Is it OK to let my baby breastfeed for comfort?
So how do you know if your baby is breastfeeding for comfort instead of nutrition? First off if your baby seems to be getting enough milk, but your child continues to suck for an hour or more,they may be breastfeeding for comfort rather than for nourishment. Some indications to look for: Your child seems seems satisfied They stop sucking and swallowing Your... [Read more...]
Five item breastfeeding checklist
There are several items that can make your first breastfeeding experience much better. Nursing bra – The eight month of your pregnancy is a good time to pick up three or more nursing bras. If you can have a professional fitting for your measurements have changed since your pregnancy began and these bras fit differently than the ones you have... [Read more...]
When is it time to stop breastfeeding?
Weaning your baby because of teething is one of the most common reasons to stop. Little teeth hurt, and little babies seem to bite harder and more often when they get a reaction out of mommy after inflicting a bite. You can wean your infant to a bottle and still furnish her breast milk by expressing it. This is an effective way of providing the... [Read more...]
Employed and Breastfeeding
There are some particular challenges faced by the mother who returns to work and desires to continue breastfeeding her baby. Fatigue and Discouragement – Fatigue plagues all new parents from time to time and caring for a new infant is hard enough without the added demands of a daily commute, deadlines, and all the other aspects of a job. Don’t... [Read more...]
How can I tell if my baby has latched properly?
To know if your baby is latched on properly, look, listen and feel. Look for alignment, position at the breast Listen for swallowing Feel uterine cramps, drowsy, tugging/pulling on nipple (not biting/pinching) Look Watch for cues baby is ready to nurse, then put him to your breast. Feed your baby before he cries. Hold baby close with his nose level... [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...]
Allergies and the Breastfed Baby
While human breast milk does not typically cause reactions in breastfeeding infants some mothers express concern that their child may react to something passed into their breast milk. Only 2-3 babies who are exclusively breastfed demonstrate an allergic reaction and that is usually traced back to cow’s milk in the mother’s diet. If cow’s... [Read more...]
Increasing milk production
If you and your doctor have determined that your baby is not getting enough milk there area some things you can try for increasing milk production. Some of the strategies to help increase the levels of prolactin and then more milk are to: Increase breastfeeding frequency Feed from both breasts at every breastfeeding session Express your milk with a... [Read more...]
What are the advantages of breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding provides ideal nourishment and a special bonding experience that many new mothers cherish. What are some of the advantages to breastfeeding: Infection-fighting. A mother who breastfeeds her baby passes antibodies to her child which can help lower the occurrence of many conditions, including: ear infections diarrhea respiratory infections meningitis Other... [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 health professionals studying nursing... [Read more...]
