11 things you didn’t know about breastfeeding

bumptara

Moms have super-powers, and breastfeeding is one of them! Some of these special skills are even passed along to baby. Did you know breastfed babies can identify their moms from milk scent alone? 

Check out more surprising facts about breastfeeding here. 

What other amazing breastfeeding facts can you share?

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HellsAngel22

Interesting.

babehme

I found it interesting when they talked in our prenatals about how breast milk over formula is correlated with a higher IQ.
I think it's just super awesome that the distance from the breast to the mom's face is the distance a newborn can see clearly. Not a coincidence in the least!

etayislove

Your breasts produce exactly the amount of nutrients your baby needs, the types of proteins plus the exact water content too! Breastmilk is also considered a living bodily fluid just like blood because it changes to what is most needed by your infant. Which is also why it's so good at healing skin abrasions and has antimicrobial effects.

jopomom3

So if you are using donated breast milk it won't be exactly what the baby needs?

ForeverEverAfter

It won't be tailored to your baby, no, but it's still perfectly designed for human babies. Same with pumped milk in the freezer.

Straight from the tap it's slightly different at times of the day, depending on which child is feeding (with tandem nursing) and even temperature (higher water content in high heat).

PregNancyClark

I've recently been learning about how important it is to eat whole and healthy and allow yourself adequate fat and protein during breastfeeding. I want a happy, chubby baby that sleeps and grows like a champ so I'm planning to eat a lot of eggs and meat in addition to my fruits and greens -and drink a lot of whole organic cow's milk etc.

sararegine

Two things I learnt whilst breastfeeding DD1 that I didn't know:
1) Spreading breast milk on your chapped/blistered nipples is an incredible remedy for those sores that can develop thanks to baby sucking away like crazy. My OB recommended it in the hospital and I have to say it helped speed up the healing.
2) Need to be careful of what you eat even when breastfeeding as it goes into milk and into baby. Best to avoud foods that can cause gas if you have a colicky baby e.g. beans and good idea to avoid allergenic foods including shellfish. I had lobster pasta at a wedding one night when DD was 3 mths old. Had to go to the ER at 4am in the morning because she wouldn't stop crying and broke out into a terrible rash. Turns out it was an allergic reaction to the lobster (incidentally she's now 5 and can eat all fish with no allergic reactions).

v1wwo

This stuff is amezing!
In the beginning a new new new born will only eat a table spoon of colostrum (first milk) even though they are on the nipple for a very long time. The next day the baby can eat two table spoons and then three. On the third or forth day your hormones kick in and your breast start filling up with mature milk. Two types - watery, sweet milk that helps with thirst and then the fat, high calorie milk. So it's important to drain one breast at a time.
Here is a picture of the two

ForeverEverAfter

Here's a great pic for the size of a newborn's stomach. Nice reassurance especially for those that have to pump (NICU, etc) that they don't need much

mriandabusto

v1wwo said:

This stuff is amezing!
In the beginning a new new new born will only eat a table spoon of colostrum (first milk) even though they are on the nipple for a very long time. The next day the baby can eat two table spoons and then three. On the third or forth day your hormones kick in and your breast start filling up with mature milk. Two types - watery, sweet milk that helps with thirst and then the fat, high calorie milk. So it's important to drain one breast at a time.
Here is a picture of the two

What do you mean "drain one breast at a time?" Sorry I'm a FTM and don't understand.

ForeverEverAfter

It just means to fully empty the first before offering the second (never limit time on the first breast, and it doesn't matter if baby doesn't take the second-they'll start on that one the next time).

callistosmile

Just read this awesome article this morning:
https://www.thestranger.com/features/feature/2015/08/26/22755273/the-more-i-learn-about-breast-milk-the-more-amazed-i-am

mriandabusto

callistosmile said:

Just read this awesome article this morning:
https://www.thestranger.com/features/feature/2015/08/26/22755273/the-more-i-learn-about-breast-milk-the-more-amazed-i-am

Saving that! Thank you!!!

serenityuy01

callistosmile said:

Just read this awesome article this morning:
https://www.thestranger.com/features/feature/2015/08/26/22755273/the-more-i-learn-about-breast-milk-the-more-amazed-i-am

Excellent article thank you so much!

karliecarr

How do you know when your breast is empty?

babyplut

It's funny because they actually will feel empty to the touch. When you touch a full breast and then touch a breast that has been emptied there is a big difference. I absolutley love breast feeding (even though I had a lot of problems doing it) can't wait for LO to come

karliecarr

How often do i need to pump after he gets here? FTM.

brit1983

karliecarr said:

How often do i need to pump after he gets here? FTM.

Depends on when you need to have milk saved up. I always wait 4 weeks before starting to pump. You don't want to pump too soon because it will signal to your body that the baby needs more milk, which can cause encouragement. If you can, wait until your body has figured out how much baby needs. It can also be stressful to pump really early and then not get a ton of milk. All of my friends who pumped before at least a month ended up stopping breastfeeding soon after because it was just too much.

I started pumping once or twice a day after LO nursed after the one month mark. By the time I had to go back to work (12 weeks) I had more than enough stored in the freezer for him.

karliecarr

So one month after he gets here is the safest bet. How long can you breastfeed?

brit1983

karliecarr said:

So one month after he gets here is the safest bet. How long can you breastfeed?

It was the safest bet for me. I remember the lactation consultant stressing not to pump right away and it worked well.

Do you mean how long in total or each session? I breastfed DS1 for 13 months.

karliecarr

How long each session.

ForeverEverAfter

Until baby is done/comes off and won't go back on. Every baby is different because of your unique letdown/capacity, etc. M usually nursed for 10min max, one of my friends needed 45min per feeding for months.

brit1983

ForeverEverAfter said:

Until baby is done/comes off and won't go back on. Every baby is different because of your unique letdown/capacity, etc. M usually nursed for 10min max, one of my friends needed 45min per feeding for months.

Exactly this. DS1 took 45-60 minutes each feeding for the first few months until he figured out how to be efficient. DS2 only takes 10-15 minutes. Watch the baby, not the clock.

karliecarr

Oky. Thank you.

kkerner87

You know what I learned? It's really effing hard. Ugh. Sticking with it though. Doing a combo of breast and EBM in a bottle. Everytime I pump, I get so excited to see all the milk I get. I actually run into the other room to show DH. It's the little things in life lol

sarahnikai

I pumped once just because my breasts felt so enlarged and sore, I thought the ducts might have been clogged. I also started taking a breast feeding vitamin and bought some breast feeding cookies from babies r us. It has helped a lot!! Now, I think I'll just wait and only pump when necessary. I do need to save up a little for when i go back to work but I feel that I have plenty of time plus I'll have the milk i pump for while I'm at work.

lolad5

Any mamas recommend any nipple cream? I got some lanisoh to help in the beginning. I want to try something different once it's gone considering its $9 a small tube. TIA!

brit1983

lolad5 said:

Any mamas recommend any nipple cream? I got some lanisoh to help in the beginning. I want to try something different once it's gone considering its $9 a small tube. TIA!

Coconut oil!

lolad5

Well thats simple and convenient!! Thank you! @brit1983

callistosmile

I've been told that breast milk itself is a miracle worker. FTM still cookin, though.

Rachelsbaby

I've been using these gel pads that you can put in fridge to sooth sore nipples. But... Do not use while wearing cream. It's also used to treat burn victims. So far I've really like using them.

LoveLee85

So far, coconut oil is not working!! It was the first thing I tried. It didn't help with sore nips. Good luck!!!!

itsasapphire

With my first, I had horrible cracked, bleeding, sore nipples. I used every cream I could buy, even perscription grade mixtures from a special pharmacy. I went through engorgement, mastitis and infection. It lasted 6 weeks, it was hell. I made it through but it was the hardest thing I've ever tried to do.

This time, I've used fresh air and breast milk, with the occasional hot shower followed by frozen peas. I'm 10 days pp and have NO cracking, soreness, bleeding or pain.

After baby finishes, rub a little on the whole nipple and let it air dry. (If leaking, use a thick burp cloth with pressure to slow it down.) Then use a clean, dry breast pad before your bra.

The key tips for me that I didn't realize last time were these:
Dry is better than moist. (Even if the "moist" is a nipple cream)
Using a fresh breast pad matters.
Alternating holds fixes a lot of things.
Reach out for help at the first struggle. Don't let it get unbearable before getting help.

PregNancyClark

I'm looking forward to breastfeeding! It was such a special time with my first little son. We overcame so many challenges last time: let-down issues, supply issues, c section issues, disapproval from family, working and pumping... The list was crazy long.
Having overcome these hurdles the first time, I feel that everything will be so easy this time can't wait!
Hope this encourages others! If it's a big deal to you, you can overcome almost anything life throws at you. If I can, you can too.
I second the PP, dry is better and it really is better to avoid any creams at all.

Yiggle09

Breast milk then coconut oil has helped me. Air dry and then reusable fabric breast pads the one time use ones cause moisture. FTM almost gave up last week then breast milk came to the rescue. I use coconut oil as a lubricant for pumping

cjstats87

Just wanted to add a "large breasted" feeding tip...when laying down belly to belly with baby to nurse and you have large breast use your top breast to feed baby...laying on right side use left breast and vice versa. This was a LIFE SAVER for me to learn after baby 2! I still don't know why no one told me until baby 2!

Jenten810

brit1983 said:

ForeverEverAfter said:

Until baby is done/comes off and won't go back on. Every baby is different because of your unique letdown/capacity, etc. M usually nursed for 10min max, one of my friends needed 45min per feeding for months.

Exactly this. DS1 took 45-60 minutes each feeding for the first few months until he figured out how to be efficient. DS2 only takes 10-15 minutes. Watch the baby, not the clock.

I learned today from my pediatrician that in the beginning you really want to encourage baby to eat for at least 30 minutes since this will help their stomachs to expand. With my first this wasn't an issue, but with my second I've really had to encourage him to get there. Otherwise I'm feeding him every hour for 10-15 minutes. The more they're able to eat at one feeding will help you get to longer stretches of sleep at night. As they get older they definitely become more efficient so the same rules may not apply for station of feedings.

itsasapphire

So I have to come back and add.

I have mastitis, again. It came in on 4 days ago, hard and fast, felt like the flu: body aches, fever, lathargic, overall just yucky.

But, armed with my knowledge from my first daughter I have been able to kick this like a bad habit! Thankfully, the magic of a two week growth spurt was exactly why I needed. You're supposed to nurse/pump/express every two hours for 36 hours. Well, baby Rebecca did just that and I wasn't even mad. I set alarms to pump but she woke me up anyway and I was happy to nurse her instead of pump.

I'm still taking Motrin every 10 (ish) hours recovering from my C section. I've alternated Tylenol and Motrin every 4-5 hours to help with my fever and body aches. I was also taking a hot shower every night and keeping up with my morning pump for storing milk.

After a full two days of all that, it subsided. I feel human again, my baby visibly grew, my boobs aren't solid anymore, the redness went away, I survived! Lol

brit1983

Jenten810 said:

brit1983 said:

ForeverEverAfter said:

Until baby is done/comes off and won't go back on. Every baby is different because of your unique letdown/capacity, etc. M usually nursed for 10min max, one of my friends needed 45min per feeding for months.

Exactly this. DS1 took 45-60 minutes each feeding for the first few months until he figured out how to be efficient. DS2 only takes 10-15 minutes. Watch the baby, not the clock.

I learned today from my pediatrician that in the beginning you really want to encourage baby to eat for at least 30 minutes since this will help their stomachs to expand. With my first this wasn't an issue, but with my second I've really had to encourage him to get there. Otherwise I'm feeding him every hour for 10-15 minutes. The more they're able to eat at one feeding will help you get to longer stretches of sleep at night. As they get older they definitely become more efficient so the same rules may not apply for station of feedings.

This definitely makes sense, but I just cannot get my LO to nurse for more than 15 minutes. It's not that he always falls asleep, he just drops off and is done. I would love to go for more than 2 hours in between feedings, but he won't eat any more!

kpruiett

I've been trying to breastfeed but my hormones fell off when she was a day old and she got jaundice. We are still trying with the pump thing but I only get about 3 ozs total a day. My doc out me on metformin at the recommendation of my lactation consultant but because she is super gassy and spitting up I'm not certain that mixing the breast milk and the formula is a good idea.