I think giving formula might solve my problem If you are struggling with this decision, please contact a lactation consultant or your healthcare provider to reassess your feeding goals. It is important that your baby stays well nourished
and that your decisions are well informed. Also, it is important that you share your feeding plans with your healthcare team so they may provide individual education specifically to meet your needs. Feeding any amount of commercial milk formula may decrease your milk supply. Despite what you may hear or read, formula products are not a solution for fussiness, gas, or spit-up. These are normal infant behaviors that are common to all babies. Be aware that commercial milk formula products can be harder for some babies to digest, which could increase your baby’s discomfort. My chest area is swollen, hard, heavy, and tender If you feel like this, then you may be engorged. As milk changes from colostrum to mature milk in the days after delivery, the chest area may swell. It can be difficult for the milk to be removed due to the swelling. Hand expression, reverse pressure softening and/or ice packs on the area help to lower the discomfort and swelling. Feeding your baby very often keeps the milk flowing during this time, and you will feel more comfortable in 24-48 hours. If you feel feverish or have a hot red spot on your breast or surrounding area, or if your baby is not able to latch and remove milk, contact your healthcare provider right away. My baby cries a lot For babies, crying is a natural and normal way of self-expression. It can mean that something is making your baby uncomfortable or unhappy, such as too much activity or handling, a dirty diaper, or even tummy pains. It can also mean that your baby just needs to be close to you. Babies who are hungry do cry, but it is a late sign of hunger (see page 9). It is normal to see an increase in periods of infant crying until about 2 months of age, and then those periods will begin to lessen. If you are having a hard time coping with your baby’s crying, seek help from your partner, family, friends, or healthcare provider. Never shake a baby. Try skin-to-skin contact and gentle noises. You can also soothe your baby by expressing some milk onto your clean finger and allowing your baby to suckle the finger. My baby wakes up a lot at night Night waking is normal and healthy for newborns. Babies don’t know night from day yet. When your baby wakes up at night, they may be uncomfortable, hungry, or in need of help getting back to sleep. Hold your baby close as you determine what your baby needs. Always follow safe-sleep recommendations and do not fall asleep with your baby on a sofa or chair. See the purple box on page 19 and the resources on page 23.
Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute 21
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