Breastfeeding is NOT suppose to hurt - Part 2

During childbirth, the pains we feel from contractions do hurt and yet this is pain with a purpose. The work of labor is to cause the uterine muscle to go through changes that create the stretching of the uterine muscles... all to help bring your baby down and out into your arms. This labor period is a relatively short period of time and we can help ourselves tremendously to get through this period. Learning and practicing relaxation techniques, trusting birth and choosing the right careproviders are all part of the ingredients to help you have a safe birth as planned.

So, while pain during childbirth is expected and we can work through it, pain during breastfeeding signals us that something is wrong and we should not have to use techniques to help us get through the pain each and every time you breastfeed. So, what do we do as new mothers when there are people around us who say that newborn breastfeeding pain is normal? My first thought is: Normal for who? And why? And for how long? And just because that was there experience, does not mean it has to be your experience also.

So, here's the thing. My peer lactation consultants and I are pretty intense about teaching mothers that this should not be hurting. Why? Because frequently this means breastfeeding failure. You just discontinue offering your milk altogether, whether it be from the direct breast or from a bottle. Or you decide to exclusively pump and bottlefeed.

What is wrong with this picture? Well, it does not matter so much what I or someone else wants. What is wrong with this picture is that this is not what you had wanted.
You looked forward to the experience of holding your baby against your body, having them latch on and seeing them drink your milk,, directly from you. I strongly encourage mothers who are in this position to seek help from an experienced IBCLC. At least until you can get help, be sure to keep up your milk production with regular pumping and be sure to feed your baby as frequently as he/she desires, which is usually 8 - 10 feedings a day.

If the pump you are using is anything less than a hospital grade pump and you are finding that you are not making enough to keep up with your baby, I would encourage you to switch pumps, at least just temporarily, until you can get breastfeeding going well.

As lactation specialists, our mantra is:

1. Feed the baby ( even if it means temporarily with a bottle)
2. Protect the milk production ( regular and frequent milk removal)

As long as you are doing numbers 1 & 2, there is always lots of opportunity to work on your breastfeeding challenges, solve your issues and begin breastfeeding in comfort.

Medela Symphony Breastpump

I just received a new shipment of brand new Medela Symphony hospital grade breastpump. These are great pumps to rent if:

1. You did not want to purchase a pump.
2. You are looking for THE most comfortable pump on the market today.
3. You are trying to help build your milk supply - this is the pump for you.
4. You are having problems breastfeeding and need to replace the baby at breast, this pump can do that for you.
5. You are having pain during breastfeeding and it hurts to use your pump with cracked and bleeding or sore nipples, engorgement, plugged ducts or mastitis - this is the pump for you.

Check out this link

for more info on pump and prices. Call 623-362-2511 or email Lori at aabreastfeeding@hotmail.com for shipping prices.

The Benefits of Human Milk for your preterm baby

Human Milk - Mothers Milk - Breastmilk - Goes by many names and I would love to share with you some of the amazing benefits human milk offers the premature baby.

Large protein molecules called Immunoglobulins are in breastmilk the whole time you breastfeed. They are in a highly concentrated form in the colostrum, which is the milk you make for the first several days after birth. Immunoglobulins are also called antibodies and these provide numerous health benefits for your baby.

When moms are on the fence about whether to breastfeed or not, I strongly encourage them to breastfeed for the first several days so they can give their baby the benefit of colostrum, a health benefit that they can not get anywhere else from any other liquid food. It is always lovely for me to see that the mothers who were unsure of breastfeeding initially, begin to enjoy it so much that they continue far beyond the first few days.


Human milk is important for the optimal growth and development of full-term babies, but it is even more important for babies born prematurely. If your baby is preterm, his stomach and intestines (which the NICU staff will refer to as his gastrointestinal tract, GI tract, or gut) are even smaller and less mature than the tiny, immature gut of a full-term baby.

If your NICU baby is premature, your milk will be different for the first few weeks than the breast milk of a mother who gives birth at term. Your body knows that your baby came early, and it provides milk that is better for the baby's needs. For the first 2 to 4 weeks after birth your milk will contain more protein, fat calories, and calcium phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, sodium, and chloride that full-term milk. This early milk also has a laxative effect on your baby's bowels, helping him to pas the first stools (called meconium). Stooling is an important sign the GI tract is working: it also helps resolved jaundice.

Nurses notice that babies fed their mother's milk tolerate feedings well because human milk is easy to digest, with very little left over in the baby's stomach.

Brain growth and development are rapid in the final 3 months of gestation. During the latter part of pregnancy, the fetal brain more than doubles in size and weight, and nearly doubles again in the first year of life and well into the second year. Several studies have suggested that breastfeeding improves mental development. In fact, greater amounts of breast milk intake (compared with formula) have been correlated with higher developmental outcome among the smallest preterm babies.


If your baby is not able to breastfeed, you can still provide milk for your baby by pumping. While this may seem like a lot of work, it can be made easier when you work with a lactation consultant who can provide you with an individualized care plan that works for you. Your lactation consultant will provide you with all the details needed for you to succeed with breastmilk pumping.

You will begin to see your premature baby gain weight and flourish with all the health benefits of your milk. Pretty soon your baby will be able to directly breastfeed. If you find this transition from pumping to breastfeeding, please enlist the help of an IBCLC who is well prepared to help you succeed.

More information on premature babies and human milk in the next entry.

Lori