Breastfeeding 

Breastfeeding: Best Bet for Babies

Daniel Brennan MD, Certified Lactation Counselor

A baby nestles skin to skin in her mother’s arms.  Her little mouth opens, she starts to root and latches on.  One suckle, then a second, followed by a gulp.  The mother feels an amazing let-down of milk as mother and baby have reunited to breastfeed.

While breastfeeding may be the most natural way to feed a baby, it does not always come so naturally for each mother-baby pair.  Some may work for days and weeks to perfect the latch, improve positioning and enhance the mother’s milk supply.  With the right support from your family, pediatrician and lactation expert, breastfeeding can be a rewarding way to nourish and bond with your infant.

Benefits for infant, mother and community

The many benefits of breastfeeding a baby are well known.  Human milk has been designed especially for human babies and is easier for a baby to digest, not to mention chock-full of special proteins and infection-fighting antibodies.  Each time a baby breastfeeds, a mother is providing her baby with a natural immunity to combat viruses and bacteria that are in the immediate environment.  Many breastfed babies develop fewer ear, stomach and upper respiratory infections.

There are many potential health benefits for breastfeeding mothers.  Several studies have suggested that breastfeeding mothers may lower their risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers.  A breastfeeding mother may also have improved bone density, a reduced long-term risk of hip fractures, experience less bleeding after delivery and have an earlier return to pre-pregnancy weight.

Our community also benefits from breastfeeding.   A healthier infant population results in reduced health care costs and less parental time away from work to care for a sick infant.

New mothers may face many hurdles when trying to breastfeed their infants.  Delayed milk production, difficulty teaching a baby to latch on, lack of support or improper advice from well-meaning family members, friends and health professionals may all lead to breastfeeding failure. 

Many mothers may question whether their milk is “good enough’ for their baby.  Because breast milk is easily digested, most breastfed babies want to nurse, on cue, every 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours.  This is in contrast to some formula-fed babies that typically will feed every 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours.  It is common, therefore, to have a breastfed baby that wants to “feed all day” with no apparent schedule.   

Most babies will offer cues when they are hungry.  Crying, sucking, rooting or clenching fists may all be cues that a baby would like to nurse.  To enhance a mother’s milk supply and satisfy an infant’s hunger, it is preferable for a mother to watch and feed on cue, rather than watching the clock.

Some mothers will have a delay in their milk production, especially after a Cesarean section.  The more often a baby nurses or milk is expressed from the breast, the sooner the milk supply will be established.  Instead of supplementing and waiting for the milk to “come in”, a new mother can help to enhance her milk supply by having her baby latch on every two hours.  Sometimes using a breast pump, after or in-between feeds, can be useful in enhancing milk production.

Is my baby getting enough?

How do you know if your baby is getting enough milk?  Many babies will lose up to 10% of their birth weight before reaching their birth weight again at two weeks of life.  Signs that your baby is getting enough to eat include having at least 4-6 wet diapers and 2-3 bowel movements in a 24 hour period.  Your pediatrician will be looking for a weight gain of ½ to 1 ounce a day during office visits.

Breastfeeding your newborn baby can be a very rewarding, but often times challenging endeavor.  With the early support, advice and assistance from your pediatrician and community lactation experts, breastfeeding your baby can be an easier and more pleasurable experience.

Breastfeeding Tips

• Your breastfed baby may want to nurse every 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours (8 – 12 feedings per day) 
• Watch for your baby’s feeding cues, not the clock
• Look for a minimum of 4 – 6 wet diapers per 24 hours
• Look for a minimum of 2 –3 bowel movements per 24 hours
• A newborn baby should gain ½ to 1 ounce a day
• To enhance your milk supply, nurse or pump more often
• Contact your doctor if you experience pain with feeding, red or cracked nipples or have any other questions