Hi - I'm a new Lactnetter (introduced myself with my post last week about
Lactating Males) and I'd like to pose my first question to you seasoned
veterans out there...

Got a call from one of my childbirth students whose baby (her first) is 10
days old.  Mom says her milk came in by day 2 pp.  She reports the baby
spits up what seems to be her entire feeding about once a day, then wants
to nurse some more.  Mom's afraid baby's not getting enough if she's
spitting up what seems to her to be such a tremendous quantity.

Here's what I told her:  Some babies are "spitters" and are nevertheless
perfectly healthy.  If she's only spitting up about once a day and it's not
projectile vomiting, she's probably fine.  The main thing is that she's
gaining weight and she has 6-8 wet diapers in 24 hrs.  Told her the signs
of dehydration (sunken fontanel, etc.) to watch for.  Suggested burping her
often, such as between breasts.  Suggested taking note of when spit-ups
occur - are they after a feeding that followed a longer interval, so her
tummy's more full?  Asked what her stools are like and mom said they're
like "mashed sweet potatoes" - yellow/orange and seedy, occurring 4-5x/day.
 As far as feeding right after a feed/spit-up episode, I assured her that
her breasts constantly make milk and the baby will get sufficient
nourishment - plus this feeding would probably have more creamy hindmilk
and be more calorie-dense, anyway.  Assured her again that baby's probably
getting plenty to eat even if it seems a lot of it winds up on mom's
shoulder - as long as baby's peeing and growing.

Any further suggestions?
--
Deanna Goldberg, BS, AAHCC
Certified Childbirth Educator
Labor-Support Doula
West Hempstead, NY