Breastfeeding Tips & Breast Pump Guide | Lactation Connection

Hi Mamas! I entitled this blog post tips and techniques instead of tips and tricks or breastfeeding hacks because this information was born from 30 years experience in breastfeeding, lactation education and lactation consulting. So let's get started! Alternate Breast Massage This technique is the practice of massaging the breast from the chest wall towards the infant's mouth every time there is a pause in swallowing.  Benefits include keeping the baby alert to allow for faster and more efficient milk transfer as well as more fat content in the milk promoting health weight gain. Breast Support Breast support refers to the practice of holding the breast during the feeding.  Typical holds include the C-hold in which the mother cups the breast with her hands in the shape of a C.  It is important that her fingers both above and below the breast are well off the areola so that the infant can achieve a deep latch.  Supporting the breast during the entire feeding helps keeps...

     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...

     The breastmilk allergy myth was further perpetuated on the TODAY show's #bornTODAY series this morning causing me to have to speak out against irresponsible and incomplete journalism.  The Myth: Some babies are allergic to their mother's milk. The Facts: Human milk is the most natural physiological substance that baby c an ingest which is why breast milk can be used as a "clear liquid" if a baby is ill with a stomach virus and it is also why breast milk does not sting when placed in the eye as a remedy for conjunctivitis.        If a baby shows sensitivities related to feeding, it is usually a foreign protein that has been consumed by the mother and entered into mother's milk, and not the breast milk. The remedy for this is to remove the offending food from mother's diet for 3-4 weeks.  One example is dairy.  Dairy is difficult to digest and can take 10 days to two weeks to leave the mother's system and another 10 days to tw...

If you are experiencing difficulty with breast pain or latch-on 3 to 5 days postpartum, it is probably due to engorgement. Your breasts can feel as hard as bowling balls making it difficult for your baby to get a good latch.  Most of the time severe engorgement can be prevented by nursing the baby immediately upon delivery and putting the baby to breast every 2-3 hours.  If your baby is sleepy or there is a delay in breastfeeding, engorment can set in heavily.  Advil is safe for breastfeeding and contains an anti-inflammatory that may reduce some swelling and discomfort. Your best friend during this time is a hot compress. Turn the tap water and let it run until hot. Take two disposable baby diaper and swipe it under the tap three or four times. Mold the diapers around your breast. Repeat this procedure before each feeding. Commercial hot packs are also available, but the diapers work just as well so you may want to save your money for a good breast pump. If the areola is...