How do I know that my baby is getting enough milk?
There are many ways you can tell whether your baby is getting enough milk. Are you responding to your baby's signals that he/she wants to be fed e.g. rooting, fingers in mouth etc. If it is comfortable for you when your baby feeds it is a good sign, also if you can see your baby swallowing frequently. In the first few weeks your baby will have lots of dirty nappies and he/she should always have lots of wet nappies throughout the day.
Will my milk be good enough for my baby?
Your milk will be ideal for your baby. It will have all the nutrients your baby needs in a form that is easily digestible. It will also have antibodies to protect your baby from infections. As your baby gets older your milk will change to adapt to your baby's needs.
Can I overfeed my baby if I'm breastfeeding?
Babies have to take the breastmilk as they feed at the breast and it is not possible to overfeed a breastfed baby. Because breastmilk is digested so easily breastfed babies feed frequently and they take what they need.
I have fair hair and sensitive skin. Will breastfeeding make me sore?
If you get sore that is a sign that your baby may not be latched on well. Ask your health professional for help and if it still does not get better see a lactation consultant for specialist help
I have been prescribed antibiotics. Will I have to stop breastfeeding?
You can breastfeed safely with most medications and if you are breastfeeding your doctor should prescribe a suitable medication. If you are prescribed any medication you may ring the Drugs in Milk Helpline to check 0844 412 4665.
I have mastitis. Will I have to stop breastfeeding?
Mastitis is caused by milk not draining well from a part of the breast. It is very important that you feed more from the affected side. If your baby is not feeding you can hand express to encourage the milk to flow. You could see a lactation consultant to establish why the mastitis developed as it could be due to a poor latch at the breast.
My baby has a tongue tie. What should I do?
Many babies have tongue ties and sometimes a tongue tie will prevent a baby from getting a good latch on the breast. This may cause sore nipples, mastitis, a windy baby, baby coming off the breast frequently, and a baby who does not gain weight well. If the tongue tie is causing any of these problems you may need to have the tongue tie treated to enable your baby to get a good latch on the breast and to feed well.
If I have my baby's tongue tie treated will I notice a difference straight away?
Very often the latch is improved straight away and the feed will be comfortable for the mum, and effective for the baby. Sometimes, particularly if a baby is several weeks or months old when the procedure is undertaken, the improvement is noticed after a few feeds or even a few days. This is because a baby with a restricted tongue will not be using some of the tongue muscles to feed, therefore when the tongue is freed the muscles will need to strengthen to be fully effective. A lactation consultant will be able to advise you about how to encourage your baby to move his/her tongue..
How is tongue tie treated?
In a baby under six months it is a very simple procedure to snip the frenulum (which is the thin piece of skin under the tongue). The medical term for the procedure is frenulotomy. No anaesthetic is required and usually the baby will go straight back to his/her mother afterwards to have a feed. It should be undertaken by a registered health professional who has had special training. There is a register of accredited tongue tie dividers - The Association of Tongue Tie Practitioners. If you see a lactation consultant - Lactation Consultants of Great Britain, who also treats tongue ties you will get all of the breastfeeding help required at the same time.
I think my baby has an upper lip tie. Will that be a problem?
All babies have a labial frenulum but some are more prominent than others. The good news is that they do not interfere with feeding so there is no need to do anything. However, It would be good to talk to your dentist about it when your child is about 7 years old and the adult teeth are emerging.
My baby is having difficulty bottle feeding. Could this be due to a tongue tie?
Yes it could. If your baby shows any of the following signs: slow to feed, dribbling, sleepy when feeding, slow weight gain, excessively windy, it would be a good idea to check for a tongue tie which will be the most likely cause of the problem. You may then decide to have the tongue tie treated to resolve the problems..
LINKS
Infant Tongue Tie South West UK Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/985162664828675/
Lactation Consultants of Great Britain http://www.lcgb.org/index.html
Association of Tongue Tie Practitioners http://www.tongue-tie.org.uk/find-a-tongue-tie-divider.html
Breastfeeding Network Drugs in Breastmilk http://breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-in-breastmilk.html
If you have a question you would like to ask, please complete the Contact Me Page, or send an e-mail to louise-exeter@hotmail.co.uk
Bottle feeding and tongue tie. Bottle feeding problems