Frequently Asked Questions About Breastfeeding

For first-time mothers, breastfeeding may seem daunting. You’re sure to have questions as you and your baby figure out the process — and that’s perfectly normal. To help, the team at Lafayette Pediatric Clinic has shared answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

The most important thing to keep in mind, however, is that if you find yourself struggling or wondering if you’re doing it right, don’t be afraid to call your pediatrician or lactation consultant. That is why we’re here. We want to help you troubleshoot, answer your questions and be your cheerleaders.

How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk? 

In the newborn phase, we judge whether or not the baby is getting enough milk by how many wet diapers your baby is having. The rule of thumb is one wet diaper for each day of life. So, on day three of life, you should have three wet diapers; on day four of life, you should have four. And that usually culminates at about one week when they have six or seven wet diapers per day. By that time, the mom can start telling, “Okay, my breasts felt full before my baby started nursing and now they feel softer. My baby is full.”

If I don’t think my baby is getting enough milk, what should I do? 

The first thing you should do is to call your pediatrician. We can go through a feeding, take your baby’s weight pre and post-feeding and correlate that with how many ounces they probably took. From there, we can troubleshoot if necessary.

What should I do if my baby has a bad latch?

A poor latch is often easily fixed by having someone help you with positioning, which your pediatrician or lactation specialist can help you adjust.

How can I keep my baby from biting me? 

If they’re biting you as a newborn, it probably means the latch is too shallow, and you need to work on getting a deeper latch. If your baby is biting you as a nine-month-old that just got some new teeth, we usually tell parents to startle them the minute they start to bite, say no and then put them back on your breast. You want them to get the message of, “oh, she’s not going to let me nurse if I keep biting.” If they get told no often and get pulled off when they’re hungry enough times, they’ll stop. Babies are smarter than we think.

Should breastfeeding hurt? 

No, it shouldn’t hurt. If you’ve never breastfed before, breastfeeding can make you very tender because your nipples just aren’t used to it. And that’s normal. But breastfeeding shouldn’t be causing burning, scabbing sores on your breasts or cracks in your nipples. Those are a sign of a poor latch.

How often should I alternate breasts? 

Whatever breast you start with is usually going to be the one the baby nurses off of the most for that feeding. Start on the first breast, let them finish to the point where they’re not sucking anymore, and then change them over to the second breast. They’ll usually nurse a little bit, but not as much. A feeding should include offering both breasts because your body needs that kind of simulation every three hours or so. If you’re only feeding them from one breast at each feeding, then each breast is only getting stimulated every six hours or so, and that can affect your milk supply. 

Should I establish a schedule for breastfeeding? 

The good thing about breastfeeding is that you don’t have to be on a schedule because you’re not mixing bottles. So, if you’re not a person that feels like you need a schedule, then you don’t have to be on one. Newborns certainly should not be put on a schedule. If you try to make your two-day-old nurse every three hours, then they’re probably going to lose too much weight because they need to cluster feed at that point. Those shorter, more frequent feedings are natural and necessary. Once your baby is feeding for longer stretches, it’s fine to let them sleep for more extended periods. 

How should I count times between breastfeeding? 

Technically you should count from the beginning of a feeding until the beginning of the next feeding. More importantly, however, you want to ensure your baby isn’t nursing for an hour at a time. A good feeding shouldn’t last longer than 30 minutes between the two breasts. If you’ve got a baby that’s nursing an hour or more at a time, make sure they have a good latch, make sure you’re noticing milk movement and make sure you notice good, strong pulls coming from your baby. Also, do your breast compressions. Those are important. If those longer feeds continue, contact your pediatrician or lactation specialist.

Additionally, babies will also sometimes get in the habit of grazing on your breast, especially at night. That’s probably happening because you’re half asleep and the baby is half asleep. Make sure at night you are getting out of bed and turning on a light to get a good feeding just like you would in the daytime to eliminate grazing. 

What are some tips for weeing your baby off of breastfeeding? 

If you are transitioning to a bottle when your baby is still under a year, first make sure that your baby can tolerate the formula before you lose your breast milk supply. Get a sample of the formula, make sure their tummy is happy with it, and then you can start weening. Start by gradually increasing the time between your breast stimulation or gradually drop one feeding at a time. Also, start wearing shirts that your baby can’t easily get into, and when your baby reaches for your breast, it’s okay to say no. 

What are your eating and drink recommendations for mothers who are breastfeeding? 

First and foremost, stay hydrated and make sure you are getting enough calories. Your body is going to give your baby priority. So, if you’re not drinking enough and you’re not taking in enough calories a day — which is usually an extra 300 or 400 calories a day — your nutrients are going to go to your baby and then you’re going to be depleted. Secondly, alcohol consumption is fine in moderation. One glass of wine, one beer or one alcoholic beverage is not going to hurt anything. What I would do is nurse the baby and then have that beverage immediately after. 

Should I breastfeed if I am taking medications? 

Most medications are safe, but we recommend you consult with your pediatrician. 

Should I breastfeed when I’m sick? 

Absolutely. Your breast milk will change based on what you’ve been exposed to or what antibiotics you have taken. You’re building up your baby’s immunity by breastfeeding when you’re sick. The only illness you cannot breastfeed through is HIV. If you are breastfeeding while you have the flu or cold, I would recommend wearing a mask while you breastfeed.