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Breastfeeding Record Keeping
To help keep track of feedings, which boob was used, diaper changes, and to stay on track you can use a chart like the one below (I got this from my hospital), Record Keeping (Baby) (I typed this up based on one I got from the hospital with my second child), or a free app. The free app Baby Tracker is available for android phones. The free app Baby Tracker-Newborn Log is available for iphones & ipads.
To use the chart above you will need to save the image and print it. To use the Record Keeping you will just need to print it based on your feeding method. You can either laminate the record sheet or put it in a sheet protector to be taped to a wall. This way you have quick and easy access to it. You will use an expo marker to mark on it as needed. You can use a tissue with a little hand sanitizer to erase the chart as needed. To record the time using the chart above from the medical center you will put the start time of the feeding under time and then that total amount of time the feeding was under length of feedings. For example, if you started nursing at 10:30 am and the nursing session was 15 minutes you would put 10:30 am under time and 15 minutes under length of feedings.
Breastfeeding Storage
The first 6 weeks are the time to get your back up supply ready especially if going back to work. Save room in your freezer because you will need it. I recommend to invest in a deep freezer if you can financially afford it. Lowes has great prices on deep freezers.
Pump into bottles then pour milk into storage milk bags. You can use a breast shield as a funnel to pour milk from bottles to bags. Make sure to label full date and ounces on all bags. This helps to know when milk needs to be used or frozen, to know how much is in a bag after being frozen, and in case you want to become a milk donor and donate your excess milk then it is ready with the appropriate labels. Guidelines for storing breast milk (Kentucky) are as followed:
Store milk bags based upon how much your lil one is feeding for example if only feeding 2 oz then pour 2 oz to each milk storage bag to avoid wasting milk that might not be finished.
Use or freeze milk that is in the refrigerator within 4 days. It is recommended to freeze milk ASAP if you don’t plan on using it within 4 days.
In the event you want to combine fresh pumped milk to a milk bag/bottle that is stored in the refrigerator on the same day only then you must first chill the fresh pumped milk for 30 minutes to 1 hour in the refrigerator before combining it with previously stored milk. This way you can save on milk storage bags and space.
Use breast milk within 24 hours of thawing in the refrigerator (this means from the time it is no longer frozen or completely thawed, not from the time when you took it out of the freezer). It takes about 12 hours for breastmilk to be defrosted in a refrigerator. This means after approximately 36 hours you will have to discard any unused breastmilk. Write down on a board or sticky note what time you put the frozen milk in the refrigerator in order to keep up with the approximate 36 hour time frame. Label frozen breastmilk that is put in the refrigerator by writing the date and time on masking or scotch tape with a permanent marker and putting that on the frozen breastmilk bottle or bag.
Once breast milk is brought to room temperature or warmed, it must be used within 2 hours. For example, if you only had a 6 oz bag of frozen milk, but only need 2 oz right away then you would have to thaw the entire 6 oz bag in a bowl of warm water. If you don’t use the remaining 4 oz within 2 hours then you will have to throw the 4 oz out wasting those 4 oz.
Check out Very Well Family and CDC for this information and further details on storage and also other great information.
You eventually feel like a cow (seriously) because it seems all your doing all day is being sucked at. This is an incredible time, however, between you and your child. One that can never be replaced, so throw those negative feelings out the window and know that what you are doing is providing the best for your lil one.
Self Care & Maintenance
Beverages: DRINK WATER or coconut water. Stay hydrated! Limit coffee and caffeine drinks. Check out What To Expect for more details on coffee and caffeine drinks.
Alcohol: Alcohol is harmful to your lil one and it can be passed through breastmilk. Avoid alcohol because if you consume alcohol you will have to wait 4 or more hours before you are able to nurse again. You have to wait to nurse because your body has to have time for the alcohol to leave your bloodstream. The amount of time you have to wait depends on how much alcohol you have consumed. If you don’t have any back up milk to feed your lil one then you would have to pump your milk and dump it down the drain because your body won’t have enough time to get the alcohol out of your bloodstream before your lil one’s next feeding time. It hurts to have to see all your hard work go down the drain. Check out What To Expect for more details on consuming alcohol while breastfeeding.
Food: Either wait a long period in between meals or eat lightly good snacks. Don't let your appetite take control SERIOUSLY! Eating a lot makes your body work harder than it needs to and can potentially get you constipated.
Exercise: Go for a WALK or go outside (weather permitting) to nurse it's amazing!
Monthly Menstrual Cycle: Whenever your menstrual cycle starts back again after pregnancy you are in for a doozy. It will affect your already stressed mindset with the new baby and has the potential to affect your milk supply. Try to have a backup supply of milk ready to get your through this time.
Clogged duct: If you get a clogged duct, apply a hot pack for 20 minutes, nurse or pump then apply a cold pack for 20 minutes periodically throughout the day. Take a hot shower and using a wide tooth comb apply a bar of soap to it until it is very soapy. Use the comb to gently/firmly (depending on what you can handle) comb down over the area in the direction of the nipple. If you're still not having relief take ibuprofen and rest. If it is Mastitis then contact your doctor for an antibiotic. Check out Kelly Mom for this information and more. Also check out Kelly Mom on using sunflower lecithin to help combate recurring clogged ducts.
Increase Milk Supply: Can use Traditional Medicinals Mother's Milk Tea or Lactation Cookies to potentially help increase milk supply if needed.
Use the dishwasher (it does do a good job and saves time) and dishwasher basket for breastfeeding parts except the membrane. The membrane must be hand washed due to their small size.
Water
I introduced Pur filtered and bottled water around 9 months to my lil one in a bottle. I started off with 1 oz to get him used to it. I provided water once a day. At 20 months old now he drinks water constantly through the day with ice. He loves his water as much as his milk now. For more information on introducing water to your lil one check out The Bump.
Guidelines For Age Appropriate Feedings
This not only applies to formula, but can be used as a guideline for breastmilk to know how much to give as your lil one gets older.
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