FAQ - About Breastfeeding

Here at LittleBeam Nursing Pillows, our goal is to provide parents not only with a completely versatile pillow that can help with everything from nursing your newborn to providing lower back support, but we also strive to give parents helpful information on everything from nursery decor to breastfeeding dilemmas. This week, we wanted to give some answers to the most common breastfeeding questions that our founder, Dr. Kathleen McCue, has come across in her years of experience working with parents and children alike.

Can my baby be allergic to my breastmilk?

The quick answer to this one is no, your baby cannot be allergic to your breastmilk. If you notice any sudden or obvious discomfort coming from your child after a feeding, chances are the baby is actually allergic to something that you are eating or drinking, which is then in your breastmilk. According to KellyMom, symptoms may appear immediately, but more commonly will appear anywhere from 4 to 24 hours after feedings. If these symptoms continue, consult a physician and look at your diet to see what the cause is.

Can I pass illness on through my breastmilk?

Lucky for us, our bodies produce antibodies to fight illnesses, which filter directly into breastmilk when they are produced. This means that it is still safe to breastfeed even if you are experiencing symptoms from common illnesses like colds or the flu, or even mastitis, which is an infection of the breast. There are, however, more serious conditions that make it so breastfeeding is unsafe. For a list of unsafe illnesses or conditions, consult your physician, or take a look at this list from BabyCenter.

What is the cause of a low milk supply? Will I not have enough milk to feed my baby?

There seems to be an ever-increasing amount of worry around low milk supply. The one thing we do know? If you are nursing frequently and effectively, and taking good care of yourself, chances are that you are producing enough milk. As stated in this Q&A from Fit Pregnancy, nursing is all a matter of supply and demand, so to ensure your production stays high the best thing to do is nurse, and nurse frequently. Still having concerns? Find an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in your area and make an appointment with an expert!

Now that you’ve got some answers to common questions, we’ll leave you with one last piece of advice (and this is one we swear by!): If you’re every having complications, questions, or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact a physician or IBCLC - the professionals are there to help you!

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