HELPFUL INFORMATION
Some of your most common questions answered.
Quick, real guidance for the questions that come up most, before your appointment, common early problems, and what's safe while breastfeeding.
For more detailed information, please check out our blog.
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Before Your appointment
You'll receive a link to Milk Notes before your visit. Please complete the medical history, profile, and HIPAA consent ahead of time. Your baby should be ready to eat at the time of your appointment; please don't feed or pump within 2–3 hours beforehand so we can get an accurate assessment.
For prenatal appointments, come with any questions you have, and reach out to us before ordering a pump. If you already have your pump, bring it so we can review sizing and settings.
Medication Safety While Breastfeeding
Please consult with your doctor if you have any questions. Also, the InfantRisk Center is a great resource for evaluating safety risks to infants from medication exposure.
Generally Safe
Advil/Ibuprofen, Aleve, Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra, Motrin, plain Mucinex, Tylenol, Robitussin, Flonase, Afrin, Nasacort.
Keep an eye on your supply, stay hydrated, and take your supplements.
Avoid
Aspirin or anything containing aspirin (including Alka-Seltzer), decongestants like Sudafed or Phenylephrine, hormonal birth control, and peppermint or mint-containing products.
Breastfeeding While Sick
Yes, it’s okay! Keep breastfeeding. Your body produces extra antibodies when you, your baby, or someone around you gets sick, which helps protect your baby. If anything, nurse more often while you're sick to keep your baby hydrated, comforted, and protected, including through the night feedings.
Common Early Problems
Nipple Pain-
Some initial discomfort in the first 7–10 days is common, and should ease after the first few sucks once baby is deeply latched. Blisters, cracks, or compression stripes usually mean a shallow latch. Please schedule an assessment if this happens.
Engorgement-
Pump as needed before latching baby. If your breasts are hard and painful then apply chilled, crushed cabbage leaves on the breast for 15–30 minutes; repeat once or twice in 24 hours. Use Lymphatic drainage to move the excess fluid out of your breast. Lie on your back and gently stroke your breasts from your nipple to your chest. Go all around the breast several times.
Slow Letdown or a Sleepy Baby-
Massage and hand-express a few drops, latch deeply, and use gentle breast compressions (keeping your hand back from the areola) to keep milk flowing and baby actively swallowing. If your baby isn't nursing well with active sucking and swallowing and keeps falling asleep, stop and hand-express or pump and feed with a syringe or a bottle. Reach out for an appointment as sin as possible if your baby is not latching.
When to Call Your Doctor
If you have signs of infection or a headache that isn't relieved by Tylenol or Ibuprofen, please call your doctor. For anything urgent outside office hours, text or email us.
If baby has a fever of 100.4 or higher, is having less than 4-6 wet diapers in 24 hrs, is vomiting, please call your doctor.