Hi,
I just gave birth to my second child and am currently BF. We are doing ok with it, she is gaining weight just fine, but I am searching for any tips on how to get the best milk production, when to pump, a good schedule, some good positions and also what is the best diet for BF. She is 2 wks old and is currently eating around every hour and a half to three hours apart. I did BF with my son, but dried up at around 3 months due to, now I'm learning, poor latching and diet
Thanks in advance!
The best way to establish & keep a supply is to nurse on demand - no schedule, no timing the amount on the breast. Let her choose when she is done.
The only indicator of whether she is eating enough is diaper count. If you are changing 6 wet or poopy (poopy counts as 2) diapers per day, then she is eating enough.
For a diet, just eat healthy. There are no foods to avoid (except high mercury fish).
There are some good links through the sticky at the top of the page.
As far as pumping what is your goal with that? Are you returning to work?
Quoting collinsmommy0:
Welcome to the group!
The best way to establish & keep a supply is to nurse on demand - no schedule, no timing the amount on the breast. Let her choose when she is done.
The only indicator of whether she is eating enough is diaper count. If you are changing 6 wet or poopy (poopy counts as 2) diapers per day, then she is eating enough.
For a diet, just eat healthy. There are no foods to avoid (except high mercury fish).
There are some good links through the sticky at the top of the page.
Yes, I will be returning to work on June 2nd, I dont work full time but would like to have a little something for when I am away from her. :) Also, my husband would like to feed her too. I'm a little nervous that things will dry up again, I really do NOT want to put her on formula as my son had horrible constipation and tummy issues
You are most likely to have the most success if you breastfeed exclusively, no pumping or bottles. Next best is to only pump and bottle feed when you and baby are separated.
To maintain your supply when you go back to work, the key is to pump out on those days an amount equal to or greater than the amount baby needs. For example, if you work on Monday and baby needs 4 ounces while you are at work, then on Monday you should pump at least 4 ounces. Ideally you will pump at work for any missed feedings.
Know that baby needs less breastmilk in the bottle than you may think. It is completely different from formula feeding.
Breastfed babies drink, on average, 24 to 32 ounces of milk per day (Kent et al., 2006). If you spread that amount over 24 hours it equals 1-1.25 ounces per hour. With that information in mind, plan on leaving about 1-1.25 ounces of milk per hour of separation. Most breastfed babies need no more than 2-4 ounces at each feeding (Kent et al., 2006). Breastfed babies need less milk than formula-fed babies do, and unlike with formula, the amount of breastmilk your baby needs does not increase as he grows bigger. When you return to work, your baby will need only a portion of this daily amount of milk from the care provider, because he will still be getting much of it by breastfeeding during the hours of the day and night when you are together.
Offering smaller bottles, of no more than 2-4 ounces, means there is less chance that your baby will not finish his bottle, leaving milk that will be thrown away.
You know you have a bf baby when...
- roxymama23
on May. 15, 2012 at 6:04 PM