Got spit up??

Usually, formula-fed babies spit up more than breastfed babies. However, there are certain things that can cause a breastfed baby to spit up, including:

1. Air bubbles. Burping your baby before feeding, between sides and after feeding will help get rid of the air bubbles.
2. Reflux. Keep your baby in a mostly up-right position for 30 minutes to one hour after you feed to help alleviate reflux.
3. Contact your pediatrician if your baby projectile vomits multiple times. There are certain conditions that may cause this to happen.

If your baby is not gaining weight adequately, consult your pediatrician as medications may be required to assist with weight gain. Also, if spitting up starts or worsens after your baby is introduced to formula, your pediatrician may recommend a different type of formula.

Please leave a comment if you have any other questions or join us for the next Breastfeeding Community Gathering on Thursday, July 26, from 11 a.m. to noon in the Shannon Women’s & Children’s Center family room (3rd floor), 201 E. Beauregard.

Too much milk?

Occasionally, you will produce more milk than your baby needs. This may seem like a good problem, but too much milk can make feedings taxing and uncomfortable for both you and your baby.

There are a few ways to tell if your baby is receiving too much milk, but the number one indicator is if your baby has a green, watery or foamy, stool. They may also gulp, choke or sputter during feedings due to the rush of milk and have increased gas and tummy aches. Spitting up more than usual may also be an indicator. This happens when your baby is receiving too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk.

You can do several things to help decrease your milk supply, just be careful to not decrease it too much.

• Place cabbage leaves in your bra three times a day for 10 to 15 minutes to help decrease swelling.
• If you are pumping after feedings, stop. You are telling your body to keeping producing milk by pumping after a feeding.
• If your breasts are very full prior to feeding you can hand express a very small amount of milk to help decrease firmness.

Please leave a comment if you have any other questions or join us for the next Breastfeeding Community Gathering on Thursday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to noon in the Shannon Women’s & Children’s Center family room (3rd floor), 201 E. Beauregard.

Dealing with plugged ducts

A plugged duct can be a very unpleasant experience for breastfeeding moms. When a duct is plugged, a sudden onset of swelling and firmness in one area of the breast usually occurs. Sometimes it’s a small area that swells and becomes firm, but depending on where the plug is, it can affect a good-sized section of the breast. 

A plugged duct can be very painful, but the area should not be warm to the touch or have a red/purple discoloration. This may mean you have an infection.

These factors can contribute to ducts becoming plugged:

• An underwire bra
• The seam of a bra or fabric putting pressure while sleeping
• Sleeping on your breasts wrong may cause a duct to swell and become plugged.

To fix this issue, begin treatment as soon as you suspect you have a plugged duct.

• Use warm moist heat prior to feeding/pumping. Feeding is the best solution since your baby is better at draining the breast.
• Try to turn the babie’s jaw toward the plugged area.
• Massage the area while the baby is feeding or you are pumping. Warning- this is usually painful since the area affected is very tender.
• Also, you can massage the area around the areola between your fingers using a rolling/stretching motion; be firm but gentle.

If these solutions do not improve your condition after 24 or 48 hours, or if you are extremely uncomfortable, please call your OB/GYN provider or a lactation consultant for further assistance.

Please leave a comment if you have any other questions or join us for the next Breastfeeding Community Gathering on Thursday, July 12, from 11 a.m. to noon in the Shannon Women’s & Children’s Center family room (3rd floor), 201 E. Beauregard.

Taking medications while breastfeeding

We often receive calls from moms with a cold or allergies inquiring which medicines are safe for them to take while breastfeeding. We understand this may be nerve-wracking and generally suggest the following medications in the order listed.

• Antihistamines such as Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra or Benadryl are recommended first. However, use caution if taking Benadryl as the drowsy side-effect of the medication and tiredness associated with breastfeeding can make for a very sleepy mommy. 
• If none of these work, try Sudafed. However, Sudafed has the greatest chance of affecting the milk supply.

You should watch that your milk production does not decrease while taking any of these medications. Side effects may vary depending on the mom. Also, it is important for breastfeeding moms to always stay hydrated, but especially while taking these medications. Carry a bottle of water with you at all times to remind yourself to stay hydrated!

While the above medications are often ok to take, very harsh antibiotics such as vancomycin can be problematic depending on the dose. Also, any radioactive treatments such as iodine oblations, require breastfeeding to be stopped or your milk dumped. Check for recommendations on either of these situations as serious harm for your baby may be a result.

Most medications are safe to take while breastfeeding, but if you have any doubts contact your physician or a Shannon lactation consultant to be sure the medication you are taking will not hurt your milk supply or your baby.

Please leave a comment if you have any other questions or join us for the next Breastfeeding Community Gathering on Thursday, July 5, from 11 a.m. to noon in the Shannon Women’s & Children’s Center family room (3rd floor), 201 E. Beauregard.