Herpes and Breastfeeding
If contracted during the last trimester of pregnancy herpes can be deadly to your child. However herpes sores on your breasts are a less serious concern. Should a herpes sore develop on your nipple it is best to feed only from the unaffected side. Using a breast pump on the affected breast while the sore is present will help maintain your milk supply.... [Read more...]
Where has my Milk Gone?
When your milk comes in your breasts will feel quite full, and some women will even experience the unpleasant feeling of engorgement. You are very aware at these times that you have lots and lots of milk for your baby. As the days pass so will that that fullness feeling leaving some women to wonder if their milk supply has decreased or gone away. It... [Read more...]
Breastfeeding while Pregnant
Pregnancy and lactation are quite compatible and continued breastfeeding helps the older child feel secure during a time of change. During your pregnancy you and your toddler will have to accommodate some changes. Beginning about the fourth month of pregnancy your breast milk may decrease in volume and begin to change to colostrum. Your toddler may... [Read more...]
What is Normal Weight Gain?
No matter what else is going on while you are breastfeeding (feeding pattern change, sleep patterns change, milk supply changes) if you are exclusively breastfeeding and your baby is consistently gaining weight, then you can relax with the knowledge that you are doing well. Your baby will gain weight at differing rates based on their age Birth to four... [Read more...]
When is Spitting up a Problem?
While almost all babies bring up a little milk every once an a while after feedings there are some babies that spit up regularly or after feedings and even in between feedings. Sometimes spitting up is caused by your baby getting too much milk too quickly. If you see your baby gulp and gasp when you get the let-down feeling try taking them off your... [Read more...]
Minor Illness and Infection
Chances are that sometime during the course of breastfeeding you will develop a cold, get the flu, a yeast infection or some other illness. If you are actively breastfeeding then your baby has already been exposed by the time your symptoms show. You should continue to breastfeed for your body produces antibodies to the illness and will pass those... [Read more...]
Breast Milk Production and Breastfeeding
The breast is a gland consisting primarily of connective and fatty tissues that support and protect the milk producing areas of the breast. The milk is produced in small clusters of cells called alveoli. The milk travels down milk ducts to the milk sinuses, which act as a collecting reservoir. These sinuses are located behind the areola, the pigmented... [Read more...]
The Flipple
This technique for getting your nipple into your baby’s mouth is called The Flipple. It is based on rolling the underside of your breast, but with a twist. As your baby opens its mouth wide press on your breast just above your your nipple with a finger running parallel to your baby’s upper lip. This will point your nipple up and away... [Read more...]
Will I lose calcium?
You may have heard that a woman can lose calcium when she breastfeeds and increase chances of getting osteoporosis. The truth is that during lactation the mother’s body takes calcium from her bones and uses it to make milk. This will happen regardless of calcium intake. Your body does all it can to increase calcium absorption from the food... [Read more...]
Are Breast Augmentation and Breastfeeding Compatible?
It’s not the size of the breast it’s the milk generating glands and the nipple that are important for breastfeeding success. Breast Augmentation and breastfeeding usually have no problem. During breast augmentation surgery your doctor will generally make incisions under the armpit or under the fold of the breast. As the nipple and overlaying... [Read more...]
