Steps when using a Breast Pump
When you get reasdy to use a breast pump find a quiet spot where you will have twenty to thirty minutes undisturbed. Wash your hands with soap and water Wash and assemble all breast pump equipmeent Find a comfortable location to express your breast milk Gently massage your breasts or apply a warm washcloth Center the nipple on the plastic flange. ... [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...]
What are the advantages of breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding provides ideal nourishment and a special bonding experience that many new mothers cherish. What are some of the advantages to breastfeeding: Infection-fighting. A mother who breastfeeds her baby passes antibodies to her child which can help lower the occurrence of many conditions, including: ear infections diarrhea respiratory infections meningitis Other... [Read more...]
The First Feeding
It is one of the most emotionally charged moments you will have as a new mother when you and your newborn have the first feeding. Breastfeeding is a continuation of that intimate relationship you shared with your child when they were in your womb. If your birth was strightforward and little or no drugs were administered then you will most likely find... [Read more...]
Breastfed Newborn Weight Gain
When comparing your brestfed newborn weight gain against that of formula fed children you may feel that your young one is not growing fast enough. Not to worry. Breastfed babies may not gain weight as quickly in the first few days when compared to formula fed infants but this disparity rapidly disappears. While formula and breast milk generally... [Read more...]
Finger Feeding
Finger feeding has several drawbacks as an alternative feeding method, it is hard to learn, it is awkward to use, and can cause dependency. However finger feeding is useful for babies with a weak suck, who are experiencing nipple confusion, or are having neurological problems. A small tube is inserted into a container of expressed milk. A baby bottle... [Read more...]
Eating while breastfeeding
Will you eat more when you are breastfeeding, yes! How much more though depends on a few things: Activity Level – the more active you are the more calories you will burn Body type – lean body types tend to have higher metabolisms than other body types Needs of your baby - how often your baby eats and how much the baby consumes will also... [Read more...]
Breast Milk Expression Q & A
A few common questions and answers about breast milk expression. I’m going back to work when should I start to express? Six to eight weeks is a good time to begin practicing expressing your breast milk. This will allow you to learn at a more relaxed pace. Knowing your child will have the food will help make the transition back to work easier. My... [Read more...]
What are Montgomery’s tubercles?
They are part of glands that make oily secretions to keep the areola and the nipple lubricated and protected. The portion of the gland on skin’s surface is called Montgomery tubercles and identified by the round bumps are found in the areola or on the nipple itself. They can become much more pronounced and raised when the nipple is stimulated.... [Read more...]
Breastfeeding Lactivism vs Facebook
Recently Facebook has been marking profile pictures of women nursing their children as obscene and removing them. Users with such pictures have been warned that should they repost the images they will face expulsion from the site. Several groups have sprung up on Facebook with Hey, Facebook, breastfeeding is not obscene!(Official petition to Facebook)... [Read more...]
