things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

michele31 Posted: Sep 03, 2003 10:55 PM

things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

I thought I would share some info:

-95% of all women have the 'proper' equipment to make enough milk to feed a baby
-your baby cannot digest more than 5ccs (about 1 teaspoon) of food in the first few hours of birth
-Sore nipples means that the baby is typcially not latched onto the breast far enough
-You can tell if your baby is getting enough milk by how many wet diapers and BM diapers the baby has each day, and by the baby's weight, of course.

I also learned that reading about breastfeeding is very important and so is taking a class. Without having many females in my life that have breast feed, you need the information that the class provides you IMO.

Anyway, I also learned about a few different holds, pumps, and how to know if the baby is getting enough milk. I am NO expert by any means but I wanted to share what I learned.

allure Posted: Sep 03, 2003 11:37 PM

Re: things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

Very Intresting

2003OCT10 Posted: Sep 04, 2003 01:04 AM

Re: things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

Did u learn that u need to start prepping your nipples if you plan of BF???

Kathi Posted: Sep 04, 2003 08:00 AM

Re: things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

I learned all that in my BF class, too. They teach everything except how to cope with the disappointment of failing.

Claud2001 Posted: Sep 04, 2003 08:09 AM

Re: things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

I am SO glad you found the class useful! Did you take notes, in case you forget anything?

ETA - Kathi, I know what you mean!

christine1221 Posted: Sep 04, 2003 08:15 AM

Re: things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

Kathi ...

Michele ... thanks for sharing!! I was just having this conversation w/ my SIL last night. Do you recommend any books or other places for info. I'd like to get started reading b/f I go to class.

Thanks!

michele31 Posted: Sep 04, 2003 08:26 AM

Re: things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

I read a few books before taking the class and found that very helpful. I read Working Mother, Nursing Mother, the Mayo Clinic book (many of us have that) and Claud lent me her Nursing Mother's Companion book which I am 1/2 thru. Call the Stony Brook line at 631-444-2201. That is where I took my class. It was a free class, except the 5.00 for parking at the hospital.
The class is given the first Wed. of every month 7-9:30.

Claud- she gave us tons of dittos and hand-outs so that should help a lot. Plus the books that I have. Plus you

Also, she gave us a 'worksheet' to fill out the 1st week the baby is born to help us know if the baby is getting enough milk and being properly feed. It tells you on how many feedings a baby needs, how many wet diapers and how many dirty diapers a baby should have and one which day. For instance on day 1 a baby only needs 6-8 feedings and 1 wet, 1 dirty diaper, but on day 4 they need 8-12 feedings, and 4 wet, 3 dirty diapers. So by following this worksheet you will know if something isn't working out very well and you can call the hotline and ask for help.

Also, what I really liked was that this women was not a breastfeeding psycho telling mothers that they are awful if they don't breastfeed and that bottles are the anti-christ. She even discusses bottles and says that she knows that many women need to return to work and this is a part of their lives. She also discussed pumping.

NIHA Posted: Sep 04, 2003 10:01 AM

Re: things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

I am so happy you are taking a bfding class, this is one thing I wish I had did. I think it would have been much easier for me the first 2 months. It's true that I didn't have any women in my life with lots of bfding experience to turn to. My SIL was the only one. And, hopefully with this class you'll have someone to call when you're having problems.

applesfla Posted: Sep 04, 2003 10:25 AM

Re: things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

Sounds like you got a lot of good info. Thanks for sharing.

What kind of advise did she give about pumps? I've been looking into getting one since I plan on trying to return to work.

michele31 Posted: Sep 04, 2003 11:38 AM

Re: things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

the medela in style and a similar model from Forever Yours. You can get the Medela MUCH cheaper on eBay- new. You cannot use someone else's breast pump since there are health issues with doing so.

If you want a manual pump the Advent is typically liked the best by Mom's she said. But manual pumps are more for occassional pumping, not working moms. They are much harder to get the 'right' action and take a long time.

She said not to rent a hospital grade pump unless you are told to do so by your lacation consultant or doctor. She said that you shouldn't need it and that the home pumps mentioned above worked fine, unless you have a NIC unit baby and need to pump A LOT to get the baby the milk.

applesfla Posted: Sep 04, 2003 02:29 PM

Re: things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

Great info...thanks. I had been looking at the Medela but it seems very pricey. I'll have to check out ebay and the Forever Yours model.

natasha Posted: Sep 04, 2003 03:58 PM

Re: things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

Thanks for sharing Michele. I will have to make sure I do this.

shamma Posted: Sep 04, 2003 06:04 PM

Re: things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

That is something that I am very concerned about, that I might not be able to do it successfully. Some women make it seem so easy, I guess I will have to ask my GF how was it??

michele31 Posted: Sep 04, 2003 07:06 PM

Re: things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

There are MANY factors that contribute to your sucess in breastfeeding. I know my SIL stopped on day 2 because she was totally uneducated about the entire process and thought that she didn't have enough milk. When she tried to use a manual pump not much came out. well I learned that you don't make A LOT of milk on day 2 and the baby doesn't need more than you make. She had no idea and thought that she should fill a bottle in a few minutes. Then she called my stepmom to help her.MY stepmom never bfed either so she assumed she wasn't making milk too.

that is why the classes and books are so important.

Claud2001 Posted: Sep 04, 2003 08:58 PM

Re: things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

Most of what your body produces in the first 3-5 days after the baby is born is called colostrum (liquid gold as it is more commonly called b/c it's jam packed w/vitamins and nutrients).

Some people actually question the benefits of BFing beyond this initial serving of colostrum, b/c it is so intense - and b/c a nursing Mother's diet can vary, thus possibly making her breast milk non-nutritive if she's not taking care of herself.

I am so glad the class taught you some important facts, Michele. Hopefully now you will be more confident in trying to BF. And you know that I will do everything I can to help you!

phyl Posted: Sep 05, 2003 04:46 PM

Re: things I learned in my breastfeeding class tonight

I also read alot and heard a lot about bfing in my bradly method classes. but TRUE it takes 2-3 days for milk to come in and you still need to BF on those DAYS...and it was SOOO frustrating that I felt I was starving Julianne. I would even cry about it ...but hubby and MIL continued with their support and by day 3 -WHOOSH!!_ it was MUCH easier...

Im still bfing ( suppliment w/ formula when she is in daycare) and J is 8 months old