What are the different types of Breast Milk?
There are several different types of breast milk: Colostrum Mature Milk Foremilk Hind-milk Colostrum Colostrum is the initial milk made shortly after your child is born and is initially present in small amounts for the first three days to match the small size of your baby’s stomach Ideally you should begin breastfeeding as soon as possible... [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...]
Mastitis
Lactational mastitis is a breast infection in a breastfeeding woman. The symptoms are localized pain, swelling and redness, usually in only one breast. Often, women will get flu like symptoms and a high fever and chills. The difference between engorgement and mastitis is that engorgement usually involves both side and the whole breast, while mastitis... [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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
How will it feel to stop breastfeeding?
Many women say they experience a mix of emotions when they finish breastfeeding their child. How will it feel to stop breastfeeding is usually described as a combination of relief to have this intensive part of their child’s life past and sometimes a little tinge of regret as this is really the first time your child is able to demonstrate a form... [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...]
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...]
