Boob Scoop

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

Boob Scoop: Weaning from breastfeeding should be approached as a process rather than a one-day event. One important reason for doing 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 sincebreastfeeding 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, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

Boob Scoop: 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, 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, 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, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

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

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

Sharen Medrano, 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. Contributed by Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

Sharen Medrano, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)