Questions from a new mom

[colorbywords]

My baby girl is 10 days old. She weighed 8 lbs 11 oz and at her check up today was 8 lbs 9 oz so she's slowly gaining back her weight (she was 8 lb 5 oz when we left the hospital). Anyway I have some questions.

I currently feed on one breast per session, unless I offer her that breast twice (stopping to burp) and then she still is rooting/hungry, I'll switch to the other breast. I wanted to make sure she is getting enough hind milk but I don't know when the hindmilk starts and I don't know when my milk is out. Is it possible to know when you switch to hindmilk while feeding? How do you know when you're drained?

Also, when she doesn't want to go to the other breast, I may end up going 4-6 hours between feeds on each breast. Is that too long? Should I be pumping the other breast that she doesn't munch on? I just tried pumping as I think I'm a little engorged, she was having a hard time latching, and I hardly pumped out anything! So I'm not sure how successful pumping will be, anyway.

I know she's gaining weight so I know I'm doing something right, but I'm scared of having supply issues or having her stop gaining because I'm doing something wrong!

What advice do you have for this new mama?

Thanks!

[Heba]

Congratulations on the birth of your daughter! Sounds like you're doing a great job! By leaving your little one on one side until she comes off of her own accord, you are ensuring that she gets just the right balance of foremilk and hindmilk. Actually, they are not two different types of milk - there is a gradual shift throughout the duration of a feed; as the breast empties, the milk gradually changes composition, and so there isn't a particular pioint when one finishes and the other kicks in. An article in the current edition of the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers discusses this; you might find it helpful: http://www.abm.me.uk/sites/default/f...%20article.pdf

There is generally no need to express on a side if baby doesn't take it; nature works to take this into account. If baby is having a hard time latching due to engorgement, you could (as you have been) try to express a little to soften the areola. An alternative to this is Reverse Pressure Softening - this works by pushing back the fluid in the areola area in order to soften the area, and is sometimes more successful than pumping (which may actually bring fluid forward into the area). More info on RPS here: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...cotterman.html (many mums find the "flower-hold" easier if they have short nails - it's kind of like making a claw shape with your hand, placing it over your breast so your nails are around the nipple area about where baby's mouth would go, and pressing inwards gently but firmly for a minute, or longer if necessary).

If weight gain is going well, nappy output is good (3-4 dirty nappies, and 5-6 soaking wet disposables/7-8 reusables) and baby is content then you're not going wrong .

[Heba]

Oh, as to when your milk is "out," the easiest thing is to follow your baby's cues. When she's had enough of one side, she'll come off of her own accord or possibly drift off to sleep. When either one of these happens, give her a couple of minutes (perhaps burp her, or change her nappy if it needs changing) and then offer the other side - which as you've found, she may or may not take.