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Breastfeeding Expert: Andi Silverman

Andi Silverman is the author of Mama Knows Breast: A Beginners Guide to Breastfeeding, and proud mama of two. She's here to answer questions from moms and moms-to-be on all things booby and baby... so ask away! Topics in her book include holding, latching, burping and pumping techniques; breastfeeding pros and cons, and myths and realities; must-have gear; nursing in public; spousal issues; and (you'll get there someday!) weaning. (She knows about other stuff, too. Just ask.)

Read Andi's blog at www.mamaknowsbreast.com.

Andi Silverman's Advice

Breastfeeding Positions  
Breast Lumps and Nursing 
Dealing with Thrush  
Inverted Nipples 
Milk Blisters 
Newborn Eating Enough 
Advice for new moms breastfeeding  
Prepping to Nurse 
Prepping to Pump 
Pumping and Work 
Pumping Extra Milk  
Pumping for older babies  
Storing Breastmilk 
Travel While Nursing 
Weaning and Milk Supply  

Got a question for Andi that's not answered above? Send it to experts@thebump.com. Make sure to include your user name. Andi is not able to providepersonal responses, and is not able to guarantee an answer to your question. She is not a lactation consultant, and her responses are not meant to take the place of advice from a qualified medical professional. Please consult your personal healthcare provider with urgent questions and emergencies.

See More: Mommy Life , Parenting Expert , Parenting Tools , Breastfeeding

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i have an a cup and im not leaking or nothing but my nipples are huge and sore and im 27 weeks are you sure i can breast feed cause it sure looks like they aint producing any milk

by kenzie's mommy

I'd really like to use my sister's Medela Pump n Style...I know they say its unsafe and unsanitary but she had zero complications or infections. I would still sterilize/clean the pump as advised AND buy new bottles, breastshields, tubing etc. Has anyone had a major problem with this in the past? I'd really like to save the money. Any advice would help. Thanks in advance

by mrscasaltobe

I have an 11 month old whom I'm still breastfeeding but just found out I'm pregnant again. What do I need to do to ensure the safety of both of my children? I've had several people tell me to stop breastfeeding but I would like to continue as long as my little one will let me. We've started introducing whole milk (1/2 wholemilk and 1/2 breastmilk) for her while she's at the nanny's when I'm at work but I still try to nurse her when I get home from work, before bedtime, and I wake her up in the AM to nurse her before I leave for work in the morning. Any advice/suggestions?

by JenShell

Kenzie's Mommy - I was barely an A cup before my first pregnancy, got up to a C during pregnancy, and a D when milk came in. I'm still nursing my now 26 month old, after having exclusively bfing him for 8 months before taking to solids, then with breastmilk as the main source of nutrition until his appetite picked up around 15 months. Don't worry about your breast size or the fact that you're not leaking anything. The main thing to keep in mind, and I'm going to emphasize this, is to BREASTFEED FROM THE BREAST ON DEMAND. Nothing stimulates your body to produce milk like your baby nursing, and the more often they nurse, the more milk you'll make.

by skearhart4

My baby was born at 27 weeks so i really couldnt put her to the breast at first but i started pumping with the hospital grade pump. I had a really good supply to coming in but my nipples are flat and my daughter doesnt latch on at all. when it was time for her to come home i had to give back the hospital grade pump and because i didnt have a good pump my milk supply slowed down and almost stopped. she is now on formula but i would like to start back giving my daughter breast milk, what can i do?

by sisterg

i know that you're supposed to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding by toughening them up. A common suggestion is to rub a towel back and forth across them. I am not too fond of this approach. I heard that using the lanolin cream can work too but not so sure. Is there another way to get them ready for the many feedings to come?

by heidibrackett

I have a VERY healthy 4mo daughter whom I've been feeding on demand. From 2 hour intervals she's gone to 3-3 1/2 hours at a time. My baby is in the 99 percentile in weight and about 80's for height. Her previous pediatrician recommended that I feed her no sooner than every 4 hours and her new pediatrician told me to keep feeding on demand. Another expert opinion would help. I want to provide the best for baby but also wouldn't want to start something that may be habit forming.

by wendymcho

Before my 1st child I was a B cup, after he was weened at 3 mo I shrunk down to an A cup. Now my 2nd baby is 4 mo and I am back up to a larger B cup. Is there any way I can keep my original cup size when I ween baby on her 1st birthday? I know every body is different but I definately don't want shrinking!~~

by wendymcho

how can i find a lactation consulatant in my area?

by BJMAY10

Why is there no advise on how to stop breastfeeding? I hear some people say just stop and then others say gradually stop, I came here for advice becaue I know either way it will not be easy but I would like the least painful option!

by tronzob

I am due in a few weeks and I plan on breastfeeding. However, I have gotten some conflicting information on breastfeeding at night. What to Expect says that a newborn shouldn't go more than 3-4 hours during the night without feeding, and that I should wake her up to eat during the night to make sure she is getting adequate nutrition. My mom and family say NEVER wake up a sleeping baby to eat because that will get her in the habit of eating in the middle of the night when she should be sleeping. I don't know whose advice to follow and I want to make sure that I am doing it right. Please, help! Thank you!

by genevieves187

kenzies mommy-i didnt gain anything in my breasts during my pregnancy and i am an Acup. I was worried that i wouldnt have any milk to give to my baby and i really wanted to breastfeed. but as soon as she was born the nurses asked me if i wanted to breastfeed or not and when i said that i did they put my baby (a girl) right to my nipple. she is 2 months old now and i am still breastfeeding and my breast are even smaller than before.

by Natalia212