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...]
Breast Reduction Surgery and Breastfeeding
Breast reduction surgery will not prevent you from breastfeeding your child as most women who undergo the surgery can produce some amout of milk. However it is typical that you may not produce enough milk to offer your child an exclusively breastfed diet. You should investigate breast milk banking to help make up the difference. In some cases of breast... [Read more...]
Breast Engorgement
In the initial days after giving birth, overly full or engorged breasts can be a problem as your body adjusts its milk supply to your babies needs. The best way to relieve engorgement is to nurse frequently and get your body tuned into your baby. Warm moist wash cloths applied to your breasts before breastfeeding can help your milk flow easier.... [Read more...]
Is my Baby Getting Enough Milk?
Although it is difficult to track how much your baby is consuming while at your breast, there is an easy trick to keeping track of how they are feeding. And the trick is keeping watch on what comes out of the other end. Once your milk comes-in your baby should have five or six wet diapers a day. After the black, tarry looking meconium has been cleared... [Read more...]
Breastfeeding while lying down
If you find yourself feeling tired then breastfeeding while lying down is a great technique to master. It not only will help your baby drift off to sleep, but it places you in a safe place to get a little extra rest as well. Make yourself comfortable by lying on your side with a pillow under your lower back. It may be helpful to try out this position... [Read more...]
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...]
What is latching?
Latch or latching is the term used to describe when your baby is correctly attached to your nipple correctly and is ready to nurse. To tell if your baby has latched on correctly, look for alignment of your baby and their position at the breast Listen for your baby’s swallowing You may feel uterine cramps, feel drowsy, and tugging/pulling on the... [Read more...]
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...]
Not feeding
When you compare this child to the other three babied in the series you can see that it is effectively not feeding. The slow rate of feeding may frustrate your child so keep aware of how they are reacting and be ready for additional patience and find ways to comfort the child during the extended sessions. Compare this child with the baby’s... [Read more...]
How often should I alternate breasts?
How often should I alternate breasts? It is important to alternate breasts more for your sake than for your child. Changing between breasts while you nurse will maintain the milk supply in both and prevent one or the other from becoming painfully filled with milk. As for how much time should you spend nursing before you alternate to the other breast,... [Read more...]
