INFANCY Michelle Galilee
Michelle Galilee is a childbirth support person, birth and early parenting educator, author and mother of four fantastic people.
For more information visit consciousfamilycare.com.
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Previously answered questions
breastfeeding with inverted nipples
Q. I am pregnant with my first baby who is due in November. I really want to breastfeed, but I have inverted nipples. Is there anything I can do to increase my success at breastfeeding?
A. Good for you for asking for advice prior to having your baby. Breastfeeding is sometimes a scary task and not always as simple as it sounds. Some people still believe that having inverted nipples means that you cannot breastfeed, but this is not the case. With good preparation, you have every chance at breastfeeding your baby successfully.
To prepare yourself adequately, you need to understand how breastfeeding with inverted nipples works. When your baby is suckling, your inverted nipples will retract or invert into the breast, instead of protruding. This can make it difficult for baby to latch onto your breast correctly. You will need extra help from your caregivers in the early days, to help you and your baby to learn how to breastfeed. As your pregnancy progresses, your breasts will change dramatically and in the first days after the baby is born, you may find that your nipples change in shape and texture. In the meantime, I strongly suggest that you seek more information from the Australian Breastfeeding Association breastfeeding.asn.au. The ABA runs classes for pregnant mums and they have counsellors available to answer questions. Also, Avent has a great product available for Mums with inverted nipples. The Niplette works by gently suctioning out the nipple prior to feeds. Visit avent.com.au for stockists or to buy online. Published August 2007
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REFLUX IN BABIES
Q. My seven-week-old baby girl has been diagnosed with reflux. We are having trouble with putting her down for naps and sleep, and she is terribly unsettled much of the time. Why is she screaming when we lie her down? And what can we do to prevent further unsettled periods?
A. Babies with reflux suffer nasty pain when they are lying down flat, so it is important to follow these steps when caring for her.
Try feeding your baby upright when possible. This helps her milk to stay down and be digested before coming back up. Keep her upright in a pram, baby seat or in the arms of a carer after feeds, and try not to rock her or shake her up. When burping her after a feed, keep her still and give her gentle pats.
Keep the change table and cot inclined at a 30-degree angle. You can have a piece of foam made to measure to put under the mattress or change mat. Alternatively, you can elevate the cot legs on one end. Keeping her upright when possible will help the contents of her tummy to stay down and this in turn will help you to settle her. Babies with reflux often associate lying down with pain, so it is important to get into a routine early if you can. For further advice, please consult your paediatrician or mothercraft professional. Published August 2007
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recommencing breastfeeding after medication
Q. I am breastfeeding my baby, who is three months old, and plan to continue for at least a year. However, I have a stomach bug, and the medication that my GP has prescribed is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers. If I have to stop feeding for any length of time, can I start again later?
A. Yes you can. With the right support and equipment you can cease breastfeeding now and resume when it is deemed safe by your doctor. I suggest that you hire a breast pump and express at the times you normally feed your baby. Drink plenty of water and try to trigger the let-down reflex prior to expressing, as a breast pump does not have the same effect on milk production as your baby does. You are designed for each other in every way!
You can trigger let down by sitting comfortably and relaxing, applying warmth to the breast, light massaging the breast and nipples and thinking about your baby. You can also call the drug information service in your state for the latest information regarding medications and the effects of these in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Published August 2007
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breastfeeding during menstruation
Q. I am thinking about weaning my baby, as I cannot get her to feed while I am ovulating or during my period. I don’t really want to wean yet because I have been feeding her for five months and breastfeeding is established and pretty easy for the rest of the month. Does this happen to other Mums?
A. Yes it does and it is pretty common. A change in your hormones, such as a surge or a drop, can change the taste of your milk. Some women can actually use their babies’ breast refusal as an indicator that a period is due! Pregnancy can also change the taste of your milk or cause your supply to drop. Keep persevering and once your period is re-established, the breast refusal may end. Drink plenty of water during this time and if your baby will not take the breast, try expressing. For more information, call the Australian Breastfeeding Association and speak to a counsellor in your area. Published August 2007
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biting during feeds
Q. My seven-month-old has always been a good feeder, but lately he has been biting me during feeds. Is this normal?
A. Biting is common from six to nine months as bubs start to grow their first teeth. It can be so frustrating for mums as this is usually when you finally have breastfeeding down pat, and now you have to deal with a biter!
A baby over six months will bite anything – even the hand (or breast) that feeds him. The best thing to do is gently pull the baby away and to let them know it’s not nice to bite Mummy. I know this sounds silly, trying to reason with a baby, but they tend to respond well to your emotions in every other sense, so this is no different. It’s also important to remember biting is sometimes a sign of tiredness or boredom.
Babies will also bite when they are experiencing discomfort. Try to soothe your baby’s gums prior to a feed with teething gel and let them bite other objects.
Babies often enjoy the biting game as it gets a reaction. It’s difficult, but important, not to engage the baby in this game as it can become lots of fun and he will want to play again and againea. Published November 2007
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