Leaking Nipples
One of the more common concerns of breastfeeding mothers is a worry about leaking nipples. Although a few women never experience leaking nipples most women will have it happen to them one, twice, or even more during the time they are breastfeeding. Leaking usually occurs during the first few weeks of breastfeeding while your body is adjusting to the... [Read more...]
How can I tell if my baby’s eating enough?
As a mothers new to breastfeeding the question “How can I tell if my baby’s eating enough?” has probably crossed your mind. A few things to put your mind at rest, your baby is eating enough if: your baby looks satisfied and content after breastfeeding you find you need to change about four to six wet diapers a day they have regular bowel movements sleeps... [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...]
Breastfeeding toddlers
Babies breastfeed, and if they are very lucky, in the West, they are allowed to follow their biological norm and breastfeed into toddler-hood. There is no ‘natural’ time to fully wean an infant, and thus refuse it your breast. All infants give up breastfeeding themselves, when they have finished with it, and move on. This usually occurs... [Read more...]
Alternative feeding methods
Situations may arise that require you to use an alternative feeding method for a short time to help build your milk supply. With the goal of exclusively breastfeeding you should practice any of the following methods only under the guidance of your doctor or lactation consultant. These methods should only be used on a temporary basis to correct breastfeeding... [Read more...]
Poop Colors
Your newborn’s diapers are a good indicator of whether or not your baby is getting what they need from being breastfed. A newborns’ stools are initially thick and tar-like and will become more of a greenish-yellow color as they consume more of your milk, about 3 or 4 days after birth. Generally, the more your newborn nurses, the more dirty... [Read more...]
Breastfeeding Benefits to the Mother
We always hear about the benefits of breastfeeding for the child, and the benefits on the mother/child relationship. There are also substantial benefits to the mother, independently. Breastfeeding stimulates a woman’s body to release the hormone oxytocin. This becomes important in a couple of ways in the days immediately after the birth of the baby.... [Read more...]
Large Milk Storage Capacity
A mother with large breast milk storage capacity will have a different breastfeeding rhythm for the first six months when compared with a mother having a smaller sorage capacity. Some of the ways larger sorage will affect feeding patterns: One breast or two - Having a larger breast milk storage capacity may mean that your baby will only feed on 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...]
Safe and comfortable exercising while you breastfeed
When your body belongs to both you and your baby there area some extra steps you should consider following. Get the milk out before the workout. Treat your baby and yourself to a long feed before beginning your exercise. This will not only help settle your baby but also make you more comfortable as your exercise. Support your breasts. Wear a well... [Read more...]
