A Guide To Your New Family's First Weeks - Meriter Health Services

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Your milk is still the healthiest milk for your baby. These suggestions should help: • Apply warm packs to the breast for 10-15 minutes before feeding or stand in a warm shower to help your milk “let down.” • Massage the plugged duct while it is warm. Gently massage from the outside of the breast, through the lump and toward the nipple during feedings. You may also try this during a shower or bath. • Feed your baby frequently and start feeding on the affected side. Try to breastfeed at least every two hours. • Be sure your baby latches deeply onto the breast. The jaw should be as far from the nipple as possible with a large mouthful of breast tissue (use the offcenter latch). • Position your baby so that her chin or nose aims in the direction of the lump. • Alternate your baby’s position as long as you are still able to latch him well. • Avoid tight clothing, tight bras and underwire bras. When possible, remove your bra during feedings so your milk will be able to flow freely. • Rest. Try to go to bed with your baby and nurse frequently. Try to eliminate extra activities. These measures will relieve, in most cases, the plugged duct within a couple of days. If not, or if you develop fever or any flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider. Breast Infection You may have a breast infection if you develop a painful, hot, red area in your breast, and have a fever and flu-like symptoms. Call your health care provider if you have any of these symptoms. Factors that can contribute to a breast infection are nipple damage due to poor latching, poor emptying of the breast during feedings, pressure on the breast (tight bra) that affects the ability of milk to flow, missed feedings or changes in your baby’s feeding patterns, plugged ducts, fatigue and stress. Your milk is still the healthiest milk for your baby when you have a breast infection—this is not the time to wean. In addition to the recommendations listed in the “Plugged Duct” section on page 27, breast infection treatment includes: • Antibiotics—if prescribed be sure to take the full amount. The antibiotics should be safe for your baby. • Apply warm, moist compresses as often as possible, to activate infection fighting cells. • Express milk or pump a few extra minutes after nursing if the breast still feels full. • Take care of yourself by going to bed and resting as much as possible. Drink plenty of fluids and eat a well-balanced diet. • Take pain medication as needed for fever and pain. Leaking Breast Milk In the early weeks, many mothers leak milk from their breasts. This is more common the first weeks, but may continue for months. Some mothers never leak but still produce enough milk for their babies. Leaking can occur by the sight, sound or even the thought of a baby. It is more likely when mother’s breasts are full. Mothers may also leak from one breast while nursing on the other. • You can temporarily stop the leaking by putting gentle pressure on the nipple. Cross your arms across your chest and press the heels of your hands against your nipples. • Wear cloth nursing pads and change your nursing pads frequently. • Nurse your baby more often so your breasts will not become overly full and more likely to leak. • Wear clothing that conceals wetness. Wear tops with print designs, or have an extra jacket/sweater available. Introducing a Bottle Many breastfeeding mothers occasionally want to give their baby a bottle. When you are separate from your baby or return to work, your baby will be able to benefit from your breast milk while you are away, yet be able to enjoy the closeness of breastfeeding when you are together. If you decide to give your baby a bottle, it is best to wait until breastfeeding is going well. Generally, waiting until your baby is 3-4 weeks old will not interfere with breastfeeding. At that time, your baby should be able to easily breastfeed and bottle feed. 28
Expressing and Storing Breast Milk Having stored breast milk available is convenient for occasions when you are separate from your baby or when you return to work. (Please note: These guidelines for milk expression and storage are for healthy full-term babies.) • Press your thumb and fingers straight into the chest wall and then move them together in a pressure-release rhythm. You may need to do this a few times to get the milk to flow. Ways to Express Your Milk You may choose to hand express your milk or use a breast pump: • If you do not anticipate being separated from your baby very often, hand expressing or using a hand pump works well. • If you plan to return to work or be away from your baby for a period, using an electric breast pump is a good idea. A single pump is meant for occasional use, and pumps one breast at a time. Double pumps (pumping both breasts at one time) are more efficient, and are often the most effective way to pump and increase your milk production. You may purchase or rent a breast pump. Since there are many varieties of pumps available, it may be a good idea to discuss your options with a health care provider. Helping Your Milk “Let Down” Having your baby at the breast helps trigger the hormones that allows your milk to “let down” or flow. Such natural cues are missing when you express your milk, so you need to create other cues that signal your body to let the milk down. The following suggestions should help. • Get into a comfortable position. • Minimize distractions. • Warmth is relaxing. Apply heat to your breast, or put a sweater or blanket around your shoulders. • Stimulate your nipples by gently rubbing or rolling them. • Relax. Think about nursing your baby. Look at your baby’s picture. Listen to something relaxing. Hand Expression • Wash your hands before expressing milk. • Place your thumb and first two fingers on either side of the nipple, approximately 1- 1 ⁄2 inches behind the nipple. Please note these guidelines for milk expression and storage are for healthy full-term babies. 29 Push Roll Finish Roll • Continue to do this until the flow of milk slows down, usually 3-5 minutes. • Switch to the other breast and repeat. • Go back to the first breast and rotate your hand so you are expressing milk from other parts of your breast. • Repeat again, switching between breasts as the milk flow slows. • Hand expression usually takes 20-30 minutes. Your breasts should be softer. With practice and patience, it gets easier to do and the amount you are able to express will increase. Pumping Read the pump instructions carefully before use. The first time you use the pump, adjust the suction regulator to minimum. You may increase the suction as you become comfortable using the pump, but it should not cause nipple soreness. Center the shield over the nipple so it draws the nipple in and out without rubbing against the sides. When you start the pump, you should feel a tugging similar to how your baby nurses. You should not be uncomfortable when you pump. If pumping is causing discomfort, a larger breast shield may help. If you are using an electric pump, keep it at breast level to reduce the possibility of milk moving back into the pump. If you are pumping instead of nursing, double pump for 15 minutes. If you are using a single pump, pump for a total of 30 minutes and switch breasts when the milk flow decreases, or about every 5 minutes.
Page 1 and 2: A Guide To Your New Family’s Firs
Page 3 and 4: If You’re Expecting.... We look f
Page 5 and 6: Nutrition and Feeding: Formula Feed
Page 7 and 8: Postpartum Medication Log and Infor
Page 9 and 10: Turn to this book and your doctor,
Page 11 and 12: • Your nurse will check on you ro
Page 13 and 14: Head The bones of your baby’s hea
Page 15 and 16: Mother Care The first weeks after g
Page 17 and 18: Postpartum Medication Information B
Page 19 and 20: Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids are varicos
Page 21 and 22: Recovery From Cesarean Birth Becaus
Page 23 and 24: Nutrition and Feeding: Breastfeedin
Page 25 and 26: Helping Your Baby Latch to the Brea
Page 27 and 28: How Your Milk Changes Your body mak
Page 29: latching correctly, the easier and
Page 33 and 34: Lifestyle Issues Nutrition for Moth
Page 35 and 36: Nutrition and Feeding: Formula Feed
Page 37 and 38: During the first days of life, a ba
Page 39 and 40: Common Skin Conditions and Cord Car
Page 41 and 42: Caring for the Foreskin and Decidin
Page 43 and 44: the first few days of life, but can
Page 45 and 46: Tub Bath When the cord has fallen o
Page 47 and 48: Recognizing Illness Illness in a ne
Page 49 and 50: Why And When Do Babies Cry Crying i
Page 51 and 52: What Do I Do If I Feel Like I Am Lo
Page 53 and 54: Finding Childcare (The City of Madi
Page 55 and 56: To prevent flat head molding due to
Page 57 and 58: Sibling Relationships Most families
Page 59 and 60: Baby Blues The most common, least s
Page 61 and 62: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scal
Page 63 and 64: • Car seats should only be carrie
Page 65 and 66: Postpartum Medication Log To assist
Page 72 and 73: How Is Breastfeeding Going Answer t
Page 74 and 75: First Weeks Index 2010 Activity....
Page 76 and 77: Rooming In.........................
Page 78 and 79: Notes Use this section to take note
Page 80:
The Birthing Center 202 S. Park Str
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