Nursing Mothers of Raleigh - breastfeeding support meetings

Home Preparation, Starting and 1st 6 Weeks 6 Weeks to 6 Months Starting Solids and Weaning Continuing Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding from Six Weeks to Four Months

Outline from the 2nd of 4 rotating meeting topics

1. Your Milk Supply

Milk production responds to the baby's growth.
Supply meets demand.
Your breasts are never empty.
Reminder about appetite spurts.
Around 2 months swelling and leaking diminish.

2. The Behaviors of a breastfed Infant

Techniques to overcome the baby's preference of one breast over the other.
Dealing with distractions (especially from siblings)

3. Teething

Teething can begin at 3-4 months.
Ice and cold teething rings.
Considerations about using oral numbing ointments and medications.
Other tips and things for a baby to chew on.

4. The Sleep Patterns of a breastfed Infant

What does sleeping through the night really mean?
Relationship between sleep and hunger.
Feeding formula or solids will not change sleep patterns.
What are cluster feedings?
Ideas on how to get your baby to sleep longer at night.

5. Working outside the home

Advantages to continuing to breastfeed when you return to work.
What are all your options?
Supply issues when you'll be away from your baby for some feedings.
Working through appetite spurts with your baby's caregiver.

6. Tips for Pumping

Where and when to pump.
Ways to stimulate your letdown when you are away from your baby.
How long to pump.
Using massage to maximize your output.

7. Pros and Cons of different Breast Pumps

You can hand express or pump, every Mom is different.
Pumping should not hurt (just like breastfeeding).
Hand operated manual pumps.
Battery operated pumps.
Dual Electric pumps.
When to rent a hospital-grade electric pump.

8. Safely Storing Breast Milk

Store it up to 48 hours in the refridgerator.
Store it up to 6 months in the freezer (with door).
Store it up to 1 year in a self-contained freezer.
Helpful hints about storage.
Milk separates when it sits, shake before feeding.
DO NOT HEAT/DEFROST milk in the microwave.
(It destroys the immunities in the milk).
Milk can't be refrozen.
Why you should discard remaining milk in bottle after a feeding.

9. Introducing a Bottle

When is it best to start? (3-4 weeks).
Remember, this is another skill for your baby to learn.
Who should try to give the bottle (not usually Mom).
What can you use to feed your baby, other than a bottle?
Why slow flow nipples are best.

10. Public Concerns for the breastfeeding Mother

Choosing clothing for discrete nursing in public.
How to best hide leaking milk.
How to temporarily stop your milk from leaking.

11. Private Concerns for the breastfeeding Mother

The return of your period.
Birth control and breastfeeding.
Some vaginal dryness is normal during breastfeeding, what can help.
It is common to experience a let-down of milk during intercourse, what can help.

Remember, you CAN do it. If you need help, please call a Counseling Mother listed on our brochure,(download from this site), attend a public meeting or contact an IBCLC lactation consultant or your health care provider.