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Twiddling

Boob Scoop: Twiddling, a common behavior for babies and toddlers who breastfeed, refers to pinching, patting or pulling the unused breast. Although it may feel awkward for a mother, especially when nursing in public, babies twiddle for good reason! Twiddling the unused breast can enable the baby to get more milk since breastmilk output is increased when both breasts are stimulated. Babies are so smart! But, yes, if the twiddling is getting the best of you, you can reroute your baby's attention by letting him hold a plush toy or by wearing a nursing necklace. https://yummymummystore.com/teething-bling.html

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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Combining Milk

Boob Scoop: Breastmilk from two separate days can certainly be combined. The only recommendation is that you cool freshly expressed breastmilk before mixing it with a batch from the refrigerator.

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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Traveling and Nursing

Boob Scoop: When traveling with baby, it may be easier to nurse for most feedings rather than pump for a host of reasons (schlepping pump, storing and warming milk, cleaning bottles, etc.). However, to help ensure that your baby remains familiar with a bottle, it's advisable to offer at least one bottle of expressed breastmilk every 24 hrs. Many moms chose to bring a lightweight hand pump with them on trips for this very reason.

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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Feeding and Dr Visits

Boob Scoop: It can be challenging to time a feeding around a pediatric visit. But it does help to remember that because the composition of breastmilk is changing constantly throughout the day, you never have to worry about overfeeding a breastfed baby. Feeding 30 minutes before you head out the door can help keep your baby calm during your trip to the doctor. And placing her on your breast right after your visit is great for post-doc soothing.

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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Breastfeeding and X-Rays

Boob Scoop: The American College of Radiology supports not interrupting breastfeeding for X-rays, MRIs, CAT scans, Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP), ultrasounds or mammograms. For more information visit: http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/meds/radioisotopes/ It is always advisable to check with a Board Certified Lactation Consultant, the LactMed site: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT or Dr. Hale's Breastfeeding and Medications guide when someone suggests that you stop or interrupt breastfeeding.

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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Combining Milk

Boob Scoop: Breastmilk from two separate days can certainly be combined. The only recommendation is that you cool freshly expressed breastmilk before mixing it with a batch from the refrigerator.

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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The Weaning Process

Boob Scoop: Weaning from breastfeeding should be approached as a process rather than a one-day event. One important reason for doing it slowly,which is not discussed often enough, are the feelings of sadness and anxiety that can accompany weaning. Part of the reason why some mothers experience these feelings is because weaning creates a shift in hormones. In particular, Oxytocin, which is known as the "love hormone" partly because it induces feelings of relaxation, takes a downturn when weaning occurs abruptly.Viewing weaning as a process is also helpful for the baby/toddler sincebreastfeeding not only represents a food source but a way to connect with mom.For more info on weaning:http://kellymom.com/ages/weaning/considering-weaning/how_weaning_happens/

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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The Fifth Trimester

THERE’S A FIFTH TRIMESTER–AND THIS ONE’S FOR YOU, WORKING MOM

Contributed by Lauren Smith Brody, founder of The Fifth Trimester movement, which helps new parents and businesses work together to revolutionize workplace culture, and author of the new book, The Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom’s Guide to Style, Sanity, and Big Success After Baby

You know all about the first three trimesters, and probably even about the fourth (those bleary-eyed newborn days), but I’m convinced that there’s actually a Fifth Trimester, too. It’s  when you head back to work after having a baby; it’s when the new working mom is born.

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Number vs. Duration

Boob Scoop: Although it may be tempting to extend a pumping session to produce more milk, it is more important to focus on the number of times you pump instead of the duration of the pumping session. Since milk production is primarily dependent on demand, the number of pumping sessions plays a greater role in milk production and supply than the length of each pump. (The recommended amount of time for a pumping session is 10-15 minutes, however some moms may stop before 10 minutes if they have drained their breasts before then). This tip is especially helpful for mothers who pump at work or who choose to exclusively pump, since a key to maintaining milk production is making sure the breasts are drained enough times during a 24-hour period.

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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