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What is enough water?

Boob Scoop: Breastfeeding mothers are always advised to drink to thirst in order to maintain good milk supply and for overall hydration purposes. However, during the winter months it can be tricky to gauge whether you've had enough water. A good rule of thumb is to drink the amount of water equivalent to half of your body weight. Therefore, if you weigh 130 pounds, you would drink about 65 ounces per day. This may sound daunting to many, but not to worry. As most nursing mothers can attest, breastfeeding increases thirst substantially so oftentimes listening to your body's thirst queues is all you need to do.

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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Pumping Sessions

Boob Scoop: When it comes to pumping, the number of sessions is more important than the duration of the session. Therefore, if you can only spare 30 minutes of your workday for pumping, dividing that time into 3 pumping sessions does a better job at maintaining your milk supply than one session of 30 minutes. The more frequent stimulation, informs your body that your baby is feeding 3 times instead of 1 and therefore keeps milk production steady by meeting one of the golden rules of breastfeeding --Milk supply is driven by demand. Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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Nursing and Bone Strength

Boob Scoop: A 2011 Finish Study found that mothers who breastfed for 33 months or longer (cumulative lifetime total) had stronger bones than women who nursed for a shorter time. It turns out that the low levels of estrogen during lactation, which keep milk supply steady, also allow for outer bone growth. And when it comes to bone strength, having greater bone diameter is more important than density. This explains why women who have breastfed are less prone to fractures later on in life. Yet another awesome reason to breastfeed. Your bones will thank you!

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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Bite Problems

Boob Scoop: Bite problems, medically referred to as malocclusions, occur when either the top or bottom row of teeth overextend causing misalignment. In most cases, the treatment for malocclusions is braces. Babies who are breastfeed for more than a year are less likely to have malocclusions thanks to the work done by the jaw, while transferring milk from the breast. The feeding motion during breastfeeding also helps to form a U-shaped hard palate which contributes to proper teeth alignment.

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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Colostrum is Milk

Boob Scoop: Oftentimes mothers say they didn't breastfeed in the hospital because they felt they weren't making any milk or because of the non-milky look of colostrum, which tends to be clear or yellowish. The good news is that mothers begin making colostrum by the end of the first trimester, so it's already there after birth. Secondly, it's never good to judge milk by its color. Although not white in appearance, colostrum is still milk and is loaded with carbohydrates, protein, antibodies, and properties that prevent jaundice and low blood sugar levels, making it a perfect first food for a newborn. Finally, the more a mother breastfeeds in the early days, the sooner her breast milk will transition into mature milk which is whiter in appearance.

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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Cranial Nerves & Latching

Boob Scoop: Cranial bones are designed to move over one another as a baby descends through the birth canal. However, when forceps or a vacuum is used during labor, they can often cause shifts in the cranial bones that are not easily self-corrected by the baby after birth. Since the cranial nerves control what the baby does with his mouth, affected cranial bones can cause ineffective latching, which in turn can lead to breastfeeding pain. Many mothers find that in these situations, complementary therapies such as chiropractic care and or craniosacral therapy can make a big difference for correcting how well a baby latches. When deciding on such therapies, it is important to choose a provider who is trained and experienced to work with babies.

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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Diaper Changes & Feeding

Boob Scoop: Mothers often ask if it's better to change their baby's diaper before breastfeeding or after, in order to assure that their baby feels comfortable during a feeding. My best suggestion is that like nursing, it's best to follow your baby's cues since some babies may be happier nursing first, to quench their thirst or hunger, while others won't nurse well until their diaper is changed. However, if you sense your baby is hungry you may want to nurse first since by the time the diaper change is over, he may have reached the point of being too upset to latch on well.

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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Prolactin and Morning Feeding

Boob Scoop: If you happen to listen to your baby breastfeed during the wee hours of the morning, you may notice that she gulps more than during daytime feedings. The reason for this is that Prolactin, the milk making hormone, goes up at night and in turn increases milk volume. Feeding when Prolactin levels are high also helps to maintain milk supply for a longer period of time.

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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Mommy as Pacifier?

Boob Scoop: Many moms worry about their baby using the breast as a pacifier. While a pacifier is a good option, some babies refuse it or prefer the breast. Not only is this not a bad thing, it is perfectly normal and great way to comfort your baby. Sucking is a big part of a baby’s development and so they will find a way to fulfill that need, whether it’s at the breast, with a pacifier or by sucking their thumb. Using the breast as a pacifier also has some added perks including: helping to delay the return of your period, never needing sterilization and helping to maintain milk production. In the end, what works for you and your baby is the way to go.


Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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CDC Pump Cleaning Guidelines

Boob Scoop: Minimize the time you allocate for pumping at work by having extra flanges and bottles so that you don't have to head to a sink after each pumping session. Check out the updated CDC guidelines for cleaning pump parts here: https://www.cdc.gov/…/pdf/hygiene/breast-pump-fact-sheet.pdf

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