• Careers
  • Education
  • Research
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search
Close Search
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Gettyimages 609442466

6 Breastfeeding Questions You Want to Ask Your Doctor

Oct 24, 2018 |
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

Women have breastfed for thousands of years, but that doesn’t mean it's always easy—or glamorous, for that matter.

For some moms, breastfeeding comes naturally; for others, it can be a significant challenge. Some moms look forward to it; others dread it. But almost all new mothers have questions about breastfeeding that they may feel hesitant to ask. Here are a few of them.

Should it hurt this much?

Although breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt, it can elicit physical sensations that new moms have never experienced. For example, moms may feel a tugging sensation, as there are many nerve endings in the nipple and areola.

Some moms initially feel pain when the infant latches; however, pain should not be present throughout the nursing session. Sore nipples – a rather common problem – may indicate that you may need some assistance with your positioning and latch. A few sessions with a lactation consultant can help.

Do smaller breasts produce less milk?

Most women are able to produce enough milk for their babies, no matter the size of their breasts.

Why are my breasts so hard?

Breast engorgement is the development of hard, swollen and painful breasts from too much breast milk, and is common in the early days and weeks of breastfeeding. Engorgement can be relieved by using warm compresses or taking a warm shower prior to nursing to aid in the removal of milk. Cold compresses or cool cabbage leaves can be placed after nursing to reduce tissue swelling.

It’s also recommended that you don’t wait too long between feeds to avoid engorgement; newborn babies should be fed at least six to eight times in a 24-hour period, or more often with cues.

How can I get more sleep?

The first couple months can be especially tough, as newborns want to be held and need to be fed frequently throughout the day (and night).

Once breastfeeding is well established, there is no need to wake your baby at night to nurse. Let him or her sleep as long as possible. During the day, babies should be fed at least every three hours. Babies are often heavy sleepers following their morning feed, so if possible, it’s recommended that you go back to bed when they do.

It can also help to take a nap later in the day, while your baby is sleeping. Getting adequate sleep is important to successful nursing, as exhaustion can decrease milk supply. Although new parents don’t always incorporate self-care into their daily routines, it’s important that you focus on sleeping and eating properly so you can provide the best possible care to your baby.

How can I keep from leaking in public?

As a new mom's milk supply gets established, it's not uncommon to experience leakage. In fact, some moms can leak by just thinking about their baby or hearing a baby cry.

During this stage, nursing pads can really come in handy. Placed into a regular or nursing bra, these disposable or reusable pads absorb breast milk from leaking breasts, thus preventing embarrassment and protecting your clothing from stains.

I don't enjoy breastfeeding. Can I just pump instead?

Breastfeeding is an individual choice and there are plenty of moms out there that simply don’t enjoy the act but do want to provide their babies with nutritious breast milk. You know what's best for you and your child. If pumping works for you and your baby, then there’s no reason to feel guilty.

Ochsner offers prenatal classes, prenatal consultations, counseling from lactation consultants, breast pump rentals and more. For more information and additional resources available within the community, call: 504-842-5210 (New Orleans) or 225-755-4448 (Baton Rouge).


Tags
breastfeeding

You may also be interested in:

Thinkstockphotos 670930570 Pregnant Mom Crib Room
Women's Health
Feb 29, 2016

Breastfeeding Support for New Moms

A common misconception about breastfeeding is that it will happen naturally, without complications, but breastfeeding is hard work in the beginning. There is help for new moms.
Gettyimages 860253578 (1)
Parenting
Aug 1, 2018

8 Myths and Facts About Breastfeeding Every New Parent Needs to Know

We separate the facts from the myths surrounding breastfeeding so you can make an informed decision.
Breastfeeding mom baby breastfeed 2020 2 21 720x480 540bacec c26a 44d3 af38 836b4fe0933b
Women's Health
Sep 4, 2020

Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms

Establishing a good breastmilk supply in the beginning can make a difference in how long you are able to produce, and how much.

Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Pinterest

Healthy living tips, delivered weekly to your inbox.

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Hello Health Seminars
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

Healthy Living Tips, Delivered Right To Your Inbox

* indicates required


Must Reads
Food and Fitness
Men’s Health
Parenting
Women’s Health

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:


Get Weekly Health Tips

Select the weekly newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition

Let us know where to send your weekly newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox every week.

Ochsner Health System
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide