Help for Breastfeeding Moms

Why does your baby cry?
Here are three possible reasons:

• She may be hungry.
• She may have colic.
• She may be wide awake and not know anything else to do.

What should you do?
If you think she is hungry:

• Check positioning. Are you sitting in a comfortable position so the milk can flow easily? Is baby able to grasp the area around the nipple so that her lips press on the places where your milk is stored?
• Are you relaxed and enjoying feeding your baby? Or are you worrying about your work or something else?
• Have you allowed 15 to 20 minutes for each feeding? Or are you feeling too rushed?
• Are you eating a good diet? Are you drinking enough fluids?
• Is the baby getting the hind milk, where the fat is? Be sure she empties one breast before going to the other one.

If you think she has colic:

• Listen to her cry. Colicky babies have tummy pains and loud, piercing cries. These cries can last a few minutes or several hours, usually at the same time each day. Sometimes a colicky baby won't stop crying even after you've tried the usual things. It's not your fault, or the baby's fault.
• Remember what you ate last, before nursing your baby. Strongly flavored food may flavor breast milk, or allergens may be carried in the milk.
• If you think a food in your diet is the cause, do not eat that food for a few days. See if things get better. If the food is milk, and you have to stop drinking it, get calcium carbonate (600 milligrams) with vitamin D. Take two pills at different meals.

If your baby is crying because of colic, try one of these ideas:

• Lay baby across your knees; rub or pat her back.
• Rock baby at 60 rocks per minute — a slow adult walk, or use an infant swing.
• Give the evening feeding with baby upright, not lying down. Burp her well to get air out of her tummy.
• Go for a ride in the car, putting her in a car seat.
• Sing to her or play soft music. Sometimes a vacuum cleaner, fan or radio tuned to static may help calm her.
• Try out Dr. Karp techniques in calming your baby!

If the baby is crying because he's not sleepy:

• This is your time to enjoy your baby. Talk to him. Explore colorful mobiles or other objects. Some babies need encouragement to move their bodies more.

If you're having problems with tender nipples:

• Check your position and whether baby's "latching on."
• Limit time baby is nursing. If baby goes to sleep with nipple in her mouth, pull her chin down to release it.
• If baby is biting, draw him in close so he has to let go to breathe.
• Express a small amount of milk to rub over the cracked nipple surface.
• Nurse on least sore side first.
• Heat is healing. Use a warm washcloth or heating pad.
• Salt water soaking helps. (Don't use lotions nor creams).

Reproduced with permission from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Land Grant University of the state of Maine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating