Get Breastfeeding Help - Lactation Connection Celebrates 25 Years Serving Nursing Mothers since 1993!

Happy New Year!  Lactation Connection has been serving nursing mothers since 1993 so we are celebrating our 27th year in business in 2018.  In honor of this event, we are launching a new program to answer your breastfeeding questions.  You will be able to email me directly and have
25 years of breastfeeding experience tailored to your situation.

Just copy and paste the following into an email and fill out the information so that I can assist you
in the best way possible!

What is your baby’s birth date and birth weight?

What was your baby’s age and weight at last weigh-in?

How often (include specifics on number of times per day and how long)
are you putting the baby to the breast?

How often (include time of day and number of minutes) are you pumping?

How many wet and dirty diapers does your baby have in 24 hours?

What color are the stools?

What specific breast pump do you have?

If you are exclusively pumping, how many ounces are you getting per day?

If you are supplementing, how many ounces and at what age did you start
to supplement?

What breastfeeding concerns do you have?

Are there any health concerns with you or your baby? (ie infant tounge tie,
maternal diabetes, etc.)

Have you taken any herbal supplements or lactation cookies? If so, be specific
on brand and dosage.

Happy Nurturing!
Tanya

Pumping: Increasing Milk Supply

Every Lactation Consultant will tell you breast milk quantity is based on supply and demand, but with today's busy mom taking the baby to bed with you all day to suckle is not an option.  You can increase your milk supply while at work or with your breast pump at home.

First make sure you are already getting the appropriate stimulation for your baby's age.  If your nursling is under 6 months, you should be nursing and/or pumping at least 8 times per day while using a quality double electric pump such as the Hygeia EnJoye or Ameda Purely Yours or Ameda Platinum breast pump for a full 10-15 minutes per session.  If your nursing is 6-12 months, you should be stimulated at least 5 times per day.  For over 12 months at least 2-3 times per day. 

If you are already following the above protocols for sufficient stimulation of the breast, you will need to increase the number of pumping sessions to increase milk supply using a breast pump.  Research indicates that you need an hour of additional stimulation to increase milk supply.  Nature dictates that the average growth spurt where a baby is increasing their nursing sessions lasts about 5 days.  taking these two things into consideration, you should add 3 double pumping sessions of at least 10 minutes for 5 days in a row.  Each breast is stimulated for 30 minutes totaling the 1 hour of stimulation you need. For example, if you are nursing/pumping 8 times a day, you need to increase it to 11-12 times per day.  If you are nursing/pumping 5 times a day, you need to increase it to 8. 

Growth spurts are just that, spurts.  You need to increase your pumping sessions for a full 5 days in a row for this to be effective.  If life interrupts that, you will need to start over and do another 5 days in a row to simulate the growth spurt.

You can also use breastfeeding supplements during this time for additional increase if you prefer.



Happy Pumping!
Tanya

Breastfeeding Secrets Revealed: Position, Hold and Proper Latch

     New moms have told me that they wish they had been given more information on positioning and latch as well as the various holds associated with breastfeeding.  So I have decided to reveal these breastfeeding "secrets" here. 
1.  What is the secret to preparing for breastfeeding?
Holding the breast properly!  The c-hold is the proper way to support the breast when learning to breastfeed and should be practiced by expectant and new mothers because almost every new mom does it incorrectly.  How?  Moms tend to place the thumb on top (correct) but place the bottom fingers in the wrong place.  The bottom fingers need to be near the chest wall.  The index finger usually ends up on the bottom of the areola preventing baby from getting a deep latch.  Whether you are already breastfeeding or still expecting, check your c-hold in a mirror to make sure your fingers are out of the way. Also make sure the flap of your nursing bra is not in the way.  Remember, a new baby cannot support the weight of their own head, let alone your breast so support your breast properly and without hindering the latch.  If you are expectant mom, it is not proper to prepare for breastfeeding by toughening nipples, an antiquated practice that breaks down the keratin layer of the skin and is not helpful.  It is helpful to test nipples for inversion by placing the fingers 1" behind the nipple and gently pinching to see if the nipple inverts, goes flat or protrudes normally.  If it does not, consider using a breast pump to draw out nipples just prior to feeding.  A nipple shield is a last resort as it can cause a decrease in milk supply, but much better than using a bottle.

2.  What is the secret of a good latch? 

We will discuss proper body position in a few moments, but here are the basics of a good deep latch.

          1.  Support the breast in the c-hold discussed earlier.
          2.  Line the baby's nose up with your nipple.
          3.  Use your nipple to tickle the baby's lower lip in a downward motion to elicit the open mouth reflex.
          4.  Wait for a yawn or cry-wide mouth.
          5.  Swoop the baby's entire body towards you.
          6.  Bring the baby's bottom in closer to you.  This will dig in the chin and tilt the head slightly.
          7.  Support the breast for a newborn the entire feeding, but don't forget to relax your shoulders and make sure you have support for your arm as newborns can take 45 minutes to get in 20 minutes of swallowing.

3.  What position is the best to learn to breastfeed? 

The cross-cradle hold gives you the most control, but depending on whether you had a c-section, the football hold may be best for you.  We will address the football hold a little later.  In a proper cross-cradle hold you will hold the baby at the nape of the neck with the hand opposite the breast you are using.  Use a proper c-hold on the breast.  Sit back in the chair, put your feet up on a stationary footrest.  This brings your knees above your hips helping to keep you from the temptation of bringing the breast to the baby.  Always bring the baby to the breast.  Otherwise you end up with a sore back from improperly leaning into the baby.  Latching on in the cross-cradle or any position should be done in a one (1) two (2) motion.  Practice the proper latch techniques previously discussed. 1. Swoop the baby in as soon as you see a yawn or cry-wide mouth.  2.  Pull your elbow towards your ribs bringing the baby's bottom with it.  This draws the baby's bottom close helping him dig in his chin and tilt his head back keeping you from the temptation of pushing the breast tissue away with your thumb.  You shouldn't push down with your thumb as it raises the nipple toward the roof of his mouth causing nipple irritation.  When using a pillow, remember that it is there to support you while supporting the baby.  It is not meant to support the baby without your help, but a nursing pillow is an effective tool to keep mom in the proper position and save her from backache. 

4.  What is the secret to a good football hold? 

Much like the cross cradle hold, mom holds the nape of the baby's neck with her hand, but this time, the same hand on the same side as the breast she is using. Use the c-hold and ensure that the bottom fingers are well below the areola.  Support the breast with your hand or a rolled up burp rag during the entire feeding for a newborn who cannot support the weight of his own head.  Remember that your hand should be on the nape of the neck and not higher on the head for several reasons. One being that baby's tend to arch their back when you touch the top of their head. Sit back in the chair, put your feet up and have a pillow on that side of your lap for support. Your baby should be tucked under your arm like a football. His legs should be in a fetal position or and older baby might have them raised up resting his bottom and legs on the back of the chair. done in a one (1) two (2) motion. Practice the proper latch techniques and the swoop and tuck motion previously discussed.   Nursing pillows are essential in this position unless you have a very wide soft armrest on your chair.



5.  What is the secret to when the cradle hold should be used?
It is best to use the cross-cradle hold instead of the cradle hold when you are first learning to breastfeed because you have more control over the position of the baby's head with your hand than you do in the crook of the elbow.  But many moms are very comfortable in this position so moving to this position after the initial latch on as long as you support the breast for the newborn with a rolled up burp cloth is easy to accomplish.  Or once the baby has more control over his head or you are a smaller busted mom, you can use the cradle hold comfortably.  Just remember the latch positioning discussed previously.  Baby's nose should be on target with the nipple.  He should be tummy to tummy with mom.  His ears, shoulders and hips should be in a straight line as it is hard to swallow with your head turned.  Also remember to bring baby to the breast and not the other way around and to relax your shoulders and use something to support your arm.

6.  Do I need to learn to nurse lying down?

Is it important to learn the side-lying position?  In a word, YES!  The side lying position can be the answer for a stressed sleep-deprived mom or a mom who wants to increase her milk supply!  The proper technique for the side lying position is to have a pillow or two under your head and a pillow between your knees to stabilize your hips.  Baby's nose is on target with the nipple and the baby is drawn close with moms arm that is under her.  The bicep of this arm is partially used to support the breast for a larger busted mom as well.  Remember in all holds baby is tummy to tummy with you and not lying on his back with his head turned trying to swallow.  The side-lying position is perfect for co-sleeping at night or catching a nap with baby.  Taking your baby to bed with you if you perceive a dip in milk supply is a great way to get a boost as well.  

     Breastfeeding should not hurt!  If you have had previous trauma and are correcting an improper latch, there can be discomfort for the first 30-60 seconds, but then it should subside.  If it does not, break the suction by inserting a clean finger passed the gums and turning.  Then start the latch again from the beginning.  Don't let your toes curl and your teeth clench because you are a good mama.  The milk sinuses where the milk pools are located approximately one inch behind the nipple and not on the nipple for a reason.  The nerve ending are on the nipple.  Pain is telling you that your latch is incorrect.  Once the baby is in proper position with a deep latch, he will get more milk and you will have a more comfortable rewarding breastfeeding experience. 

     For more answers to breastfeeding questions visit our breastfeeding tips page or give us a call at 254-728-3627 9-5 M-F CST.

Why Fenugreek Isn't Working for Breastfeeding

     The truth is fenugreek is a great tool to boost milk supply in most moms.  However, in the two decades that I have been helping nursing moms, I get this comment a lot, "Fenugreek didn't work for me."  How can it be that an herb with such great success stories doesn't work for a large number of mothers.  In most cases, the answer is in the quality, dosage or delivery method.

     Many moms buy Fenugreek at a local health food or grocery store in brands that are not stored or bottled in the best way to keep them at full potency.  Also, shelf life factors into this so buying from a store that doesn't cater to the largest market for Fenugreek, nursing mothers, will not have the best turn-around.  It is always a good practice to check the expiration date on any herb before using.  Fenugreek capsules work best when taken in a quality brand like Nature's Herbs or Nature's Way Fenugreek and in the appropriate dosage or combination.   The correct dosage is essential.  If you are under 150 lbs, start with three capsules, three times daily.  Yes, that is nine capsules per day.  Possible side effects of fenugreek for mom are loose stools and you may smell like maple, but who cares if you are taking this short term for a boost and the result is more milk!  If you stools are not loose or you are over 150 lbs, you can take up to 5 capsules three times daily.  This dosage is for Nature's Herbs as it is 620 mg per capsule.  Some brands only contain 500 mg.  You should see more milk in 48-72 hours.  Always finish the bottle which is about a 10 day supply.  Don't save it for later as once you open the bottle, it begins to loose freshness.  If you are still not getting a result, combine Fenugreek with Blessed Thistle.  Take 3 Fenugreek + 2 Blessed Thistle three times daily.  You can also use Alfalfa instead of Blessed Thistle.

Dr. Jack Newman, a lactation specialist at the International Breastfeeding Center in Toronto, writes about the effectiveness of blessed thistle and fenugreek when used together: “These two herbs seem to increase milk supply and increase the rate of milk flow.” He adds that their effects are additive: “Fenugreek and blessed thistle seem to work better if you take both, not just one or the other”. Dr. Newman notes that mothers generally notice an increase in milk production within 24-72 hours after starting the herbs.   The only problem is that the number of capsules taken can be daunting to new mothers.  We recommend St Francis Fenugreek Blessed Thistle which are a high potency blend of fenugreek and blessed thistle in the appropriate dosage with only one capsule taken twice daily!

     What about Fenugreek drinks?  Fenugreek Tea such as Mother's Milk Tea, Earth Mama Angel Baby Milkmaid Tea tea bags should be steeped for about 15 minutes to get the full amount of herb available.  It is more difficult to tell how much you taking so I only recommend using tea bags as a supplement to the capsules or for long-term intermittent use and not for a quick three day boost.
    The best way to get the correct herbal dosage is either a capsule with a single herb such as fenugeek or a single serve kcup lactation tea that serves the same amount of herbs every time.  Anna Naturals Nursing Mama Tea comes in single serve cup for kcup compatible brewers and is the best-tasting of all the herbal lactation teas we have found other than Milkmaker's Tea. Anna's lactation tea cup works in Keurig and other k cup style brewers.  Drink 3 cups daily for best results or use as a supplement in taking with Fenugreek or Blessed Thistle capsules if drinking sporadically.

     Remember, milk supply is usually a supply and demand issue.  Baby is not nursing frequently enough or emptying the breast well enough or you are not pumping for a full 15 minutes or every 3 hours while at work.  Another reason for low supply could be missing out on growth spurts.  If you miss a growth spurt,  add 3 extra nursing or 10-15 minute double pumping sessions with a quality double breast pump in each day for five days in a row to make up for the missed stimulation.  This simulates a growth spurt and studies show this extra hour of stimulation per day.  If you pump frequently, make sure to replace valves and backflow protectors frequently to ensure your pump is functioning optimally to maintain a healthy milks supply.

Some moms should not take Fenugreek.  If you are allergic to chickpeas, peanuts or other legumes do not take.  If you have low blood pressure or low blood sugar, this may be affected with Fenugreek.  If you have low potassium or asthma, Fenugreek may affect these conditions as well.  Also, if you have any bleeding disorders, Fenugreek can work as an anticoagulant so would have an adverse effect. If you could be pregnant, it should not be taken during pregnancy.  The good news is that there are great alternatives that will boost supply in most moms from companies like Legendairy Milk and Motherlove. The most popular in these brands are the Legendairy Milk Lactation Support Bundle, Legendairy Milk Cash Cow and Motherlove More Milk Plus. 

     In addition to everything else you are doing, make sure you are drinking to thirst and make your snacks count.  It never hurts to eat a lactation cookie instead of donuts for breakfast or candy for a snack.

   
While fenugreek alone may not increase milk supply, fenugreek and blessed thistle are a great lactation supplement when taken correctly. And for those with medical contraindications or allergies, other great lactation supplements are readily available.

Best wishes for a healthy milk supply!
Tanya