Breastfeeding offers health benefits for both babies and mothers. Breast milk also provides ideal nutrition for your child while supporting their growth and development.
Some women choose not to breastfeed for a variety of reasons and others may want to breastfeed but struggle to produce a sufficient milk supply. Formula can have a healthy place in infant feeding, especially for babies whose mothers cannot produce enough milk. There is absolutely no shame in not breastfeeding as long as your child is healthy.
How We Help With Breastfeeding
We want to help you understand and prepare for some of the most common situations that you may face on your breastfeeding journey. Advantia Health providers, including the certified nurse midwives (CNMs) and OB/GYNs, provide evidence-based breastfeeding education and support.
Common Issues With Breastfeeding
How Long Should I Breastfeed My Baby?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that moms exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months, and to continue along with age-appropriate complementary foods for as long as the mother and child both desire, until the child is two years of age.
How Do I Get My Baby to Latch?
Getting your baby to “latch on” properly can take some practice. The most important thing is that your baby is latched on well, and how you achieve that is up to you.
Create a Calm Environment: Begin by finding a comfortable space. Use pillows or settle into a cozy area where you can relax and feel at ease.
Hold Your Baby Skin-to-Skin: Place your baby, dressed only in a diaper, against your bare chest. Hold them upright between your breasts and take some time to bond without focusing on breastfeeding just yet.
Let Your Baby Lead: If your baby isn’t hungry, they will stay curled up against you. When they are hungry, they’ll move their head, seek eye contact, and squirm around. Pay attention to these hunger cues.
Support Without Forcing the Latch: Gently support your baby’s head and shoulders as they explore and search for your breast. Resist the urge to push them onto the nipple.
Allow Your Breast to Hang Naturally: When your baby’s chin makes contact with your breast, this pressure will prompt them to open their mouth wide and latch deeply. Remember, your baby can breathe while at the breast, as their nostrils will flare to take in air.
If your baby is still having trouble latching, consider these tips:
- Encourage Opening: Gently tickle your baby’s lips with your nipple to prompt them to open wide.
- Pull Them Close: Bring your baby closer so their chin and lower jaw move into your breast.
- Aim for a Deep Latch: Watch your baby’s lower lip and position it as far from the base of the nipple as possible, so they take a good mouthful of breast.
What to Stay Away From While Breastfeeding
In addition to these common allergens that can pass through breast milk, there are also the standard things that you should avoid consuming too much of or at all. These include caffeine, alcohol and cigarette smoke. You should talk to your doctor about any medications you may be taking to ensure they are safe for breastfeeding, as small amounts of any medicine you take may pass through your breast milk to your baby.
Breastfeeding FAQs
Yes. While breastfeeding can postpone the return of regular ovulation and menstrual cycles, it is not a reliable method of preventing pregnancy. It’s important to discuss safe birth control options with your doctor or nurse while you’re breastfeeding.
Yes, vaccines are essential for your baby’s health. Breastfeeding can help your baby respond more effectively to certain immunizations, providing additional protection. Be sure to follow the vaccination schedule provided by their doctor. Consult their doctor about getting your baby caught up as soon as possible if you miss any doses.
If you’d like to introduce a pacifier, it’s best to wait until your baby is at least 3 to 4 weeks old. This gives them time to establish a good breastfeeding latch and ensure they’re getting enough milk. Once your baby is breastfeeding well, you can use the pacifier at bedtime.
Allow your baby to dictate the feeding schedule. In the first few weeks of life, most babies breastfeed at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, or roughly every 2 to 3 hours (measured from the start of one feeding to the start of the next).
Many newborns nurse for about 10 to 15 minutes on each breast, but some may take longer—sometimes nursing for 1 to 2 hours at a time. It’s also common for babies to feed frequently, such as every 30 minutes, a pattern known as “cluster feeding.”
Some babies may prefer to nurse from one breast per feeding, while others may switch between both. If your baby releases one breast, feel free to offer the other. If they aren’t interested, you can start with that side at the next feeding.
Breastfeeding is a natural process, but it may take time for both you and your baby to adjust. Peer counselors, nurses, doctors, and certified lactation consultants can provide guidance to help you get started and offer support if you encounter any challenges. There are other feeding options available, and you’ll find the one that works best for you, your baby, and your family.
Travel Tips
Traveling with a Breastfeeding Baby
Breastfeeding can offer comfort to babies whose routines are disrupted by travel. Not only does breast milk provide optimal nutrition, but it also keeps babies hydrated.
- When flying, nurse your baby during takeoff and landing to help alleviate any ear discomfort from cabin pressure changes.
- Feed your baby on demand; breastfeeding whenever your baby is hungry is the best way to maintain your milk supply.
Traveling without a Breastfeeding Baby
If you plan to continue breastfeeding after your trip and are traveling without your child, you will need to take steps to maintain your milk supply.
Before You Leave
- Express breast milk in advance so your child can have your milk while you’re apart.
- If your baby has never used a bottle, have another caregiver practice with them.
While Traveling
You have several options for handling your milk during travel: express and store milk, send it home, or “pump and dump” (dispose of it). If storing or shipping milk isn’t feasible, “pumping and dumping” can help maintain your milk supply for when you reunite with your baby.
Expressing Milk
To help preserve your milk supply while on the go, consider these tips:
- Take regular breaks to express milk as often as you would typically feed your baby.
- An electric breast pump is often more effective for maintaining a full supply over longer periods. Plan a backup option, like hand expression or a portable manual pump, in case you need it.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water before expressing. If that’s not possible, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Keep your breast pump parts clean during travel. Think ahead about how to manage this based on your travel circumstances.
- If you need to pump while in a car, plane, or other transport, a manual or battery-powered pump may be more convenient.
Storing Milk
- Contact your hotel in advance to request a compact refrigerator for your room, if necessary.
- Store expressed milk in milk storage bags or clean, food-grade containers with tight-fitting lids made of glass or BPA-free plastic.
- Keep milk in the back of the refrigerator or freezer, where temperatures are most stable.
For additional storage tips and guidance on how to properly thaw milk, refer to information on the Proper Storage and Preparation of Breast Milk.
Transporting Your Breast Milk
You can carry freshly expressed milk in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours. After arriving at your destination, use the milk right away, store it in the refrigerator, or freeze it. Previously frozen milk should be kept cold and used within 24 hours from the time it thaws completely.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows air travelers to bring breast milk, and formula over 3.4 ounces in their carry-on baggage. These liquids do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. Ice packs, freezer packs, and other accessories to keep the liquid cool are also allowed in carry-on bags. All liquids and partially frozen accessories are subject to being screened by X-ray.
If you are experiencing difficulties breastfeeding, or have questions about your feeding options throughout your pregnancy work, we invite you to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced healthcare providers. Your health and well-being are our top priority, and we are committed to providing you with the care and support you deserve. Don’t hesitate to reach out—book your appointment today and take a proactive approach to your health.
(Resources: Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.)
