Four step fussy foods test
When breastfeeding, you don’t need to go to dietary extremes to learn what foods in your diet might be affecting your baby. Use this simple four step fussy food test: Step 1: Make a Fuss Food Chart - List the foods you think may be problematic and the symptoms and behaviors associated with those foods, such as colicky episodes, bloating, severe... [Read more...]
Will I lose calcium?
You may have heard that a woman can lose calcium when she breastfeeds and increase chances of getting osteoporosis. The truth is that during lactation the mother’s body takes calcium from her bones and uses it to make milk. This will happen regardless of calcium intake. Your body does all it can to increase calcium absorption from the food... [Read more...]
Are Contractions and After-Pains Normal?
When breastfeeding after pregnancy you will feel some uterine contractions when your baby begins to nurse. These contractions are also called after-pains. With nipple stimulation, your uterus regains its tone and expels excess blood, so you may also feel a simultaneous gush of blood on your sanitary pad. These contractions are a normal occurrence... [Read more...]
Latch Evaluation
How can you tell if your baby has established good latch? Does your baby have your entire nipple and about one inch of the areola in their mouth? After you get the let-down feeling can you hear your baby swallow? Does your baby follow a “suck, suck, suck, swallow” pattern Can you see noticeable movement in the jaw that should also make... [Read more...]
Is it Safe to have Sex while Breastfeeding?
A few common myths and questions: Will there be time for my husband and I to be alone together? Absolutely! Remember that that there are two of you and one of your baby. You can put your minds together and find the time and place to be with your partner. You may find that you need to consider being more open about the place and timing, but where... [Read more...]
Where has my Milk Gone?
When your milk comes in your breasts will feel quite full, and some women will even experience the unpleasant feeling of engorgement. You are very aware at these times that you have lots and lots of milk for your baby. As the days pass so will that that fullness feeling leaving some women to wonder if their milk supply has decreased or gone away. It... [Read more...]
When is Spitting up a Problem?
While almost all babies bring up a little milk every once an a while after feedings there are some babies that spit up regularly or after feedings and even in between feedings. Sometimes spitting up is caused by your baby getting too much milk too quickly. If you see your baby gulp and gasp when you get the let-down feeling try taking them off your... [Read more...]
What to Wear? – Breastfeeding Fashions
While you can make nearly any clothing work for breastfeeding there are a few special items that can make your life much easier. When during pregnancy your milk comes in and your breasts begin to enlarge you may find the support of a well fitted bra most welcome. At this point you may wish to explore the varieties of nursing bras, trying two or three... [Read more...]
How do I begin Relactating and Resuming Breastfeeding?
Circumstances may arise that may cause you to stop breastfeeding or find that being separated from your baby has led to decreased milk supply despite pumping. Regardless of the reason you stopped breastfeeding it is sometimes possible to begin again, to re-lactate, and begin providing all or part of the nourishment your baby requires. Re-lactation... [Read more...]
Is my Baby Getting Enough Milk?
Although it is difficult to track how much your baby is consuming while at your breast, there is an easy trick to keeping track of how they are feeding. And the trick is keeping watch on what comes out of the other end. Once your milk comes-in your baby should have five or six wet diapers a day. After the black, tarry looking meconium has been cleared... [Read more...]
