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Breastfeeding Transitions

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January 5, 2022 Women

As a breastfeeding mom, you’ll learn that sometimes your baby changes their usual way of nursing. During these transition times, you may not feel as confident about providing your baby with what they need. However, there is no need to worry. Healthy babies with good breastfeeding skills take as much milk as they need, when they need it. Knowing the process can help you solve problems during these times.

How a Mother’s Milk Supply Changes

Milk contains a whey protein called Feedback Inhibitor of Lactation (FIL). The role of FIL is to slow down milk production when the breast is full, and speed it up when the breast is empty. So, the more often your breasts are emptied (either from nursing or pumping) the more milk your body makes.

How much milk you make also depends on how much your breasts can store between feedings, which varies widely from mother to mother. If your breasts can store more milk, you may be able to feed less often without affecting your milk supply. However, if your breasts store less, it is important to nurse often so that your milk supply doesn’t decrease.

Transition Periods: These are times when baby will nurse more, or less often.

Sick or Uncomfortable Baby

These babies may nurse more often, not only for comfort, but also to increase baby’s intake of antibodies from breast milk. Fussiness, whether from teething, illness or a growth spurt, can also cause baby to have a hard time nursing: baby may latch on and off frequently. Follow baby’s lead and offer the breast often.

Supplementing

Around six months, babies will nurse more often as they approach the time to start solids. As your baby eats more food, they will gradually need less breast milk. But it will take months for baby to eat enough solids to reduce the number of feedings.

When baby misses a feeding, either from eating food or drinking formula, breasts fill up with milk and this causes milk supply to decrease. If you can’t breastfeed during the day, you can continue to nurse in the early morning and at night; your breasts will adjust. Breast milk and/or formula will still fill your baby’s basic nutrition needs.

Tips:

Growth Spurts

Sometimes your baby may seem constantly hungry; they may be getting ready for a growth spurt. Your baby will want to nurse more often because they are “putting in an order” for your body to make more milk. Common times for growth spurts are around 2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks and 3, 4, 6 and 9 months. Growth spurts usually last 2-3 days. Why so many growth spurts? Remember — your baby will double his birth weight in about 4 months and triple it in a year. Babies need to nurse at least 8 times a day and up to 12-14 times, especially during a growth spurt.

Tips:

Nursing Strike/Possible Weaning

Some nursing strikes come on suddenly, others more gradually. If you encourage your baby to return to breastfeeding, a nursing strike usually lasts between two and four days but some last longer. Your baby may be unhappy and difficult to calm. You may feel frustrated, upset and worried.

A baby who refuses to breastfeed may not necessarily be ready to wean, especially if they are under 1 year old. Babies begin weaning when they get most of their nutrition from food or liquids other than breast milk. Patience and persistence are the keys to getting baby back to the breast.

Tips:

Babies often change their feeding habits to get the nutrition they need. To make the transitions smoother, be ready for them before they happen!

Install this web app on your iPhone: tap ios-share and then Add to Home Screen.

SIDE-LYING HOLD

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

CROSS-CRADLE HOLD

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

CLUTCH OR “FOOTBALL” HOLD

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

CRADLE HOLD

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

Laid-Back Hold

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when: