Calgary Baby Guide 2023-2024

• Switch nursing: offer each side twice during
each feed. This can work well for a sleepy
baby: the act of switching sides often wakes
them up long enough to latch. It also gives
each breast the milk-boosting impact of cluster
feeding.
• Incorporating a breast pump can be an
important tool to help boost milk supply. As a
rule, any time your baby gets a bottle of
formula or pumped milk, do a pumping
session. This will drain milk from your breasts
and signal your body that it needs to keep
producing.
It is important to note:
• There is very little scientific data to support the
milk-boosting claims of herbal supplements,
lactation cookies, and shakes.You could eat a
bag of cookies a day, but without frequent
and effective milk removal, they will not boost
production. Always discuss herbal
supplements with your doctor before starting.
• Prioritize your mental health. Support from a
friend or family member may be all that is
needed to improve your confidence, give
reassurance and provide encouragement.
Other times, though, professional help,
counselling, medications, and
supplementary feeding methods become
necessary to improve the well-being of both
parent and baby.
There are several ways in which you can work
towards boosting your milk supply. Your baby’s
ability to latch and remove milk is necessary for
continued production! Several other factors can
influence milk production and it can take some
detective work to figure out the cause of low
supply. The most important thing is to be patient
with yourself, reach out for help, and protect your
mental health. Your baby needs a healthy parent
in both mind and body!
References:
Kent J, Prime D, and Garbin C. Principles for
Maintaining or Increasing Breast Milk Production.
Journal of Obstetric Gynaecological and
Neonatal Nursing. 2012; 41(1): p. 114-121.
Lawrence R and Lawrence R. Breastfeeding-
A Guide for the Medical Profession. 8 th Ed.
Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2016.
Mohrbacher N. Breastfeeding Answers Made
Simple. Amarillo, TX: Hale Publishing; 2010. 11
Mohrbacher N and Kendall-Tackett K.
Breastfeeding Made Simple. Seven Natural
Laws for Nursing Mothers. 2 nd Ed. USA: New
Harbinger Publications; 2010.
Mortel M and Mehta S. Systematic Review of the
Efficacy of Herbal Galactogues. Journal of
Human Lactation. 2013; 29(2): p. 154-162.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
Protocol Committee. ABM Clinical Protocol #9:
Use of Galactogogues in Initiating or Augmenting
the Rate of Maternal Milk Secretion.
BREASTFEEDING MEDICINE. 2011; 6(1):
p. 41-49.
Wambach K and Riordan J. Breastfeeding and
Human Lactation. Enhanced 5th Ed. Boston:
Jones and Bartlett; 2016. West D and Marasco L.
Wilson-Clay B and Hoover K. The Breastfeeding
Atlas. 5 th Ed.
Interventions that Enhance Breastfeeding Initiation,
Duration and Exclusivity. The American Journal of
Maternal /Child Nursing. 2016; 41(5):
p.299-307.
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