Double Blessings Frequently Asked Questions

Breastfeeding Your Newborn

Thank you for choosing the San Diego Bébé Nursing Pillow! You’ve selected the best GREEN nursing solution for a new generation of eco-minded mothers and their babies

Though breastfeeding is natural, it is not instinctive. Begin your preparation during pregnancy. It will be very helpful to attend breastfeeding classes taught by a certified lactation consultant.  
Get help. Find out if a board certified lactation consultant is on staff at the birth center or hospital where you will give birth.
Room in. Keeping your baby with you in the hospital allows you to squeeze in a lot of practice breastfeeding in a short amount of time.
Breast only. Remind the nursing staff that you want your baby to be given no supplements (formula or water) and offered no pacifiers.
Nurse early and often. Initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible following your baby's birth and feed your baby on cue -- at least every two to three hours or at least eight to twelve times a day.
Breastfeeding will be an enjoyable, rewarding and successful experience if you are well prepared and motivated. You’ll need to be relaxed, rested, well-hydrated and have the support of your family.  

Here’s what to expect when you breastfeed: Your milk may come in gradually or suddenly, usually two to five days after the birth of your baby. You may feel fullness in your breasts until your milk comes in. Early milk, or colostrum, will be the first type of milk your breasts will produce. It’s yellow and very rich in nutrients and protection for your newborn. After a few days, your milk will change from yellow to bluish white. This milk will be thinner, but just as healthy for your newborns. As your babies continue to breastfeed, your milk supply will increase.  Eating regularly and drinking 10-14 glasses of water per day, all day long, will greatly affect how successful you are in producing enough milk.  Breastfed babies receive important natural protection against infections and allergies. Breastfeeding is also convenient and inexpensive. You don’t have to buy or wash bottles, or make formula. Best of all, breastfeeding is an intimate, special bonding time for you and your baby.      

How to nurse your baby: Wash your hands before each session.  To help your milk flow, gently massage your breast with your fingertips. Do not touch your areola, which is the dark area surrounding your nipple. Make yourself comfortable.  Most mothers find that a rocking chair is most convenient and comfortable.  Strap your San Diego Bébé Nursing Pillow around you, latching the size-squeeze buckle and adjusting the strap so the pillow is secure (not tight) around you.  Your San Diego Bébé Nursing Pillow not only brings your baby up to breast-level, but also protects the sore tummy of mothers who delivered by cesarean section.  Use the detachable back pillow by placing it behind the small of your back.  As needed, move it further up your spine until you feel comfortable and well-supported. Unwrap your baby and place her against your bare skin.  Position your infant so her tummy and your tummy touch, with her lying on her side.  Make sure your baby’s face, tummy and knees are facing your body, so that her head is directly facing your nipple.  The angled top surface of your San Diego Bébé Nursing Pillow is specially designed to support this tummy-to-tummy positioning.  Support your breast with your free hand by placing your thumb on the top of your breast and the remaining fingers below your breast. Your hand will form a “C.” Bring baby to your breast, and tickle her lips with the nipple, or touch her outer cheek with your nipple. When she opens her mouth wide, like a yawn, move her body closer until her mouth encircles your entire areola. This is called “Latching On.”  Don’t let your baby suck only on the tip of your nipple. If you feel pain, or if you can’t see your baby’s lips above and below the nipple, or if she is making loud smacking noises; your baby is not “latched on” properly.  To correct, unlatch your baby’s bite by putting one of your fingers between your breast and the outer corner of her mouth. Do not pull the nipple from your baby’s mouth without breaking the suction first. This will prevent pain and soreness.  Try re-attaching your baby’s latch by dropping her chin open, using your thumb and forefinger.  When your baby begins to suck, you may feel a tingling in your breasts, milk dripping from the other breast, and/or cramps caused by contraction of the uterus. These are normal signs of the letdown reflex as the milk begins to flow.  Don’t worry if at first your newborn is not interested in nursing, or has problems latching on. This is a new learning experience for both of you. Try again when baby is completely awake, rested, and hungry.  Breastfeeding should feel completely comfortable for both of you.  For complete discretion, at home, away or even during air travel, reach into the front pocket and pull out Privacy Cover. Pull neck strap over your head.

How often you should nurse: Let your newborn lead you. Once she is nursing correctly with long, drawing sucks, allow nursing until she releases the nipple.  Feedings usually last 10 to 15 minutes for most babies.  Any longer than that, she may just be suckling for comfort before falling asleep.  Initially, once you have a good nursing technique, most infants nurse about every 2 hours or so, from the beginning of one feeding to the start of the next.  Feed your baby on demand, or whenever she’s hungry.  Remember, breastfeeding is a natural process for you and your newborn, but many find that they need additional help.  It takes patience and practice.  You will need support from family and friends.  Eat healthy meals and drink 10-14 glasses of water daily.  If you experience discomfort (overly-full breasts that feel “engorged” -- because of blocked milk ducts) or you’re running a high fever, don’t wait. Call your pediatrician or lactation consultant immediately.  

How to clean your San Diego Bébé Nursing Pillow: Remove pillow cover from the pillow, latch the buckle, turn the cover inside-out and close the Velcro® (so the straps are inside during washing).  Keep Privacy Cover attached to the pillow cover during washing – to prevent Velcro® from attaching itself to other items in the wash.   Machine-wash warm, gentle cycle, no bleach.  Tumble dry low heat. Do not iron or dry clean.  Should the pillow insert need cleaning, use a slightly damp cloth and mild soap to spot clean the exterior.   Do not soak this product and avoid using excess water when cleaning it.  The pillow insert is not machine-washable.

Safety precautions: Consult your pediatrician before use with any concerns or questions. Never use with baby while standing or walking.  Never use to lift or carry baby.  Never leave baby unattended.  Never use in moving vehicle.  Never use product while sleeping.  Never allow baby to fall asleep on product.  Never allow baby to lie face down on product. Never use in crib, cradle or bed. Never use without the cover around pillow.  Always store pillow out of reach of babies and children when not in use.  Always hold babies while using this product.  Improper use of this product could result in serious injury or death.  Please use care.  Your pillow is intended for adult use only.  Bring babies to the pillow surface AFTER sitting down.  Always hold onto the babies when bending over or reaching up.  Please pay special attention while burping your babies on the pillow surface to prevent a choking hazard.  Please follow all instructions very carefully.