Random Questions

[samday09]

OK so as my due date is getting really close ive been having more and more questions and concerns running through my mind. One main one is that im afraid that i wont be able to produce milk for my baby, my sister wasnt able to produce enough for her baby and had to switch him to formula a few days after he was born, im scared that might happen to me. Ive been drinking tons of water non stop to keep me hydrated because i was told that could help. But im still afraid that i will end up like my sister. Is there a way to know if i would be able to produce enough milk? i want my baby on breast milk for as long as possible, because i dont believe formula is the best for a baby. and if im not able to produce milk, is there a way to make it to where i can? And one more question, my sisters baby was born with thrush, but she hasnt treated it, can it get really bad for the baby? he is 6 weeks now and still has it, she blames the formula, but i know thats not the case.

[Mumita]

At first or the first week you will not be producing much milk only colostrum while your milk comes in which is fine because the baby can only drink about two tablespoons at a time.  But to produce more milk you have to keep the baby at the breast as much as he/she demands it because the demand increases the supply.  Your breasts will produce more milk when it is empty, like chantal said if you supplement or if you pump your body will not feel like it needs to produce a lot of milk because there isn't so much demand for the milk.  And Pumping will not empty you out completely, the baby will.  If your breasts are emptied out then your body will produce more and more and more.

Thrush is a yeast infection of the mouth/nipples.  Yeast infection happens because there is an imbalance of yeast and bacteria, you need good bacteria in order to keep your system balanced but if you or the baby takes antibiotics that will kill the good and the bad bacteria so the yeast will grow more.  It can go away on its own but it usually causes very sore nipples.  The best thing is to eat tons of yogurt and that will help re-establish the balance between good bacteria and yeast.

Good luck!

[chantal21]

My little brother had thrush and he was strictly breastfed. My mom thinks she most likely had a yeast infection while giving birth. So maybe that's how he got it. His tongue was white and it even passed to her and affected her nipples. She stuck with nursing even though it hurt so bad and made her nipples crack and bleed and it eventually went away. She used some natural products to help get rid of it. (can't think of what she used at the moment) But either way, your doc should always be contacted about it if it were to happen.
I think every woman worries about being able to produce milk for their baby. I had my first baby last April and was nervous about this. I think it's key to maintain a positive attitude about it and nurse your baby at least every 2 hours if not more to keep your production up. Drinking LOTS of water helps as well. Pumping will not empty you the same way your baby can, although I know that some women may not be able to nurse exclusively and were able to pump and do fine. Just give it your best and I can tell you from my experience, it was not easy in the beginning for me, but I stuck with it and was able to nurse my son until about 9 weeks ago I am now 22 weeks pregnant with #2. I think having a good support system around you is great as well. Without my mom...I probably would have given up.

[megmil]

First of all about the thrush, she needs to get the baby to a doctor. I'm not sure exactly what it is but heard it's a yeast infection in the mouth. It should be checked out. And on the subject of producing milk, you shouldn't worry so much about it. With my first the milk would not come out with breast pump or trying to nurse or anything and had to feed my baby formula, he's just fine. With my second he had a defect and wasn't strong enough to get the milk out and needed extra calories and a breast pump wouldn't get it out anyway, so had to be on formula, he passed away so I can't tell you how he is. but had nothing to do with the formula. As for finding a way to try and produce, you can stimulate your nipples or massage your breasts. Just a guess though, don't know if it will work. To finnaly get milk out of me, they hurt so I put a hot pad on them and the milk poured out. You can try that.