Breastfeeding FAQs
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Utah County WIC is here to provide answers about breastfeeding. When you are informed it is easier to succeed in giving your baby the best start…through breastfeeding! Below you will find many Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If you do not find what you are looking for feel free to click on Ask a Dietitian. Send us your questions regarding breastfeeding and a registered dietitian trained in breastfeeding will respond to it.
- How long is it good to breastfeed?
- How often should I breastfeed?
- My baby wants to breastfeed constantly. Am I producing enough milk?
- How do I increase my breast milk supply?
- Should I put my baby on a feeding schedule?
- How do I know if my baby is getting enough?
- What is the difference between bottle feeding and breastfeeding for my baby?
- Does breast milk have DHA and ARA?
- Is breastfeeding causing my baby to have jaundice?
- What is the difference between colostrum and mature milk?
- How can I travel and still keep a good milk supply?
- When can I introduce a bottle and pacifier?
- Where can I find a breast pump?
- What kind of breast pump is best?
- I am having twins. Can I breastfeed?
Q: How long is it good to breastfeed?
A: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for a year or more. It is recommended to breastfeed exclusively, with no other foods, until a baby is 6 months of age. The mother and baby can continue to breastfeed as solid food is introduced. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding two years or longer. Breast milk provides many benefits to mother and baby. Mother and baby should decide how long they want to breastfeed.
Q: How often should I breastfeed?
A: The answer to this question depends on your breastfeeding goals and baby’s needs. If you are trying to increase your milk supply, the more you breastfeed, the more milk you will produce. If you are trying to decrease your milk supply, the less you breastfeed the less milk you will make.
You should feed baby whenever he is hungry. It is important to remember that crying is a late sign of hunger. Watch baby for earlier feeding cues. If you see any of these feeding cues, it is time to feed baby. Baby may show any of the following cues:
- Opens mouth
- Moves body a little or makes little sounds
- Rapid eye movements, where eyes move a little under the eyelids showing baby is not deep asleep
- Sucking on hands or hands hear mouth.
- Baby may desire to feed more often when they go through a growth spurt, or less as he becomes more skilled at breastfeeding and eats more at once.
Generally, newborns will feed at the breast between 8 and 12 times a day. Each baby is different, however. Some will eat even more than 12 times a day. If baby is older and eating solids he may breastfeed less often. But if you are breastfeeding, with no formula for the first year, breast milk will be the main source of nutrition for baby.
Q: My baby wants to breastfeed constantly. Am I producing enough milk?
A: A newborn baby will likely want to eat between 8 and 12 times a day. Each baby is different, however. Some will eat even more than 12 times a day. If baby is older and eating solids she may breastfeed less often. Some babies will also have different breastfeeding patterns than another baby. Just because a baby feeds often does not always mean baby is not getting enough. There are many ways to know if baby is getting enough milk.
If baby is at the breast frequently then your body will know to the right amount of milk to produce. If your milk supply is low, you can try to increase your supply by feeding baby more often. The hormones involved with breastfeeding will tell the body to produce more. Only about 3% of women are not physically able to produce enough milk for their baby. Those 3% can still breastfeed their baby but will need to supplement with formula.
If your baby is still hungry after being at the breast frequently then there could be a problem with how baby is feeding. Talk to a lactation counselor to make sure that baby is feeding well. For those who receive WIC benefits in Utah County you can contact a breastfeeding specialist at your WIC clinic.
Q: How do I increase my breast milk supply?
A: There are many different things that you can do to increase your milk supply. If you just had a baby, it is important to work on establishing a good milk supply early so it is easier to maintain later. How much milk you produce depends on how much milk your baby demands. The more baby effectively breastfeeds, the more milk your body will make. If you are trying to increase your milk supply try to have baby at the breast every couple hours. If you are separated from your baby for a feeding, try to use a breast pump or hand express. This will help your body know to keep making the amount of milk baby needs. Have baby at your breast for as long as possible at each feeding. This will help send the hormones for milk production to make even more milk. If this extra stimulation does not work, there are other things that can help. Talk to a lactation consultant as soon as possible. The sooner you work to increase the milk supply the more successful you will be. For those who receive WIC benefits in Utah County you can contact a breastfeeding specialist at your WIC clinic.
Q: Should I put my baby on a feeding schedule?
A: Putting baby on a feeding schedule is not generally a good idea, but it can depend on you and your baby. There are many different factors that you should take into account. One of the most important factors you should think about is the age of your child. Often, putting baby on a feeding schedule is for the benefit of the parent and not for the benefit of the child. It is not a good idea to put a newborn on a feeding schedule. A newborn has a small stomach and needs to refill it often. A baby will often eat 8-12 times a day.
It is best to feed baby on demand when he starts to give hunger cues. This will help mom to maintain a good milk supply too as the hormones are sent often to produce more milk. It is also easier to feed a calm baby than one who is upset and crying. You cannot expect to put a newborn on a tight sleep schedule. You may be able to help your newborn tell the difference between night and day, which will help him sleep more at night. But you should not expect a newborn to sleep for long periods of time.
As baby grows older, you may be able to work on having a feeding schedule. But you should think of it more as a routine since you will have to remain flexible to baby’s needs. Another factor to consider when you make your decision about putting your child on a schedule is your child’s personality. Schedules work better for some children than others. There is generally no right or wrong answer to putting baby on a schedule. Just make sure that you consider the needs of baby.
Q: How do I know if my baby is getting enough?
A: There are several things to look for to know if baby is getting enough breast milk. First, watch baby to see if he is drinking deeply. This will look different than if baby is just nibbling or sucking lightly on the breast. If you are not sure, a breastfeeding specialist can help you know if baby is drinking well. A baby who drinks deeply and gets enough breast milk will be satisfied after breastfeeding. A baby that just nibbles or sucks lightly may not be, or may take longer to breastfeed.
While feeding, you may also be able to hear swallowing noises. Some babies may be drinking well but their swallow is quiet and it may be hard to hear it. So the best way is still to watch for the deep drink.
If baby is breastfed, you can also pay attention to baby’s diapers. Before your milk comes in, baby may only have between 1 or 2 wet diapers a day. After your milk comes in, baby should have between 5 and 8 wet diapers a day. Sometimes it is hard to tell exactly how many wet diapers baby has because diapers absorb so well. Baby will also have 3 or more bowel movements a day.
A newborn will normally want to eat anywhere between 8 to 12 times a day, but this can still vary from baby to baby. Watch for the hunger cues. Baby should also be gaining 4 to 7 ounces a week after the first 4 days of life. Another great way to tell if baby is getting enough to is to see if he appears healthy. If he is active and growing, then he is probably getting enough. If you do not think that baby is getting enough to eat, have a doctor examine him. Also, talk to a lactation consultant about how to help baby get enough breast milk. For those who receive WIC benefits in Utah County you can contact a breastfeeding specialist at your WIC clinic.
Q: What is the difference between bottle feeding and breastfeeding for my baby?
A: Breastfeeding is the way the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to feed a baby. Some mothers also have to, or choose to, feed both at the breast and give pumped breast milk in a bottle. Remember, the way baby sucks on the breast is different than how she sucks on a bottle. For a newborn using a bottle may cause problems to develop with breastfeeding. It is recommended to wait until breastfeeding is going well before giving a bottle. This may not be until 4 or more weeks after baby is born.
If a bottle is not necessary, a mother can exclusively feed baby at the breast. With bottle feeding, you can feed your baby pumped breast milk or formula. Normally, bottle feeding refers to feeding your baby formula. Breastfeeding refers to feeding at the breast or giving breast milk in a bottle or cup.
Q: Does breast milk have DHA and ARA?
A: Yes, breast milk does contain DHA and ARA, which are healthy omega-3 fatty acids that help baby to be healthier. Not all formula contains DHA and ARA. Only recently some formula has started adding these fatty acids and the label will mention it. The DHA and ARA found in breast milk have proven to be beneficial to a child’s development. There is, at this point, no proven benefit from the DHA and ARA that gets added to formula.
Q: Is breastfeeding causing my baby to have jaundice?
A: A baby will have jaundice when there is too much bilirubin in his body. The main way for baby to get rid of the extra bilirubin is by having bowel movements. You can know if a high bilirubin is because of breastfeeding or breast milk by when the jaundice happens.
If jaundice happens in the first day or two after birth it is usually not because of problems with feeding. With this type of jaundice it is best for a baby to breastfeed. Usually the high bilirubin level will go down within a few days or weeks.
Although you may hear that a baby with jaundice should be given formula, this is not usually recommended or necessary. Breastfed babies have more bowel movements than formula-fed children and will get rid of more bilirubin.
One problem with bilirubin is it can make baby sleepier. A sleepy baby is harder to wake up so he can feed well. Try and wake baby up if he is sleeping for long periods of time. If you feel concerned baby is not eating enough, contact a lactation consultant about how to help baby get enough breast milk. For those who receive WIC benefits in Utah County you can contact a breastfeeding specialist at your WIC clinic.
Breastfeeding Jaundice is when the bilirubin level is high, not because of the breast milk but because of incorrect breastfeeding. If baby is not latching well or is not removing breast milk well, he could develop breastfeeding jaundice. Focus on improving breastfeeding instead of changing baby to formula. Again, it is a good idea to contact a breastfeeding specialist for help.
If jaundice continues past the first week it may be Breast Milk Jaundice. The high bilirubin might be related to the breast milk. If baby is healthy this type of jaundice may be normal. The jaundice will eventually go away on its own. Breastfeeding should not be stopped unless the serum bilirubin level is 20 mg/dl or higher. If it is that high it is possible there are other reasons for the high bilirubin level. Treatment to lower the bilirubin level may be needed. Talk to your doctor and breastfeeding specialist about breastfeeding.
Q: What is the difference between colostrum and mature milk?
A: Colostrum is the early milk that your breasts make while you are pregnant and for the first few days after you deliver. It is high in nutrients and is very beneficial to baby in or her first few days of life. Your breasts can start producing colostrum at any time during your pregnancy, but usually in your last trimester. You may not produce colostrum until after you deliver your baby. Your breasts will continue to produce colostrum for the first few days. Around the second to sixth day after delivery your mature milk will come in. As long as you breastfeeding the breast milk will continue to provide for baby’s nutritional needs.
Q: How can I travel and still keep a good milk supply?
A: The best way to keep a good milk supply when traveling is if baby can go with you! Just continue feeding baby like normal. If baby is not going to be with you, hand expression or using a breast pump is essential. If you travel often, you may want to learn to hand express well or invest in a good electric pump. Pumping while you are away from baby will help to relieve any fullness you may experience. It will also let your body know that it still needs to produce milk. If you desire, and have the necessary equipment, you can store the milk to feed baby when you return. To maintain a good milk supply, try to pump just as much as you would have fed baby at home, if not more.
Q: When can I introduce a bottle and pacifier?
A: The answer to this question depends on what your long-term breastfeeding goals are. If you plan to breastfeed baby, it is recommended to wait until breastfeeding is well established before introducing either the bottle or a pacifier. This may be after 4 to 6 weeks. It will help avoid nipple confusion. If you do not plan to feed at the breast, then you can introduce a bottle or pacifier at whatever time you feel the need.
Q: Where can I find a breast pump?
A: Breast pumps can be found in many different places depending on the type that you want. Prices may be different so you may want to check out different places for the best price. You will want to make sure you know what kind of breast pump is best for you. Some women may only need a simple hand pump. Others may need a double pump or even a hospital grade pump. For those who receive WIC benefits in Utah County you can contact a your WIC clinic for a free manual hand pump. You can also contact the Breastfeeding Warmline at 801-851-7312 to see if you qualify to borrow an electric breastpump.
Q: What kind of breast pump is best?
A: The kind of breast pump that is best for you depends on what your needs are. If you are away from baby often and plan on pumping a lot, you may want to invest in a good electric breast pump. Hospital grade pumps can be rented and a good personal electrical pump can be purchased for $200-$300. Under certain situations Utah County WIC may be able to lend its clients an electric breast pump.
If you will be with baby most of the time and do not need to pump that often, there are many different options for you to choose from. Each type of breast pump has its own advantages or disadvantages. You may want to look at pedal pumps, hands free pumps or manual pumps. For Utah County WIC clients you can receive a free manual hand pump from your WIC clinic. Think about what your needs are and what you want from a breast pump when you decide what pump is best for you.
Q: I am having twins. Can I breastfeed?
A: Yes, you can breastfeed if you have twins. The more you breastfeed the more milk your breasts will make. Breastfeeding twins has benefits include saving time and money. Although some women find breastfeeding twins challenging, many find ways to make it work well. Then your babies will receive the wonderful benefits of breast milk!
