By Laura Silvas, RN IBCLC

If you watched our Breastfeeding 101 Bumpinar with BenefitBump, thank you! We hope you learned something valuable to help you reach your breastfeeding goals. We know that it was quite a bit of information packed into a short session, so we had a quick Q&A at the end.

Below are some of the questions asked, as well as more details to further elaborate.

1. "Can you speak a little bit on breastmilk supply as baby ages? For example, does your breastmilk have more calories when your baby is eight months old?"

   -According to healthychildren.org (the direct relation of the American Academy of Pediatrics), "your baby needs between 750 and 900 calories each day, of which about 400 to 500 calories should come from breastmilk or formula."

   The energy requirement for infants/toddlers from 4 months to 35 months of age is 82 kcal/kg/day, and each ounce of breast milk has around 22 kcal. However, this number can differ depending on the time of day you're nursing or pumping and the length of time you're feeding. Both things will affect the fat content in your milk or how much milk/fat is transferred to your baby. As I mentioned during our Bumpinar with BenefitBump, your body will continue to adjust your milk composition depending on your baby's age and needs. Yet another reason to show that extended breastfeeding or pumping benefits don't end at six months or one year. Below is a graphic from The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition:

2. "If I had to use a nipple shield with my first baby, do you think I will need to use it with the next babies?"

   I love this question. I love that even though there may have been issues in the past, you're determined to give breastfeeding a go with your next baby. You go, mama.

   As you may have noticed, each pregnancy is different, just as each baby is different. Along those same lines, your body will be different too. Your breasts may be larger than in previous pregnancies, your colostrum may leak sooner, and your nipples may be more everted or even more prominent. And if not? That's okay too. A nipple shield is an excellent tool for flat/inverted nipples, for infants with poor sucking reflexes, infants with bottle preferences, and moms with nipple trauma. But it may not be entirely necessary. If you had to use one for flat/inverted or even just short nipples previously, you could work on this before delivery. Along with nipple everters, nipple stimulation and pumping before feeding can all help to bring the nipple outwards. I recommend trying to latch your baby without a shield and not jumping to its use, as this baby may help your baby to latch easier. Of course, if you have any concerns, let us know! Here at Leva, we offer both prenatal and postnatal Lactation Consults. Be on the lookout for our Breastfeeding Course coming soon too!

3. "If you thaw frozen milk in the fridge (and never get it to room temp), can you refreeze it?"

   - According to the CDC, "Frozen breast milk that has started to thaw but still contains ice crystals can be refrozen." Woohoo! So, if it's wholly defrosted, it cannot be refrosted. However, if you cannot use it within 24 hours, don't throw it out! There are many different ways to use "old" or "expired" breastmilk, including rubbing it on babies for rashes, pink eye, diaper cream, or milk baths.

If you are concerned or need help in any of these areas, please reach out to us here at Leva, and let us help you come up with a plan.