Boob Scoop

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, IBCLC (www.nycbreastfeeding.com)

Boob Scoop: One of the toughest questions for a breastfeeding mother to answer is: How often does my 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 de-latch from the breast once they are done. Learning to self-regulate by breastfeeding has been linked to a decrease in obesity in infancy and later on in life.

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

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

Boob Scoop: A great way to minimize the worry that comes with the thought of pumping and returning to work, is to do a practice run of what a work day will look like. A week or two before returning, pick a day when someone can watch your baby and schedule pumping sessions as if you were back at work. And of course it's okay if you never get a chance to do this: more important than squeezing in a practice run is to establish good milk supply during the weeks of maternity leave. Establishing good milk supply in the first 8 -12 weeks will play a key role in making the transition to work easier.

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