Breastfeeding questions: Querying to Clear Nursing Confusions

If you are a pregnant woman who has given birth and are thinking about breastfeeding, then you may be full of breastfeeding questions. While the questions may vary in tone and type depending on the circumstances of the breastfeeding mother and her mood, finding answers to these questions too becomes important. So, whenever in worry over some aspect of breastfeeding, ask questions. The following are a few of the more common questions asked by curious breastfeeding mothers.

Do I make All the Milk?

Some women wonder whether they will be able to make enough milk to meet their baby's needs and whether the milk could dry up. Here, it must be mentioned that most mothers produce more than enough milk for their baby. If your infant has latched on to your breast correctly and is allowed to nurse as often and as long as he wishes, then your breast will be stimulated to produce the hormones necessary to make milk. Babies who are not gaining weight are probably not latching on properly. This prevents them from getting all of the milk they need.

A nursing mother can look for signs to determine whether the baby is getting the sufficient amount of baby food. An indicator to check are the number of times your baby is wetting the diaper and passing stools, which will vary as your baby grows. You can even start observing the weight pattern of your baby and consult the pediatrician to ensure whether your baby is getting enough milk.

Are my Breasts too Small?

Some women with small breasts ask whether the size of their breasts affect in anyway their ability to give their babies all the milk they need. Equally, whether at all mothers with small breasts can breastfeed. But, say experts, breast size is not related to the amount of milk produced. Nursing mothers with small breasts have no problems feeding their babies. In fact, studies show that it is large-breasted women who may face some difficulty making their babies latch on to the nipple.

Should My Breasts Hurt during Nursing?

Another question related to the breastfeeding one is whether it is normal for breasts to hurt while the mother nurses. Here, the only thing that will happen is for you to feel only a tugging sensation if the baby is latched on to the breast correctly. It is in fact by paying attention to positioning that you can prevent soreness. The tenderness that you experience will be temporary. Putting breast milk on the nipple after nursing and alternating positions at the breast will help relieve it. If you begin to feel pain though you have no other problem with the nursing, contact your health care professional. You may have a problem with yeast or infection.

Does the Baby Need Extra Water?

Another question asked, does the baby need extra water? The answer is, even if it is hot and the baby shows signs of irritability, he or she should not be given extra water. The balance of electrolytes in the babies' bodies can be disrupted and cause serious problems. Breast milk provides all of the water an infant needs. So long as the breastfeeding phase lasts, breastfeeding is all the feeding and drinking that a baby needs. You should drink several glasses of water instead!

How Often should I Feed?

You may also ask about the timing of feeds and whether you should offer both breasts at a feeding. Breastfeeding being a baby-led activity, the baby will tell you quite clearly by coming off the breast that he is finished. The baby should finish feeding at one breast before being offered the other breast. It is important that your baby feeds long enough on each breast because the quality of the milk changes during a feeding, with higher amounts of some important nutrients made later during the feeding. The quality of the milk after the baby has sucked long enough, is higher than in the initial stages of feed.

Should I Feed my Baby Formula?

How close are formula-based milks to the real thing? Formulas are only superficially similar to breast milk. The formula is not custom made for your baby, breast milk on the other hand provides the antibodies, living cells, enzymes and hormones your infant needs. There are other reasons that breastfeeding is preferred over formula-feeding: formula-feeding does not provide the same level of physical contact that breastfeeding does. The closeness is deemed necessary to both baby and mother. While increased interaction has been shown to enhance intellectual development in the child, suckling at the breast stimulates hormones that increase the maternal instincts and urges a mother to protect her baby from harm.

What Foods Should I consume While Nursing?

Another curiosity new mothers show is regarding what foods to consume. Nursing mothers need to eat a balanced diet and usually do not need to avoid any foods unless their flavors turn them or their baby off. You should drink lots of water. You can drink some alcohol, but not so much that your parenting is impaired. You should limit caffeinated beverages to no more than two a day, otherwise you may produce an irritable baby. The surprising part is, drinking milk does not influence milk production. You should consume the recommended 3 to 4 cups of milk (nonfat, low-fat), yogurt or cheese. If you overdo it, your child may develop an allergic reaction to cow's milk.

If you've seen these queries being answered to your satisfaction, then it is time to do a re think and get on to the task of mothering seriously. Your baby is waiting.