Sleep and your baby
When you first bring your baby home you will see that their life consists of eating and sleeping and eating and sleeping. As they grow older you will see they spend less time napping and more time sleeping at night. During the first few weeks working with your partner to have “Baby-Care” shifts can help you both get some uninterrupted... [Read more...]
Bottle Feeding
You may find that bottle feeding is the only alternative feeding method that works after exploring the other ways. Bottle feeding can be useful if the infant has difficulty opening their mouth to get good latch on the breast. A word of caution, babies who switch back and forth between bottle feeding and breast feeding are likely to suffer from... [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 is the let-down in Breastfeeding?
The let-down reflex How your body responds to your baby’s suckling: Infant suckling stimulates the nerve endings in the nipple and areola, which signal the pituitary gland in the brain to release two hormones, prolactin and oxytocin. How Your Breast Responds to Your Baby’s Suckling: Prolactin causes your alveoli to take nutrients (proteins, sugars)... [Read more...]
As a teen mother will I get enough nutrition to breastfeed?
The general rule is that if your body can make a baby then your body can produce milk. Due to the fact that as a teenager you are still growing pay very close attention to your nutrition. Not only are you feeding a growing baby, you are still growing yourself. Keep in mind that your baby needs a healthy well fed mother. Do your best to avoid... [Read more...]
Four step fussy foods test
When breastfeeding, you don’t need to go to dietary extremes to learn what foods in your diet might be affecting your baby. Use this simple four step fussy food test: Step 1: Make a Fuss Food Chart - List the foods you think may be problematic and the symptoms and behaviors associated with those foods, such as colicky episodes, bloating, severe... [Read more...]
Signs your baby is effectively breastfeeding
Once your baby has latched on the next thing you should watch for are signs your baby is effectively breastfeeding. Initially you should feel a more rapid and intense sucking sensation, this will in turn stimulate your let-down reflex. Once your milk flow is increased you should notice you baby slowing the rhythm, swallowing every two or three sucks.... [Read more...]
When to stop a breastfeeding session?
If you are trying to prevent sore nipples, making your baby switch sides or stop breastfeeding is not a good way to go and may end up causing more problems in the future. Babies can usually decide for themselves when they’re finished breastfeeding or if they want to switch to your other breast. When your baby has finished with your first breast... [Read more...]
Co-bedding and breastfeeding
Although a cultural practice in most of the world, co-bedding isn’t for everyone. Some breastfeeding moms swear by it feeling that it helps then get in sync with their co-bedded infants. As sleep cycles are shared these mothers report feeling more rested as a result. It is also easier for a co-bedded infant to breastfeed and return to sleep. ... [Read more...]
One Breast or Two?
One of the most common questions new mothers ask is whether they should give both breasts at each feeding or just one. Ideally your baby will make this decision. When a baby is healthy and breastfeeding normally they are capable of determining when it is time to switch breasts. Babies need a good mixture of foremilk (lower fat) and hind-milk (higher... [Read more...]
