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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. http://yummymummystore.com/teething-bling.html

Sharen Medrano, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

Oftentimes mothers don't think they are providing breastmilk until their milk transitions to mature milk, around day four, when it takes on a milky white color. However, breastfeeding begins with colostrum which appears clear or yellowish and is purposely small in amount to accommodate the marble-size stomach of a newborn baby. Interestingly, the concentration of immune-boosting elements is much higher in colostrum than in mature milk. Just like our babies - oftentimes the best things do come in small packages.

Sharen Medrano, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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 milk, cleaning bottles, etc.). However, to help ensure that your baby remain familiar with a bottle, it's advisable to offer at least one bottle of expressed breastmilk in 24 hrs. Many moms chose to bring a lightweight hand pump with them on trips for this very reason.

Sharen Medrano, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

The American College 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, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

Boob Scoop: If you happen to listen to your baby feeding during the wee hours of the morning, you may notice that she gulps more during this time then when compared to the rest of the day. The reason for this is that Prolactin, the milk making hormone, increases at night and, in turn, boosts milk volume. Feeding when Prolactin levels are high also helps moms maintain milk supply steady for a longer period of time.

Sharen Medrano, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

Boob Scoop: Even when breastfeeding is going well, the evening hours can make a mother question her milk supply. The primary reason is that in the evening mothers produce less milk than in the earlier part of the day. Although this dip is normal, it causes babies to cluster feed or feed more often, which can then lead a mother to doubt her supply. But generally a mom need not worry - cluster feeding is attributed to milk supply patterns and normal infant behavior rather than poor supply.

Sharen Medrano, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)