How do I begin Relactating and Resuming Breastfeeding?
Circumstances may arise that may cause you to stop breastfeeding or find that being separated from your baby has led to decreased milk supply despite pumping. Regardless of the reason you stopped breastfeeding it is sometimes possible to begin again, to re-lactate, and begin providing all or part of the nourishment your baby requires. Re-lactation... [Read more...]
Breast Milk Expression Q & A
A few common questions and answers about breast milk expression. I’m going back to work when should I start to express? Six to eight weeks is a good time to begin practicing expressing your breast milk. This will allow you to learn at a more relaxed pace. Knowing your child will have the food will help make the transition back to work easier. My... [Read more...]
Cup or Spoon Feeding
One easy to implement alternative feeding method is cup or spoon feeding. Using this methods can be beneficial for an baby that has jaundice, poor elimination patterns, or bad latch. Cup feeding helps reduce the occurrence of nipple confusion and allows the infant to lap milk at its own pace. It can be messy but is an easy temporary solution. To... [Read more...]
Breast pumps
Breast pumps come in several general styles depending on their expected use. Hospital-grade electric breast pumps – As the name suggests these are generally used in hospitals or on occasions where an accurate substitute for a baby’s sucking is needed. These pumps are useful to stimulate milk production and larger volume milk collection... [Read more...]
Third latch
A really short clip that shows very clearly the baby’s jaw going up and down, and shows the ‘pause’ as the baby’s mouth fills with milk. So many mothers, their confidence eroded by others well meaning (and not so well meaning) comments, become paranoid that Baby Isn’t Getting Enough Milk!!! You wonder how we made... [Read more...]
Public Breastfeeding Tips
The acceptance of public breastfeeding varies based on local customs and established norms, but here are several public breastfeeding tips that should help you adjust to feeding outside of your home. The most important way to be comfortable with public breastfeeding is to be comfortable and relaxed when you feed at home. When you and your child have... [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...]
Myths about giving up breastfeeding
Once you’ve started breastfeeding one of the next questions you begin to ask yourself is how will you know it’s time to cease breastfeeding. You will no doubt come across several “helpful” suggestions that can be nothing more than myths. Some the myths about giving up breastfeeding are: when your baby gets their first tooth when... [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...]
Establishing a routine
In the first few weeks of breastfeeding you will wish your baby had a routine. However your child is changing and learning how to live and you will find that a routine is already forming. There is value in routines as they help the baby to know what will happen next, providing a feeling of safety and security. In the early days you’ll be the... [Read more...]
