How do you prevent a clogged or plugged duct?
A clogged or plugged duct can be the cause if your breasts are very tender, milk is not squirting out of those 15-20 holes, and you have redness or a hard spot near the sore area. There area few things you can do to prevent a clogged or plugged duct: Limit the breastfeeding or breast pumping intervals. Check your bras for a bad fit, pulls tightly,... [Read more...]
Cup or Spoon Feeding
One easy to implement alternative feeding method is cup or spoon feeding. Using this methods can be beneficial for an baby that has jaundice, poor elimination patterns, or bad latch. Cup feeding helps reduce the occurrence of nipple confusion and allows the infant to lap milk at its own pace. It can be messy but is an easy temporary solution. To... [Read more...]
Large Milk Storage Capacity
A mother with large breast milk storage capacity will have a different breastfeeding rhythm for the first six months when compared with a mother having a smaller sorage capacity. Some of the ways larger sorage will affect feeding patterns: One breast or two - Having a larger breast milk storage capacity may mean that your baby will only feed on a... [Read more...]
Breast Milk Storage Tips
A few breast milk storage tips: Use only clean containers to store expressed milk. Screw top bottles work well as to hard plastic cups with tight caps. Stay away from ordinary plastic bags or formula bags for storing breast milk. Use sealed and chilled milk within 24 hours if possible. Do not refrigerate breast milk more than two days. Discard... [Read more...]
Colostrum, the wonder food
Colostrum is the name of the first milk a woman produces after delivery of her baby. It is very concentrated, and there is not very much of it. A newborn baby’s stomach is only about the size of a marble, so not very much volume is needed. Colostrum acts as a laxative, to help the baby pass her first stool, known as meconium, which in turn lowers... [Read more...]
What is the Cradle Hold?
See the the traditional hold, the cradle hold demonstrated in the video. Sit up with your back supported, one arm supports your baby, with his or her head in the bend of your elbow and your open hand supporting the baby’s bottom or back. Your baby’s abdomen lies against yours. Use one hand to support the breast and guide it... [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...]
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...]
Starting Solid Foods
The World Health Organization (WHO) released the results of thier in depth study on when to begin introducing solid foods into the diet of a breastfed or nursing baby. The WHO found that waiting until six months to start your baby on solid foods provides multiple benifits to both mother and child. For the baby: better neuromotor development less... [Read more...]
Relieving Engorgement Pain
During the first few days after you have given birth many women experience engorgement, when their breasts are overfilled with milk. There are a few things you can do to help relieve the pain and discomfort of engorgement. 1) Cabbage Leaves – many women who have tried this timeless remedy have found relief. At this time there is no known... [Read more...]
