happens when a mother thinks about her baby, hears a baby cry, or sees a picture of her baby because her maternal instincts are kicking in. On the other hand, one breast may leak while the baby is nursing on the other.
  Worried about leaking in public? A mother can purchase disposable nursing pads to wear in her bra to protect her wardrobe.
  Breastfeeding Burns Calories
  During pregnancy, the body builds a reserve of weight to keep both mother and baby healthy. After giving birth, breastfeeding helps lose that weight. Breastfeeding can burn between 300-500 calories per day. Why does this happen? A woman’s breast milk is composed of vitamins that will help the baby grow. A woman’s body does not normally produce some of these vitamins, meaning the body has to work harder to handle the demand. It’s important to make sure you are eating healthy meals regularly while you are breastfeeding.
  You May Get Uterine Cramps
  After the first few days or weeks after delivery, a new mother may feel strong cramping in her uterus. The cramps may feel similar to cramps caused by menstruation, but they are caused by the uterus shrinking back to a smaller size.
  Clothing Plays a Role in Breastfeeding
  If you’re breastfeeding your infant, your clothing choice matters. Choosing clothes that are “breastfeeding” friendly allows you to feed your baby more easily. For example, it may be difficult to wear a dress if it’s not designed for nursing.
  There are many bras available that are specifically for nursing. Bras made for nursing have snaps, clasps and flaps that open either in the middle of the bra or from the strap. It may take trying a few different styles of nursing bras before you find the type that is right for you.
  Certain Food and Drinks are Limited
  While breastfeeding, it’s important to consider the food and drinks you are consuming. Many children have food allergies to food products like dairy or soy, which could transfer to your baby through your breast milk. How do you know if your baby has a food allergy while you’re breastfeeding? The baby could vomit, have diarrhea, be fussy during or after feedings, cry inconsolably, wheeze or cough. You may need to eat less of or stop eating the food that is bothering the baby while you’re breastfeeding. Caffeine consumption should also be monitored, as too much can cause fussiness and less sleep.
  Alcohol can also be transferred through breast milk. The American Academy of Pediatrics section on Breastfeeding notes: “ingestion of alcoholic beverages should be minimized and limited to an occasional intake. Nursing should take place two hours or longer after the alcohol intake to minimize its concentration in the ingested milk.”
  You May Experience Weight Gain or Loss
  Some women lose weight when they begin to breastfeed, but that is not the case for every breastfeeding mom. Some women will gain weight, or keep their weight on for as long as they nurse. Every woman’s body is different.
  Breastfeeding Can be Stressful
  Deciding to breastfeed your baby is a major commitment, and at times, you may wish that you had decided to take another route. It can feel like you never get a break from the responsibility, but it’s important to remember that breast milk gives infants antibodies which help protect them from illness and germs.
  It’s Okay to Breastfeed if You’re Sick
  Common illnesses such as cold or diarrhea can’t be passed to the baby through breast milk. If the mother is sick, antibodies can be passed to the baby to protect the baby from getting the same illness as the mother. However, if you have the flu, you should not breastfeed and try to steer clear from your infant to prevent giving him or her influenza. Why? Because the baby can still contract the flu from airborne germs. Instead, have someone else give the baby your expressed milk until you’re healthy. In some cases, if a mother has an illness such as HIV, she should not breastfeed.
  Medicine is Generally Okay While Breastfeeding
  Most medications only pass in minute amounts through breast milk and very few can’t be used during breastfeeding. Always discuss your medications with your doctor to come up with a plan of action. It could be more detrimental to stop taking medication for a chronic condition while breastfeeding.
  Breastfeeding is a Great Thing
  Breastfeeding gives your baby a healthy start. Breast milk protects the baby from illnesses and potentially protects a baby from allergies, diabetes and asthma. Breastfeeding a baby also helps create a strong emotional connection between mother and child. Another benefit of breastfeeding is that it’s free! Formula costs can quickly add up, as does the price of bottles and other necessary supplies.
  If you have any questions about about breastfeeding, contact your primary care provider.
  Are you planning on becoming pregnant or are already pregnant? The skilled staff at UnityPoint Clinic can help you on this new journey.
  Cedar RapidsAt UnityPoint Clinic in Cedar Rapids, women can discuss their health needs with their family doctor. Our team of professionals include family physicians, nurses and support staff. Discover how your primary care physician at UnityPoint Clinic in Cedar Rapids can help you with your health needs today.Des MoinesUnityPoint Clinic OB/GYNs in Des Moines are committed to providing every woman with a positive experience when they visit our clinics. If you are planning on expanding your family, we invite you to learn more about what our clinics have to offer.DubuqueUnityPoint Health - Finley in Dubuque cares about all of our expectant mothers and we believe you deserve the best care for you and your baby. Our skilled staff is able to provide everything from education to preparing for your baby. Learn more about what we have to offer you!Fort DodgeThe skilled staff at UnityPoint Clinic - OB/GYN - Fort Dodge will provide you with the care you need to make sure your pregnancy is as healthy as it can be. Check out why UnityPoint Clinic - OB/GYN in Fort Dodge is the place for you.Quad CitiesAs a woman, maintaining your health is important, especially if you are pregnant or want to become pregnant. UnityPoint Clinic OB/GYNs in the Quad Cities offer gynecological and obstetrics care that will keep you healthy and happy during pregnancy. We invite you to learn more about what we have to offer you.Sioux CityAt UnityPoint Clinic - Family Medicine in Sioux City, we are here to serve women’s health needs. Our professional staff strive to provide the best services to our patients. Discover why UnityPoint Clinic in Sioux City should be your choice for OB/GYN care.WaterlooUnityPoint Clinic in Waterloo provides accessible health care for women who want to become or who already are pregnant. Find an OB/GYN provider today at UnityPoint Clinic in Waterloo.
  by UnityPoint Clinic
  from UnityPoint Clinic
  Aug 24, 2015
  Categories: Infographics, Pregnancy & Newborns
  Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
  comments powered by Disqus
  Copyright ® 2021 UnityPoint Health. All Rights Reserved. ® ℠ trademarks of UnityPoint Health. | Website by Blue Compass