6-8 hours on the counter in your own home, 4 hours when you are out of the home

5-8 days in the refrigerator

6-18 months in the freezer (deep freezer is longer)

Why do the temps vary? Because room temperature and personal hygiene and collection can make a difference in bacterial growth.

If you decide that you would like to have alcohol, a good time to try it would be immediately after nursing. Many mothers can safely have a glass of wine or beer with a meal, or socially when on a date night or out with friends.

If you consume one alcoholic beverage (1 glass of wine, 1 beer, 1oz liquor/mix) research shows the alcohol is metabolized within 1.5-2hour, on average this provides ample time before baby is ready to eat again, nursing is allowed.

If you are sober enough to drive, you are sober enough to nurse.

If you binge drink, consuming more than 2-3 drinks in 2-3 hours, you should take safety precautions and pump your milk and either dump that batch or save and label for some other use like a milk bath for baby. Providing stored milk to baby at this session.

If you are at an event where social drinking is going to occur, count 2 hours for each alcoholic beverage before returning to direct nursing.

kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/lifestyle.alcohol/

trashthepumpanddump.org/alcohol/

Bras that snap down are more supportive than ones that you just pull down.

Supportive bras are better for on the go, and pull down bras for while you are at home.

Avoid sports bras unless exercising. Sports bras can put too much pressure on breasts and can cause mastitis.

Avoid underwire bras.

If you purchase a second hand bra, be sure to wash in hot water to kill any bacteria.

Some recommended brands:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Bravado+nursing+bras&crid=2XJSIAE

One technique is to use Dangle Nursing, which is having a baby on their back and dangling over top of the baby.

Another technique is to position the baby’s nose towards the clog, which helps clear the clog.

Massage clog towards your nipple.

If you develop a red spot, red streaks, hotness to your breast in that area, fever, chills, or flu like feelings please call your doctor, then us.

Stay hydrated! Water is your best friend while lactating. You should drink a minimum of half your weight in ounces per day. Or a cup of water (8 oz) with each breastfeed or pump session.

Whole grains - steel cut oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice, chia seed, flaxseed, bulgar, corn, farro, sorghum, teff, buckwheat.

All vegetables - Best source of vitamins, antioxidants and fiber! Vegetables help our cells work better. Milk making cells need optimal food for best production.

All fruits - We need the vitamins, sugar, antioxidants, fiber and water that comes from eating fruits.

If certain foods cause you or your spouse gas issues, do not eat them in abundance, gas issues in babies are genetic, therefore what bothers you or dad may bother the baby too!

Seafood can be a great source of protein while nursing. However, it is important to limit foods that are at risk for mercury to once per week, all others at your preference.

Animal protein should be kept to 20-30% of your overall diet. It should not be the primary source of calories.

You can continue to have dairy if you’ve been eating it throughout your pregnancy, but it does not increase milk production.

Dairy is commonly known to be the culprit of gas, nasal congestion symptoms or skin irritations. A true milk allergy should be diagnosed by a physician and blood test. The above symptoms are sensitivities not allergies, if you suspect them simply reduce or avoid intake.

Serious symptoms to report would be mucousy bloody stools.

Herbal supplements or teas should only be taken by the advice of a professional.

Most products on the market are dosed to barely affect a lactating mother according to research that has been done by breastfeeding medicine experts.

Good nutrition, hydration, sleep (napping), frequent milk removal, and baby at the breast are the best ways to improve supply!

Nuts - all varieties, snack packs work well

Hardboiled eggs, scrambled eggs or whole grain cereals with low sugar content

Fresh fruits like banana, apples, watermelon, berries, grapes and oranges paired with a nut butter or yogurt

Low sugar protein bars

Smoothies with a protein source like greek yogurt, whey protein or pea protein, may add a whole grain source listed below, consider MCT oil for a healthy added fat.

Lactation cookies made from whole grains listed below plus brewers yeast and a healthy fat.

Avoid processed foods like frozen packaged meals, crackers, cookies, and fast food restaurants.

Avoid sodas, high calorie coffees, sugary syrups, dressings and condiments.

“Wonder Weeks” app is a great app to keep track of baby’s milestones.

This app can help when planning ahead for extra help or excursions during developmental leaps.

When nursing, always make sure you are comfortable first. When doing sitting up positions (cradle, cross cradle, koala, and football), we always suggest mom sits in a comfortable chair, get a stool (or box) to put your feet up on, and lean back.

Cradle hold: baby’s head sits in your elbow fold. Make sure the baby's tummy is touching your tummy. You will want the baby's butt lower than their head, we suggest tucking the baby's butt under your breast.

Cross-Cradle: hold the baby's head at the shoulders (not their head) and use your other hand to support your breast. Many moms will sandwhich their breasts to help get more in the mouth when the baby latches.

Koala (also known as upright): the baby straddles your leg and nurses sitting upright.

Football hold: hold your baby like a football. You may need to adjust your position in your chair. Baby will lay along your side. As the baby gets older, this position is harder due to the baby getting longer and more wiggly. This is a good position for c-section mommas and moms of multiples.

Football hold: hold your baby like a football. You may need to adjust your position in your chair. Baby will lay along your side.

Laid back nursing: Use pillows to keep you up at an angle while laying the baby on you. This is similar to a koala position.

Side lying: Lay on your side and put two pillows under your head. Your arm will slide in between the two pillows. Baby will also lay on its side and still be belly to belly and tucked up closely to you. Make sure you can make eye contact with the baby. Pull the baby down, so the latch stays good.

Set your alarm for ten minutes when doing side lying. When your alarm goes off switch sides and set the alarm again in case you fall asleep.

An IBCLC can provide an assessment of a babies oral cavity for proper oral function while breastfeeding. Sometimes there are tissues that restrict the movement of a babies upper lip and or tongue that prevent a proper seal or movement of their tongue. This can affect how they suckle and the removal of milk from a mothers breast. Meeting with an IBCLC who specializes in the proper assessment and management of TOTS ( Tethered or Tissue Syndrome) can completely change and support your breastfeeding journey. Here at the loop we have IBCLC’s and an outpatient resource of specialist that can assist in this.