How can your family help while you breastfeed?
The family’s role The family plays a major role in the breastfeeding relationship between you and your baby. One of the most precious gifts a family can give is to take care of you and encourage and support a healthy breastfeeding relationship. For example, family members can do the many household tasks that take your energy away from nursing... [Read more...]
What does it feel like to breastfeed?
Feel You will feel your nipple and breast being tugged into baby’s mouth. Your nipple may be tender, especially during the first 30 seconds of a nursing session. After a minute or two, you may feel mild uterine cramps. After five minutes you may feel: Sleepy Thirsty Hot flashes Cramps After nursing for three to five days, you may feel letdown in your... [Read more...]
How can I tell if my baby has latched properly?
To know if your baby is latched on properly, look, listen and feel. Look for alignment, position at the breast Listen for swallowing Feel uterine cramps, drowsy, tugging/pulling on nipple (not biting/pinching) Look Watch for cues baby is ready to nurse, then put him to your breast. Feed your baby before he cries. Hold baby close with his nose level... [Read more...]
When is it time to stop breastfeeding?
Weaning your baby because of teething is one of the most common reasons to stop. Little teeth hurt, and little babies seem to bite harder and more often when they get a reaction out of mommy after inflicting a bite. You can wean your infant to a bottle and still furnish her breast milk by expressing it. This is an effective way of providing the... [Read more...]
Poop Colors
Your newborn’s diapers are a good indicator of whether or not your baby is getting what they need from being breastfed. A newborns’ stools are initially thick and tar-like and will become more of a greenish-yellow color as they consume more of your milk, about 3 or 4 days after birth. Generally, the more your newborn nurses, the more dirty... [Read more...]
What is Normal Weight Gain?
No matter what else is going on while you are breastfeeding (feeding pattern change, sleep patterns change, milk supply changes) if you are exclusively breastfeeding and your baby is consistently gaining weight, then you can relax with the knowledge that you are doing well. Your baby will gain weight at differing rates based on their age Birth to four... [Read more...]
One Breast or Two?
One of the most common questions new mothers ask is whether they should give both breasts at each feeding or just one. Ideally your baby will make this decision. When a baby is healthy and breastfeeding normally they are capable of determining when it is time to switch breasts. Babies need a good mixture of foremilk (lower fat) and hind-milk (higher... [Read more...]
As a teen mother will I get enough nutrition to breastfeed?
The general rule is that if your body can make a baby then your body can produce milk. Due to the fact that as a teenager you are still growing pay very close attention to your nutrition. Not only are you feeding a growing baby, you are still growing yourself. Keep in mind that your baby needs a healthy well fed mother. Do your best to avoid... [Read more...]
Can I stay a vegetarian while breastfeeding?
Being a vegetarian will not affect your ability to produce milk. However if you are following a more strict vegan diet as opposed to lacto-vegetarianism or lacto-ovo-vegetarianism, be sure to consult with a nutritionist to make sure that you are consuming a balanced diet for your baby. Vegan should be sure that their diet includes proper amounts of: Vitamin... [Read more...]
What foods might make my baby fussy?
While food sensitivities vary tremendously from baby to bay the following list are the most common foods with reputations for bothering babies: Raw Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Raw Cabbage Cauliflower Citrus fruits in excess Corn Dairy products Egg whites Hot peppers Iron Supplements Prescription and over the counter medication Onions Peanuts and peanut... [Read more...]
