Author: Nancy Lahn

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Nursing too often?

Here’s a question from Jayne in Kincardine, ON:

Q: Can my son be nursing too often? He is 5 days old today, and seems to want to nurse constantly. He nurses and seems to settle, but when I put him down he starts fussing again. He’s making lots of diapers but I’m wondering why he does this – I don’t remember my first son (now 2 ½ ) doing this. I feel so worn out from running after my toddler and nursing all the time!

A: Sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate, Jayne! Looking after a newborn and a toddler is challenging, especially as you’re recovering from childbirth. Your newborn is engaging in what is known as “cluster feeding”, which means he feeds frequently to signal your breasts to bring in your mature milk. This is a gradual process, and it sounds like your milk is coming in, if he is making “lots of diapers” as you say. A rule of thumb for wet diapers is to expect one on day 1, two on day 2, three on day three and so on until day 6 and onwards when you’re looking for 6-8 soaking wet diapers and multiple stools.

It may be that your fatigue in parenting both children is contributing to the baby’s fussiness. For now, be sure to let all non-essentials like cleaning and phone calls go. A great time to order in food or call in favours from friends who have offered to cook or to spend time with your toddler. Lie down to feed the baby as much as possible to increase your rest time. Hang in there – this phase won’t last long!

Nancy Lahn RN

Developer of the Cozy Cuddles Nursing Pillow

Originally posted 2017-01-07 22:19:45.

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Help! Soreness has returned!

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 RN

Developer of the Cozy Cuddles Nursing Pillow

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

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Engorgement – hot or cold compresses?

Here’s a question from Ruth in North York, ON:

Q: I have a question – hope you can help! I just had my second baby three days ago – and I’m so uncomfortable with engorgement! It started yesterday, and my friend told me to put warm towels on my breasts and to pump to relieve the discomfort. Another friend told me today to use cold compresses. Who is right?

A: Well, Ruth, both friends ‘ advice can be helpful, when used at the right time. Engorgement is a very normal experience for new mothers – often on Day 2 or 3, or as late as Day 5, many nursing mothers feel a real difference in their breasts. Hormonal changes cause blood to rush to the area as the mature milk begins to replace the colostrum, and blood and lymph fluid causes swelling of the breast tissue. The best strategy to relieve your discomfort – your baby! Nurse frequently, every two hours or more often, so the baby can regulate the “supply and demand”. While I don’t recommend pumping in the first 6 weeks unless your baby is unable to nurse effectively (or your lactation consultant has advised this for a reason unique to your case), it can be helpful to hand- express some milk to soften the areola and make it easier for the baby to latch onto very swollen breasts. Excessive pumping or hand expression can actually make engorgement worse by encouraging increased milk production.

As for compresses, it can be helpful to apply cold compresses between feedings (try 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off and repeating this). My mother’s method was to wet a tea towel, wring it out, fold it in thirds length-wise and place it in the freezer. Applying the frozen tea towel across the breasts and under the arms felt wonderful and helped to ease the discomfort. A bag of frozen peas, wrapped in a towel, applied to each breast also works well, or the midwife’s trick of a leaf of green cabbage inside each bra cup. The tannic acid in the cabbage helps to reduce the swelling. Using the cabbage a couple of times a day is best, and it should be discontinued as soon as engorgement starts to ease, as some say that excessive use of cabbage can lower the milk supply. Warm compresses should be applied for a few minutes just before a feeding – a warm, moist washcloth works well. This will help the milk start to flow at feeding time but will not reduce swelling – in fact, if used between feedings warm compresses have the effect of increasing swelling.

Be patient, Ruth – engorgement usually lasts only about 48 hours! However, if it is not reduced using these methods, or is worse, or if you have a fever of greater than 100.5 degrees F, I recommend that you consult your Lactation Consultant or physician.

Nancy Lahn RN
Owner, Cozy Cuddles Baby Products
Developer of the Cozy Cuddles Nursing Pillow

Originally posted 2017-02-01 12:48:20.

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Engorgement – ouch!

Here’s a question from Angie in Cobourg, Ontario:

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.

To see past questions, go to “Ask Nurse Nancy” under “Breastfeeding Q&A / Info”.

Originally posted 2013-02-18 21:01:22.