Are there toxins in breast milk?
Because breast milk comes from your body it is composed from what can be found in your body. Despite any efforts you may find toxins in breast milk. This is not due to any negligence on your part, simply the fact that undesirable components are found everywhere in life, water, air, food, formula, breast milk etc. With healthy eating and informed... [Read more...]
Starting Solid Foods
The World Health Organization (WHO) released the results of thier in depth study on when to begin introducing solid foods into the diet of a breastfed or nursing baby. The WHO found that waiting until six months to start your baby on solid foods provides multiple benifits to both mother and child. For the baby: better neuromotor development less... [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...]
Breast Engorgement
In the initial days after giving birth, overly full or engorged breasts can be a problem as your body adjusts its milk supply to your babies needs. The best way to relieve engorgement is to nurse frequently and get your body tuned into your baby. Warm moist wash cloths applied to your breasts before breastfeeding can help your milk flow easier.... [Read more...]
What happens during lactation?
You’ve seen it and most like likely experienced it several times already. You draw your child near your breast, they begin to nurse and take in your milk stopping when their stomach is full. But what happens behind the scenes? What happens during lactation? First off milk production depends on the sucking action of your child. This stimulated... [Read more...]
Middle of the Night Feedings
One of the most dramatic adjustments you will make as a new parent is a loss of control on your sleep schedule. Gone are the days (at least for now) of staying up as late as you want and sleeping as late as you want. Now the amount of sleep you get will depend on your child. Newborns don’t have a schedule as they are adjusting to the world... [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...]
Breast Crawl – How to initiate breastfeeding
This video has been produced by UNICEF to save the lives of babies by making sure they have what they need to begin breastfeeding in the first few moments of life. And what they need is to be placed on their mother, naked skin to naked skin, and left to get on with it. Do make sure you stay with it until you see the latch happening at the end. All... [Read more...]
Breast Milk Storage – Glass vs Plastic
When freezing breast milk it is best to do so in amounts of two to four ounces. It will thaw more quickly and you will not waste as much if your baby decides not to be hungry. Plastic – If you are freezing breastmilk in plastic bottles or liner bags leave about an inch at the top for the milk will expand as it freezes. Be sure to label... [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...]
