Mental Blot

As promised, I’m sharing with you the part 2 of my notes on the Breastfeeding seminar hubby and I attended.  Part 1 can be seen here.

Is baby getting enough?

• 1st 5 days: 1 wet and 1 soiled diaper
• 6th day onwards: 6 wet diapers/day; soiled diapers – 2x a day (1st month), once daily (2nd month_, once weekly (3rd month onwards)
• constant weight gain
• active and alert baby; not lethargic or sickly
• reaches developmental milestones
• other physical signs: skin is supple and soft, fontanel not too deep

Notes:

• if the baby doesn’t poop in 8 days, see pedia
• burp after feeding
• baby usually form fists when hungry

Colostrum

• thick, rich and yellow like condensed milk
• expressed in the 1st 3-5 days

Transitional Milk

• engorged breasts on the 3rd – 5th day
• feeling warm
• blood rush to the veins

Mature Milk

• mature milk within 24-48 hours
• 6 weeks to normalize supply

Notes:

• soft breasts – not a sign of no milk
• engorgement – missed breastfeeding or pumping session

Working Moms Pumping Schedule:

• before leaving for office
• when you arrive at the office
• morning break
• lunch
• afternoon break
• before leaving for home
• breastfeed at once when you get home

Shelf Life of Expressed Milk: (in the Philippines)

• Room temperature: 3-5 hours (less during summer)
• Aircon: 5-7 hours
• Cooler: 24 hours
• Fridge: 7 days
• Single door freezer: 1 month
• Separate door freezer: 2 months
• Chest freezer: 6 months

Notes:

• it takes 3-5 hours to fully thaw frozen milk
• you can still put in the freezer expressed milk within 24 hours; beyond that, you must give it to baby
• you can mix expressed milk as long as they are of the same temperature and the time when expressed are near each other (eg.  mix 12nn milk with afternoon break milk)
• breastfeeding is okay for jaundice and helps break down bilurubin
• normal jaundice – not up to baby’s tummy
• breastmilk is 70% water, so it’s okay not to give baby water for the 1st 6 months
• don’t clean/soap breast area; rinse with water during bath only
• breastmilk has antibacterial properties
• continue breastfeeding even while sick
• most medicines are okay for breastfeeding moms. 
• checkout:  www.safefetus.com for list of medicines that are safe

Suggested Breastfeeding Products:

• Breast pads – disposable is better
• Breast shells – protects nipple from soreness, corrects inverted/flat nipples, milk caught by the shells is okay for baby
• Nipple Pullers – used right before feeding for flat/inverted nipples
• Nursing bras
• Nursing wear
• Baby slings
• Nursing bib
• Nursing pillow (C -shaped pillows)
• Breast pump
• Breastmilk storage containers

Notes:

• for sore nipples, smear some breastmilk after feeding then air dry for 15 minutes at least 2x a day
• pure lanolin is okay
• mommy should increase intake of expanding foods rich in iron such veggies, soup, shells, fruits and drink lots of water
• take malunggay supplements
• for flat/inverted nipples: smear ice over breast area; wear breast shells
• for normal nipples: roll/press nipples lightly
• NEVER boil or microwave milk; you can put the baby bottle with the milk in a cup of warm water to heat up
• no pumping during the 1st 6 weeks
• breastfeed exclusively for the 1st 6 months
• wash hands but do not wash/wipe breasts
• breastfeed babies up to 2 years old and beyond
• no vitamins during the 1st 6 months of baby

That’s it!

Join us in the other schedules below:

Breastfeeding 202:  Sustaining Breastfeeding
June 22, 2008, Sunday 2:30-5pm Gymboree Shangrila

• Breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months
• Going back to work – pumping & storage
• Hurdles in the later weeks – nursing strike, growth spurt, nipple confusion, etc.
• Nutrition & introducing solids
• Teething
• Progressive Parenting Styles

Breastfeeding 303:  Breastfeeding & Beyond
July 20, 2008, Sunday 2:30-5pm Gymboree Manila Polo Club

• Toddler breastfeeding & weaning
• Special cases – relactation, induced lactation, pregnancy & breastfeeding, etc.
• Ideals of attachment parenting (includes infant potty training & babywearing)
• Child development & resources

Thanks again to Abbie!