Breastfeeding Basics

A few tips to help guide you through baby’s first year.

There are many myths, tips, tricks and even ambiguities about breastfeeding, whether you’re a new mom or already have a few little ones. You may even have an entirely different experience from child to child.

Dr. Lydia Cook, associate medical director for HealthSpan, talks about the questions, concerns and anxieties she hears from her patients.

Breastfeeding Fears

“There is a big fear of being unable to nurse. Many women have a hard time breastfeeding, producing adequate amounts of milk or getting the baby to latch. It’s important not to give up too easily or get down on yourself,” Cook says.

She offers the following tips to keep in mind:

Breastfeeding doesn’t have to mean “all or nothing.” You can combine breast and formula feeding, and your baby will still get the benefits of your breast milk. It’s important to work with your doctor to explore all options that might make breastfeeding possible, such as the use of breast pumps.

Give yourself a break. Try not to beat yourself up if breastfeeding is harder than you thought. Take the time to feel sad or frustrated, but don’t give up easily. Consult your doctor for different solutions to address the problems you are having. If you’re still unable to breastfeed, you can still bond with your baby by holding him close to your chest, skin to skin, during feedings.

Common Questions

“Most women are unsure of how many months they should breastfeed,” Cook says. While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nursing for at least the first 12 months, this may not be a realistic goal for all mothers.

“Other common questions pertain to breast pumps, milk storage and how long the milk will keep. Working moms are particularly concerned about pumping and being able to store safely and privately in their workplace.”

Here are some things to consider when it comes to storing and handling breast milk:

Breast milk keeps differently depending on how you store it. Freshly expressed breast milk can be kept at room temperature for up to six hours, in an insulated cooler with ice packs for up to one day, in the back of the refrigerator for five to eight days and in the freezer for three to six months.

Store breast milk in a clean, capped glass, hard plastic container or special plastic breast milk bags.

Place containers in the back of the refrigerator or freezer, where the temperature is the coolest. If you don’t have access to a refrigerator or freezer, store in a cooler or insulated bag until you can transfer it.

Don’t store breast milk in disposable bottle liners or plastic bags for general household use.

If you pump at work, store in a durable, solid bag in the refrigerator to ensure privacy. Label each container with the date you expressed the milk and add your baby’s name if storing at a childcare facility.

Article courtesy of HealthSpan.

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