Can I breastfeed if I adopt?
Yes you can! But to breastfeed when you adopt is more of challenge for you as a new mother as your breasts will take some time to get their milk production going. The process is not easy, but can be done, and has been done by many women. In comparison to natural mothers, adoptive mothers usually may not produce enough milk to fully feed a young infant.... [Read more...]
Ask Obama to Support Breastfeeding: Sign the Petition
Recognition and support for breastfeeding is often neglected as an important part of mothering. Help us put breastfeeding on the radar for President-elect Barack Obama to ensure it is treated as a high priority health issues and receives the support it deserves. Our economy is in crisis and this nation’s leaders are looking for solutions to help... [Read more...]
What is the Cradle Hold?
See the the traditional hold, the cradle hold demonstrated in the video. Sit up with your back supported, one arm supports your baby, with his or her head in the bend of your elbow and your open hand supporting the baby’s bottom or back. Your baby’s abdomen lies against yours. Use one hand to support the breast and guide it... [Read more...]
Increasing milk supply
Breastmilk production is on a supply and demand basis. The more often and more effectively your baby nurses, the more milk you will produce. This sounds simple in theory, I know. Figuring out how to increase milk supply, when you feel like your baby is not getting enough to eat seems much more daunting. Here are a few ideas that may help. If your milk... [Read more...]
What is Human Milk Banking?
Human Milk Banking is an effort that collects donated human milk, ensures milk safety and quality and makes it available for infants in need. Primarily the goal is to make quality human breast milk available to all premature and critically-ill babies. The Human Milk Banking Association of North America and the National Milk Bank are two of the major... [Read more...]
What are some medicines to avoid when breastfeeding?
As with any medicine be sure to check with your doctor before taking, even over the counter medicines. Here is a partial list of some common and even over the counter medication and the reasons to avoid them Antibacterials – While some are safe others may cause diarrhea, thrush, rash, bloody stools, or other problems Antidepressants – drowsiness... [Read more...]
Five Signs the Time to Wean has come
There are a few good signs that indicate time to wean has come. You’re ready. Your breastfeeding goals have been met or you have decided to wean based on your unique considerations. Your child is ready. All children will eventually wean sometimes before their mothers are ready to wean. Natural weaning can happen as early as twelve months. A confirmed... [Read more...]
HIV and Breastfeeding
Some studies have found that the breast milk of an HIV infected woman can contain the HIV virus, but there is uncertainty regarding whether the virus is contagious. At the present level of research it is hard to know what to do. Couple that with the fact that the number of HIV positive mothers birthing an HIV negative child and you have the makings... [Read more...]
Latch techniques
The huge value in this tiny video is… stop pressing down and poking on your nipple like that! Getting milk out of your breast requires a lot of the breast tissue BEHIND the nipple to be compressed – it’s got nothing to do with the nipple itself, in that sense. Baby sucking on your nipple, and/or you poking and prodding your nipples... [Read more...]
Are feeding intervals counted from the time my baby starts or stops nursing?
You count the length between feedings from the time when your baby begins to nurse — rather than when they finish— to when your little one starts to nurse again. For example if your child starts nursing at 8AM, 10AM then at Noon, when asked by your doctor how often your baby is feeding, you can say “about every 2 hours”. This means... [Read more...]
