Q: Pumping problems?
Posted
Friday, November 09, 2007 10:48 AM
"I'd like to see more
info about nursing an older baby and the issues with pumping for an
older baby. Anecdotally, it seems that many of us still breastfeeding and pumping
start having pumping problems around 9 months." --mommyme
Andi Silverman: A baby's breastfeeding needs
definitely evolve over time, and certainly change as solid foods become part of
the daily routine. If you're pumping
because you are going to be away from your baby, you'll need to do a couple of
things. First, build up a supply of milk
so that the baby will have enough for the number of feedings you'll miss. Second, bring your pump with you when you are
away from the baby. You'll want to pump
at the same times the baby would be eating in order to maintain your milk
supply.
The American Academy
of Pediatrics recommends that moms give infants only breast milk for the first
six months after the baby is born. That
means no formula, water, juice or solid foods.
The AAP also suggests that mothers breastfeed (in addition to feeding
the baby solid foods) until the baby is at least one year old. And many moms continue to breastfeed as their
kids become toddlers. The World Health
Organization recommends breastfeeding, in addition to solids, for two years.
Guest breastfeeding expert Andi Silverman is the author of Mama Knows Breast: A Beginners Guide to Breastfeeding and a mother of two. Read her blog at www.mamaknowsbreast.com, and send your questions to experts@thenestbaby.com
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