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...]
Warning Signs in Breastfeeding
As natural a process as breastfeeding can be there are occasions when you should seek help without delay. If you find that you fit into any of the following scenarios be sure to call your pediatrician immediately. 1, Your baby’s nursing sessions are very short. – Breastfeeding sessions consistently shorter than 10 minutes in the first... [Read more...]
What is in Breast Milk?
Breast Milk has long been a critical food source for humans and other mammals. Human breast milk is highly complex and contains over a hundred thousand different components, which play a significant part in meeting the nutrition and developing disease resistance in babies. The following list is only a portion of the more significant portions of breast... [Read more...]
How to Store Breast Milk
If your breast milk is not immediately given to your baby, it can be stored at room temperature, refrigerated, or frozen. General Storage Time Guidelines Room Temperature – 6-10 hours Refrigerator – 5-8 days Freezer – 3-6 months Deep Freeze (below 0F) 6-12 months Defrosted or thawed milk can be stored for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. ... [Read more...]
Build Your Breastfeeding Support Network
Some women who start out breastfeeding but within a few months or sometimes weeks get discouraged, ween their baby, and switch to formula. The list of reasons ranges from insufficient milk supply, infections, or sore nipples to criticism, or confusion about what they should be doing. Most of these problems can be avoided or at least minimized by... [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...]
The First Feeding
It is one of the most emotionally charged moments you will have as a new mother when you and your newborn have the first feeding. Breastfeeding is a continuation of that intimate relationship you shared with your child when they were in your womb. If your birth was straightforward and little or no drugs were administered then you will most likely... [Read more...]
What does it feel like to breastfeed?
Feel You will feel your nipple and breast being tugged into baby’s mouth. Your nipple may be tender, especially during the first 30 seconds of a nursing session. After a minute or two, you may feel mild uterine cramps. After five minutes you may feel: Sleepy Thirsty Hot flashes Cramps After nursing for three to five days, you may feel letdown in your... [Read more...]
How often should I breastfeed my baby?
Before your milk supply is established, breastfeeding should be “on demand” (or as often as when your baby is hungry), which is generally every 1½ to 3 hours. As newborns get older, they’ll need to nurse less frequently, and may develop a more reliable schedule. Some may feed every hour and a half, whereas others may go 2 or 3... [Read more...]
Six things to avoid while breastfeeding
What you consume when you are breastfeeding goes directly into your milk and then into your child when you breastfeed. Like the list of things to avoid when your are pregnant the six things to avoid while breastfeeding should sound familiar. Alcohol – alcohol is not good (think dangerous) for a developing child. If you have a drink give yourself... [Read more...]
