Got Questions about Breastfeeding?

Here are some frequently asked breastfeeding questions. We hope the answers will help you confidently breast-feed your sweet child! Check back often because we will add more!

Common Questions about Breastfeeding:

How soon after my delivery should I start breastfeeding my baby?

My baby is just 3 days old and I’m not sure if my milk has come in yet – how do I know?

I’m getting worn out! My baby is two weeks old and nursing all the time – is this normal?

My baby was waiting about 3 hours between feedings and all of the sudden she wants to nurse every hour? Am I losing my milk supply?

I tried to pump and I only got a half ounce after 3o minutes! What am I doing wrong?

I have been diagnosed with postpartum depression and will be starting on an antidepressant – do I have to wean my baby?

Help! I thought breastfeeding was not supposed to hurt, but my nipples are hurting. Is there anything I can do?

I’ve been sick and I’m concerned about my milk supply –what can I do to increase it?

Why is my 5-month-old baby still waking to nurse at night?

Can I drink wine while breastfeeding?

Can I drink peppermint tea while breastfeeding?

Can I nurse an adopted baby?

I’m nervous about nursing in public. Do you have any suggestions?

I’m always leaking! What can I do about it?

I would like some tasteful nursing photos taken of me and my baby. Do you have any special tips on creating great breastfeeding photography?

When should I wean my baby?

What if I still have questions about breastfeeding?

Answers to the Questions about Breastfeeding:

Your commitment matters! Some experts say the commitment to give breastfeeding an honest try is one of the biggest factors in successful nursing. Click on the link to check out our How to Prepare For Breastfeeding page for or more helpful tips. We hope that page will get you started and that you continue to browse our site to answer all your questions about breastfeeding. Good luck to you...and Happy Nursing!

Also, you can click on this link to check out our Latching-on page for help knowing if you are getting a good latch.

In most women, their milk comes somewhere between the second and sixth day birth. It is a different experience for each mom. Don’t let it concern you. As long as you feel that nursing is going well and that your baby is having the right amount of wet and dirty diapers (and changing in color from tar-like and sticky black to a lighter brown and becoming mustardy yellow), your milk is proabably come in. If you have any concerns or other questions about breastfeeding, call your baby’s doctor.

Yes, mothering can be totally exhausting! But that is completely normal. Our newborn sweeties need to nurse often enough to signal our bodies to make all the milk that they need. And lucky for us--our bodies are designed to make all the milk that they will need. This is why mommies of multiples can produce enough milk to feed all their babies just fine. Even once you’re out of the newborn phase, your baby may nurse around the clock during each growth spurt (see next question.) Just continue to nurse your baby on demand during these periods of non-stop nursing. Trust those of us who have done this…it gets better. Hang in there.

Probably not. Your baby is probably having a growth spurt. You can expect them to happen at about 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 6 months. During these times, you have a day or two that your baby seems to be starving and want to nurse around the clock! Don’t worry. Your body will adjust to make more breast milk and you and your baby can get back to a more reasonable feeding schedule!

Check the diapers! You can get a very good idea of whether or not your baby is getting enough to eat by checking out her wet and dirty diaper count (see your baby's doctor for information on how many of each to expect – usually 5-6 wet diapers a day and 2-5 poopy ones). A new baby should be nursing about 8-10 (or more!) times a day.

Other signs that she is getting enough milk is if you can hear her swallowing, and that she seems content when she comes off the breast and that she is an active and alert baby when awake.

If you are still concerned or have additional questions about breastfeeding, you may want to talk to your baby's doctor or look at the WHO growth chart standards available here.

Sounds like you might have a plugged milk duct. Click here for information on handling plugged ducts.

However, if you have a fever or the chills, you may have developed a more serious condition called mastitis. Click here for more information.

Probably nothing. Pumping is often a learned skill and, unfortunately, some women have a hard time letting down for a pump. If you are sure that you have a decent pump (See our article on recommended pumps…it really does make a huge difference,), you probably just need practice and patience. Try adjusting the suction on your pump, looking at a picture of your baby and, most importantly, try to relax! If you try and are unsuccessful, you may want to try a different kind of pump!

No! Feel free to take care of yourself. Your baby needs a healthy mommy!

Most common antidepressants are fine to take while nursing – just check to make sure you are being prescribed one that is. (See our Safe Medication page) Continuing to breastfeed can be an important part of your recovery. The bonding and nurturing (for both of you!) that takes place while nursing has been shown to make PPD less severe and easier to recover from. It is always important for your baby for mommy to take care of herself, too!

Some tenderness in the first few days is normal. Try using a some lanolin cream to help. The cause of many sore nipples is the latch. Ensuring that your baby is latched on well can make all the difference. (Click here to see how to know if you have a good latch.)

If the latch is good you continue to have pain, it’s time to see your doctor or a good lactation consultant. Intervening early can aid recovery and prevent further nursing problems. Don’t worry…sore nipples will heal.

Taking care of mommy is always a good place to start. Get enough rest, eat well and drink lots!

However, there are also a few ways to try to boost your milk supply. Nurse often - this goes to supply and demand and often is the only trick needed. Make sure your baby is satisfying all her sucking needs at your breast. Look into getting some mother’s tea. This can usually be found at your health food store. While you’re there, pick up some fenugreek in capsule form. Taking three capsules three times a day can really boost your milk supply.

If all else fails, you can call your doctor for a prescription for domperidone. (See here why you should avoid the alternative, Reglan.) Domperidone is a medication and should be taken only absolutely necessary...and usually just nursing more often does the trick!

There could be any number of reasons. It could be nothing. Some babies might stop sleeping through the night at 6 months when their teeth start coming in or at 10 months when separation anxiety hits or at 2 years when nightmares begin.

Now there are a few questions about breastfeeding to ask yourself. If you and your baby are relatively well rested and the night waking doesn’t bother you, there is no reason to do anything about it. If it does bother you, you can take some steps to reduce it. Talk to your baby’s doctor. At this age, if your baby is big enough not to need to nurse at night, you may just need to stop nursing at night and just cuddle when she wakes up. Pretty soon, that won’t be worth waking up for and she may just sleep though the night!

Drinking alcohol is generally safe for nursing moms. To see our complete discussion of breastfeeding and alcohol, click here.

Although you should be careful when using any herbal supplements or teas while breastfeeding, click here for reasons why peppermint tea might be helpful for nursing moms.

Absolutely! Go to our Adoptive Breastfeeding page for more information and answers to your questions about breastfeeding and adopted baby.

Breastfeeding in public can be a little intimidating for a new mom. Check out our Public Breastfeeding page for some helpful tips! Just remember, though…be proud of yourself for giving your baby the best food available and for being a beautiful ambassador for breast-feeding.

Welcome to the club! The good news is that you likely have a great supply of milk! (I always said that my right breast could nurse multiples by itself because it leaked so much!)

The bad news is that there’s not much you can do about leaking. Just be sure to always wear breast pads. This will prevent the embarrassing wet spots from appearing on your clothing. Make sure you get good breast pads that can breathe. I found that disposable ones worked best for me because I soaked through so fast…but try different options and see what works best for you.

Breastfeeding photos become very precious as your child grows. Click here to get some tips on capturing those special moments on film!

This is a very personal choice between you and your baby, but one of our common questions about breastfeeding. Click here to see our When to Stop Breastfeeding page for some helpful advice!

Still Have Questions about Breastfeeding?

Check out our Breastfeeding Questions page.. This is where readers can submit their own questions about breastfeeding for us to answer! If your question wasn't answered here...give it a try!

We will update the questions and add more answers to your questions about breastfeeding...so check back often!

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