Breastfeeding FAQ
FAQ Navigation
- Page 1, Breastfeeding Basics: Getting Started
- Page 2, Milk Supply
- Page 3, Common Concerns
- Page 4, Diet and Nursing in Public
- Page 5, Extended Breastfeeding and Tandem Nursing
- Page 6, Starting Solids and Weaning
Eating and Drinking Habits
I had a few drinks tonight. How much of my milk should I pump and discard?
There is no need to pump and dump. Only about 2% of the alcohol you consume actually makes it to your milk. The alchohol in your breastmilk is metabolized at the same rate as the alcohol in your blood. A general rule of thumb for saftey is if you are sober enough to drive then you are sober enough to nurse your baby.
I don't really eat a very healthy diet. Will my baby not get the proper nutrients from my milk?
Milk quality isn't affected by the mother's diet. If the mother is deficient in some vitamin or another it is her body that will see the effects- the nutrients will still be in the milk.
I was told not to eat foods like broccoli, cabbage, beans and onions because they will give my baby gas. Is this true?
It's actually a myth that there are certain gas-causing foods. Gas occurs in mom because of the way the components are broken down in her gut by bacteria. But those components don't go into her blood, and don't go into her milk. The main causes of gassiness in babies are a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance, a poor latch, crying, thrush, and a typical immature gut.
Nursing in Public
My husband doesn't want me to nurse in public. It embarrasses him and he thinks I should nurse in the car or bring a bottle when we're out. Should I nurse in public anyway?
Make sure that you let him know that you understand his feelings- that it makes him uncomfortable, and that you really do care what he thinks. But also explain to him that being able to nurse your child anywhere you are shows her that she can trust you to meet her emotional and physical needs. Hiding to nurse your baby sends the message to everyone around you that nursing is something dirty. If you nurse with confidence in public you may change others' views of breastfeeding and you may give confidence to another mother who is afraid to nurse in public. Although you will continue to nurse your child wherever you may be your husband doesn't have to feel as if his own feelings were brushed off.
Every time I go to nurse my baby in public I draw everyone's attention. She screams and makes a scene and I become frustrated struggling with a wiggly unhappy baby, fiddling with my clothing and trying to latch her on. It gets embarrassing! What can I do?
Offer your breast well before your baby becomes fussy to nurse. This way your child will take your breast for comfort and will be more calm and patient waiting for the letdown of milk. You can wear a stretchy tank top under an outer shirt to cover your belly and lift the top shirt to nurse your baby. Make sure you're calm the entire time, because children definitely pick up on our emotions and will become agitated if you yourself are.
