Breast-feeding
- Facts
- Benefits (baby and mom)
- Concerns
Pumping
- increasing supply (see low milk supply)
- storing milk
- returning to work
- Reflux
Low Milk Supply
- Is your supply actually low?
In exclusively breastfed babies, the amount a baby can consume increases quickly during the first few weeks of life, but then research now shows that it stays about the same between months one and six (though it likely increases short term during growth spurts). This is contrary to old beliefs that as a baby grows so should the amount of breast-milk the consume. Many of these misconceptions were perpetuated by comparing breast-fed babies to formula fed babies. The two cannot be compared and new studies show that many formula fed babies are being overfed (thus their controversial link to childhood obesity and diabetes).
Studies have further shown that, breastmilk intake will continue at this same level until solid foods are firmly established at which time they begin to decrease.
Studies have further shown that, breastmilk intake will continue at this same level until solid foods are firmly established at which time they begin to decrease.
The new research (based on weighing babies before and after each breast-feeding session) showed that exclusively breastfed babies take in an average of 25 oz (750 mL) per day between the ages of 1 month and 6 months. Different babies take in different amounts of milk; a typical range of milk intakes is 19-30 oz per day (570-900 mL per day).
Click here for more information and a breast feeding calculator by KellyMom BABY SCALES
The preceding section leads many moms to ask, how much is my baby drinking at each feeding? This is where baby scasles can be useul, but be careful their use is a double edged sword as some moms worry when their baby's intake is lower than average and begin to supplement with formula. Please remember that if your baby is healthy and gaining weight normally then you are fine to continue breast-feeding. If you have ANY concerns seek advice from your pediatrician and lactation consultant.
Sometimes mothers use scales at home to reassure themselves that baby is getting enough milk and then worry because their babies are not drinking the large volumes often consumed by formula-fed babies. The larger volumes consumed by formula-fed babies are not only related to the differences between formula and human milk, but also due to the differences between breastfeeding verses bottle-feeding. Feeding by the scale is not a useful way for mothers to learn their baby's hunger and satiety cues. Using a scale can be helpful for some mothers with conditions such as breast reduction surgery, or for babies with specialized medical needs, or premature babies with medical complications. But scale use is usually temporary. These mothers, in a consultation with a health care professional, may find it better to focus on baby's general weight gain only once a day, or even every few days.
For more information on this topc see the Leche Leauge's article on baby scales.
- foods
- herbal supplements
Lactation Consultants
Special Circumstances
- Hospitalizations
- SNS systems
- Finger feeding
- Nipple shields
- weak suckle
Formula Feeding
- organic vs. non-organic
- PBA free?
- sanitization
Bottles
Introducing Solid Foods
Weaning Your Little One
