Expert Answers for Breastfeeding FAQs

Even though it鈥檚 a natural process, breastfeeding doesn鈥檛 always come naturally 鈥� it鈥檚 a journey that can take weeks or even months for parents and babies to learn together.

网曝门事件 Health Portland lactation consultant Nina Horn, IBCLC, answers some common breastfeeding questions from new parents.

Q: How is breastfeeding beneficial for both of us?

Breastfeeding is protective for both baby and mother, Nina says. 鈥淵our breast milk is made for your baby and has everything they need to grow,鈥� she explains. 鈥淏reast milk may even protect your baby from illnesses such as asthma, ear infections and respiratory infections.鈥�

As for moms, breastfeeding can protect them against diabetes and high blood pressure and even reduce their risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

Q: When should I start pumping or trying bottles?

Generally, it鈥檚 recommended to wait until breastfeeding is established before pumping, but every situation is different. 鈥淚t really depends on your unique needs and circumstances. If breastfeeding is going well, there鈥檚 no need to pump or offer bottles unless you want to,鈥� says Nina. 鈥淗owever, pumping may be recommended much earlier if your baby is having challenges with latching or weight gain or is born early.鈥�

Some moms who are planning to return to work may add in an extra pumping session a couple times a day to begin freezing a milk stash. Your lactation consultant may also recommend pumping to help increase milk production.

Q: What can I do about a low milk supply?

Many factors contribute to milk production, such as how often you are nursing or pumping, your flange size and how you pump, or your baby鈥檚 ability to remove milk. Nina recommends seeking help from a lactation consultant.

鈥淎 lactation consultant can work with you to help determine the reason and offer suggestions to increase your production in a way that works for you,鈥� says Nina. 鈥淔eeding frequently from the time your baby is born and getting support for any concerns early on help ensure milk production is off to a robust start.鈥�

Q: Why am I experiencing pain with breastfeeding?

Initial soreness with breastfeeding is common, but you should seek help if it lasts beyond the first two weeks or is severe.

鈥淎 shallow latch is the most common reason for nipple pain, but it could also be related to positioning, tongue tie, tension in your baby or even vasospasms,鈥� says Nina. 鈥淎nd breast pain may be due to engorgement or inflammation we often call 鈥榩lugged ducts.鈥欌€�

Your lactation consultant can help find the cause and how to fix it, often simply. Adjusting baby鈥檚 latch can help with nipple pain. Using cold compresses helps reduce inflammation in your breast.