NetWellness Breast Feeding

Misshappen breast

Barbara Morrison PhD, CNM, FNP — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 21:06:00 EST

Question: From I`ve started breastfeeding my daughter she has favored the left of my two breast and I guess due to me wanting her to be comfortable while feeding. I have been giving her that breast that she wants and yes a whole 15mths later I`m witnessing the results of that decision. My right brea . . .

Answer: It is not uncommon for women to have breasts which are not the same size, even by a whole cup size. If you are still breastfeeding, you may find that the left breast will get smaller as you wean your daughter. Otherwise, you can learn to accept your body as it has changed due to childbearing or see . . .

Ask an Expert: Barbara Morrison PhD, CNM, FNP, Breast Feeding

How to stop lactating

Jeanne Ballard MD, FAAP, FABM — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:06:00 EST

Question: My daughter just had a baby which, sadly, only lived a few hours. She had started pumping before we knew the baby wouldn`t survive. Now, her milk has come in and she is very uncomfortable, physically and emotionally. How can she stop lactating? Thanks,

Answer:

First, let me express my sincere condolences on the loss of your little one.

There are a few things your daughter can do to stop lactating.

Pump only to comfort but not to empty the breasts.

Try to pump less and less frequently as your breasts make less and less milk.

The less . . .

Ask an Expert: Jeanne Ballard MD, FAAP, FABM, Breast Feeding

Mixing breastmilk and formula in a bottle

Jeanne Ballard MD, FAAP, FABM — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:06:00 EST

Question: I had read an excerpt that is NOT recommended b/c the formula can change the chemical makeup of the breastmilk, therefore, possibly negatively effecting the infant`s kidneys. Is there any fact to this? We have been doing this for about 1.5mos & made our peditrician aware of this. There were no n . . .

Answer: I know of no literature to this effect. This belief does not seem to be based on fact.

We advise this (mixing with formula) frequently when there is not enough breast milk for the baby, both in and out of the hospital.

No problems have been reported to my knowledge, for any organ system, i . . .

Ask an Expert: Jeanne Ballard MD, FAAP, FABM, Breast Feeding

When to stop pumping after nursing

Jeanne Ballard MD, FAAP, FABM — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 21:06:00 EST

Question: My daughter weaned herself off from breast feeding at 10 months...I was told to pump every now and then and not stop cold turkey. I have been pumping just in the mornings when I get up...when can I stop all together??? I`m just a fraid of an infection...and what should I expect?? a build of milk and . . .

Answer: If you are pumping only once per day and are quite comfortable, you are almost there.

You might try shortening the pumping time by about 5 minutes for a week or so, then pump only every other day or daily only if you are uncomfortable. Then shorten the pumping time by another 5 minutes, until y . . .

Ask an Expert: Jeanne Ballard MD, FAAP, FABM, Breast Feeding

Ending breastfeeding

Jeanne Ballard MD, FAAP, FABM — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 23:06:00 EST

Question: My baby is 4 months old now and I have breastfeed her the entire time. I originally wanted to breastfeed until she was 6 months old, but my milk supply is not lasting. It`s still there, but not meeting her demands. She`s stopped sleeping through the night and is extremely fussy all the time. Therefo . . .

Answer: When the baby sleeps through the night, the milk supply will diminish unless the mother pumps during the night to keep up her supply.

When the milk supply goes down, the baby cannot get fully satisfied during the day.

Mothers who wish to continue to nurse longer need to start pumping durin . . .

Ask an Expert: Jeanne Ballard MD, FAAP, FABM, Breast Feeding

Laxative use and breastfeeding

Jeanne Ballard MD, FAAP, FABM — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 18:06:00 EST

Question: I have taken stimulant laxatives and stool softeners, is it possible that the laxative is being passed on to my baby while breastfeeding?

Answer: Stool softeners are not absorbed into the blood stream and therefore will not enter into breast milk.

Stimulant laxatives, however, will be absorbed and enter the breast milk.

The baby may then develop loose stools and if taken regularly, may sometimes cause the baby to have diarrhea.

Ask an Expert: Jeanne Ballard MD, FAAP, FABM, Breast Feeding

Pain and breastfeeding

Jeanne Ballard MD, FAAP, FABM — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:06:00 EST

Question: I have been breast feeding for approximately three months. I have had blocked ducts several times, but they have gone away on their own. Two nights ago, my baby was laying on my left side. When we got up, I had pain in the lower part of my left breast. My breast is not swollen, and I do not feel any . . .

Answer: It could be compression of the milk glands or ducts.

You might try taking ibuprofen (if not allergic to it) about 20 minutes before nursing, and continue nursing on that side, using warmth before and cool compresses after breastfeeding on that side.

The pain should subside within a week. . . .

Ask an Expert: Jeanne Ballard MD, FAAP, FABM, Breast Feeding

Acid reflux in baby- Please Help

Barbara Morrison PhD, CNM, FNP — Sun, 27 May 2007 21:05:00 EST

Question: My 4 month old baby, who is exclusively breast fed, has been very fussy after each breastfeeding. This has started recently. Our pediatrician had prescribed prevacid (1/2 tablet a day) and recently upped it to one tablet a day. This has not helped as he seems to be in a lot of pain. He feeds only fo . . .

Answer: For the acid reflux I suggest you continuing working with your pediatrician to resolve the problem, but also consider that it may be something other than acid reflux, especially since the symptoms seem to be getting worse instead of better. It is possible that the foods you eat will affect the baby. . . .

Ask an Expert: Barbara Morrison PhD, CNM, FNP, Breast Feeding

Cocaine use

Jeanne Ballard MD, FAAP, FABM — Sun, 27 May 2007 05:05:00 EST

Question: after doing cocain, how long before i can breastfed

Answer:

Mixing breastfeeding with cocaine can be extremely dangerous.

It is dangerous for both mother and baby.

Several hours must elapse to be sure the baby will not have a seizure.

If the baby shows no symptoms, it is said to be ok. Babies metabolize the drug more slowly than . . .

Ask an Expert: Jeanne Ballard MD, FAAP, FABM, Breast Feeding

Medications and safety with breastfeeding etc

Jeanne Ballard MD, FAAP, FABM — Thu, 24 May 2007 23:05:00 EST

Question: I am a hypertensive mom to a premature infant born at 34 weeks. Due to her permaturity it is very important to me to breastfeed. My question pertains to the safety of norvasc and labetolol with breastfeeding. Are these medicines safe? What calcium channel blockers are? Could the persistent hypertens . . .

Answer: Hypertensive medications are generally safe for the baby if blood pressures are checked periodically and the baby doesn't get too sleepy.

Fenugreek is a better prolactin (milk-making hormone) stimulator and is also safe for preemies. It usually doubles the milk supply for faithfully pumping mom . . .

Ask an Expert: Jeanne Ballard MD, FAAP, FABM, Breast Feeding