How Birth Affects Breastfeeding

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Whether you’re in the process of growing a tiny human or you’ve already given birth, you know that nature is amazing.  Somehow our bodies know exactly what to do throughout the pregnancy process to create a beautiful new baby. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that breastfeeding is also a part of this natural process.  Breast milk production starts with preparation during pregnancy and ultimately begins with the birth of your baby.

How our bodies prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, you will notice changes in your breasts as time progresses.  How dramatic these changes depend on each individual mama.  Pregnancy hormones will promote milk duct growth and get breast tissue ready for milk production.  This makes the breasts feel heavier and look fuller. The areolas (the darker skin around your nipples) will typically get larger and darker as well.  By the third trimester, your body is ready to produce milk!

How the birthing process initiates breastfeeding.

When labor is initiated, the hormone oxytocin promotes powerful uterine contractions and signals to the body that it will soon initiate breastfeeding.  Throughout labor, hormones are released to help keep mom and baby energized and strong.  Typically once born, your baby will immediately look for your nipple to start breastfeeding.  This is their natural instinct. It will promote further oxytocin release to help expel the placenta in the final stages of labor.  Birthing the placenta is what truly initiates breast milk production with the release of the hormone prolactin. Once the birthing process is complete, the focus for breastfeeding turns to making sure baby is able to latch and feed well.  Ideally, this should be initiated within 30 minutes to one hour after birth. This will ensure further stimulation of breast milk production.    

How modern birth interventions can affect breastfeeding. 

In the U.S. only 2% of women give birth without any medical interventions.  These interventions are now a common part of labor and delivery and they, unfortunately, can affect the initiation of milk production for breastfeeding.  This can include interventions like induction, epidural, and/or cesarean birth. It has been found that undergoing any medical interventions makes a mother six times more likely to have a C-section!  No matter what specific procedure, it has been found that they affect the normal cascade of labor and milk producing hormones.  It can also leave baby and mama feeling lethargic making it hard to promote adequate breast stimulation when everyone just wants to sleep.  Of course, mothers and baby can still successfully breastfeed with the right support and education no matter what their birth experience entails. 

Strategies to optimize your success with breastfeeding after birth.  

  • Avoid unnecessary interventions.  Be well informed and if baby is healthy, try to wait for labor to start naturally.  
  • Get as much skin to skin contact as possible to promote adequate hormone balance for breast milk production.
  • Respond quickly to baby’s hunger cues and feed them often to establish good milk production and build baby’s trust in the feeding process.
  • Get proper support.  If you’re feeling unsure, ask for help immediately from a certified lactation consultant  (IBCLC) to maximize your breastfeeding journey.  Ask for help from family and friends as well to allow you to focus on breastfeeding, rest, and healing. 

Breastfeeding is the natural next step to caring for your beautiful new baby after birth.  With the right care, you should feel empowered to decide how your baby feeds and thrives! 

Clever Ways To Store Your Breastmilk

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You’re on top of your breast pumping game.  You have part of the fridge and a freezer full of milk. You are rich with liquid goal for your baby, hooray!  As your freezer gets fuller, you may be starting to wonder where it all will go. Before you take up more space in your home with a new deep freezer or feel like you’re losing your mind due to disorganization, try these genius storage tricks for your breast milk.

General storage tips.

  1.       You can store milk in bottles or storage bags.  Storage bags are ideal for space saving. Some can be directly attached to your breast shields on your pump and self-stand for easy filling and storing.
  2.       Once expressed milk is in the container you plan to store it in, always label it so you can keep track of where it needs to go (see options below).
  3.       Use your breast shield as a funnel when transferring in milk to decrease risk of spillage.

Organization for the fridge. 

  1.       If milk is in the fridge and you plan to use it within the 4 day limit, you can opt for convenience and keep it in a bottle if you have the space. 
  2.       Keep your breast milk organized in one area of the fridge.  Try using a designated tub or box always keeping what will be used next at the front for convenience. First in, first out.
  3.       Use a labeling system to keep track of when bottles were put in the fridge.  This can be as simple as post it notes or can become fancy with charms labels with days of the week (or dates) on them.

Organization for the freezer.

  1.       When trying to freeze large amounts of milk, space saving techniques are key to maximize your storage capacity.  This means using storage bags and freezing them lying flat (at least until frozen) so that they aren’t bulky and can be easily stacked. Sandwiching the freezer bags between two cookie sheets can help freeze them even thinner saving more space! 
  2.       Try using boxes made into “dispensers” by cutting a storage bag sized hole in the bottom.  Google DIY breast milk dispensers and prepare to be amazed! You can easily recycle things like gift bags and shipping boxes for this purpose (boxes may be easier to stack for optimal space saving). 
  3.       Keep track of how old your milk is in batches so it’s easier to organize and find via color-coding or labeling. This is where using gift bags can be fun!
  4.       **Writer’s Favorite** To minimize time rummaging through the back of the freezer, try a left to right system.  Always put the newest milk on the left and then shifting your storage containers to the right as you add. So simple it’s genius!   

Storage while traveling or at work.

  1.       Use a cooler with ice to keep milk fresh for up to 24 hours. 
  2.       When flying, ask for ice at a coffee shop at the terminal or while on the plane.  For more travel tips check here.
  3.       At work, keep ice packs in the company freezer (don’t forget those labels to avoid confusion!) to use for the commute home.
  4.       For more guidelines on how long milk can be stored at different temperature check out this great resource here. For other general tips on milk storage look here.

 Making your fridge or freezer pretty and organized can give you peace of mind.  Then you can focus on all the fun parts of raising your baby!

Alcohol and Breastfeeding

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By Melissa Portunato MPH, IBCLC, RLC

You’ve waited nine loooooooong months to have a drink and now that baby is finally here you’re asking yourself is it really OK to pop that bottle of champagne and celebrate? I mean, you did just go through labor and delivery, some of the most painful and beautiful moments of your life! You should be able to sit back, make a toast and enjoy yourself right? 

Before you kick back and relax read on to get all the facts you need to know about consuming alcohol while breastfeeding. Keep your baby safe and keep yourself sane. Bottoms up! 

What Do The Experts Say?

The research is pretty clear on booze and pregnancy – it can be dangerous for babies – but the message is not always as crystal about alcohol and breastfeeding. Alcohol does transfer into breastmilk but it’s not stored, meaning alcohol enters and exits your breast milk according to your blood alcohol level. 

According to Dr. Hale, the leading expert in perinatal pharmacology, alcohol can be safely consumed by breastfeeding mothers without adverse effects to her infant. The AAP says that while alcohol intake should be limited, an occasional drink is acceptable. Research studies suggest, though alcohol is quickly absorbed and cleared from breast milk, it can temporarily inhibit milk production. 

When Is The Best Time To Pop That Bubbly?

Mothers of infants less than 3 months old should be extra careful. Newborn babies have a very immature liver while older babies can metabolize alcohol much quicker. Research tells us daily consumption of alcohol has been shown to slow weight gain and gross motor development in infants and young children. 

It’s best to nurse baby first and then have that drink. Allowing for at least 2 hours between consuming alcohol and breastfeeding. Food helps to decrease adsorption. It’s best to accompany that glass of wine with a delicious dinner. 

Do I Need To Pump and Dump?

Alcohol metabolizes in the blood and leaves breast milk as it clears from your blood. Pumping and dumping does NOT speed up the elimination of alcohol from your breast milk. It is important to pump though, to avoid clogged ducts that can lead to mastitis. Pump as often as baby is eating (not because it will eliminate the alcohol faster) to keep up with your milk supply. 

The only time you really ever need to pump and dump is if you totally overdid it with the drinking, still feeling more than a buzz, and you are engorged. At this point mama, so sorry but it wouldn’t be the best for baby to pump and store your milk. Ugh! 

Let’s Wrap It Up! 

Moderation and proper planning is important. An occasional drink is acceptable and compatible with breastfeeding. The primary concern is not that the alcohol will pass through the milk and harm the baby but rather mom being intoxicated and not being able to care for her baby. If an epic party you’ve been anticipating is going down soon, plan for a sober person to care for your baby. Remember the more alcohol consumed the longer it will take to clear your body. Generally, if you are OK to drive, you’re OK to breastfeed. 

Avoid drinking excessive alcohol and seek help from a professional if you are concerned about your alcohol use. It’s OK to ask for help mama! You’re an amazing mama and your baby needs you. Keep in mind some medications can interact with alcohol. Talk to your doctor if you are currently taking medications and planning to consume alcohol. Have more questions about alcohol and breastfeeding? Spectra Baby USA has got you covered! Schedule a LIVE virtual consultation with one of our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants today and walk away confidently, ready to make the best decision for you and your baby. We’re here for you and we support you!