Here’s a question from Jade in Sudbury:

Q: My baby’s a month old and has been nursing well. The nipple tenderness I felt at the beginning went away – until now! I feel a shooting pain when she nurses on one side that lasts throughout the feeding, and after as well. The baby often fusses during a feeding and pulls away. I noticed that the milk seems to be curdling in her mouth – it looks like cottage cheese on her tongue! Is this normal in the heat of the summer?

A: What you’re describing, Jade, sounds like a yeast infection, commonly known as “thrush”. It’s caused by the fungus candida albicans and fortunately can be treated by a topical anti-fungal medication you can get from your doctor. (More details: www.PharmaWatchDogs.com) You’ll both need to be treated, as the infection passes between you – that is likely what is causing the white coating on her tongue and your nipple pain. It can also pass through the digestive tract and cause diaper rash, which will also need to be treated.

Nancy Lahn BScN
Developer of the Cozy Cuddles Nursing Pillow

Originally posted 2015-09-10 16:06:38.

I teach prenatal classes regularly, and here’s a question we hear all the time from expectant moms…

Q: How do I know if I will be able to breastfeed my baby?

A: While pregnant women may doubt their ability to feed their babies, your body assumes that you will breastfeed and begins to prepare for it right from the day you conceive! The milk production tissues and ducts develop throughout your pregnancy, and it is estimated that 97% of women are physically capable of producing all the milk their baby will need. The key is ensuring that the baby latches well to the breast so that he/she can access the wonderful milk that you have!

Originally posted 2017-06-21 11:27:22.

Here’s another question we get frequently…

Q: My baby was born on Friday, and this morning (Monday) I woke up with the feeling that Dolly Parton had taken over my body! My breasts are huge and so sore – is this normal? What can I do? I’m so full that my baby has a hard time latching on.

A: What you’re experiencing, Angie, is very normal. On the third or fourth day after birth, your milk production begins in earnest and the breasts become swollen with milk, and also from increased blood flow and lymph fluids. The best way to spell relief is B-A-B-Y! Be sure to nurse the baby at least every two hours, and gently massage your breast as the baby is feeding. The frequent feeding will help your body to establish the proper supply and demand ratio. Before each feeding, apply a warm moist compress for a couple of minutes to start the milk flowing. If the breast is so full that it is difficult for baby to latch, hand express some milk until the areola (the dark area around the nipple) will soften enough to allow the baby to latch on. If you use a pump to do this, be sure to pump only until the areola is softened – too much pumping will give your body the wrong message and will tell it to increase your milk supply! In between feedings, you can wet and wring out a cloth (a tea towel is a good size), fold it into thirds, and freeze in your freezer. Laying this frozen cloth across your swollen breasts provides wonderful relief! You can also try the midwife’s trick of using a cabbage leaf inside your bra on each breast. The tanic acid in the cabbage (not lettuce!) helps to relieve swelling without decreasing your milk supply. Using these techniques, most engorgement will subside in about 48 hours. Wearing a good supportive nursing bra day and night (no underwires!) will be helpful during engorgement, too.

Originally posted 2016-11-07 18:12:49.

Here’s a question from Carly in Huntsville, ON:

Q: I’m expecting my first baby soon. I’ve heard that in order to increase your milk production, you should wait at least 3 hours after you empty the breasts at a feeding to feed your baby again to allow the milk to fill up again. Is this true?

A: Good question, Carly, but this isn’t actually the case. Research shows that since milk is being produced at all times, the breast is never actually empty. In fact most babies remove an average of 75-80% of milk at a feeding, so there is always milk remaining in the breast after a feeding.

The strategy of waiting a set amount of time to nurse your baby (under the mistaken belief that the breasts need time to “refill”) will be counterproductive to your goal to increase your milk supply. This is because milk production slows down when milk accumulates in the breast. So, the best strategy is to feed your baby frequently, thus emptying the breasts as much as possible, especially in the early days. Newborns will often “cluster feed” which means that for a period of a few hours a day they will feed almost continuously, and this is very helpful in increasing your milk supply.

Nancy Lahn BScN
Deveoper of the Cozy Cuddles Nursing Pillow

Originally posted 2015-04-28 13:13:10.