Newborn Feeding FAQ

Nursing, breastfeeding or having a newborn is not exactly a walk in the park. I have gotten so many feeding FAQ since I have had Liam, so I thought it would be best to just round up a post with all my questions and answers.

Here is one thing I need you to take away from this post. As cliche as it is, Fed is best. What you decide to do, is OKAY. Please hear me loud and clear…what works for me, may not work for you. And that is OKAY.

DO NOT stress; I think yes, if you can breastfeed for at least a year, then do it. But if you can’t, then it’s OKAY.

There is way too much mommy shamming going on, and it needs to stop. I know you care and love your little one, and that is all that matters.

Now that I got that off my chest let’s get to the feeding FAQ.

Are you supplementing?
No! Not with Liam. I had to supplement with Colin, but thankfully not with Liam.

How do you increase your milk supply?
Well, there are some ways I can increase my milk supply. I feel like I had better luck with Jadyn and Colin then I did with Liam though.

1- Lactation cookies. My favorite cookies are from boob food. They are SO SO yummy.
2- Fenugreek, I take three pills a day.
3- Try to drink as much water as I can.
4- A new one I learned about this time around that worked for me is drinking coconut milk!
5- Oatmeal- for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Jk, just breakfast!

Those have been the only ones to help give my milk a boost. And when I say boost, I mean a few extra ounces when I pump.

How much is Liam Eating?
He is still eating 5-6 ounces. That boy is like clockwork too, every 3 hours on the dot he wants his food. He can go from 0 to 10 in a matter of seconds.

What do you do to help with Colic?
Each baby is different, and what works for one baby, may not work with the other. Liam doesn’t have any colic, and Jadyn didn’t also. But Colin (my middle child) was a nightmare. For the first couple of months, we tried everything. Gripe water, different bottles you name it.

For Colin, it was something he eventually outgrew. If you happen to have a colicky baby, I would highly recommend seeking medical advice.

Do you watch what you eat, or avoid certain foods?
I do. I limit my alcohol intake, avoid spicy and acidic food. I also avoid foods that can be high in fiber and can cause gas, like beans. I think this is especially important to pay attention in the first couple of months of a newborn. Everything you eat, they are also drinking through your breastmilk.

The only thing I will not give up is my coffee with my steamed whole milk. Yes, I drink whole milk… I can’t stand fat-free milk; technically I can’t stand anything fat-free. Haha!

How many times do you pump a day?
I was pumping a lot more to build up a good milk supply for the freezer. I built up about 300 oz to have in our deep freezer. Now I pump once or twice a day if I want Jordan to feed him.

How did you get rid of mastitis?
Urgh, I don’t even want to go back in time to think about it. I tried doing the au-natural route, and nothing worked for me. I had to take antibiotics. I got mastitis with Colin and then twice with Liam (back to back too).

I have heard so many different things can cause it like; lip-tie or tongue-tie, cracked nipples, over-pumping and demanding too much milk and not emptying out your breasts. Whatever the cause, it hurts like a mother. Worse then natural labor, and I’ve done both!

My biggest suggestion is to empty out your breasts often. Your baby will empty out your breast better than any pumping machine! So if you can lay in bed naked with your little one, do so and let him/her feed on demand.

How do you manage to leave out the house and feed?
Just do it. When you have your baby on a schedule, it’s a bit more predictable. So I kind of know when he will be eating next, which makes running errands a bit easier. I try to get everything done within the time frame.

Usually what I do is I will feed him right before I leave, that way I know I have a full three hours. If that doesn’t happen, I pump before I leave to feed him while out and about, or I will just nurse in the car. I only nurse in the car if I am alone. No way am I nursing in public alone with two toddlers.

I won’t nurse just anywhere, and not because I am against it, but because I’m a germaphobe. After three kids I feel a lot more confident in what I am doing now, to just pick up and go or do whatever. At this point, nothing surprises me and you just gotta roll with the punches. Ya, feel me?

How do you deal with a “lazy” boob?
My lazy boob pumps like 2oz less than my good boob. Ha! Honestly, after the mastitis back to back, I feel like my boob tapped out and said, nope I’m done!

If you have a lazy boob my suggestion is to try to feed more on that boob. So for example, when it’s time to feed- start on that breast. It easy to just be like ah forget it, but ignoring may make it worse. It’s all supply and demand, so the more demand for milk… the more milk!

How do I deal with spitting up?
Extra burp clothes and bibs. Many of you suggested taking him to the chiropractor, which I need to do. But to be honest, I’m scared to take him, I feel like he is so little! Liam didn’t start spitting up really until he was around three months.

He will spit up with a bottle or BF. I honestly think he gets so hungry and wants his food so bad that he just scarfs his food down. I’ve tried feeding him slowly, and that doesn’t help either. Jadyn and Colin spit up when they were babies too.

Best nursing bras?
I’m a bit picky, I dislike how nursing bras are so old and ugly looking. My favorite bras so far have been from HM.

Your favorite nursing must-haves?