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Tips on How to Conceive a Baby Boy
This is a time of change for you and your baby. Well done on finding the best solution of you so that you can continue on your wonderful breastfeeding journey.
First steps towards breastfeeding and working
Breastfeeding and expressing and storing breast milk
Breastmilk must be stored correctly to keep it free from germs, which can make your baby ill. Safety suggestions include:
Consider all your options and remain positive and determined
Many women successfully combine breastfeeding and paid work.
Congratulations on breastfeeding your twins.
Generally, when everything is going well, your body will be able to provide sufficient breast milk to feed your twins. Breast milk production and supply is directly related to how much the breast is stimulated to produce breast milk.
Mother of twins are encouraged and supported to breastfeed this can be tandem feeding or feeding your babies separately it’s what works. You may like to feed twins on particular sides or change the baby’s breast side every 24 hours. This encourages stimulation of both breasts and helps your babies’ to feed comfortably.
When you babies feed, messages are sent to your brain to release hormones which stimulate your breast to produce breast milk. Breast feeding twins enables this to happen simultaneously at each breast. This will help keep your supply increased.
Join your local multiple birth support group or association to link in with other mums. They will be a great help to you and can share ideas with you on breast feeding twins.
You will be guided by your health professional about your twins’ growth and feeding requirements.
Breast milk is the best for your baby and you. Breastmilk is the one and only natural, complete and complex nutrition for human infants. Just as importantly, breastfeeding promotes a wonderful bond between mother and baby.
Once your breast milk supply is established, breast milk looks thinner and more watery than other types of milk. Your breastmilk contains all the nutrients needed for healthy development of the baby. Breast milk is never “too thin”. Mature milk changes during the length of a single feed to exactly suit the needs of your baby.
The milk that flows at the beginning of a feed is low in fat and high in lactose, sugar, protein, vitamin, minerals and water. As the feed goes on, the milk changes to contain more fat and less sugar. Just think how amazing this is!
Many of the components of breastmilk have unique immunological benefits which help protect the newborn infant. Antibodies from the mother pass to the baby and provide an extra protection that only breastmilk can do.
All in all, breastmilk is the perfect food for your baby, it provides the right amount the baby needs, with just the right ingredients, at the right temperature and offers extra protection that no other milk can do.
Each person’s need to express is individual and unique. Going out to a function and missing breast feeds, particularly if your baby feeds every 2-3 hours, will mean you will need to express breast milk. The main reason is to prevent milk stasis which could lead to mastitis.
Breast feed your baby shortly before you leave, if you can, which enables your baby to be satisfied and emptying your breasts. When you return home, if your baby feeds overnight, you may wish to breastfeed before going to bed.
There are three methods of expressing – hand expressing, hand pump or electric pump. Your choice depends on your reason for expressing, cost, duration of expression and personal preference.
Choose the best pump for you, thinking about how often you will need to express e.g. hand pumping is efficient and quiet but takes a little longer than using a electric pump. You may choose a pump which has batteries eg: Medela’s Swing. Just in case there isn’t any power available.
If you can, organise prior to the event, a place where you can express in comfort and privacy. This will make you feel more at ease and relaxed. Pack a small bag with your breast pump and equipment (make sure you pack the bottle tops!), breast pads and a cooler bag with ice block to store your milk at the right temperature until you get home.
Remember, relax and have a great time. This is an opportunity for you to socialise and spend time with your family and friends!
Most of the time, breast refusal is temporary and your baby will go back on the breast and feed well. There are lots of different reasons a baby may refuse to feed. These can be baby or mother problems. These vary for each person and can be quite different.
A few tips to try are:
If you continue to have problems, please seek advice and support from your health professional.
Mastitis can occur any time during your breastfeeding. However it usually occurs in the first few months after both.
If you feel unwell, flu like symptoms, have a fever and/or you have a tender sot I your breasts. Always check your breasts for any signs of redness, lumps or a painful area, look in the mirror as this will help you are the underside of your breasts.
Importantly, you must continue breast feeding: your baby will help drain the breast.
If you have flu like symptoms or feel unwell, you will need to see your GP as soon as possible so they can prescribe antibiotics for you
There a couple of types of engorgement. The first occurs in the early days post birth: physiological and the other after 7-10 days after birth: pathological.
In the first few days after birth, your breast milk will change from colostrum and increase in amounts until your milk is in. Sometimes, your breasts can become swollen with fluid. This can be uncomfortable but it will go away.
There are many options to assist in increasing your breast milk supply is low. Sometimes mothers believe they have low supply, when in fact this is not the case, as your breast milk supply has adjusted to meet the demands of your baby. Have a look at the section on ‘Is My Baby Getting Enough’ to assist you with your decision making.
For women experiencing low supply, it’s important that you contact and visit your supportive maternal and child health nurse, lactation consultant, ABA counsellor or GP for assistance.
The following tips may help you to increase your milk production:
BREASTFEEDING OFTEN= MORE BREAST MILK
One of the most important actions is to ensure your baby is positioned and attached correctly to the breast. Seek help from your midwife, MCH nurse, lactation consultant or ABA counsellor can assist you with feeding.
Here are some tips you might find helpful:
All mums want the best for their baby especially their baby feeding well and growing.
As a mum you need to trust your instincts especially in the early weeks after birth. Think about the following relating to your baby which will help you with your concerns
My baby is:
Observe your baby’s cues as these will help you recognise when they are hungry, tired, settled and content.
Your breasts may be fuller prior to a feed and feel softer afterwards.
Breast milk has all the nutrients, energy and right components for your baby. There is no need to give your baby water or any other drinks when breastfeeding, even in hot weather, you may just need to feed more often.
Seek advice from your maternal and child health nurse, lactation consultant, ABA counsellor or GP if you are concerned.
Medela has a product for all the needs of a breastfeeding mother: from a convenient manual breastpump for occasional use to a double electric breastpump for daily pumping with a lot of extra features.
Choosing the right product means aligning mothers’ needs with the features and benefits of the breastpump.
The following questions can help to find the right products for each mother:
There may be many reasons why direct breastfeeding is not possible. For example, a premature baby, illness or a temporary relief from breastfeeding challenges such as sore nipples. Perhaps there are lifestyle issues such as returning to work or simply a well deserved evening out with partner or friends. However, this does not mean that the baby cannot benefit from the unique goodness of breastmilk. In order to support mothers during this time, Medela has developed a wide range of products. From pumping to feeding, Medela’s products are designed to mimic nature and support the breastfeeding experience.
Many mothers are afraid about ‘not having enough milk’. In most cases this fear is unwarranted.
Breastfeeding professionals list the signs that indicate your baby is getting enough:
Reference: Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)
Please be aware that not every fussiness means hunger.
Yes – breast milk is produced on a supply and demand basis – the more you pump the more you supply. For example if your baby is feeding at the breast on a regular basis but you pump after each feed your breasts will make more milk. This essentially can be stored for future uses but if not needed there is no need to pump – unless indicated for low supply or should you wish to store milk for future occasions EG returning to work or nights out.
As soon as you feel ready or have an indication to start.
-May be because of various reasons
– You may not be using the correct pump for you
– You may have the wrong size breast shield
– You may not have the vacuum at the correct level
– You may not have your nipple centred correctly in the shield and be blocking ducts
– Your supply may be reduced
– Your machine may be faulty or need servicing – please consult the manual
-We would recommend that you consult a health professional or your LC
1. The wish to exclusively pump and maintain supply
2. Increase supply or induce lactation
3. A premature infant in NICU or SCN/ special needs baby
4. Health issues that may compromise supply eg Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
5. A supply that is yet to be established – the first 8-10 weeks
6. Mother has experienced some issues and has had advice regarding pumping from a professional.
7. Wants to try pumping and see if she is successful before committing to buy.
8. Mother is happy with the results she has achieved with the hospital grade pump and doesn’t see any reason to change.
9. Mothers needs are short term.
10. Bub has special needs or is unable to feed at the breast for any reason and the mother will need to exclusively pump to enable her to feed her baby breast milk.
11. Has been recommended by LC/Professional
12. Has been using it in hospital
13. Needs to increase milk but doesn’t want a personal pump
14. Only want to use it for a few weeks
15. Wants to try out expressing before buying personal pump