Section Overview
This section provides breastfeeding tips, discusses the benefits of breastfeeding and how to determine adequate intake, describes common breastfeeding positions, and includes pumping and breastmilk storage guidelines.
Breastfeeding and Infancy
Breastfeeding is a natural process; however, it might not always come so easy for everyone. If you choose to breastfeed your baby, here are some tips to help along the way!
- Newborns should breastfeed on demand (when they’re hungry)
- Infants usually feed about every 1-3 hours, usually 10-12 times per day during the 1st month of life
- As infants get older, they will feed less often and on a more predictable schedule
- Infants should be exclusively breastfed or receive fortified infant formula during the first 6 months of life
- Breastmilk contains ~20 calories per ounce which is comparable to most standard infant formulas
Benefits of Breastfeeding
- Increased resistance to infection
- Decreased frequency and severity of diarrhea
- Decreased risk of allergies, respiratory infections, & sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Decreased frequency of ear infections
Determining Adequate Intake
It may be difficult at times to figure out whether or not your baby is receiving enough breastmilk when they are direct breastfeeding. Here are some signs to look for to determine if your baby is consuming an adequate amount of breastmilk.
Sufficient Intake:
- 6-8 wet diapers per day
- Adequately stooling
- Gaining weight (following growth velocity)
Insufficient Intake:
- Less than 6 wet diapers per day: dark urine
- Baby appears fussy/grumpy after feeding
- Weight loss: falling off growth curve/ not meeting growth velocity
Growth Velocity by Age
Although babies are different sizes and grow at varying rates, healthy full-term infants should meet an average growth velocity depending on their age. Meeting growth velocity is important to determine adequate nutrient intake. If you believe your baby is eating well yet not growing properly, it is best to contact your pediatrician for guidance.
- 0-4 months: 23-34 grams/day, 0.8-0.93 cm/week
- 4-8 months: 10-16 grams/day, 0.37-0.47 cm/week
- 8-12 months: 6-11 grams/day, 0.28-0.37 cm/week
Common Breastfeeding Positions
- Cradle: This position supports your baby’s back and bottom with your forearm
- Cross-cradle: This position adds more head support, so it might be helpful if you have a premature baby or a baby that cannot latch properly
- Football: This position might be helpful if you have had a cesarean section, your breasts are enlarged, your baby is small, or if you have multiple babies.
- Side-lying: This position might be helpful if you have had a cesarean section
Do you have twins or more? Once you have determined that the babies are breastfeeding correctly, you can breastfeed them individually or simultaneously!
Pumping & Breastmilk Storage
- Express your milk with your hand or using a pump
- To avoid reducing your milk supply, if you’re away from your infant for long periods of time, try to breastfeed frequently during the times you are with your infant
- Try pumping milk at the same frequency as you would breastfeeding
Breastmilk can be stored:
- At room temperature for up to 6-8 hours; ideal is 4 hours
- In an insulated cooler bag with ice packs for up to 24 hours
- In the refrigerator for up to 5-8 days; ideal is 4 days
- In a freezer for up to 12 months; ideal is 6 months
Tip: Write the date on the bag before placing in freezer!
Breastmilk should not be warmed in the microwave:
- Thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator overnight, or by holding it under warm running water
- Once thawed, breastmilk should not be re-frozen. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours – after this time, discard any unused milk
Tip: When storing breastmilk in the refrigerator or freezer, place toward the back where there are less temperature fluctuations
