Breast Milk Storage Tips
A few breast milk storage tips: Use only clean containers to store expressed milk. Screw top bottles work well as to hard plastic cups with tight caps. Stay away from ordinary plastic bags or formula bags for storing breast milk. Use sealed and chilled milk within 24 hours if possible. Do not refrigerate breast milk more than two days. Discard... [Read more...]
Steps when using a Breast Pump
When you get ready to use a breast pump find a quiet spot where you will have twenty to thirty minutes undisturbed. Wash your hands with soap and water Wash and assemble all breast pump equipment Find a comfortable location to express your breast milk Gently massage your breasts or apply a warm washcloth Center the nipple on the plastic flange. Begin... [Read more...]
Thrush, Candida, or Yeast Infections
The common yeast infection that you or your baby may experience is also called thrush or candida. Infants with thrush have white patches inside their mouths or an angry looking rash on their bottoms. As a mother you can experience sharp shooting pain in your breast with sometimes red and tender nipples. You may also see patches of red or white on... [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...]
Allergies and the Breastfed Baby
While human breast milk does not typically cause reactions in breastfeeding infants some mothers express concern that their child may react to something passed into their breast milk. Only 2-3 babies who are exclusively breastfed demonstrate an allergic reaction and that is usually traced back to cow’s milk in the mother’s diet. If cow’s... [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...]
Breastfeeding Acronym
Here is an acronym for breastfeeding that will help you remember some of the benefits of nursing your child. BREASTFEEDING Best for baby Reduces incidence of allergies Economical – no waste Antibodies – greater immunity to infections Stool inoffensive – never constipated Temperature always correct and constant Fresh milk –... [Read more...]
Excessive Leaking of Milk
Most women experience some leaking of milk when their milk ejection reflex is triggered. Most commonly milk will begin to drip from one breast while your child nurses at the other. Women also experience different triggers, for example some women find that their milk ejection is triggered during lovemaking. If you find that milk leaking embarrassing... [Read more...]
Nipple Preparation during Pregnancy
You may have heard it said that during your pregnancy you need to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding. Some of the suggestions you may get are to rub your nipples with a towel or to continually try to express milk before your child is even born. Recent studies have shown that the body will prepare your nipples for breastfeeding and there is little... [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...]
