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...]
Counterproductive Breastfeeding Strategies
Some strategies and suggestions you may encounter while breastfeeding may not actually help at all and overall may exasperate the very problem they seek to resolve. Letting your breasts refill before feeding - first your breasts create milk on demand and are always ready to provide your child with nourishment. Second as your breasts reach storage... [Read more...]
What are the drawbacks of bottlefeeding?
When deciding if breastfeeding is the choice for you, consider some of the drawbacks to bottle feeding: Organization and preparation. When planning to feed formula to your newborn enough formula must be on hand at all times and bottles must be prepared. Bottles and nipples need an initial sterilization and a good washing after every use. Bottles and... [Read more...]
Should I donate my breast milk?
All babies can benefit from the nourishment in breast milk, but in babies born premature, before the 37th week of pregnancy , the benefit can be much more pronounced. These tiny infants can substantially benefit from human milk’s rich nutrients and disease-fighting protection. Breast milk is also beneficial for babies with failure to thrive,... [Read more...]
Breast Crawl – How to initiate breastfeeding
This video has been produced by UNICEF to save the lives of babies by making sure they have what they need to begin breastfeeding in the first few moments of life. And what they need is to be placed on their mother, naked skin to naked skin, and left to get on with it. Do make sure you stay with it until you see the latch happening at the end. All... [Read more...]
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...]
What are the different types of Breast Milk?
There are several different types of breast milk: Colostrum Mature Milk Foremilk Hind-milk Colostrum Colostrum is the initial milk made shortly after your child is born and is initially present in small amounts for the first three days to match the small size of your baby’s stomach Ideally you should begin breastfeeding as soon as possible... [Read more...]
First Latch
This is an excellent video, by the wonderful Dr Jack Newman, showing a classic cross-cradle hold, and a baby latching well. Notice how gentle and respectful of the baby Dr Newman, and the mother, are. Only two interventions happen – one to pull the baby’s hand gently out of the camera view – so you can see what’s happening,... [Read more...]
What is Amenorrhea?
After your child is born and while you are breastfeeding you may experience a time with no menses or amenorrhea. Many women do not have a period for the first six months of breastfeeding. As long as you are exclusively breastfeeding, lactational amenorrhea, you are less likely to become pregnant. Although not a completely effective form of birth control... [Read more...]
Nipple Preparation during Pregnancy
You may have heard it said that during your pregnancy you need to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding. Some of the suggestions you may get are to rub your nipples with a towel or to continually try to express milk before your child is even born. Recent studies have shown that the body will prepare your nipples for breastfeeding and there is little... [Read more...]
