Questions About Mother
Breast Concerns
Does breastfeeding hurt?
Breastfeeding should not hurt. If your baby is latched on and positioned properly, you should not feel pain. Your baby’s mouth should be wide open, with as much of the areola as far back into his or her mouth as possible. This minimizes soreness for you. Your baby should not nurse on the nipple only. If you feel pain, your baby is not latched onto your breast properly and you will need to call a lactation consultant for help.
Will my breasts become engorged if I am breastfeeding?
It is normal for breasts to feel full a few days after delivery. This feeling goes away by the time the baby is about 4 weeks old. Severe engorgement can be prevented by breastfeeding right after birth and continuing to feed the baby whenever he or she seems hungry. Your baby’s feedings should not be timed or delayed in any way in the first few weeks. Sleepy babies should be awakened every 3-4 hours to feed until a normal feeding pattern is developed. If your breasts are so full that the areola is hard, the baby may not be able to latch. Try warm compresses and expressing some milk before feeding. Call a lactation consultant or a breastfeeding warm-line for more help.
Will my breasts leak while I am breastfeeding?
It is common to have some leaking from one breast while the baby is nursing on the other
breast or when feeding time is getting close. This is much less common after 3 or 4 months
of nursing. To prevent leaking:
Can I breastfeed if my breasts are small?
Of course! Breast size is not related to the ability to produce milk for a baby. Breast size is
determined by the amount of fatty tissue in the breast, not by the amount of milk-producing
tissue. Most women, regardless of breast size, can make enough milk for their babies.
Can I still breastfeed after breast surgery?
Plastic surgery to enlarge breasts does not usually prevent breastfeeding. However, plastic
surgery to reduce breast size is more likely to interfere with breastfeeding, especially if the
nipples have been moved and milk ducts have been cut. Many women who have had this type of surgery are still able to breastfeed. Make sure that your doctor and your baby’s doctor know about your surgery, because your baby will need to be watched closely to make sure he or she is getting enough breastmilk.
Can I breastfeed if I have a pierced nipple?
Pierced nipples do not usually interfere with breastfeeding, but any jewelry should be removed before a breastfeeding session to prevent your child from choking. If your piercing became infected when it was pierced or later, inform your doctor. Infection or scarring may make breastfeeding more difficult. Some of your breastmilk may leak through the pierced hole while you are breastfeeding. This is usually not a problem. If you have any questions, be sure to ask your pediatrician or a lactation consultant to check that your baby is nursing well.
Breastfeeding should not hurt. If your baby is latched on and positioned properly, you should not feel pain. Your baby’s mouth should be wide open, with as much of the areola as far back into his or her mouth as possible. This minimizes soreness for you. Your baby should not nurse on the nipple only. If you feel pain, your baby is not latched onto your breast properly and you will need to call a lactation consultant for help.
Will my breasts become engorged if I am breastfeeding?
It is normal for breasts to feel full a few days after delivery. This feeling goes away by the time the baby is about 4 weeks old. Severe engorgement can be prevented by breastfeeding right after birth and continuing to feed the baby whenever he or she seems hungry. Your baby’s feedings should not be timed or delayed in any way in the first few weeks. Sleepy babies should be awakened every 3-4 hours to feed until a normal feeding pattern is developed. If your breasts are so full that the areola is hard, the baby may not be able to latch. Try warm compresses and expressing some milk before feeding. Call a lactation consultant or a breastfeeding warm-line for more help.
Will my breasts leak while I am breastfeeding?
It is common to have some leaking from one breast while the baby is nursing on the other
breast or when feeding time is getting close. This is much less common after 3 or 4 months
of nursing. To prevent leaking:
- Press firmly against the nipple with your arm for about one minute.
- Wear nursing pads inside your bra.
- Change nursing pads often to allow the nipples to stay dry.
- Avoid use of breast pads that have a plastic coating.
Can I breastfeed if my breasts are small?
Of course! Breast size is not related to the ability to produce milk for a baby. Breast size is
determined by the amount of fatty tissue in the breast, not by the amount of milk-producing
tissue. Most women, regardless of breast size, can make enough milk for their babies.
Can I still breastfeed after breast surgery?
Plastic surgery to enlarge breasts does not usually prevent breastfeeding. However, plastic
surgery to reduce breast size is more likely to interfere with breastfeeding, especially if the
nipples have been moved and milk ducts have been cut. Many women who have had this type of surgery are still able to breastfeed. Make sure that your doctor and your baby’s doctor know about your surgery, because your baby will need to be watched closely to make sure he or she is getting enough breastmilk.
Can I breastfeed if I have a pierced nipple?
Pierced nipples do not usually interfere with breastfeeding, but any jewelry should be removed before a breastfeeding session to prevent your child from choking. If your piercing became infected when it was pierced or later, inform your doctor. Infection or scarring may make breastfeeding more difficult. Some of your breastmilk may leak through the pierced hole while you are breastfeeding. This is usually not a problem. If you have any questions, be sure to ask your pediatrician or a lactation consultant to check that your baby is nursing well.
Nutrition Concerns
What foods do I need to eat while I am breastfeeding?
You can enjoy the foods you normally eat. It is best for you to eat a healthy, well-balanced
diet, including at least five fruits and vegetables a day, but your breastmilk will still be good for your baby no matter what you eat. It is important to drink to fully satisfy thirst to replace the fluids you are losing when you breastfeed. You do not need to drink cow’s milk to make good breastmilk. You can continue to take your prenatal vitamins. Rarely, a baby may get fussy or gassy after you have eaten a certain food because he or she is sensitive to that food.
Can I take medicine while I am breastfeeding?
Most medications will not enter breastmilk, but it is important to have your health care
provider, lactation consultant, or pharmacist check on the safety of any medicine or herbal
remedy you plan to take while breastfeeding.
Can I breastfeed and drink caffeine?
One or two cups (8 ounces = 1 cup) of a caffeinated beverage, such as coffee or soda, should
not cause any problems for your baby. Large amounts of caffeine can reduce the amount of
milk that you make or make your baby irritable.
You can enjoy the foods you normally eat. It is best for you to eat a healthy, well-balanced
diet, including at least five fruits and vegetables a day, but your breastmilk will still be good for your baby no matter what you eat. It is important to drink to fully satisfy thirst to replace the fluids you are losing when you breastfeed. You do not need to drink cow’s milk to make good breastmilk. You can continue to take your prenatal vitamins. Rarely, a baby may get fussy or gassy after you have eaten a certain food because he or she is sensitive to that food.
Can I take medicine while I am breastfeeding?
Most medications will not enter breastmilk, but it is important to have your health care
provider, lactation consultant, or pharmacist check on the safety of any medicine or herbal
remedy you plan to take while breastfeeding.
Can I breastfeed and drink caffeine?
One or two cups (8 ounces = 1 cup) of a caffeinated beverage, such as coffee or soda, should
not cause any problems for your baby. Large amounts of caffeine can reduce the amount of
milk that you make or make your baby irritable.
Social Concerns
Will breastfeeding tie me to my home?
Not at all! Breastfeeding is convenient no matter where you are because you don’t have to
bring along feeding equipment like bottles, water, or formula. Your baby is all you need. Even if you want to breastfeed in private, you usually can find a woman’s lounge or fitting room. If you want to go out without your baby, you can pump your milk beforehand and leave it for someone else to give your baby while you are gone.
What do I do when I need to breastfeed outside my home?
You can breastfeed in public, without anyone knowing, by wearing clothes that allow easy
access to your breasts, such as button down shirts. By placing a receiving blanket over your
baby and your breast, most people won’t even know that you are breastfeeding. It’s helpful to breastfeed before the baby becomes fussy so that you can get into a comfortable position for feeding. You also can purchase a nursing cover or baby sling for added privacy. Many stores have women’s lounges or dressing rooms, if you want to slip into one of those to breastfeed. A Rhode Island law permits breastfeeding in any public place.
Will my partner be jealous if I breastfeed?
Share information about the important benefits of breastfeeding with your partner and other close family members before the baby is born. Explain that you want and need their support. Tell them that breastfeeding will give this child the best start at life, with benefits that last well into adulthood. Mention how much money the family will save and that it will cost hundreds of dollars a month to pay for formula – money that could go to bills, savings, shopping, or a family vacation.
How can my partner help?
Your partner and other close family members can be there to support and encourage you while you and the baby are learning to breastfeed. In the hospital, they can limit visitors so you can rest and learn to feed the baby. Family members can hold and cuddle the baby and bring the baby to you to nurse. They can help with changing and burping the baby, sharing chores, and by simply sitting with you and the baby to enjoy the special mood that breastfeeding creates.
Can I still breastfeed when I go back to work?
With careful planning, you can still breastfeed when you go back to work. If your job allows, you can pump your breast milk a few times during the day and refrigerate or freeze it for your baby to take in a bottle later. Or, some women nurse at night and on weekends and give their babies daytime bottles of formula. A mother’s milk production can adapt to this type of schedule.
If your job does not have a lactation program, ask your supervisor or human resources
department to arrange for your needs. Working mothers who breastfeed need a clean, private, and safe space other than a toilet stall where they can pump milk and need breaks during the day to pump milk. Rhode Island has a Nursing Working Mother’s Law to encourage employers to support breastfeeding women in these ways. To start a conversation about your breastfeeding needs, give your supervisor copies of this law and the tips for supporting breastfeeding employees.
Where can I rent a breast pump?
Talk to your health care provider or a lactation consultant about which breast pump will meet your needs.
How much do breastfeeding pumps cost and what kind will I need?
Your health insurance plan may provide breast pumps or cover the cost of renting or buying a breast pump. Breast pumps range in price from under $50 (manual/hand pump or battery
powered pumps) to several hundred dollars (electrical and hospital grade pumps). If you’re only going to be away from your baby a few hours a week, then you can purchase a hand pump or one of the less expensive ones. If you’re going back to work, it is worth investing in a good quality electric pump. You can purchase these from some retail stores or online, but most are available for purchase or rent through lactation consultants, at local hospitals, or from a breastfeeding organization.
Not at all! Breastfeeding is convenient no matter where you are because you don’t have to
bring along feeding equipment like bottles, water, or formula. Your baby is all you need. Even if you want to breastfeed in private, you usually can find a woman’s lounge or fitting room. If you want to go out without your baby, you can pump your milk beforehand and leave it for someone else to give your baby while you are gone.
What do I do when I need to breastfeed outside my home?
You can breastfeed in public, without anyone knowing, by wearing clothes that allow easy
access to your breasts, such as button down shirts. By placing a receiving blanket over your
baby and your breast, most people won’t even know that you are breastfeeding. It’s helpful to breastfeed before the baby becomes fussy so that you can get into a comfortable position for feeding. You also can purchase a nursing cover or baby sling for added privacy. Many stores have women’s lounges or dressing rooms, if you want to slip into one of those to breastfeed. A Rhode Island law permits breastfeeding in any public place.
Will my partner be jealous if I breastfeed?
Share information about the important benefits of breastfeeding with your partner and other close family members before the baby is born. Explain that you want and need their support. Tell them that breastfeeding will give this child the best start at life, with benefits that last well into adulthood. Mention how much money the family will save and that it will cost hundreds of dollars a month to pay for formula – money that could go to bills, savings, shopping, or a family vacation.
How can my partner help?
Your partner and other close family members can be there to support and encourage you while you and the baby are learning to breastfeed. In the hospital, they can limit visitors so you can rest and learn to feed the baby. Family members can hold and cuddle the baby and bring the baby to you to nurse. They can help with changing and burping the baby, sharing chores, and by simply sitting with you and the baby to enjoy the special mood that breastfeeding creates.
Can I still breastfeed when I go back to work?
With careful planning, you can still breastfeed when you go back to work. If your job allows, you can pump your breast milk a few times during the day and refrigerate or freeze it for your baby to take in a bottle later. Or, some women nurse at night and on weekends and give their babies daytime bottles of formula. A mother’s milk production can adapt to this type of schedule.
If your job does not have a lactation program, ask your supervisor or human resources
department to arrange for your needs. Working mothers who breastfeed need a clean, private, and safe space other than a toilet stall where they can pump milk and need breaks during the day to pump milk. Rhode Island has a Nursing Working Mother’s Law to encourage employers to support breastfeeding women in these ways. To start a conversation about your breastfeeding needs, give your supervisor copies of this law and the tips for supporting breastfeeding employees.
Where can I rent a breast pump?
Talk to your health care provider or a lactation consultant about which breast pump will meet your needs.
How much do breastfeeding pumps cost and what kind will I need?
Your health insurance plan may provide breast pumps or cover the cost of renting or buying a breast pump. Breast pumps range in price from under $50 (manual/hand pump or battery
powered pumps) to several hundred dollars (electrical and hospital grade pumps). If you’re only going to be away from your baby a few hours a week, then you can purchase a hand pump or one of the less expensive ones. If you’re going back to work, it is worth investing in a good quality electric pump. You can purchase these from some retail stores or online, but most are available for purchase or rent through lactation consultants, at local hospitals, or from a breastfeeding organization.
Birth Control Options
Will breastfeeding keep me from getting pregnant?
When a woman breastfeeds, her ovaries can stop releasing eggs for a number of months,
protecting her from getting pregnant. A woman’s periods can also stop, but that does not
guarantee that she will not get pregnant while nursing. The only way to make sure pregnancy does not occur is to use a method of birth control. Most birth control pills are not safe to use when a woman is nursing. The only safe birth control pill to use is the "mini-pill", although it may significantly reduce your milk supply. Talk with your health care provider about what birth control method is best for you while nursing.
When a woman breastfeeds, her ovaries can stop releasing eggs for a number of months,
protecting her from getting pregnant. A woman’s periods can also stop, but that does not
guarantee that she will not get pregnant while nursing. The only way to make sure pregnancy does not occur is to use a method of birth control. Most birth control pills are not safe to use when a woman is nursing. The only safe birth control pill to use is the "mini-pill", although it may significantly reduce your milk supply. Talk with your health care provider about what birth control method is best for you while nursing.