Here are our second three breastfeeding questions for those of you who are interested in breastfeeding your infants! You can find our first part of FAQs here.
- When my period returns, will it lower my milk supply?
- It might! Some women have trouble with this. It can be a stressful time for some, especially if if the mom’s period returns only a few months after giving birth and she’s trying to exclusively breastfeed. What can be done to prepare for this? It’s a good idea to build up and freeze a backup supply, if possible (this also can give the mom a certain amount of freedom). It’s hard to tell in advance when a new mom’s period will return, although asking her own mother about what experience was like may help. During the time leading up to a menstrual cycle, the mom may notice her supply dwindling. It can be very hard not to let this stress her out, but please know that it should come back. It may also be prudent to have a backup supply of formula, and please know there’s nothing wrong with supplementing the breast milk supply.
- Why doesn’t my (mom, mother-in-law, family) support my choice to breastfeed?
- For most of human history, breastfeeding was the only option, so no one questioned it. As BC turned to AD, the idea of a wetnurse, or a woman who would breastfeed the infant of another woman, came into being. Later, in the upper classes of Europe, it was considered too low class to breastfeed one’s own child. Then, at the beginning of the 1900’s, infant formula was created, and the message changed to tell women that formula was best for infants (spoiler alert: it’s not! It is a totally fine alternative if breastfeeding is not an option, but, when possible, breast milk is best). Basically, for a long time, breastfeeding has been taboo at best, “disgusting” at worst, and it’s going to take more time for people’s minds to change and for women to feel fully supported, whatever they choose.
(Source for above: Part I: Infant Feeding Patterns Past and Present)
- For most of human history, breastfeeding was the only option, so no one questioned it. As BC turned to AD, the idea of a wetnurse, or a woman who would breastfeed the infant of another woman, came into being. Later, in the upper classes of Europe, it was considered too low class to breastfeed one’s own child. Then, at the beginning of the 1900’s, infant formula was created, and the message changed to tell women that formula was best for infants (spoiler alert: it’s not! It is a totally fine alternative if breastfeeding is not an option, but, when possible, breast milk is best). Basically, for a long time, breastfeeding has been taboo at best, “disgusting” at worst, and it’s going to take more time for people’s minds to change and for women to feel fully supported, whatever they choose.
- What are some issues I may encounter while breastfeeding?
- Pain
- Latching issues
- Engorgement
- Mastitis
- Tongue-tie
- Tummy troubles for baby
- Not enjoying breastfeeding (no judgement – this is more common than you think!)
That’s all our tips for this article! Stay tuned for more breastfeeding FAQs and in the meantime: happy breastfeeding!
