MAKE more milk by MOVING more milk!

[@kamariamcclure3108]

Great explanations as always. Thanks.❤

[@ranab6441]

Hi Mary, any advice on how to wean baby off using nipple shields? My baby girl is 4 weeks old, and for the first 5 days she wouldn't latch at all even with the help of midwives, it was like she couldn't figure out what to do. Then at 5 days I was finally able to get her to latch using a nipple shield and she has been breastfeeding with that. But the shield is inconvenient and I think it has caused her to have a lip blister. How can I get rid of the shield altogether? My milk supply is also enough for her in the night and morning but not enough in the afternoon/evening so I top up with formula, I'm not sure if the shield is interfering with my milk supply at those times.

[@marycahillclc]

@@ranab6441 hi mommy! The lip blisters is usually from a poor latch but the blister doesn’t usually bother baby. It can cause mom to have nipples blisters (bleb) too but those are usually painful for mom. The nipple shield can be very difficult to wean from. It’s recommended to wean from it in the first week but that doesn’t always work out. You must be very consistent about trying to remove it. Try latching without it at every feeding. You can see what is less upsetting for you and baby. Try at the beginning, middle or end of feedings. Be sure to not let baby or you get stressed. When baby fusses, put it back on then try again in that feeding if possible but definitely try again next feeding. Baby will usually start to latch without it in about a week but baby may go back and forth with not wanting to nurse without it for a few weeks. Baby will usually start to nurse without it when they’re sleepy. For those afternoon feedings, moms often believe that their supply is low and it really is not. Babies will go through times of cluster feeding in the afternoon and evening. Baby will latch and then pop off the breast crying as if they’re not getting enough to eat. You can know that this is the cause if baby is having plenty of what diapers and baby seems satisfied at other times of the day. These cluster feeding times can be very difficult but usually last just a few days and then will be better for a time. Some babies cluster feed almost weekly and some only do it once a month or so. When babies are cluster feeding, it’s not because they’re not getting enough to eat. It’s that they are overly tired, overly stimulated or just not feeling well. It hurts to grow so quickly. When we don’t feel well, the evenings are usually the worst. Only you and your doctor can decide if you should avoid giving formula in the evening. If you want to keep your supply up, you must be pumping anytime baby gets formula. It can be hard to wean off of that formula. once you have started because there’s a fear that baby isn’t getting enough. This is very understandable. In an evening feeding, you can feed baby from both breasts then give a small amount of formula, then both breasts again then more formula if baby still seems hungry. ❤️

[@amina-tl5du]

Hi mary, do we need to pump each 2 to 3 hours once baby start solids, i mean after 6 months postpartum?

[@marycahillclc]

@@amina-tl5du No. your body will make more of what baby takes out. An older baby takes out more milk and in a shorter amount of time. Before one year, breastmilk should still be baby’s main source of nutrition with solids just being complement to that. After one year, solids should become baby’s main source of nutrition with breastmilk being a complement to that. By six months postpartum, your breasts should feel flat and empty just like before you were even pregnant. This can make mom believe that her milk supply is low when it really is not. Milk is not stored in your breasts, it is made while you are nursing or pumping. ❤️

[@amina-tl5du]

@@marycahillclc thank you mary, so i can pump each 5 or 6 hours? and how many Oz per day baby needs after 6 months

[@marycahillclc]

@@amina-tl5du is baby eating exclusively from the breast? If so, pumping is not necessary. The only need to pump is if you’re away from baby or feeling engaged and need a small amount of pumping.

[@amina-tl5du]

@@marycahillclc sorry i didn't precise that i am exclusively pumipng

[@marycahillclc]

@@amina-tl5du oh ok. I should have asked. In that case, yes, pump as often as baby eats to keep your supply up. When pumping exclusively, massaging your breasts for at least 5 full minutes before pumping is important for stimulation. How any ounces/ mls are you getting at each pumping?

[@zamaraw9136]

I’m able to breastfeed well at nighttime and one feed in the morning however after that/during the day my milk supply slows down and my little one would cry so much that it’s stressing me out. What can I do please help 😢

[@marycahillclc]

This is very normal. Our supply does decrease through the day but the milk we have in the afternoon is his higher in fat, to give baby just what they need. Babies will often be fussy in the afternoon and evening. They may be overstimulated, tired, uncomfortable from growing so quickly… there are so many reasons for baby to be fussy, besides not getting enough. Babies will often want to cluster feed and nurse almost non stop throughout these hours. It’s tiring I know but let baby nurse as much as possible. You can be sure that baby is getting enough, if you are seeing lots of wet diapers every day. There extra fussy, cluster feeding times can be worse for a few day then get better for a while ❤️ How old is baby? How many wet diapers is baby having every 24 hours?

[@zamaraw9136]

He’s 11 weeks. I get about 6 diapers. But I’m not proud cause when he gets more fussy in the breast pulling and coming on and off the nipple I then offer formula when he gets extra fussy. I really don’t want to give him formula. It worries me so much that my supply doesn’t satisfy my baby😣. Thanks for the reply

[@marycahillclc]

@@zamaraw9136 There is a big growth spurt at around this time. A growth spurt does mean he needs or wants more, it’s because he’s uncomfortable from growing so quickly. It’s ok if your worried and want to give formula but be sure to be pumping when you gave formulas. You’ll probably only get an ounce at a time. That’s a normal amount per hour at this time of day. You can nurse on both breasts, take a break for a few minutes, if he fusses, then give a very small amount of formula then both breasts again right way. This will keep him satisfied and get your supply up.

[@amandagesler667]

I pump around 29 ounces a day. My baby is 2 weeks old and eats 2 ounces every two hours. I pump around 2-4 ounces at each pumping session. I am working my way to be exclusively breastfeeding and not pumping. Wouldn’t my baby be hungry at times of the day that I don’t produce as much if he was breastfeeding? Logistically it doesn’t make sense to me that he would be satisfied at certain times of the day. Am I missing something?

[@marycahillclc]

@@amandagesler667 Breastfeeding doesn’t work the way that we would think it might. Are bodies are so AMAZING! In the morning we have more milk with slightly less fat. This gives baby all that they need. In the evening, our milk is slightly less in volume but has slightly more fat in it. Babies eat more often in the evening because they take in less at each feeding. That fat helps baby to sleep a little better and a little longer stretches. This extra fat also helps with better brain development. Feeding baby on demand instead of a schedule, lets baby be in control of what they need. Is your baby feeding from the breast, then getting your pumped milk too?

[@sushmitharaju8182]

How long should we leave the baby on the breast ??

[@marycahillclc]

As long as possible. Baby should nurse on one breast as long as possible. When baby seems done, switch to the other side. Baby might only be on the 2nd side for a few seconds or might stay a lot longer. If baby has been on the breast for a while and is not actively sucking, you can take baby off but keep in mind that the longer that baby is on the breast, the better for milk supply. I tell moms to let baby use you like a human pacifier when possible. Even if baby doesn’t seem to be actively sucking, they do still take in a little bit. That small amount is higher in fat. ❤️