This technique may also be
useful for the following:
 1.  Poor weight gain in the baby.

 2.  Colic in the breast fed baby.

 3.  Frequent feedings or long feedings.

 4.  Sore nipples for the mother.

 5.  Recurrent blocked ducts

 6.  Feeding the baby who falls asleep quick.

If everything is going well, breast compression may
not be necessary.  When all is well, the mother should
allow the baby to finish feeding on the first side,
then if the baby wants more – offer the other side.

How to use breast compression

 1.  Hold the baby with one arm.

 2.  Hold the breast with the other arm, thumb
on one side of your breast, your finger on the other
far back from the nipple

 3.  Keep an eye out for the baby’s drinking,
although there is no need to be obsessive about
catching every suck.  The baby will get more milk when
drinking with an open pause type of suck.

 4.  When the baby is nibbling or no longer
drinking, compress the breast, not so hard that it
hurts though.  With the breast compression, the baby
should begin drinking again.

 5.  Keep up the pressure until the baby no
longer drinks with the compression, then release the
pressure.  If the baby doesn’t stop sucking with the
release of compression, wait a bit before compressing
again.

 6.  The reason for releasing pressure is to
allow your hand to rest, and allow the milk to begin
flowing to the baby again.  If the baby stops sucking
when you release the pressure, he’ll start again
once he tastes milk.

 7.  When the baby starts to suck again, he
may drink.  If not, simply compress again.

 8.  Continue feeding on the first side until
the baby no longer drinks with compression.  You
should allow him time to stay on that side until he
starts drinking again, on his own.

 9.  If the baby is no longer drinking, allow
to come off the breast or take him off.

 10.  If the baby still wants more, offer the
other side and repeat the process as above.

 11.  Unless you have sore nipples, you may
want to switch sides like this several times.

 12.  Always work to improve the baby’s latch.

Along with saving you money on HMR (Human Milk
Replacement), breast feeding can also help you to
keep your medical bills down. Babies that are fed
with formula get sicker more often and more seriously
than babies that are breast fed They also have more
ear infections, respiratory infections, and other
problems.

This can be even more true if your family has had a
history of allergies. When a baby is breast fed, the
antibodies pass on from the mother to the baby,
helping to protect against illness and allergies. As
the baby’s system matures, his body will begin to
make it’s own antibodies, and he’ll be more equipped
to handle sensitivities of food.

Sucking on the breast will also help with the
development or jaw alignment and the development of
the cheekbone. For this very reason, there is less
of the need for costly orthodontic work when the
child gets older.

Unlike formula, breast milk is always ready, always
available, convenient, and always the right temperature
for feeding. Plus, it contains all of the vitamins
and minerals your growing baby needs, saving you a
lot of money.

Breast feeding also offers many benefits for the mom
as well. The baby sucking at the breast will cause
contractions right after birth, leading to less
bleeding for the mom, and helping her uterus to it’s
shape before pregnancy much faster.

Breast feeding will also burn calories, so a mom can
lose weight much faster than if she fed her baby with
a bottle. Breast feeding will also create a special
bond with the mother and the baby – which is one
thing formula simpy cannot do.

The most common offenders duing breast feeding
include chocolate, spices, citrus fruits, garlic,
chili, lime, gassy vegetables, and fruits with
laxative type effects, such as prunes and cherries.

You can have a cup or two of coffee a day, although
too much caffeine can interfere with your baby’s
sleep and even make him or her cranky. Keep in
mind, caffeine is found in many soda’s, tea, and
even over the counter type medicine as well.

It’s okay to have an alcoholic beverage every now
and the, although having more than one drink can
increase your blood alcohol level, putting the
alcohol into your breast milk.

If you are planning to have more than one drink
at a time, it’s best to wait two hours or more
per drink before you resume any type of nursing
or breast feeding. There is no need to pump
and dump unless your breasts are full and its
time to feed your baby. While breast feeding,
any type of heavy drinking should be avoided.

Before you actually omit any foods from your
diet, you should talk to your doctor. If you
avoid certain foods and it causes a nutritional
imbalance, you may need to see a nutritionist
for advice on taking other foods or getting
nutritional supplements.