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 Amy Spangler, MN,
IBCLC, answers many common breastfeeding questions in her book, "Amy Spangler's
Breastfeeding, A Parent's Guide." Following is
the second of two installments from her book. Click on the link
to the right for more common breastfeeding questions and
answers!
Do I need to give my baby vitamin and mineral
supplements?
No. If you have a healthy, full-term baby, human milk
provides all the vitamins (A, C, D, and E) and minerals (iron
and fluoride) your baby needs for the first 6 months of life.
Your baby will get a single dose of vitamin K after birth to
prevent bleeding. In addition, a daily dose of vitamin D is
recommended for babies whose mothers are poorly nourished and
for babies who are dark-skinned and get little sun
exposure. Babies store enough iron in their livers during the last weeks
of pregnancy to meet their iron needs for 6 months. After 6
months, iron-fortified solid foods are recommended.
If my baby has colic can I still breastfeed?
Yes. Colic - long periods of fussing and crying each day
for no clear reason - occurs in 10-20% of newborns. Colic occurs
in formula-fed babies as well as breastfed babies. The symptoms
usually appear 2-6 weeks after birth and disappear by 12-16
weeks of age. The cause of colic is unclear. Occasionally
overfeeding or something in the infant's or the mother's diet
can cause fussiness. Often no cause is found.
If you have a very fussy baby, offer one breast at each feeding.
The result will be a low volume, low sugar, high fat meal rather
than a high volume, high sugar, low fat meal. In addition, avoid
cow's milk-based formulas in your baby's diet and milk products,
eggs, nuts, and wheat in your diet.
Constant sounds or vibrations like a vacuum cleaner, clothes
dryer, car engine, or untuned television may soothe a fussy
baby. A warm compress on the abdomen can also be helpful.
A warm
tub bath, a warm washcloth, or a warm water bottle works well.
While colic seldom lasts more than 16 weeks, it can seem like 16
years! A mother unable to calm her baby feels guilty.
A father
unable to calm his partner feels helpless. If the fussiness
continues, medicine can be helpful. You will need to call your
baby's doctor for a prescription.
Weaning is seldom necessary. Frequently, the use of infant
formula makes the symptoms worse. As the infant grows and the
intestinal tract matures, the symptoms will improve. Remember, a
normal infant cries 2-3 hours a day.
How much weight should my baby gain in the
beginning?
Your baby can lose up to 7% of his birth weight during
the first week of life and should regain that weight during the
second week. After the first or second week, your baby should
gain 4-8 ounces a week. Sometimes a baby will gain less.
However, breastfeeding patterns should be carefully reviewed.
Babies often double their birth weight by 4-6 months of
age and triple their birth weight by 1 year of age.
I plan to give my baby a substitute feeding using
expressed breastmilk. How much milk will I need to express for a
feeding?
A healthy, full term baby needs about 2 1/2oz. per
lb. each day. For example, an 8 lb. baby would require 2
1/2 oz.
x 8 lb. or 20 oz. a day. If the baby breastfeeds every 2-3
hours, or 10 times a day and eats 20 oz. a day, then he eats
about 2 oz. at each feeding. To be on the safe side, express 3-4
oz. of breastmilk and store the milk in 2 oz. servings to avoid
waste. You can use more than I serving if necessary.
Some mothers prefer to substitute with infant formula and choose
a soy-based formula rather than a cow's milk-based formula.
Ask
your baby's doctor for a recommendation.
If I breastfeed can I still get pregnant?
Yes and no. You can achieve natural child spacing with full
or nearly full breastfeeding. However, if your breastfeeding
schedule or routine limits the frequency or
length of breastfeedings or includes frequent use of breastmilk
substitutes, pregnancy is more likely.
Ovulation (egg release) and menstruation (monthly
bleeding) may not occur while you are breastfeeding, especially
during the first 6-12 weeks. However, most women resume
ovulation and menstruation while breastfeeding. Ovulation can
occur before menstruation; therefore, do not assume that you are
protected (safe) until after your first menstrual period.
If pregnancy is not desired, a safe method of birth
control is suggested. Your choices include cervical cap, female
condom, diaphragm, intrauterine device, male condom, and
spermicidal cream, foam, or jelly. Birth control pills that
contain estrogen and progestin (combination pills) are
not recommended. However, birth control pills (minipills),
implants (Norplant), or injections (Depo-Provera) that contain
only progestin are safe. Discuss the choices with your doctor,
midwife, lactation consultant, or nurse.
If I become pregnant can I still breastfeed?
Yes and no. Many mothers continue to breastfeed during
pregnancy and have two babies or a baby and a child at the
breast after birth. This is called tandem nursing.
To
meet the needs of two growing babies, you will need to eat a
balanced diet that includes extra calories, drink to satisfy
your thirst, and nap when the babies nap. As long as the younger
baby is fully breastfed and the older baby is taking some solid
foods, you should breastfeed the younger baby first.
During pregnancy, a mother's breasts and nipples can become
tender and the volume and content of her breastmilk changes.
When breastmilk volume decreases, sodium and protein increase,
and lactose and glucose (sugars) decrease, making the milk look
and taste more like colostrum. Sometimes the older baby or child
loses interest in the breast (child-led weaning) or the breast
tenderness, common during pregnancy, makes breastfeeding
painful, and weaning occurs (mother-led weaning).
Breastfeeding can cause uterine contractions but there is no
evidence to suggest that the developing fetus (unborn baby) is
at risk. However, if you have a history of premature labor or
vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, your doctor or midwife may
suggest that you wean.
Important Disclaimer
This Breastfeeding.com service is designed to help
visitors obtain advice and guidance. You are solely responsible for the
outcome of any services and/or advice you are given.
Breastfeeding.com is not responsible for any services and/or advice
given by the consultants, and shall not be liable or responsible to any
person or entity for any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be have
been caused, directly or indirectly by the information or ideas
contained, suggested, or referenced. Your participation in this service
is solely at your own risk |
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