My baby cries after 10 or 15 minutes of nursing. Is he still hungry?

Most babies get the majority of the milk within the first 10 to 15 minutes of nursing, however, some may take 15 to 45 minutes to finish on both breasts.

Letting your baby nurse longer on both breasts (until he either quits nursing or falls asleep) will allow him to get the "hind-milk" at the end of the feeding which helps induce sleep and provides the most calories.

To help determine if your baby is still actively nursing, try listening for the sound of your baby swallowing during the feeding.

When I try to express milk from my breasts, only a few drops come out. I get very little milk when I first start to pump. Does this mean I don't have enough milk?"

Hand expression and pumping are learned techniques and are not as efficient as your baby's sucking. What you obtain when you first start pumping or hand expression does not necessarily reflect your milk supply.

Take a shower or apply warm, wet cloths to your breasts for 10 minutes before hand expressing. Massage your breasts down and out toward the nipple while expresing and pumping your milk. When pumping, make sure you are using a high-quality breast pump. For more information regarding breast pumps, please contact The Family Center at 460-5207.

I've been giving my baby a bottle and breastfeeding and now my baby fusses at the breast and doesn't want it. What's wrong?

Bottle nipples allow milk to flow faster with less effort by your baby, and your baby may prefer the easier way. In addition, by giving bottles, you may have diminished your milk supply. You might try:

• Discontinuing the bottles and increasing the number of times you breastfeed.
• Eliminatng the use of all artificial nipples such as pacifiers.

Contact our Lacatation Consultant at 460-5207 if the problem persists for more than 48 hours.

My baby was doing fine, but all of a sudden she started nursing all the time. Is something wrong?

Growth spurts occur typically at seven to 10 days, three weeks, six weeks and 12 weeks and will increase your baby's appetite. Her frequent sucking increases your milk supply to meet her new needs. The increase in nursing will typically last three to five days, then she will return to a reasonable schedule. Try to rest and drink adequate liquids to help increase your milk supply.

My baby can take one to two ounces of formula after I nurse him. Isn't he getting enough milk from me?

Are you offering both breasts at each feeding? Are you nursing for fewer than 10 minutes per breast? Using both breasts stimulates a second and third let-down and creates more volume for your baby to drink. Sucking is not always a sign of hunger for your baby. Most babies will suck if a nipple is put in their mouth, even if they are not hungry.

Here are some ways to increase your milk supply:

• Use both breasts at each feeding. Consider switching the baby back to the first breast when the baby is done nursing on the second breast.
• Give longer feedings at the breast, until your baby falls asleep.
• Feed your baby more frequently.
• Drink adequate fluids, eat a healthy diet and get enough rest.
• Avoid offering your baby a bottle. Bottle supplementation will decrease your milk supply as your baby will not nurse as often.
• A baby will usually take from a bottle after nursing, as you eat dessert after a meal, even though you may be full. Therefore, just because your baby takes the bottle doesn't mean he is still hungry.

My nipples are sore all the way through the feeding. What can I do?

Sore nipples caused by nipple-chewing are the result of improper positioning of the baby. Reposition your baby:

• Make sure your baby is facing your breast, with his or her tummy facing your tummy with the initial latch-on.
• Bring your baby close to you very quickly before their mouth closes.
• Also, be certain you are holding your breast behind the areola.
• Wait for your baby to open his or her mouth wide, then quicly pull your baby close.
• If the pain continues, remove your baby from your breast and reposition again.