Valuable Resources for Breastfeeding Moms in Carithers Pediatrics

Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to provide complete nourishment to your baby. That being said, in many cases it is not immediately intuitive or easy to do! Breastfeeding can be hard! For the first week or two as you and your baby learn to nurse, it can be painful, tiring and very stressful. In hopes of minimizing anxiety about the process, we have compiled a list of our favorite trusted resources to help you along the way. Please take a moment to consider the following and know that we will assist you in every way we know how!

Local Support- Phone help and in-person consults:

Carithers Pediatrics Southside location- (904) 997-0023 in-person consults

Baptist Hospital lactation:

(904)-202-2298 (Downtown)

(904)-271-6831 (South)

HCA Florida Memorial Hospital Breast Center:

(904)-702-6370 Free support group and breastfeeding basics class

Top websites and resources-

www.infantrisk.com
www.kellymom.com
La Leche League- www.llli.org
Hmbana.org (Human milk banking assoc.)
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FJuBn2bgNk (Deep latch technique video)

 

Medications considered safe while breastfeeding:

Pain/fever: Acetaminophen, ibuprofen

Allergies: Loratadine (Claritin), Zyrtec (Cetirizine)?

Cold Meds: dextromethorphan (cough suppressant)

Antibiotics: Amoxicillin, Cephalexin (Keflex), Azithromycin (Zithromax)

Anti-fungal (yeast): Fluconazole (Diflucan), Nystatin

Oral Contraceptives: Progestin-only; IUDs with progesterone

Anti-Depressants: Sertraline (Zoloft)

 

How to handle pumped breast milk:

• Use clean containers to store expressed milk. Reusable glass or plastic, hard sided containers with a secure fitting cap or breastmilk specific storage bags are considered the best for storing breastmilk.
• For a normal, healthy infant at home, use sealed & chilled milk within 4 days. On the 4th day, milk should be used or frozen.
• Freeze milk if you do not plan to use within 4 days. Freeze milk in 2–4-ounce quantities. Label milk with date it was expressed and child’s name if delivering to childcare. Frozen milk is best within 6 months and acceptable to feed up to 12 months. Store milk in the back of freezer, where the temperature is the coldest, not in the door. Use oldest milk first.
• You may add freshly expressed milk to chilled milk already in the refrigerator. Do not add fresh expressed milk to already frozen milk in storage container.
• You may thaw milk by placing in refrigerator, by placing it in a bowl of warm water or under lukewarm running water. Milk can be served cold, room temperature or warm. Test milk temperature before feeding it to your baby by putting a few drops on your wrist. Milk should feel warm, not hot.
• Never thaw or heat milk in a microwave. Microwaving destroys nutrients and creates hotspots, which can burn a baby’s mouth.
• Previously frozen milk that has been thawed in the refrigerator must be used within twenty-four hours or discarded. Milk leftover from a feeding (baby did not finish bottle) must be used within 2 hours after the baby is finished feeding, after 2 hours, the milk needs to be discarded.
• Do not refreeze milk or save unfinished milk from a partially consumed bottle to use at another feeding.

 

Basic tips for augmenting low milk production:

While the general principle of supply/demand typically applies to milk supply (i.e., the more your baby nurses, the more milk your body will make), not every situation is “by the book.” If you find yourself with a dwindling supply, the following are some methods that may help boost production.

• Nurse and/or pump with increased frequency and for a longer period of time.
• Drink plenty of water, coconut water, making sure to incorporate electrolytes to help with water absorption.
• Consult a CLC/IBCLC or your OB’s office if you have specific questions about medications or herbal supplements as these may, in appropriate situations, help increase supply.
• Check out the list of “Top Websites and Resources” above for more ideas.

Remember – breastfeeding is a journey and we are happy to be a part of your team. Remember to take care of yourself and try to enjoy the bonding time with your baby!