Breastfeeding Information Center Test Your Knowledge on Breastfeeding 1. Breastfeeding mothers have very few options when they need to take medication. False! Surprisingly, there are very few medications that are not safe to take while breastfeeding. But remember, always check with your doctor. 2. Drinking additional fluids has a large impact on stimulating more breast milk. False! Studies show that simply increasing fluid intake has only a slight impact on milk production. You should drink to thirst, and understand that stimulation and proper drainage of the breasts are the keys to having a good milk supply. 3. Most sore nipples are caused by improper latch techniques. True! Positioning and latching your infant properly for breastfeeding can prevent most sore nipples. 4. Breastfed infants require water when the weather is hot. False! Breast milk contains all of the fluids required for infants. 5. Having enough breast milk for twins or triplets is very rare. False! Many mothers successfully nurse twins and even triplets. 6. Mothers can breastfeed adoptive infants. True! Induced lactation is possible. Most adoptive mothers can stimulate some breast milk. It’s common to have a partial milk supply, and sometimes a full supply, even if you never have been pregnant. 7. Only a baby can stimulate an adequate milk supply. False! We have worked with many mothers who have delivered preemies that are not yet breastfeeding, but the mothers have an abundance of breast milk. The best way to be successful is to use a rental or hospital-grade breast pump. 8. Mothers should feed their baby with formula until their breast milk comes in. False! Colostrum (milk new mothers produce in the first few days after giving birth) is the best first food for infants. Studies show that introducing formula without a true medical reason is unnecessary and can sabotage breastfeeding. Little-Known Breastfeeding “Factlets” • Mothers who breastfeed return to pre-pregnancy weight sooner! Lactating mothers should add 500 calories per day to their normal intake, but they burn approximately 650 calories per day. Mobilized fat gradually decreases and weight loss slowly takes place. • The caloric value of breast milk increases during a feeding. The “hind” milk released near the end of a breastfeeding is richer in fat and calories. • The thymus gland (responsible for T-cell differentiation and maturation) is twice as large in the 4-month-old exclusively breastfed infant as in an infant fed only with formula. • Mothers who deliver their infants prematurely produce different milk than mothers who deliver full-term infants. “Preterm milk” contains a significantly higher concentration of several components including anti-infective properties, protein, fat, chloride and iron. Useful Breastfeeding Links For services and products to support your breastfeeding needs, contact The Pump Connection at 818-225-8822.