Breastfeeding Trivia w/prize

Ok, I thought we'd try something fun in here! Let's play "Breastfeeding Trivia!"

Rules are simple.

Answer the question in the post above yours as it is asked and then provide a question of your own.

This is all in fun! Hopefully it will also be a learning experience!

So, what are you waiting for? Jump in!
ETA: In a week I'll choose a random [post] number who will win some bubble bath.

Question 1: What are three things you can do to increase your supply?

 

how fun! I love the idea as I feel I have read everything on earth about this!

1-add pumping and/or nursing sessions
2-take a galactogogue: herbal such as fenugreek; food such as oatmeal or medication such as domperidone
3-get more rest, ideally adding skin-to-skin contact w/baby

My question:

What are symptoms of a clogged duct and how do you treat?

 

oooh! oooh! A fun way to use all the breastfeeding knowledge I have been gathering after five months of challenges. I love it!

Okay, the symptoms are often a hard area on breast, a lump (the actual clogged part of the duct), some redness or swollen areas, PAIN, and sometimes decreased milk flow. You treat it by applying warm packs before nursing or pumping and cold packs in between nursing or pumping sessions to decrease swelling. Also nurse or pump as much as possible to keep the breast empty and eventually drain the clog. Sometimes you can angle your baby or yourself to nurse in such a position as to target the plugged duct. I have always found massaging the clogged area while nursing or pumping to be very helpful. As with any nursing problem, make sure to get adequate rest (whatever thats supposed to mean for a twin mom--ha!) and drink plenty of fluids.
I knew all this knowledge would come in handy some day! hahahaha!

Okay, let's see. My question...

Roughly how much water and calories should a woman consume each day to make adequate milk for twins?

 

Any nursing (or pumping) mom should eat as much as she wants whenever she's hungry (preferably real food, not junk food) and drink whenever she's thirsty. This will usually be plenty. A rule of thumb, though, is to eat 500 extra calories for each baby you're nursing. In other words - WHOOHOO! 1000 extra calories a day for us! :banana:

Here's my question: How long will EBM stay good at room temperature, in the fridge, and in the freezer?

Great thread, Jackie! :good:

 

according to Dr. Jack Newman ( :rofl: this is how all of my posts are going to start now) it will keep for 10 to 12 hours at room temperature, can be refrigerated for up to five days, will keep in a freezer compartment in your fridge for 2 - 4 months & in a deep freeze for 12 months.

how do you know your baby is getting enough milk?

 

A mom should track poopy and wet diapers to ensure adequate milk intake! In the first few days, before a mom's milk has come in, a baby may only have a few wet diapers. But once the milk has come in, there should be 6 to 8 wet diapers a day. In the first month, babies have at least 3 poopy diapers a day ... but after the first month BF babies can go a long time without a dirty diaper (up to a week!).

Weight gain is another good indicator of adequate BM intake.

Now for my question ....

What are some things a new mom can do to relieve nipple soreness in the first few weeks of BFing?

 

FUN!

How do you know your baby is getting enough:
6 or more wet diapers/day
3-5 or more poopie diapers/day
*it is less important in breastfed babies to go by weightgain, as they may start off slow, but catch up later!


Here's my question: what are three ways to encourage a let-down (milk ejection reflex) when your baby is not present?

 

1) Use warm compresses on your chest and initiate a short massage before you pump
2) Bring a picture of your baby to look at or a piece of their clothing to smell, then close your eyes and remember your LO's cry
3) Try to relax with deep breathing and soft music (especially in the workplace)
4) Drink water! Try to drink a glass a few minutes before pumping.

(I am going to reprint a PP question as I think it got missed.)
What are some things a new mom can do to relieve nipple soreness in the first few weeks of BFing?

 

Oh, I can definitely answer this one.

1. Let nipples air dry and/or express a little milk on the nipples
2. Do not wear tight fitting bras or clothes
3. Make sure babies have a proper latch, as poor or shallow latches can contribute to soreness (and a whole bunch of other problems)
4. Use Lanolin before and after nursing or pumping
5. If you are pumping, you may also need to get yourself fitting for the proper flange size (I think the sizes are 24mm, 27mm, and 30mm.)
6. Rotate nursing positions and sides (you probably should also rotate your twins too ), which will help give the breasts a little relief
7. If the pain gets really bad, they also have prescription ointments; I took one that had cortizone like qualities, and it's helped with the pain.

Ok, here's my question: What are some of the health benefits of breastfeeding for the breastfeeding mother?

 

Decreased cancer risk
Lose weight faster
bonding time with child

ETA: In a week I'll choose a random [post] number who will win some bubble bath.


What things can dad's do to help mom with breastfeeding?

 

• he can NOT offer to give a bottle whenever the babies are fussy - he can trust the process
• he can run interference with any unsupportive relatives - it gets tiring for the mom to have to always be defending her choice
• he can tell her he's proud of her & happy that she's BFing
• he can educate himself on the basics of BFing
• he can take care of everything else around the house (at least for the first few weeks) so that mom can really focus on BFing while she needs to
• he can be encouraging on those days when it just feels like mom can't nurse one more time
• he can help at night feedings by changing diapers & bringing babies to mom; then when she's done nursing he can soothe & put them back to bed

which of the following are truth & which are BFing myths:

• You can not drink any alcohol while BFing.
• It's normal to have some tenderness in the first few days of nursing but toe curling pain is not normal & likely indicates a problem with the latch.
• It is not possible to exclusively nurse more than one baby - you won't make enough milk.
• BF babies take longer to STTN than formula fed babies.
• It is possible to nurse after having breast reduction surgery - some women are even able to nurse exclusively.

 

TRUE:
[*]It's normal to have some tenderness in the first few days of nursing but toe curling pain is not normal & likely indicates a problem with the latch.
[*]It is possible to nurse after having breast reduction surgery - some women are even able to nurse exclusively.


MYTH:
[*]You can not drink any alcohol while BFing.
[*]It is not possible to exclusively nurse more than one baby - you won't make enough milk.
[*]BF babies take longer to STTN than formula fed babies.


Next Question:

True or False

Your breasts will sag more if you breastfeed

 

False - it's the pregnancy and genetics that cause the post-baby sag.

Ok, my question -

True or False

If you couldn't breastfeed your first child because of a low milk supply you won't be able to breastfeed any subsequent children.

 

False- every pregnancy and nursing experience is different.


now mine:
List 3 reasons why it is helpful for expectant and new mothers to understand the anatomy of their breast and how milk is made?

 

Ooh, that's a good one! I don't know if I'll hit the 3 you had in mind, but I'll brainstorm out loud:

-It's important to know that your breasts contain both fat tissue (va va va voom! ) and milk ducts, and the amount of one says nothing about the amount of the other. In other words, plenty of barely-A cup women like me have all the milk-making equipment they need - even if there ain't much else in there! :lol:

-It's kind of cool to look at the structure of the breast and see exactly why it's so important for the babies to open wide and take in as much of the areola as possible - that way they're really compressing all the stuff that matters and moving the milk much better than if they're trying to sip on the nipple like a straw.

-It's good to know how far all the milk-factory stuff extends (sometimes even close to your armpits!) for a couple reasons: one, so that you watch out for bras that might be too rigid or constricting around there; also, to make for very effective breast massage as you're pumping. The more you can massage, the more you can get out.

-How milk is made: supply and demand is the golden rule!

To this one, I'd also add that I've met ladies here who had a lot of trouble nursing a singleton, and went on to BF their twins with great success!


OK, here's another question: Do nursing toddlers need to drink any other milk besides mom's? (Cow's milk, soy milk, etc.) If so, when?

 

Nursing toddlers do not need any other milk besides breastmilk UNLESS they are down to less than three nursing sessions a day. During the summer when they are active & it is hot out, additional liquids such as water is needed.

True/False - My mom couldn't breastfeed so I won't be able to either.

 

This is awesome, Jackie!

FALSE - As PP noted, every baby and every nursing experience is different.

But more than that, many women in our parents' generation (and that's a pretty wide swathe here as we've got Generations X and Y well represented) had access to very little information about breastfeeding from medical professionals - mothers, for instance, were told that a case of mastitis was cause to wean. Pediatricians had little information about the relative value of breastmilk - or just plain wrong information, such as the case of one poster's MIL who was told that her breastmilk was no better than water.

Also, while plenty of moms learned enough from friends and relatives to be successful, others lacked any supportive or informed relatives/friends because of the prevalence of formula feeding.

So, basically, if you want to breastfeed now, there are many more resources to help you succeed, and you don't have to look far to find them.


NEXT QUESTION: T of F - After one year, toddlers get no nutritional advantages from breastmilk.

 

FALSE! there is always nutritional value in BM. not to mention that there are some components in BM that increase as your child gets older because they're more needed then - your BM is always perfectly designed for your child at any age!

next question: list three options for supplementing your baby (other than bottles)

 

1. Cup
2. Spoon - very effective in the early days with sticky colostrum
3. Syringe

T of F frozen breastmilk is healthier than formula?

 

[/quote]T of F frozen breastmilk is healthier than formula?[/quote]


TRUE! Breastmilk is always healthier than formula...in any form! Although I've read that frozen breastmilk does lose some of its immunological qualities.

Here is my question:
What are 3 things that can be done in the hospital to ensure a good start to breastfeeding for Mommy and baby?

 

Here is my question:
What are 3 things that can be done in the hospital to ensure a good start to breastfeeding for Mommy and baby?

*Nurse right away, as soon as possible!
*Rooming in together
*Lots of skin to skin contact

My question:

What are some ways to discourage biting (ouch!)? <--sorry I just went through this with one, and now the other is trying it out!

 

watch them like a hawk! when they get that gleam in their eye or seem to be getting to the end of their nursing session, beat them to the punch & unlatch them before they can bite.

if they beat you to the punch & bite you, unlatch them, say "no biting" as calmly as possible :laughing: and make it clear that nursing is done for now. they'll usually figure out pretty quick that biting = no nursing.


next question:

T or F - adopted babies can not be breastfed, let alone exclusively breastfed.

 

T or F - adopted babies can not be breastfed, let alone exclusively breastfed

Answer: FALSE Amazingly, adopted babies CAN be breasfed!

Mothers can induce lactation or relactation by pumping before the baby arrives. If done faithfully, the breast will begin to produce milk in 2-6weeks.
Once the adopted baby has arrived, encourage the baby to nurse as often as possible to stimulate further milk production. One of the most difficult challenges is getting the baby interested in sucking at the breast, if he has been used to bottles. Supplementation will be needed at first, preferably using a SNS so as to avoid artificial nipples.

Isn't that awesome?!?

Note: I knew the answer was true but looked up the details in The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding!

Next Question: What are some reasons a young baby (under a year) may go on a nursing strike? What are some things you can do to get baby back to nursing as soon as possible?

 

1. Distractions
2. Teething
3. Cold/sick
4. Reflux
5. Ear infection
6. Mom is stressed

Remedies:
1. Try different nursing positions.
2. Try different locations.
3. Tylenol before nursing.
4. Be patient & don't get frustrated.
5. Don't starve baby.
6. Skin on Skin contact
7. Nurse in a quiet, dark area.
8. Nurse in a warm bath.
9. Elevate head.
10. Nurse after a steam shower to clear nose passages. (be in the bathroom and run the shower... bathroom gets steamy)

Next Question:
When is the ideal time to start solids for a breastfed baby? AND when during the day should you feed the solids in relation to nursing?

 

Solids should be started no earlier than 6 months. That's the earliest that babies' digestive systems are prepared to handle them. If the babies don't seem interested, it's OK to wait longer. Mom's milk is still their primary source of nutrition for the entire first year, and solids are just for practice, especially in the beginning. Since milk is #1, solids should be given no more than 30-60 minutes after nursing (or a bottle), so that they won't cut into the next feeding. It's best to start with just one solids "feeding" a day and follow the babies' cues as to when to add more. Time of day doesn't matter - some babies' first meal is breakfast, others' is lunch or dinner.

Next question:

I'm so tired and run down! Is it because I'm breastfeeding/pumping?

 

Of course! Even nursing twice a day causes major physical and psychological stress...[NOT - idiot psychiatrist told me this last week.]

NO NO NO. Any woman who is recovering from pregnancy and delivery, and keeping up with the demands of a newborn (let alone two newborns, or three or more) will feel tired and run down. Now, if you are nursing and trying to diet or get back in shape, or you are nursing round the clock without a break or help, or you are just eating junk, you will probably feel more tired. Breastfeeding IS physical work, and you deserve as much care and coddling as any elite athlete. There are lots of things friends and partners can do to support you and share the psychological load of having two little bodies clinging to you night and day (see #10, above).

Next Question:
I know having newborn twins is stressful, but I'm feeling REALLY bad. My old psychiatrist suggested an antidepressant, but she refused to write the prescription as long as I was breastfeeding. Do I have to make a choice between my mental health and breastfeeding?

 

:good: GREAT question!!!

Having newborn twins is VERY stressful. Your hormones are also can be 'unstable!' Sounds like your psychiatrist needs a refresher course! If you check in our sticky called Medications & Breastfeeding there is a lot of information there! If you want to do individual checks on medications that are safe while breastfeeding, you can check out Kellymom's article on depression & breastfeeding. Your baby(ies) will be happier when you are happy. Get treated! You do not have to stop breastfeeding to get help!

What are some reasons that will make your supply plummet?

 

Question: What are some reasons that will make your supply plummet?

1. The Golden Rule of Supply & Demand: less nursing or pumping = less supply
2. supplementary feedings or bottles of water given
3. poor sucking technique
4. excessive use of a pacifier
5. long term use of nipple shields
6. rigidly scheduled feedings
7. shorter feedings
8. fatigue & tension
9. poor diet & lack of fluids - make it more difficult for your body
10. certain medications can adversely affect milk production
11. early use of hormonal contraceptives
12. smoking

I'm sure there are many more! Feel free to ad to the list!

Here is my question: Can a breastfeeding mother drink alcohol?

 

Can a breastfeeding mother drink alcohol?

Yes! Drinking in moderation is fine. Alcohol enters and leaves your milk pretty quickly. A rule of thumb is that if you don't feel buzzed, you're OK to nurse.


Here's another question (well, group of questions :lol: ): When does a BFing/pumping mom get her period back? Does it affect her supply when she does? And can you get pregnant while BFing? Can you get pregnant while BFing before you get your period?

 

A. It varies, though it does typically take longer for a woman nursing full time than for one who doesn't, and for a woman nursing twins vs. one nursing a singleton. Many women notice a coincidence between their babies STTN around a year and their period returning, but it is very normal to be anywhere from a few months to more than a year after delivery.

B. It definitely can affect supply, though again, this varies a lot. Many women notice a dip right before their period. I notice mine around ovulation. Some women notice no dip at all.

C. You can DEFINITELY get pregnant while nursing.

D. You have to ovulate before you get your period, so yes, you could get pregnant if you have unprotected sex during the cycle right before your period (was going to) return(s).


Ugh - at this point answering questions is way easier than thinking up new ones!! How 'bout this:


True or False: The amount of milk you can pump is a great indicator of how much your baby is getting at one sitting.

 

True.. so I am calling this trivia session OVER! Thanks everyone for particiating! :good:

False! Some women pump very well while others can't pump anything. A baby can pull a lot more milk than a pump can, even with a good pumper. Weighing the baby before & after a nursing session is the only real way of finding out exactly how much milk that baby is getting (on a hospital grade scale).

I will do a random number generator to see who wins the bubble bath!

 

Post number 3 won... which was GandEMom! Please PM me with your address and I will send you the bubble bath!!!

 

Congrats GandEmom! :yahoo: Richly deserved! Now you have to promise to sit back and enjoy a good soak in the tub.

 

i agree! :good:

 

Yeah, GandEMom. Much deserved. :clapping: