Meet the Experts

Jacquelyn Garcia

Lactation Nurse with the Center for Women & Infants at South Miami Hospital

Videos

Breastfeeding: Nutrition Tips

Jacquelyn Garcia, Lactation Nurse with the Center for Women and Infants at South Miami Hospital, says you should take a regular healthy diet, take your prenatal vitamins, and keep your caffeine intake low. She suggests exercising, but not overdoing it. She points out whenever you add formula, it is going to affect your supply, so she recommends pumping whenever you give a bottle.

Health Benefits of Breastfeeding

Jacquelyn Garcia, Lactation Nurse with the Center for Women and Infants at South Miami Hospital, says breastfeeding helps the baby with respiratory infections, ear infections, and diarrhea. She also says breastfeeding can help the mother to burn off some baby weight, because the body works very hard in order to produce milk. She also recommends breast feeding for at least six months, but the ideal time is a year.

Common Problems of Breastfeeding

Sore nipples, low milk supply, clogged ducts, and mastitis are common problems of breastfeeding. Jacquelyn Garcia, Lactation Nurse with the Center for Women and Infants at South Miami Hospital, says sore nipples come with poor latching, because they are a sensitive area and it takes some time to get the milk through. She also explains if you are not breastfeeding frequently or putting your baby on to the breast enough, that is going to cause clogged ducts, leading to mastitis.

Causes of Mastitis

Poor attachment to the breast, nipple damage, a long break between breastfeeds, blocked milk ducts, stopping breastfeeding too quickly, overly tight bra, and breast that are too full are some causes of mastitis. Jacquelyn Garcia, Lactation Nurse with the Center for Women and Infants at South Miami Hospital, says the treatment for mastitis is getting antibiotics, and there is no other remedy for that. She explains you can breastfeed, it is going to help you get rid of the infection.

Clogged Milk Ducts: Symptoms

Engorgement, infrequent or skipped feedings, pressure on the duct, inflammation, and nursing frequently are some of the symptoms of clogged duct while breastfeeding. Jacquelyn Garcia, Lactation Nurse with the Center for Women and Infants at South Miami Hospital, says the mom should pump every three hours, because the longer she waits, the more at risk she is for getting clogged ducts. She recommends massaging the breasts when you are pumping, and you can put some warm washcloths on your breasts to help you.

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