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Transcripts
Hi
moms you’re back with the happy Breastfeeder. Today we are going to talk
about limiting artificial nipples. It can be so easy to give your baby a
bottle when you are a little bit unsure about your breastfeeding
experience. Using artificial nipples whether it be a bottle or pacifier the
honest truth is that it reduces the time that your baby is going to take the
breast which in turn is going to decrease your milk supply.
Breastfeeding is the perfect example of supply and demand. The time that
you spend with baby at the breast tells your body how much milk to make.
Some babies can switch back and forth easily from the bottle to breast but
studies have shown using any kind of artificial nipple whether it is even a
pacifier increases the likelihood that your baby will wean before a year and
our goal is to try to breastfeed for one year.
Wait
until breastfeeding is well established and your supply is adequate for
baby’s need before you introduce an artificial nipple. Even then try to
limit their use. It’s kind of a catch 22 with supplemental bottles because
they do lessen the time that your baby spends suckling at your breast and
then lessens your milk supply.
If you
are concerned about your milk supply start paying attention to the baby’s
diapers. What is coming out had to of gone in so if your baby is saturating
six disposable diapers in a day then she’s likely getting enough milk and
you might want to ask your laleche consultant or laleche league leader about
that if you are concerned.
Really
and honestly low milk supply issues are almost never about a women’s body
and her ability to produce milk. It’s usually because she is limiting the
time baby is at the breast. Either she is scheduling the feeding or she’s
giving her baby a pacifier when he’s indicating when he wants to nurse.
It’s better for your baby to do all of his sucking at the breast.
So if
you are concerned about your milk supply start counting those diapers and
increase the time that you offer your breast and increase the time spent at
the breast. If your baby is going through a growth spurt and wants to nurse
more frequently let him. You might want to spend a couple of days at home,
limit your running around and stuff, spend more time napping if you can or
just resting – put your feet up, usually it only takes about two or three
days of increasing your baby’s time at the breast for your milk supply to
increase.
As a
side note, the American Academy of Pediatrics recently issued a statement
saying that pacifiers can reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death
syndrome). Well interestingly breastfeeding also reduces the risk of SIDS.
A lot of breastfeeding experts including laleche league international, their
theory is that it is the actual sucking itself and not the pacifier that
keeps the baby stimulated at night and keeps her breathing.
I’m
going to make a recommendation here and it’s not for every family but the
practice of co-sleeping or often referred to as the family bed can be really
helpful when you are breastfeeding. Most co-sleeping families find that
they get more sleep and they get more restful sleep. It can also help bring
in a hearty milk supply and make night feeding easier.
Interestingly, when a baby nurses at night because of the way that oxygen
and pro lactating work in a women’s body those night feedings have a lot to
do with her overall milk projection. Families all over the world, in fact
about 90% of the world’s population, co-sleep and quite happily and quite
safely. If you are concerned about the safety of co-sleeping I have some
information that you might want to read. It’s at
http://www.naturalbabyworld.com/arms-reach-co-sleeper.html. This is the
page that tells you some of the ways that you can safely share sleep.
It
mentions a product called arms reach co-sleeper which interestingly has been
recommended by Dr. William Sears, a world renowned pediatrician, father of
8, and author of over 20 parenting books and a big proponent of
co-sleeping. It is almost like a bassinet that attaches to your bed. Even
if you are not interested in that product, there is a lot of great tips on
that page about safely sharing sleep. Message for today – limit artificial
nipples.
Next
time we are going to talk about how to appreciate your baby as a unique
individual. This is the happy Breastfeeder and if you want to visit me on
the web check me out at
http://www.naturalbabyworld.com. Bye.
Happy Breastfeeder Part Five
