Ask L.C is blessedmums.com nursing FAQ section.
Breastfeeding is an experience that we should enjoy and appreciate. However, we know that nursing may not be as smooth sailing as we want it to be. The purpose of this section is to help nursing mothers to nurse their babies for as long as possible so that their babies can continue to reap in the benefits of feeding on his or her mother's milk. As breastfeeding comes with challenges, Blessed Mums would like to help you find the solution to these challenges.
All question posted will be answered by qualified Lactation Consultant Christine Choong (IBCLC). Due to Christine's tight schedule, she will be able to cope with only 2 letters per month. Questions will be answered on first come first serve basis. We endeavor to get the questions answered within 1 - 5 days, depending on the availability of the lactation consultant. In the meantime, if you need immediate answers, feel free to browse our resources section for some helpful links and websites for more information on breastfeeding.
If you are experiencing problems with breastfeeding that require urgent attention, please call or visit your health care provider / Lactation Consultant immediately.
Please ensure you provide as much information as possible, e.g. your age, age of your baby, age of baby's siblings, your experience in breastfeeding, any formula / solid started and the nature of your issue or concern. All question answered will be posted into the FAQ section. Please do review our FAQ section to see if your questions are already posted.
Please be aware that our lactation consultant tailors her response to your specific situation, taking into account the information you have shared. The response may not be appropriate for other mothers, since each mother and baby couple is unique.
Please send your question to asklc@blessedmums.com with your name, email address and question in order to get your question reviewed.
Happy Breastfeeding!
BREASTFEEDING QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Stopped Breastfeeding but would like to continue
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Christine Choong
Founder & proprieter of Mamalink . She is a registered nurse and midwife from the UK, was the first in Malaysia to qualify as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and has a Graduate Diploma in Childbirth Education.
She has extensive experience working with breastfeeding mothers and training health workers in Malaysia since the early 80's. She has been conducting small group prenatal classes for more than 15 years and has experience as a birth companion (doula) in Malaysia. She has also contributed articles on birthing and breastfeeding to parenting magazines.
Christine and her obstetrician husband have three grown children, one born in UK & two in Malaysia. |
 Stopped Breastfeeding and Would like to continue
I am a mother for 4 month old baby. I was fully breastfeeding him for the first two months and starting from 3rd month, I start to intoduce him formula milk. When I start to work, the total consumption of breastmilk has reduced and my baby goes for formula milk. Gradually the total of milk consumption is reducing from day to day and finally I stop giving my baby breastmilk.
But even I stop giving him milk like a month ago, he stills want it whenever I carry him. I just want to know, is it possible to give my baby breastmilk?
From : Jarin
ANSWER
Hi Jarin,
If your baby is willing to suck at the breast, then yes, it is still possible to give him breastmilk, & it is possible to re-establish your milk supply. However, it does take time & energy to do this.
If your baby is willing to suckle at the breast frequently,it will help to stimulate your supply. If possible over, the week-end could you just rest & encourage your son to suckle whenever he wants to. To really build up your supply you would need to take around two weeks leave from work to enable your son to give sufficient stimulation to the breast.At times that you may not be able to put him to the breast you can express the milk. Initially there would obviously be insufficient milk to meet your son's needs & these requirements would need to be met in other ways. Some mothers use a supplementer at the breast. This consists of a fine tube which is taped to the breast along side of the nipple & a container of milk which could be a cup, a syringe or a purpose made supplementer which would consist of a bottle which hangs around your neck between your breasts.As the baby suckles on the breast he is therefore able to obtain the formula milk at the breast.
This ensures that all suckling is at the breast & thus gives the greatest amount of stimulation. Alternatively, the formula milk can be given separately, preferably by cup or spoon but this reduces the amount of stimulation at the breast. As your breastmilk supply increases you can reduce the amount of formual given. At this stage it is important to observe your son's urinary output & number of bowel movements to ensure that he is getting adequate intake.
Some mothers use herbs or medications to help boost the milk supply. One that is commonly used is fenugreek. It is quite difficult to find fenugreek capsules in Malaysia, but you can buy the fenugreek seeds & apart from using it in cooking, make drinks with it. Put one rounded teaspoon of fenugreek seeds to 8oz freshly boiled water & allow it to steep for 3-5minutes. You can then strain it and drink the liquid. Some mothers also eat the softened seeds.
Medications need to be prescribed by a doctor. Alternatives are domperidone (motilium) or metaclopramide (maxalon) although domperidone is generally preferred. All of the above are only effective if there is frequent stimulation to the breast either by suckling or pumping.
If you are working to rebuild a milk supply it is also important to take care of your own health - plenty of rest, a well balanced diet with good carbohydrate intake & fluids to thirst.
It may be that you are just asking if it is OK to just let your baby suckle occasionally when he is interested.It is OK to do that but he may become frustrated if the supply is very low & there are many health benefits & emotional benefits for both of you if you can build up your milk supply.
You may like to do an internet search on relactation. There are many interesting articles & also links with other moms who are rebuilding their supply.
Good luck. Your son's interst in suckling at the breast is a very positive indication.
Best wishes,
Christine Choong
SRN SCM IBCLC Grad Dip Childbirth Education
Lactation Consultant Childbirth Educator
www.mamalink.com.my
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Disclaimer:This information was compiled for educational purpose and is provided for information only. It is intended to help enhance your communication with your health care provider. Any information and opinion expressed do not constitute a medical consultation or prescription or treatment of a medical or health condition. Please seek advice from your healthcare provider regarding the appropriateness of the information discussed or recommended here. If you have specific health concern / medical, please consult your personal health care provider. Blessed Mums accepts no responsibility for what you do with the information provided here in our site. Our aim is to educate the reader, please be competent to make a responsible decision on your own, assuming all the risks and consequences for the choices you make.
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