Pam's Breastfeeding Support in Springwood, New South Wales | Medical and health

Pam's Breastfeeding Support

Locality: Springwood, New South Wales

Address: 86 Farm Road 2777 Springwood, NSW, Australia

Website: http://www.pamsbreastfeeding.com.au

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24.01.2022 Breasts are not a warehouse: * They are not a storage facility * They do not have a set amount of milk that they can provide * They will not run out of stock as long as they are being stimulated... Breasts are a factory: * They produce milk 24 x 7. Even whilst you are breastfeeding, your breasts are producing milk in the background. Prolactin is the milk making hormone, the factory workers, and is stimulated by baby sucking at the breast. Oxytocin is the hormone that triggers a let down of milk, delivering it directly, and is triggered by baby latching and skin to skin. As the baby draws out the milk, the breasts continue to make more. * When a factory receives a large order, extra workers will be brought in to meet the demand and production goes up. If a baby needs more milk, he will feed more frequently. Frequent feeding stimulates more prolactin and more milk is produced. Oxytocin surges will trigger more let downs. * When demand for a product falls, the factory will decrease production. If the baby is not taking as much milk (sometimes not feeding as efficiently or gets milk from another source like a bottle), milk is left in the breast. A feedback mechanism tells the milk making cells to slow down production. This prevents the breasts from exploding if they are making too much milk. This can also mean that they won’t make enough milk if the baby is not feeding frequently and efficiently at the breast. The key to milk production is frequent and efficient removal of milk. You don’t need to save some for later if your baby has unlimited access to the breast. If your baby is not feeding well, you may need to add in some pumping sessions to establish your supply while you find support to work out how to help your baby feed more efficiently.

23.01.2022 Breastfeeding is not only about nourishing, but nurturing too! Breastfeeding your baby to sleep or for comfort is not a bad thing: you are NOT teaching your baby bad habits you are NOT preventing your baby from learning to self-settle... In fact, it is perfectly normal for your baby to doze off in the safety of your arms due to a number of chemicals contained in your breastmilk, including: Cholecystokinin - tells your baby’s brain when their hunger is satiated Tryptophan - a precursor to serotonin, that helps with development of serotonin receptors in your baby’s gut (more than 80% of our serotonin receptors are in the gut and this affects brain chemistry) Melatonin - a sleep inducing hormone. It is barely detectable in breastmilk during the day, but peaks during the night Endocannabinoids - which have a calming effect on your baby’s brain Additionally, chemicals released by your brain as you and your baby snuggle together, help you to relax while breastfeeding: Oxytocin - the ‘love hormone’, encourages your milk flow and enhances bonding and attachment Prolactin - stimulates milk production but also makes you feel relaxed and sleepy. Prolactin is higher during the nighttime and morning hours, so you are resting and can get back to sleep more easily when you are breastfeeding during the night. And remember, the time spent breastfeeding your child is a very short period in their life, but the benefits will last their lifetime. #breastfeeding #breastfeedtosleep #breastfeedingondemand #breastfeedingjourney #breastfeedingtips #magicalbreastmilk #responsivebreastfeeding

21.01.2022 Many breastfeeding mums have concerns about their milk supply after the early weeks because they notice that their breasts feel less full, soft or even empty - although if there has been a long stretch between breastfeeds they might feel a little full and heavy. Please don’t interpret this as a sign that your milk is drying up and that you need to wean or supplement your baby with formula. This is a normal part of lactation. The feeling of fullness or engorgement that ...you may have experienced in the early weeks is not normal in that it is a sign that your breasts are still trying to figure out how much milk your baby needs. But typically around 6 to 12 weeks, your milk supply will begin to regulate and your breasts will begin to feel softer (less full). You may also stop leaking and you may stop feeling let-down (or feel it less). This doesn’t mean that your milk supply is falling, but that your body has figured out how much milk is being removed from the breast and has adjusted your production to match your baby’s needs. As long as you continue to breastfeed or express your milk, your breasts will never be empty. Nor do you need to wait for your breasts to fill up before feeding your baby again - your breasts are making milk all the time! And when your baby has a growth spurt, they may feed a bit more frequently to build up your supply again! Feed to demand and always let your baby be your guide: ~generally settled between feeds ~good daily nappy output i.e. 6+ wet nappies and 2+ yellow stools from 2 to 6 weeks of age (but stools may be less frequent thereafter) ~weight for age within their percentile As always, speak with your midwife, child and family health nurse or a lactation consultant if you have any concerns. #breastfeedingtips #breastfeedingjourney #emptybreasts #feedtodemand #growthspurt #leakingbreasts #letdownreflex

20.01.2022 Self-weaning baby: * is typically well over a year old (more commonly over 2 years) * is at the point where they get most of nutrition from solids * drinks well from a cup * cuts down on breastfeeds gradually over time... Striking baby: * suddenly refuses the breast * is typically in their second six months, but occasionally as young as 3 to 4 months of age * has a valid reason - least likely self-weaning if under 1 year * may strike a few hours, a few days or, in rare cases, a few weeks Possible causes: 1 Low breastmilk supply due to less frequent feedings * feeding to a schedule * baby sucking their thumb or a dummy * drastic reduction to your calorie intake * introduced solids before 6 months or increased the intake of solids too quickly (Always offer breastmilk before solids in the first year) 2 Developmental stages: * baby more easily distracted * milestone time * a Wonder Week Your baby may be too ‘busy’ to feed frequently in the daytime and may try to make up for missed feeds during the night. In the daytime try: * feeding in a darkened and quiet room. * different breastfeeding positions such that they can have more control and see what’s going on around them e.g. baby standing up, sitting on your lap facing you, etc. * singing, talking, telling stories, etc. while feeding * wearing a nursing necklace to help hold baby’s attention 3 Illness e.g. ear infection or cold: An upright feeding position will take pressure off ears and facilitate nasal drainage 4 Teething pain: Can make sucking uncomfortable. Try freezing a wet wash cloth or chilling a teething toy and offering that first as a way to sooth sore or painful gums. For an older baby, a piece of frozen fruit can provide relief 5 Change in breastmilk supply or taste due to hormonal changes e.g. pregnancy, menstruation Top Tips: Spend lots of time skin to skin - on the sofa, the bed or in the bathtub Mix up feeding positions Feed when baby is relaxed and sleepy - maybe after a bath or nap Protect your milk supply by expressing: If you have not been giving baby any bottles, try giving expressed breastmilk by teaspoon, dropper or cup. If you are giving a bottle, pace feed See more

20.01.2022 Many of the mums I support have a baby who is not latching, or a baby that is latching but not feeding well. But no one has told them that if their baby is not feeding well and removing milk from the breast, they might need to express. And if they have been told to express, they were not aware that they would need an efficient pump and that they would need to pump at least 8 times in 24 hours to establish an adequate milk supply. Milk production works on a supply and demand b...asis. The more frequently and thoroughly milk is removed, the more the breasts make. If milk is left in the breasts, a whey protein tells the milk making cells that they don’t need to make any more. So if your baby is not feeding well, it is vital that you establish and protect your milk supply while seeking help by: pumping with a good quality pump after each feed topping your baby up with the expressed milk Once your baby is feeding efficiently, pumping can be gradually reduced and stopped and your baby can just feed at the breast

12.01.2022 Typically this clicking sound indicates that baby is breaking the seal around your breast while feeding. When is this normal? If your baby is putting on weight and developing well If you’re not in any pain... If your nipple comes out looking ‘normal’ i.e. not flattened or like a new tube of lipstick! If there’s no damage being done When should you be concerned? If clicking is causing pain or baby is not gaining weight as expected, then this indicates that there is a problem with baby’s latch (see more below). A fast let down can cause babies to break the seal. Again, hand expressing a little can help with this, or taking baby off temporarily until it slows. As baby gets older, teething may also be a cause for breaking the seal whilst feeding, either due to painful gums or getting used to feeding with these new little teeth! If you find baby bites your nipples, unlatch and tell them ‘no’ firmly, before relatching. After a few times they soon learn! Causes of problems with latching: If your breasts are engorged, this can make it tricky for baby to latch on. Try hand expressing a little before each feed, to soften your breast and to make it easier for baby to latch on. Poor positioning resulting in a shallow latch can cause babies to break the seal. Other signs you may notice are baby’s cheeks sucking in whilst feeding, and sore nipples on your part. Seek advice from a breastfeeding professional to see if you can optimise baby’s positioning and attachment to the breast. A tongue tie may cause a clicking sound due to baby not being able to extend their tongue for a prolonged period of time, i.e. a typical feeding session. In most cases, this will present itself during the early days and weeks. Likewise, if baby has a cleft palate or a high palate. If you have any concerns, please each out for help.

12.01.2022 If you are mixed feeding, or topping up with formula/expressed breast milk, or want to leave a bottle of formula/expressed breast milk for the babysitter, make sure that the bottle teat resembles the nipple as much as possible! Now I’m not talking about a teat that looks like a breast with a nipple. Breastfed babies do not nipple feed but take in a large mouthful of breast tissue as well so that they are compressing the milk ducts. The nipple ends up really far back in... their mouths. So look for a soft, narrow-based, stretchy teat that’s long enough to be pulled far back into your baby’s mouth. You certainly don’t want the hard, wide base with the definitively small hard nipple - there’s no wide hard base on the breast (despite the advertising claims of the bottle and teat manufacturers!) Even if you are fully bottle feeding, choosing a teat that is suitable for a breastfed baby is still important, because it ensures your baby is learning to suck properly and aids in mouth muscle development. You should also use the paced bottle feeding technique so that your baby has better control of the milk flow. Does your baby have problems swapping between breast and bottle? #bottleteats #breastfedbaby #breastfeedingjourney #breastfeedingsupport #breastfeedingtips #expressedbreastmilk #mixedfedbaby #pacedbottlefeeding #topups

12.01.2022 One of the most common questions I am asked as a Lactation Consultant is How can I increase my milk supply? My first suggestion, in 3 words: Skin-to-Skin (STS) Skin-to-skin is the term used to describe placing a baby tummy down and naked (except for a nappy), on mum’s bare chest and between her breasts. And it’s not just for immediately after birth but in the hours, days, weeks and months to come!... STS stimulates prolactin and oxytocin, the hormones which help your body to make and release breastmilk. STS can help to calm a baby when they are hungry or upset STS also helps to regulate baby’s body temperature, boost baby’s immune system and can reduce mum’s risk of postnatal depression! And the best part - STS is not just for mums! It is a special way of bonding with mum, dad and even siblings. If you still have concerns regarding your milk supply, please speak with your Midwife, Child and Family Health Nurse or a Lactation Consultant.

11.01.2022 While the components and appearance of colostrum and mature milk differ, they are both specific to that time and moment! They are perfect for baby when they are present. Also, they’re both milk! Your colostrum transitions into mature milk. It doesn’t just randomly go away. It transitions as your baby transitions. Which is why it’s meant for baby in specific stages. They’re both important and special in their own way!