Breastfeeding FAQ: The Top 5 Breastfeeding Questions New Moms Ask by Dr. Alan Lindemann

Whether it’s how, for how long or whether or not to supplement with formula, new moms have many questions when it comes to the topic of breastfeeding. Here are the top five breastfeeding questions I get asked by new moms: 

Q. Should I breastfeed or bottle feed? 

Today, most women breastfeed because there are numerous benefits for both mother and baby. The colostrum the baby gets with feeding before milk comes in is rich in antibodies and supports immunity. For mom, the oxytocin contracts the uterus and the prolactin promotes the mother’s sense of well-being and promotes the milk let-down. And then there’s the bonding for both mother and baby.

Q. What does your baby need to do to breastfeed?

If a baby hasn’t learned to latch on at birth, it is very important for mom and baby to learn how to accomplish this. Place the baby’s lower lip on the lower part of the areola and nipple at the baby’s lips. Sucking is a very basic instinct. Babies like to suck on everything, including their toes.

Q. Should I supplement with formula? 

About 45 years ago, before insurance companies thwarted health care so much, a mom and baby could stay in the hospital until they were ready to go home, and that included being sure the mother was breastfeeding successfully. Today, babies born vaginally are twice as likely to return to the hospital for failure to thrive. Mothers having C-sections stay in the hospital longer and have more time to learn to successfully manage nursing. For babies, gaining weight is very important. If you need to supplement breast milk with formula, do so. A baby should double its weight in six months and triple it at one year. So an 8-pound baby should weigh 16 pounds at 6 months and 24 pounds at a year.

Q. How long should I breastfeed my child? 

How long you choose to breastfeed your child is up to you. Breastfeeding is very personal and flexible. My grandparents talked about a child in their community who breastfed until he started first grade. I had a friend who breastfed on only one breast for three years. The child would ask for breast milk. There are no set rules for how long to breastfeed. You and your child decide.

Q. How can I reduce the risk of developing mastitis? 

Mastitis occurs when there is inflammation in the breast, usually caused by an infection. The risk for developing mastitis is greater if your breasts are engorged. One way to reduce the risk of mastitis is to breastfeed regularly, preventing your breasts from becoming too full.

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