re: Boobies 101 - for mommas who intend to nurse

Quoting whoknowsx:" Question! I both nurse and pump. I pump because two days a week I am away from my baby from 9am- 9pm ... [snip!] ... from the otherside at night). my DS chokes on that boob everytime he eats -- what should I do? Thank you for your assistance!"

First question: Is 4ounces of breastmilk too much every 2-3 hours?
It's not "too much" but it is likely more than he needs.
The average breastfed baby past 4 weeks until 6 months averages 25 oz per day.
http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/
The average is 19-30 oz. So if he took 30oz (on the higher end) and ate every 2 hrs - he'd take in about 2.5 oz per feed.
So then you'd likely wonder - why does he eat 4 if he doesn't need 4?
Well he probably overeats for 1 or 2 reasons (or both). The way a baby is fed a bottle makes a difference and he may do it to comfort suck. Also - if he gets any formula, that can monkey with it a bit.

The first 4 weeks, your supply keep increasing in volume. At around a month it stabilizes & from there on out it increases in density. So you don't make more milk, you make milk that is higher & higher in fats & calories. Obviously formula isn't like this - it is the same day after day, so when baby's needs for fats & calories & nutrition go up, the ounces must increase. It is for this reason that most moms who "can't keep up" with pumping, often can, but they don't know it because they assume they are supposed to be leaving 4, 5, 6 oz per feed & they don't actually need to.

How do you get him to take less? Bottle technique and making suire he is on alow flow bottle & offering a binkie after he has been given the appropriate number of ounces to see if he will settle for that. Here is info on technique: http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/feeding-tools/bottle-feeding/


Second question: because I pump I have an oversupply, particularly on one boob (because I manually pump that boob while he eats from the otherside at night). my DS chokes on that boob everytime he eats -- what should I do?
It would be better of you could alternate which breast you pump. When offering that side, treat it as if it has overactive letdown & follow these tips:http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/fast-letdown/

Ok. Thats all I needed to know (for now). Thanks ladies!!

bumping up

I have another question!

If the volume of the milk changes as my baby ages, and I pumped milk for a backup supply (lets say for this example, pumped 2 months ago), would my baby need more milk because 2months ago the milk had more foremilk and less hindmilk or what?

<blockquote><b>Quoting whoknowsx:</b>" I have another question! If the volume of the milk changes as my baby ages, and I pumped milk for a ... [snip!] ... pumped 2 months ago), would my baby need more milk because 2months ago the milk had more foremilk and less hindmilk or what?"</blockquote>




No it will be fine. The foremilk/hindmilk is usually determained by how long the milk has been in your breasts

bumping for new questions

Oh I almost forgot about this thread

I did forget. LOL

Quoting justanothamotha:" Quoting justanothamotha:" AND THE MOST underutilized tool - BOOKS (I personally swear by The Womanly Art of Breeastfeeding) ."."

COuld you link us to which book? There seem to be multiple by that title on amazon, thanks!

Quoting whoknowsx:" Second question: because I pump I have an oversupply, particularly on one boob (because I manually pump that boob while he eats from the otherside at night). my DS chokes on that boob everytime he eats -- what should I do? !"

You could try pumping that side a few minutes beforehand to lessen the amount of milk just to see if it would help.

Quoting Unique Mama:" COuld you link us to which book? There seem to be multiple by that title on amazon, thanks! "

Link here: http://www.amazon.com/Womanly-Art-Breastfeeding-Diane-Wiessinger/dp/0345518446
And I went back & linked in that post as well.  

thank you!

you are quite welcome

Thank you for posting all this info! I was only able to BF my first LO for 3 weeks. I feel like if I'd had known more about breastfeeding i would have been more successful. I'm currently BFing my youngest LO now, she'll be one soon & we're still going strong  
Also, I plan on becoming a certified lactation consultant after i finish college, so all this info is good to know! Thanks again for posting!

Quoting kate♥[j&a]:" Thank you for posting all this info! I was only able to BF my first LO for 3 weeks. I feel like if I'd ... [snip!] ... becoming a certified lactation consultant after i finish college, so all this info is good to know! Thanks again for posting!"

I am glad it is helpful. It is smurf I wish I had known going into it too. LOL