Pumping Breast Milk - How to Breastfeed a Baby - when Low Milk Supply?
Breast milk is the best food for most babies during the first year of life. Studies show that children who are breastfed have fewer ear infections, lower respiratory infections, and urinary tract infections than children who receive formula. Breastfed babies are also less likely to develop childhood obesity, which is a growing epidemic in the United States.
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond.
If your breasts are engorged (larger, sore, and feeling extremely full), your newborn may have difficulty latching on. You can express some milk by gently massaging or pushing by hand or with a breast pump. Pumping breast milk may actualy help your baby latch on.
Breastfeeding vs Bottle
Breastfeeding vs Bottle - This is a very common problem faced by mothers. Sometimes it is not up to us to choose whether to breastfeed or not. Everyone knows that breastmilk is much better than formula milk. But what if you tried your best to breastfeed your baby but the breastmilk production did not last more than a month?
When breastmilk production decreased, before blaming your breasts for not producing sufficient milk, you must understand there are many factors affecting the production of breastmilk. These include early introduction of bottle-feeding and incorrect positioning.
If the baby doesn't latch on correctly, nursing will not last for long - it is a right time to add formula milk. But you wshoud beware - If bottle-feeding or artificial is introduced early, the baby will confuse between mother's nipple and the feeding bottle. This results in poor sucking on mother's nipples. Sucking by the baby is an important stimulation for breastmilk production. If the sucking is poor, breastmilk prodction will of course reduce.
Bottle Feeding Pros
- More freedom in terms of diet, exercise, scheduling, and returning to work.
- Infant formula is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which ensures that a growing infant is receiving all the necessary nutrients needed
- it is easier to regulate how much your baby is eating.
- Allows other family members, especially dad, to take part in feeding the baby and thereby creating a long-lasting bond.
- Once breast milk has been thawed, it should not be refrozen: It can, however, be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Releasing many women unconfort of breast feeding in public.
Bottle Feeding Cons
- The cost of bottle feeding can be astronomical, especialy if your baby needs special formula, the cost per can of formula can almost double.
- When traveling, a bottle feeding parent must pack enough bottles and formula to last the duration of the trip.
- Preparing bottles is time consuming and if the formula is not properly prepared, served, and stored, it can cause health problems for your baby.
- Unlike breast milk, infant formula does not contain antibodies that can protect baby from diseases.
- Formula fed babies tend to have more disgetive related issues such as constipation and gas.
Best Brest Pump?
There are a variety of pumps available. Lactation consultant can help you evaluate your needs and choose wisely the best brest pump for nursing your baby.
Working women commonly like electric double pumps. The best models on the market combine latest innovation and hospital-grade electric with 2-Phase Expression pumping to reduce pumping time through faster let-down and milk flow.
Women who pump infrequently often prefer manual pumps. The best models shoud provide all ergonomic features as well as 2-Phase Expression pumping for maximum milk flow.
Tips for using your breast pump
- Mmaximize your output by ensuring that your nipple is properly positioned in the center of the horn so that it doesn't end up rubbing against the hard plastic
- Wherever possible, milk that has been expressed should be promptly chilled or frozen to prevent spoilage.
- Because freezing kills some of the antibodies in breast milk, it's best to refrigerate it rather than freeze it whenever possible
- If you notice that the breast milk you collected has separated into layers, simply shake the baby's bottle until the breast milk is thoroughly mixed together again.
- Once breast milk has been thawed, it should not be refrozen: It can, however, be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours
