Just Wondering: When Does Your Period Come Back After Having a Baby?
While most advice is well-meaning, its not always filled with accurate information.
If you feel stressed: Dont worry, we got you.
Read on to bust the most common breastfeeding myths.
Still, some babiestypically young infantscan be sensitive to caffeines effects.
If caffeine was affecting your baby youd notice fussiness, irritation, and poor sleep, says Rosenthal.
Chrisie Rosenthal is a Consultant Relations Manager and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant with The Lactation Network.
If this is the case, trycutting back on your coffeeto see if it helps.
But this isnt true for everyone.
In fact, some people even put on a few pounds during lactation.
Breastfeeding is hard work, so your body requires more calories, says Rosenthal.
We know adjusting to a new version of your body can be challenging.
But try not to focus on the scale too much.
Chrisie Rosenthal is a Consultant Relations Manager and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant with The Lactation Network.
Losing weight, especially losing weight too quickly, may negatively affect your milk supply, says Rosenthal.
Its overdoing it with booze while breast or chestfeeding that can be harmful.
As a breastfeeding parent, there areno foods you should probably avoid, says Rosenthal.
The food you eat wont make your baby gassy or fussy, she says.
So if youre obsessed with spice, have at it.
Many lactating people around the world eat spicy foods as part of their culture and daily cuisine.
Matter of fact, eating a variety of foods while pregnant and nursing can be beneficial for baby.
But like all things in life, there are exceptions.
Some babies have food allergies or sensitivities that require special consideration when it comes to your diet.
Still, these foods are harmless to try, and they can be nutritious additions to your balanced diet.
Just dont over-rely on them to ramp up milk supply.
More important than the kinds of foods you eat?How muchyou eat.
Yep, the best way to maintain milk production is to get enough food and water each day.
Your body needs those calories and H2O to have enough energy to make breastmilk.
In fact, the opposite is true.
It can actually help build your babys immune system.
Yourbreastmilk has protective antibodiesto help keep your baby healthy, says Rosenthal.
You may even notice it looks more concentrated when you or your baby is sick, adds Rosenthal adds.
(Pretty cool, right?)
Just check that you rest, eat, and drink water while youre sick.
Not getting enough calories and dehydration can both affect your milk supply.
Myth: Its normal for breastfeeding to hurt
Dealing with sore, cracked nipples?
Too many lactating people push through an excruciating nursing experience because they think pain is normalbut its not.
Dont grin and bear it.
IBCLCs are experts in lactation who can be helpful to anyone whos nursing and needs a bit more support.
Contrary to popular belief, research has shown that breastfeeding does not cause breasts to sag, says Rosenthal.
The real reason they sag?
Instead, take a stab at focus on all theyve done for your baby.
But breast or chestfeeding doesnt always come naturally.
Breastfeeding is a learned skill, for parent and for baby, says Rosenthal.
It often takes a few weeks to really feel like youve got the hang of it.
The key is practice.
And you dont need to figure it out on your own.
You and your baby may have to be separated if either of you require extra medical attention.
And if you have to be apart for more than a few hours?
You should still have a go at stimulate your breasts to produce milk.
Youll often be given ahospital-grade pumpand guidance on how (and how often) to pump, says Rosenthal.
Hand expression is also very effective in the early days when you have colostrumi.e., babys first breastmilk.
Dont worry if you dont know how to pump or hand expressno one does at first.
But know this: Nursing doesnt have to be an all-or-nothing decision.
Giving your baby both is totally safe and is sometimes calledcombo feeding or supplementing.
Theres no right way to feed your little oneonly whats best for the both of you.
Rest assured: For many birthing parents, this fear is unfounded.
All this to say, breastmilk production isnt always a breeze.
Though with the proper support, most people will be physically able to produce enough milk.
Still, there are exceptions.
But it can happen.
But that doesnt mean you have to avoid medication altogether.
For this reason, many medications are compatible with breastfeeding, says Rosenthal.
There are some instances where medications are not safe while nursing.
To be safe, always check with your doctor and your pediatrician before taking any medications.
Returning to work changes your feeding relationship, but it doesnt mean you have to wean, says Rosenthal.
In these cases, it’s possible for you to pump your milk to maintain your supply.
If you need a little help making the transition, once again, reach out to a lactation consultant.
They can help you prepare a plan (and modify it if needed) once you return to work.
Fortunately, many families can now meet with IBCLCs through their insurance, she says.
The Affordable Care Act requires insurance companies to provide breastfeeding supplies and support services.
And if you dont have insurance?
it’s possible for you to still find affordable lactation consultants through some online research.
Some IBCLCs offering a sliding fee scale based on income, too.
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