Cup or Spoon Feeding

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 occurance 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...]

Teething and Biting

Teething and Biting

If you experience your baby biting your nipple you should talk to them and reprimand them.  The best way is to tell them “NO” and break the latch, then look them in the eye and say “No Biting”.  Be serious but not angry for your baby may already be in tears from your surprise reaction.  Offer your breast again, but if biting... [Read more...]

Steps when using a Breast Pump

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...]

Breastfeeding Lactivism vs Facebook

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...]

What is Normal Weight Gain?

What is Normal Weight Gain?

No matter what else is going on while you are breastfeeding (feeding pattern change, sleep patterns change, milk supply changes) if you are exclusively breastfeeding and your baby is consistantly gaining weight, then you can relax with the knowledge that you are doing well. Your baby will gain weight at differing rates based on their age Birth to four... [Read more...]

Is it normal for my baby to seem much hungrier than usual?

Is it normal for my baby to seem much hungrier than usual?

As your child begins to grow and gain weight you should notice an increase in the amount they eat at each feeding and also that your child should go longer between feedings. Still, it is normal for my baby to seem much hungrier than usual at times. Your baby may be going through a period of rapid growth, a growth spurt. Although the can happen at any... [Read more...]

Human Milk vs. Formula Intake

Human Milk vs. Formula Intake

When exclusively breastfeeding your baby you may find that your baby is not consuming as much (in volume) of your milk if you compare to babies on a formula only diet. For example children of about four months old consume 33 percent more formula each day than breastfed babies.  This has been well documented by helath professionals studying nursing... [Read more...]

Are there toxins in breast milk?

Are there toxins in breast milk?

Because breast milk comes from your body it is composed from what can be found in your body.  Despite any efforts you may find toxins in breast milk.  This is not due to any negligence on your part, simply the fact that undesirable componants are found everywhere in life, water, air, food, formula, breast milk etc.  With healthy eating and informed... [Read more...]

What is a Galactagogue?

What is a Galactagogue?

A galactagogue is anything that excites lactation.  In otherwords anything that simulates an increase in  milk production for a nursing mother. For us humans some common galactagogues are: caffeine hops fenugreek fennel seed blessed thistle domperidone alfalfa  Read More →

Nursing your Toddler

Nursing your Toddler

The benefits of breastfeeding your toddler are no differeent than they are for yournger children.  Some of the reasons mothers decide to continue breastfeeding their toddlers are: Breast milk continues to be a wonderful source of nutrition regardless of anything else your child eats Antibodies in your milk continue to protect your toddler, even if... [Read more...]

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