Signs your baby is effectively breastfeeding
Once your baby has latched on the next thing you should watch for are signs your baby is effectively breastfeeding. Initially you should feel a more rapid and intense sucking sensation, this will in turn stimulate your let-down reflex. Once your milk flow is increased you should notice you baby slowing the rhythm, swallowing every two or three sucks.... [Read more...]
Breastfeeding Weaning Best Practices
Improved weaning practices Complementary foods should normally be started when a child is 6 months old. These may be started any time after 6 months of age, however, if the child is not growing satisfactorily. Good weaning practices involve selecting nutritious foods and using hygienic practices when preparing them. The choice of complementary foods... [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...]
Breast pumps
Breast pumps come in several general styles depending on their expected use. Hospital-grade electric breast pumps – As the name suggests these are generally used in hospitals or on occasions where an accurate substitute for a baby’s sucking is needed. These pumps are useful to stimulate milk production and larger volume milk collection... [Read more...]
Latch techniques
The huge value in this tiny video is… stop pressing down and poking on your nipple like that! Getting milk out of your breast requires a lot of the breast tissue BEHIND the nipple to be compressed – it’s got nothing to do with the nipple itself, in that sense. Baby sucking on your nipple, and/or you poking and prodding your nipples... [Read more...]
Alternative feeding methods
Situations may arise that require you to use an alternative feeding method for a short time to help build your milk supply. With the goal of exclusively breastfeeding you should practice any of the following methods only under the guidance of your doctor or lactation consultant. These methods should only be used on a temporary basis to correct breastfeeding... [Read more...]
Can I Breastfeed while diagnosed with Tuberculosis?
Mothers with untreated and active tuberculosis should not breastfeed their babies. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease most commonly spread by adults who have active tuberculosis. According to the CDC, if you are being treated with the first line anti-tuberculosis drug then you most often can continue breastfeeding. This is due to the fact that... [Read more...]
Breastmilk Trivia
So what is this milk that your body is producing? Your child seems to love it but really, what is it like? Here’s a little breast milk trivia to help you get a better understanding of this seemingly magical fluid your body is making. What does breast milk look like? – In the first few days after your child is born your breast milk... [Read more...]
How can I tell when my baby is ready to eat?
How can I tell when my baby is ready to eat? One of the easiest ways to tell if your new born is ready for their next meal is to check the clock. Too little time since the last feeding can indicate that there is something else bothering them. With that in mind here are a few signs that you can use to tell your baby is ready to eat: • moving... [Read more...]
Increasing milk supply
Breastmilk production is on a supply and demand basis. The more often and more effectively your baby nurses, the more milk you will produce. This sounds simple in theory, I know. Figuring out how to increase milk supply, when you feel like your baby is not getting enough to eat seems much more daunting. Here are a few ideas that may help. If your milk... [Read more...]
