How will it feel to stop breastfeeding?
Many women say they experience a mix of emotions when they finish breastfeeding their child. How will it feel to stop breastfeeding is usually described as a combination of relief to have this intensive part of their child’s life past and sometimes a little tinge of regret as this is really the first time your child is able to demonstrate a form... [Read more...]
Five Signs the Time to Wean has come
There are a few good signs that indicate time to wean has come. You’re ready. Your breastfeeding goals have been met or you have decided to wean based on your unique considerations. Your child is ready. All children will eventually wean sometimes before their mothers are ready to wean. Natural weaning can happen as early as twelve months. A confirmed... [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...]
Good feeding
In this second clip of the series the child again has an active jaw and surrounding muscles for a good swallowing motion. You can see the pauses where the child waits for milk to flow into its mouth before swallowing again, it is a good feeding technique and definitely not as rapid as the child in the first video. Compare this child with the baby’s... [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...]
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 are the challenges of breastfeeding?
Common concerns of new moms, especially during the first few weeks and months, may include: Personal comfort. Keep in mind this will be a new experience for you and may feel a little awkward in the beginning, remember though that breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt. Latch discomfort is normal for the 7 to 10 days but should only last less than a minute... [Read more...]
A Brief History of Weaning
Looking at human society as a whole across history the average age of weaning a child fromt he breast has been between the ages of two to four. Until the twentieth century children in China and Japan breastfed until ages of four or five. In 1967 anthropologist Margaret Mead collaborated with breastfeeding researcher Niles newton to publish an article... [Read more...]
What if my breasts are small?
Don’t worry of your feel your breasts are small, as size of your breasts is not an indication of how much milk your breasts will produce. What matters more than the size of your breasts is the increase in the size of your breasts during pregnancy. If you end up one to two bra sizes larger at the end of your pregnancy versus the start then you... [Read more...]
Consequence of Sore Nipple
Early mild nipple discomfort is often present by the second day of nursing and improves once your milk starts to come in abundantly. The discomfort is usually greatest at the beginning of feedings and should seldom last throughout nursing. Sore nipple can be more than a nuisance as this complaint is the major cause of early breastfeeding termination. Nipple... [Read more...]
