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Weaning from breastfeeding should be approached as a process rather than a one-day event. One important reason for taking 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 since breastfeeding 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, Yummy Mummy Support Group IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

Boob Scoop: The advice of feeding a baby on demand can be challenging when you are tired and feeding frequently throughout the day. However, feeding on demand helps to maintain good milk supply and signals a mother's body to produce the right amount of milk for her baby. Although the phrase "feeding on demand " is generally applied to breastfeeding babies, it's actually how we continue to eat throughout our lives. That is, we eat when our body signals hunger not when the clock strikes a certain time.

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

Boob Scoop: One of the toughest questions for a breastfeeding mother to answer is: How often does your baby breastfeed? It's a tricky question because breastfeed babies tend not to feed on fixed intervals or schedules, primarily because a baby does not receive the same amount of milk at each nursing session. Rather, she drinks just what she needs at each feed. In addition, the composition and volume of breastmilk changes throughout the day, so for one feeding a baby may drink 2 oz while for another she'll drink 4 oz, feeling equally satiated with each feed. More importantly, these breastmilk properties help babies self-regulate their feedings. That is, they feed until they feel content and slow down or delatch from the breast once they're done. Learning to self-regulate by breastfeeding has been linked to a decrease in obesity in infancy and later on in life.

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

Boob Scoop: When a baby is getting a bottle of expressed breastmilk, it is encouraged that his mother pump at that same time to match her baby's demand. Oftentimes, the expressed breastmilk offered in the bottle is greater than the amount a baby would be receiving if he nursed. This increase in volume from the bottle can cause the baby to skip a feeding. A skipped feeding sends the body a message that the baby is feeding less which in turn may cause a mother's milk supply to dip.

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

Boob Scoop: Once your milk supply has leveled off, around week eight, you may find it difficult to pump extra breastmilk to build a freezer stash. This does not mean that you have a milk supply issue, but rather that your body has adjusted to produce the amount of milk that your baby needs. As you reach the point of producing just the right amount of milk for your baby, your breasts may not feel as full as in the early weeks. This too is also normal. If breastfeeding has been going well and your baby is gaining steadily and her diaper output is good, your milk supply is also likely to be on point.

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

Boob Scoop: If you need to use a nipple shield, it's important to make sure it's a good fit for you and also for your baby, especially if he is preterm. A nipple shield that is too big for a baby can cause him to gag and in turn result in an aversion to the breast. When using a nipple shield, it is always recommended to work with a Board Certified Lactation Consultant to assure that your milk supply is adequate and that your baby is feeding well.

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

Boob Scoop: As you may know, some babies don't delatch from the breast when done with a feeding. Who can blame them, right? Staying at the breast offers babies a great opportunity to cuddle with mom and to suck. However, if you're unsure whether your baby is still actually feeding or is sucking just for comfort instead, watch for active sucking and swallowing. Once the suck/swallow pattern slows down, it's likely that your baby is reaching the end of a feed. Active suck/swallow feeding, like a baby's output and weight gain, is a good sign of effective nursing.

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

Mothers often express a love/hate relationship when it comes to their baby's sweet little hands, which are so great to kiss but seem to get in the way when it comes to breastfeeding. Interestingly, ultrasounds show babies bringing their hands up to their faces before swallowing amniotic fluid which continues being of part of how babies initiate a feeding once outside of the womb. With poor eyesight, newborns in particular will use their sense of touch and smell to latch on to the breast. For this reason, it is not recommended to tuck a baby’s hands under his body or swaddle him while breastfeeding, since doing so can disorient him. Think about if you were trying to eat with your hands behind your back. Babies need their hands to keep them stable and to help them locate their food, just like we need our arms to our side or in front of us when we eat.

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

Mothers will sometimes encourage their baby to feed longer at the breast to assure greater intake of hind milk, which is the fatty milk that comes at the end of a feeding. However, research indicates that there is no reason to worry about foremilk (which comes at the beginning) and hindmilk. If a baby breastfeeds effectively and feedings are not cut short, he will receive about the same amount of milk fat over the course of a day, despite the breastfeeding pattern. Therefore, there's no need to time feedings. Good milk transfer and steady growth are better indicators that a baby is getting just what he needs.

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

Boob Scoop: When warming expressed breastmilk that has been refrigerated, it tends to be easiest to run the bottle under hot water for 2-3 minutes. Once warmed, you can dab the breastmilk with your clean knuckle to assure that it has reached your body temperature. Some babies prefer warm breastmilk, since it reminds them of the temperature experienced while breastfeeding. Other babies are happy to drink mom's perfect food even when it is cool.

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