9 Breastfeeding FAQs Answered by a Lactation Consultant

I haven’t shared a lot about my breastfeeding journey, but to sum it up … it wasn’t easy in the beginning. I always knew that nursing was going to be painful at first, but I underestimated just how much pain. The lactation consultant in the hospital was extremely helpful and was pretty much on-call whenever I needed her. She helped with Vienna’s latch and told us that Vienna had a severe case of tongue tie which was likely contributing to the the pain I was feeling. I left the hospital feeling hopeful that nursing would fix itself and get better with time. When it didn’t and Vienna’s weight continued to drop, I knew I needed to see a lactation consultant regularly to get things straightened out.

That’s when I met Amy Siegrist. Amy was a godsend during my maternity leave. She resolved all of my breastfeeding issues and played a huge part in why I now love nursing my baby. Since Amy helped me so much, I wanted to get her on the blog. I posted on Instagram asking for questions for Amy. I received so many great ones, many of which I ALSO wanted to know the answer to. Let’s hop right into this!

1. Hi Amy! Introduce yourself to my readers.

I’m Amy Siegrist and I’m a board certified lactation consultant based in King of Prussia, PA. I have over ten years of experience in both hospital and private practice lactation consulting. I am an in-network provider for Aetna and Independence Blue Cross and do both home and office visits. In my King of Prussia office, I also host a weekly tummy time class and support group with free weight checks.

2. Do people generally have the same breastfeeding experience/problems with each of their children – for instance, under-supply or mastitis?

In general, after your first child, your breastfeeding experience is usually easier and with less problems. For example, a mother with a lower supply usually makes more milk with each baby and milk comes in sooner. This is due to growth of the mammary tissue as well as the mom’s knowledge and experience from her first infant.

3. What are a few pros and cons for exclusively pumping?

Exclusive pumping is a popular choice for many mothers. A big pro is that you’re able to easily track the number of ounces per day your baby is getting. Making sure your baby is drinking enough can be a huge source of stress, so pumping helps alleviate some of that. Many families also enjoy the flexibility of having dad or other caregivers assist with giving bottles of pumped milk. A negative for exclusively pumping is that you don’t have direct contact with your baby from nursing. Nursing can usually help keep your supply higher, and your baby’s saliva can also send messages to your breasts to help fight off germs (read more about that here). I tell moms who exclusively pump to do lots of skin to skin cuddling. Another negative for exclusively pumping is that you constantly have to clean bottles and pump parts and you might not always have warm milk available.

4. How important is getting a proper size flange for your pump?

Many moms don’t know that flanges come in different sizes and the one that is “standard” might not necessarily be a good fit. If your flange is too small, your nipple rubs in the tunnel and reduces milk output. If your flange is too big, it can cause irritation on the areola and also reduce milk output. If you have difficulty finding a proper fitting flange from your pump company, look into ordering special sizes from pumpinpal.com.

5. What are some ways that working moms can be successful pumping at work?

First, make sure you empty your breasts at least every three hours. It’s easy to get caught up in meetings or other assignments and miss a pump but try your best to stick to a schedule. You can even block out time on your work calendar and set up reminders so you don’t forget. Another tip is to use a hands-free pumping bra that fits properly (note from Nicole: I have this one and absolutely LOVE it). Being hands-free allows you do eat and hydrate during pumping. Good nutrition is very important for a great milk supply. Finally, figure out what helps you relax during pumping. I recommend wearing headphones and listen to your favorite music or podcast. The Boob Group is a great podcast to check out! It’s hard to pump and relax if you can hear your coworkers outside the door.

6. My newborn sleeps through the night. Will my supply tank of I don’t wake up and pump?

This answer is different for each mom. For most moms who have a good milk supply, your body learns to regulate and slow down production in the middle of the night. Your baby takes more milk during waking hours to make up for the “missed” feed. But for a mom with a low supply or those who are making just enough, it would be beneficial to wake up and pump at least once. Your milk-making hormone prolactin is the highest at night which may help you pump more during this time. If waking up is difficult for you, try pumping before you go to sleep, try a dream feed with your baby, or keep a Haakaa hand pump on your nightstand to quickly release some milk.

7. What can dads do to help facilitate a positive breastfeeding experience for their girlfriends/wives?

Dads can do a lot to help support breastfeeding. One of the best things they can do is take care of mom. Moms forget to eat and drink when they are so busy feeding their newborn, so dad can refill the water glass and make snacks. It’s also beneficial for dads to do skin-to-skin and let the baby suck on a finger if mom isn’t quite ready for the next feed. Dads should remember that there is a learning curve to breastfeeding. It will take several weeks for mom to feel confident, so she needs a strong support system and cheerleader. It’s not helpful to suggest bottles during the early weeks unless recommended by a pediatrician or lactation consultant.

8. How often should I pump in order to keep my supply up if I’m with my 9 month old all day?

If your 9 month old is nursing and gaining well, you don’t need to pump. The general rule of thumb is to pump around the same time your baby drinks a bottle. So if you are exclusively breastfeeding, pumping isn’t necessary. If dad gives a bottle most nights, you should pump at least once to replace the milk for tomorrow night’s bottle.

9. What are some tips for someone who wants to wean their 1 year old?

1 year olds are very smart and know what they like. You may feel ready to wean but the child may not be quite ready. I always recommend to wean slowly and gently. This method is known as “Don’t Offer, Don’t Refuse.” You can find ways to change up your routine and keep your toddler busy during nursing times so that they gradually ask for nursing less often. If you’re ready to move ahead at a quicker pace, drop one nursing session per day. During this time, give other food/drink. Hand express for comfort and put ice on your breasts as needed. Every 3-7 days, drop another nursing session. KellyMom is a great resource for weaning information.

10. I’ve started giving my baby purees. What can I do to ensure that my supply doesn’t dip?

Always nurse first, then offer solids. Breastfeeding is the primary source of nutrition up until 1 year of age. Your baby should continue to get the same amount of milk. Solids get added to complement growing appetites. If you give too much too soon, your baby’s belly will get too full and he will take less milk. This leads to a gradual decrease in milk production. KellyMom has a great article all about this.

// To schedule an appointment with Amy, visit her website at breastfeedingbond.com.