A New Beginning

Frequently Asked Questions about Breastfeeding What You May Feel While Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding a Preterm Baby

What might I feel during breastfeeding?

Sensations you may or may not notice during a feeding:

• Tingling sensation in the breast • Feeling your breasts become full It may take several minutes of sucking by the baby until let-down occurs. Please know that emotional upsets, fatigue, tension, or pain may slow down the let-down response. Some mothers only know that their milk has let down by hearing their baby swallow or by seeing milk in the baby’s mouth. Other reasons that may cause the milk to let down: • Your baby crying • Smell of a baby or baby products • Seeing other babies • Massaging your breast gently before using a breast pump Leaking becomes less problematic as time goes on. Applying gentle pressure to the nipple will usually stop the flow of milk. Disposable or washable breast pads are available to wear on the inside of your bra to protect your clothes from obvious wet spots. Make sure to change them as needed so the dampness does not cause soreness.

Will my baby be able to breastfeed if they were born early? (before 38 weeks of gestation)

A lactation consultant will evaluate your baby, and design a customized feeding plan. Sometimes babies born before 38 weeks may have difficulty with:

• Coordinating suck, swallow and breathe. • Maintaining body temperature. • Having a decreased suck strength and/or getting tired easily. • Developing a consistent and effective suck pattern.

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A New Beginning