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Barbara Dehn, RN, MS, NP is an award-winning author and women's health nurse practitioner with over 20 years experience listening to and caring for women of all ages. She has helped countless new moms through their pregnancies and with breastfeeding. Barbara's years of experience helping her patients find the best way to feed and nurture their babies while taking care of themselves has given her an honest, practical, unbiased, and realistic approach that her patients value. Her decision to act as the health expert for Moms Feeding Freedom grew from her desire to support and encourage all women in all situations in a "Guilt Free Zone" of acceptance and understanding.
Barbara's most recent publication, Your Personal Guide to Breastfeeding, has proven techniques to help you get your baby latched on as well as helpful information and practical tips about the most common challenges moms and baby's face. This guide is jam packed with effective strategies for crying and colic, how to pump and store your milk and what to do for mastitis and plugged ducts. The Breastfeeding Guide has simple illustrations and helpful To Do lists that help mom and baby enjoy this magical time.
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Questions/Answers
SANDY
From KYI'm concerned that my grandson is not getting enough nutrition from mother's breast milk since he's starting to reject it and seems to prefer the good start formula that is alternated due to work schedules. Mother also seems not to be able to produce enough milk to satisfy him. which is why the use of the formula. Mother and dad prefer breast milk over, understandably.
Hi Sandy,
Sometimes, it's not the milk that the baby rejects, but the method they have to get fed. If a baby finds it easier to drink from a bottle and has to work harder at the breast, they often will seem to "prefer" the bottle. Once a mom goes back to work it is difficult to keep up the breast milk supply, even with pumping. Breast milk offers so many benefits to babies that I'd encourage you to keep encouraging her to continue, even if it's only 1 or a few feedings a day. It's also a delicious time for mom and baby to reconnect after being apart. I know it just seems easier to make the switch to all formula, but if she's motivated to continue, she and the baby will both be happier. good luck,
Kaye
From phil.how often does a mother need to extract milk from her breast? in a day how many times? would you recommend mother to breast pump while they're in public places? why? and why not? . hope to hear reply. thank you
Hi Kaye, sorry for the delay in response. The number of times a mom pumps depends on how much milk she can get from each session and how long it takes to pump the milk. In general, the more you pump, the more milk will be produced, but there are exceptions. Some moms can pump every 2 hours and only produce 1/2 to 1 ounce total from both breasts. Some will produce 6-10 ounces in 10 minutes. Everyone is different.
I would say that if you are producing enough milk with your current schedule, then be sure to also get plenty of fluids, lots of rest and time for yourself and the baby. If you're not producing enough, try fenugreek, an herb that helps increase supply, get more fluids and rest as much as possible. Also, try to consult with a lactation consultant for more assistance. www.ilca.org.
As far as pumping in a public place, well many moms aren't comfortable and have challenges with getting the "let down" if they are not in a place they are comfortable in. Some moms feel comfortable pumping in designated rooms at department stores or work, some do not. Some pump in the privacy of their cars, others in the privacy of their homes. My recommendation is to find what works best for you. Good luck.
Tara
From IllinoisMy daughter is 6 1/2 months and her height and weight are all normal for her age. When we started feeding her baby food, at around 4 1/2 months, she loved it and would eat quite a bit. Now she has seemed to loose all interest in it and will only eat one to two bits at dinner. She still drinks the same amount of milk whether she eats or not. Is this normal?
Hi, isn't it amazing how children change almost evey week? Rest assured that she will become interested in food again. She'll probably be interested in your food, so try some cut up bananas and cheerios. As hard as it is not to worry and want to push her to eat, try to resist that urge, just put a few finger foods on her plate or high chair and let her decide when she's ready. Before you know it, she'll be trying lots of yummy foods.
Jess Nye
From MaineI don't want to breastfeed the baby I am due to have in December while I'm trying to keep up with my 18 month old and spend some time with my 10 year old (and my husband!) but I'm worried about the flu. How much protection would breastfeeding really offer the baby? I know it will offer some but if it's minimal I would really prefer to formula feed.
This is a great question. I sense that you are being pulled in lots of different directions. You might be feeling like there's not enough of you to go around. I wonder if you might consider breastfeeding 1-2 times/day and using formula as a supplement, instead of all or nothing. Even a little breastfeeding, especially in the first 4 weeks provides the baby with lots of protective immunities. If you do decide to use formula, consider using one that has natural immune boosting ingredients. Good luck,
tina
From nyHi-- I was planning on breastfeeding exclusively for one year however when i went back to work it became very difficult to pump. I started supplementing my milk with one bottle of formula daily. Rapidly my milk began to dry up. I decided to quit and put him on formula only. Yesterday i felt my milk let down and pumped an ounce. Is it possible to get the flow back or a wasted effort once you stop? thank you.
Hi, It is possible to build your supply back up. Here's what you can do. Try pumping every 2-3 hours during the daylight hours and increase fluids, rest and try fenugreek. It will take at least 3 days to see results. Don't give up. If you can't pump every 2-3 hours, then pump at the same time each day (give or take an hour) to send the signal that Mama needs more milk. Good luck
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