| Ask LC Doris Fok |
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Doris will select 2 letters to be answered every month. Selected letters published here win a S$20 gift certificate for purchases at our MotherNeeds online store.
Visit our Archives for more breastfeeding topics.
Please limit your queries/questions to a maximum of 150 words.
Doris will select 2 letters to be answered every month. Selected letters published here win a S$20 gift certificate for purchases at our MotherNeeds online store.
Visit our Archives for more breastfeeding topics.
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Doris Fok is the first International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in Asia and Singapore. After setting up the KKH Lactation Services, Doris started her independent practice in 1998. She has worked with WHO and UNICEF, and various hospitals and international communities in the area of breastfeeding training and research. With over 25 years of clinical experience, and more importantly as a mother of two breastfed children, it is Doris' wish to help mothers achieve their natural ability to breastfeed successfully. Read more about Doris' breastfeeding experience and consultancy experience.
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Dear Doris,
I recently came across an article (it was a recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics ("AAP")) that indicates that breastfed babies should be supplemented with Vitamin D (as much as 400IU) because we lack it in our diet.
I would like to know how I should introduce that into my baby’s diet. Are there Vitamin D drops we can buy on the market for infants? Or should I be supplementing my diet to ensure both my baby and I are getting enough of it? Is there any side effect to supplementing my baby with it?
Thank you very much.
Catherina Low
(You may also like to read this related article: New Guidelines Double the Amount of Recommended Vitamin D)
Answer 1:
Dear Catherina,
Thank you for your question. It shows how much you wish the best for your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics meant for this to be applied in America, where the percentage of exposure to sunshine is more limited the further up north anyone gets. In Singapore, we have plenty of sunshine which helps us with getting our Vitamin D. An average exposure of sunshine helps us with getting a day's portion of sunshine. So far us, we really blessed with this natural resource. With this natural gift, it is not necessary for us to supplement unless the doctor observes any particular concern with your child's physical development and milestone.
Dear Catherina,
Thank you for your question. It shows how much you wish the best for your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics meant for this to be applied in America, where the percentage of exposure to sunshine is more limited the further up north anyone gets. In Singapore, we have plenty of sunshine which helps us with getting our Vitamin D. An average exposure of sunshine helps us with getting a day's portion of sunshine. So far us, we really blessed with this natural resource. With this natural gift, it is not necessary for us to supplement unless the doctor observes any particular concern with your child's physical development and milestone.
Wishing you all the best.
Regards,
Doris Fok
Question 2:
Dear Doris,
I am currently 7 months pregnant with a pair of twin boys. I would like to breastfeed exclusively, but am concerned I may not have enough for the two, particularly when I am now pre-eclamptic and may end up with an early delivery. If my babies are born early or premature (by more than 4 weeks), would my body be "in tune" fast enough to catch up on breastmilk production for the twins, since my pregnancy would most likely not be full term? Would I need to supplement them with formula in the interim while my milk supply catches up? Is it a good idea to take Domperidone to help speed up the process?
Thanks.
Regards,
Shi Yan
Answer 2:
Dear Shi Yan,
Congratulations on conceiving twins. It's both a double joy and a double challenge. Your body will know how much milk to produce based on how much signals you give it. As far as we know, it is theoretically possible for a mother to produce enough milk for up to 4 babies at a time. So, if you have twins, it is possible to produce enough, provided you ensure that:
(a) you breastfeed properly with no pain;
(b) you breastfeed frequently, according to the babies' cues;
(c) you have a lot of breastfeeding support from your significant others.
It is possible for a mother to breastfeed twins. Please contact the Breastfeeding Mothers' Support Group if you need any more local support. We have counsellors who have breastfed twins before, successfully!
You can do it if you want to! You just need the know-how and get the support from everyone around you! Supplementing formula will signal to the brain that you do not need the milk volumes, so work on getting your breast milk supply up by breastfeeding as much as possible. Express your milk if you find that it is difficult to co-ordinate the breastfeeds with your babies. Please have a word with your lactation consultant first to determine whether you need Domperidone.
Best wishes and congratulations on wanting to give your twins the very best that a mother can feed her babies!
Doris Fok
Regards,
Doris Fok
Question 2:
Dear Doris,
I am currently 7 months pregnant with a pair of twin boys. I would like to breastfeed exclusively, but am concerned I may not have enough for the two, particularly when I am now pre-eclamptic and may end up with an early delivery. If my babies are born early or premature (by more than 4 weeks), would my body be "in tune" fast enough to catch up on breastmilk production for the twins, since my pregnancy would most likely not be full term? Would I need to supplement them with formula in the interim while my milk supply catches up? Is it a good idea to take Domperidone to help speed up the process?
Thanks.
Regards,
Shi Yan
Answer 2:
Dear Shi Yan,
Congratulations on conceiving twins. It's both a double joy and a double challenge. Your body will know how much milk to produce based on how much signals you give it. As far as we know, it is theoretically possible for a mother to produce enough milk for up to 4 babies at a time. So, if you have twins, it is possible to produce enough, provided you ensure that:
(a) you breastfeed properly with no pain;
(b) you breastfeed frequently, according to the babies' cues;
(c) you have a lot of breastfeeding support from your significant others.
It is possible for a mother to breastfeed twins. Please contact the Breastfeeding Mothers' Support Group if you need any more local support. We have counsellors who have breastfed twins before, successfully!
You can do it if you want to! You just need the know-how and get the support from everyone around you! Supplementing formula will signal to the brain that you do not need the milk volumes, so work on getting your breast milk supply up by breastfeeding as much as possible. Express your milk if you find that it is difficult to co-ordinate the breastfeeds with your babies. Please have a word with your lactation consultant first to determine whether you need Domperidone.
Best wishes and congratulations on wanting to give your twins the very best that a mother can feed her babies!
Doris Fok
- We regret that only 2 letters will be answered by Doris every month.
Neither the information nor any opinion expressed constitutes a medical consultation or prescription or treatment of a medical or health condition. This column is prepared for general viewing and is published for general information only. It does not have regard to the specific medical or health condition, and the particular needs of any specific person who may receive this information. Persons needing medical attention should seek advice from his/her healthcare practitioner regarding the appropriateness of information discussed or recommended in this column. Should you have a pressing question or issue concerning your medical or health condition, please consult your healthcare practitioner.
Copyright © 2009 MotherNeeds, All rights reserved. This page may not be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or converted to any electronic or machine-readable form in whole or in part without prior written approval of MotherNeeds.
Neither the information nor any opinion expressed constitutes a medical consultation or prescription or treatment of a medical or health condition. This column is prepared for general viewing and is published for general information only. It does not have regard to the specific medical or health condition, and the particular needs of any specific person who may receive this information. Persons needing medical attention should seek advice from his/her healthcare practitioner regarding the appropriateness of information discussed or recommended in this column. Should you have a pressing question or issue concerning your medical or health condition, please consult your healthcare practitioner.
Copyright © 2009 MotherNeeds, All rights reserved. This page may not be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or converted to any electronic or machine-readable form in whole or in part without prior written approval of MotherNeeds.
Copyright © 2004 MotherNeeds, All rights reserved. All information, content, artwork of MotherNeeds may not be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or converted to any electronic or machine-readable form in whole or in part without prior written approval of MotherNeeds.