Preparing for Breastfeeding: How much milk will my newborn need?

Did you know at birth your baby’s stomach is the size of a chickpea? By day three, it’s about the size of a walnut, and not until day 10 is it as big as a golf ball. This small stomach size equals small stomach capacity – tiny tummies can’t hold much at once. The good news is that if you’re breastfeeding, your body has made your milk in just the right quantity for a growing baby’s stomach size.

Think of colostrum – your first milk – in teaspoons rather than ounces. It’s just the right amount for baby’s little belly. The nutrients in colostrum are perfect for a newborn, too. Colostrum is low in fat, and high in carbohydrates and protein. The antibodies in colostrum act as your baby’s first vaccine – they keep your baby healthy as his immune system is developing. Colostrum is easy for your baby to digest, and has a laxative effect to help prevent jaundice.

Because breastmilk so easy to digest, babies need to nurse often. Newborn babies typically nurse every 1 ½ to 2 hours. Most of the time, though, the feedings aren’t so evenly spaced. Sometimes baby will want to nurse every hour, and sometimes he will sleep for a longer stretch without waking to feed. Eight to twelve feedings every 24 hours is what you should aim for.

If your baby is having trouble latching in the early days, it’s important to get some nourishment into him. But using a breast pump for colostrum isn’t always effective. Because it is thicker than mature milk, and is produced in smaller quantities, colostrum is more easily hand expressed than pumped. Consider hand expressing colostrum onto a teaspoon, and then dribbling this into your baby’s mouth a little at a time. These calories will help sustain your baby as you work on getting him to latch.

With all of this in mind, here are some tips for successfully starting to breastfeed in the early days after the birth:

  • Plan your birth for breastfeeding success: Pain medications in labor can result in sleepy baby in the early hours and days after birth. A sleepy baby may not nurse very often. This would be a good time to hand express colostrum and spoon feed it to your baby.
  • Spend time skin-to-skin: As soon as your baby is born, ask that they place him skin to skin with you. Stay this way until the first feeding has taken place. Skin-to-skin contact helps baby adjust to life outside the womb and awakens breastfeeding reflexes.
  • Nurse early and often: Most babies are ready to nurse about an hour after birth. Ask for help if you need it. Then continue nursing your baby on cue afterwards in order to bring in a strong milk supply.
  • Room in: Keep your baby with you as much as possible after the birth. You will get to know your baby’s rhythms and hunger cues, which will help get breastfeeding off to a strong start.
  • No supplements or pacifiers (dummies): Unless medically necessary, limit any formula or other supplements. If you do need to supplement, use a spoon, syringe or cup rather than a bottle. Also, try to limit using a pacifier or dummy until breastfeeding is well established. Your baby doesn’t need anything other than your milk at first!

Following some simple steps as you are preparing for breastfeeding will help you set the stage for a strong milk supply and a satisfied and healthy baby. You can also watch some educational breastfeeding videos in our Baby+ App. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

What concerns do you have about getting breastfeeding off to a strong start?

Written by Michelle: writer, editor, childbirth educator, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Do You Need Breastfeeding Classes?

Today, there are classes for everything. One popular choice is a breastfeeding class, offered to women while they are pregnant. These are often offered by your local hospital, or by a lactation consultant or peer counselor. Essentially, they are designed to not only encourage women to breastfeed by going over the benefits of breastfeeding versus bottle-feeding, but also to help you learn some tricks of the trade that may make the transition to breastfeeding after delivery easier. But do you NEED these classes before the baby is born? Here are two sides to the debate for you to consider:

Stef Says:

This mom says no.  For one thing, the decision to breast or bottle feed is a personal one. Chances are you have all the information you need to make an informed choice. Secondly, no matter what your decision is, your baby may have a different plan once he or she is born. You may have had one child that breastfed perfectly, only to have a second child that doesn’t seem to take to the nipple well. And if your baby is not thriving after delivery and you are breastfeeding, the doctors may encourage you to switch to a bottle.

In fact, the time to take a class, would be AFTER delivery, especially if you are having trouble with breastfeeding. Most hospitals today staff lactation consultants who will also help you through the process while you are in the hospital having your baby. Most often, this is enough instruction for you to breastfeed successfully!

Michelle Says:

I’m, of course, a little biased – I’m a lactation consultant, La Leche League Leader, and mom of 4 children who were all breastfed well past the national average. From a professional standpoint, I definitely recommend these classes to all pregnant moms. They are a great place to meet other like-minded moms. Because breastfeeding is rarely encouraged in public in the US, it can be nice to know others are making the same choices you are, and it can be helpful to make connections with those moms during pregnancy to start your support network for the postpartum.

Breastfeeding classes also give you the chance to learn about the myths and realities of breastfeeding. Your Aunt Sally tells you that you need to drink tons of cow’s milk in order to make milk for your baby – but is that really true? Having a trained instructor to ask can get you started on the path to success. The other benefit of these classes is that, while you can’t actually latch a baby to your breast, you may be able to practice positioning and holds to make you more confident as you bring your baby to the breast for the first time after birth.

What Stef and Michelle agree on is that whatever you decide, make sure that you make the decision that works BEST for YOU!

Did you take a breastfeeding class during pregnancy? Was it helpful?

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational 
and
Michelle, writer, editor, childbirth educator, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

What To Do If Breastfeeding Hurts

A persistent myth about breastfeeding is that it’s normal for it to hurt in the beginning. I often hear moms say they were told to ‘tough it out’ for the first six weeks. But if breastfeeding hurts, something is wrong.

Most painful breastfeeding scenarios start with improper positioning or latch. Sometimes all it takes is a small adjustment to mom’s or baby’s body for a huge amount of relief.

Check Your Positioning

Make sure you are holding your baby tummy-to-mummy, with no space between the two of you. Your baby’s head should be at breast level, and his body should wrap around yours. When you look down at your baby, you should see that his ear, shoulder and hip are nicely aligned, and that he doesn’t need to turn his head to latch. While baby’s hands do sometimes get in the way, allowing your baby to ‘hug the breast’ with hands on either side is sometimes useful for getting a nice close position with your baby.

Learn to Latch

With your baby’s head at breast level, align your nipple with baby’s nose, wait for baby to open wide and tip his head back slightly, then bring baby quickly to the breast. Baby’s chin can be buried in your breast, and his nose may be just touching. His lips should be flanged out, not puckered. If baby keeps letting go, or seems to be holding tight with his gums, be sure you have enough support under the breast so that gravity doesn’t pull it down out of baby’s mouth. You can do this with your hand, or with a rolled washcloth. If your baby’s cheeks are dimpled, you hear a clicking sound, or your nipple is misshapen after a feeding, it’s likely that your baby’s latch needs adjusting. Trying to get an asymmetric, deep latch as described above is the best solution.

Notice Your Nipples

For some moms, mild soreness is normal in the first week of feeding. Your body may simply need to get used to stretching in ways it hadn’t done before (especially every 2 hours!). If you develop broken skin or blisters on your nipples during this time, it may take a while for them to heal, even once positioning and latch are adjusted. You can use lanolin, coconut oil, or olive oil after feedings. Nurse on the least sore side first. Get help so that the damage isn’t prolonged.

Could it be you baby?

Sometimes babies have oral anomalies such as tongue-tie, lip tie, cleft palate, bubble palate, etc. that makes breastfeeding painful for moms. Sometimes the solution is time and patience, and sometimes intervention is necessary. Working with your baby’s doctor and a knowledgeable breastfeeding professional can help you determine the best course of action for your family.

The best thing to do if you experience pain in the early days of breastfeeding is to have a feeding observed by a board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC). She will be able to help adjust your positioning and your baby’s latch for increased comfort, and can help you solve any other issue that may be prolonging the pain you feel with feeding.

Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt – if it does, don’t suffer through continued pain. Get help so you can enjoy a long, pain-free nursing relationship.

Written by Michelle, lactation consultant, Lamaze instructor, writer and editor, and mom to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Common Breastfeeding Problems

Breastfeeding comes naturally to some mothers and babies, but some will have problems along the way. By preparing yourself for a potential struggle, you may avoid feelings of disappointment and failure if you have to work at breastfeeding.

One thing to remember is that most breastfeeding problems are temporary and can be overcome. Only around one percent of mothers are physically unable to breastfeed. If you find yourself struggling to feed your newborn, the most important thing you can do is ask for help. Speak to your healthcare provider straight away, they will be able to diagnose the problem and offer you the support necessary to help you continue on your breastfeeding journey.

There are a number of common breastfeeding problems, and the more you know about them, the easier you will find it to identify any problems you may face.

Sore nipples
Some women have very sensitive nipples, and can experience some discomfort as their nipples “toughen up” for breastfeeding. This pain is temporary and will soon disappear once you are in the swing of breastfeeding.

Some women find that each breastfeed is painful, this could be down to a painful letdown. Letdown is the moment your milk starts to flow. If this is to blame, the pain will disappear after about a minute of feeding.

If you are still in pain after one minute, you should remove your baby from the breast. The pain may be caused by an improper latch, so try latching the baby onto your breast again to see if that helps. Make sure baby’s mouth is wide open and baby’s body is at breast level and tummy-to-mummy – these minor adjustments can relieve a lot of pain.

If your nipples are sore and cracked, you can rub a few drops of breast milk into the nipple at the end of each feed. This will help to keep the skin moisturised and should encourage healing. You might also try using a purified lanolin made especially for breastfeeding mums.

Thrush
Pink, sore nipples that itch could be a symptom of thrush. If your nipples are infected with thrush, your baby may be suffering from oral thrush. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you have thrush. Antifungal cream will be prescribed to treat the infection. Both mom and baby should be treated.

Blocked milk ducts
If you are suffering from tender, hard, hot breasts, you may have blocked milk ducts. This condition can be very painful, but can be treated at home by getting lots of rest, feeding from the affected side to clear the blockage, and applying heat to the affected area. Hand expressing may also help to clear the blockage, and pain relief may help to alleviate any discomfort (speak to your pharmacist to find out what you can take while breastfeeding). Contact your healthcare provider if you are still experiencing pain 48 hours after onset.

Mastitis
Mastitis can be caused by a bacterial infection, or improper drainage of the breast. It is a painful condition and the affected breast(s) will feel hard and hot to the touch, will appear red and inflamed, and you may experience a burning sensation during feeds. Mastitis is often accompanied by flu-like symptoms.

Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are suffering from mastitis, since antibiotics are sometimes needed to fight the infection. Use heat compresses, drink plenty of water, rest, and continue to feed through the affected breast to speed up recovery. Your healthcare provider may recommend pain relief for the discomfort.

Tongue tie
Some babies are born with an excessively tight piece of skin connecting the floor of the mouth to the underside of the tongue. This is known as a tongue tie and can cause feeding problems. If you think your baby has a tongue tie, or if you are experiencing ongoing feeding problems, you should contact your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. Tongue tie most often causes nipple soreness, low milk supply and slow weight gain.

Seeking support
Try not to feel disheartened if you run into problems at the start of your breastfeeding journey. Remember, most women seek assistance in the early weeks of feeding. Breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn’t mean it comes naturally. Speak to your healthcare provider to find breastfeeding support in your local area.

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Tandem Breastfeeding

Tandem nursing is breastfeeding two different-aged babies during the same time period. Why in the world might that happen?, you’re thinking. Most of the time it isn’t planned – baby #1 just isn’t ready to wean when baby #2 arrives on the scene. Here’s what you need to know if you find yourself with the possibility of tandem nursing looming.

Can I get pregnant again if I’m breastfeeding?

While breastfeeding is contraceptive, you need to meet certain criteria for it to work – your baby is younger than 6 months, is breastfeeding exclusively, and your periods have not returned. If any of these is untrue, you need to use another form of birth control to keep from becoming pregnant.

For some breastfeeding moms, ovulation doesn’t start until after weaning. But for others ovulation happens before the first period even reappears. The trouble is knowing which category you’ll be in. If you are hoping to get pregnant again, you can begin trying before weaning as the return of fertility is gradual (though when this happens varies from woman to woman).

Can I keep breastfeeding if I find out I’m pregnant?

Breastfeeding will not harm your pregnancy once implantation has occurred. In addition, you might worry whether the oxytocin released during breastfeeding might cause contractions. While the oxytocin may cause (mostly unnoticeable) contractions, these won’t be strong enough to start labor.

What about after the baby’s born? Will I make the right milk for my newborn?

Your milk will change during the months of pregnancy, eventually reverting to colostrum near birth. Your older baby may not mind the change in flavor, consistency or flow, but may decide he no longer wants to breastfeed. Nipple pain during pregnancy is fairly common for tandem nursing moms. Pay close attention to your older nursling’s latch and positioning (which may have changed a great deal since he was a newborn).

Shouldn’t I just wean?

Weaning is a personal choice. If your baby is not yet one, then you will need to replace nursing sessions with bottles (of formula or breastmilk). If your child is older than one year, you can be more proactive about weaning.

Your emotions surrounding tandem nursing matter, too. If you resent your older nursling’s continued feeding, it’s probably better to wean. You can constantly reassess and make adjustments to meet everyone’s needs, including your own.

Why tandem nurse?

Many tandem nursing moms find it rewarding to look down at siblings holding hands or cuddled against each other while nursing. Tandem feeding can also pacify some sibling rivalry, and may help your older nursling adjust to having a new baby in the house.

If you’re breastfeeding two and you need support, consider Hilary Flower’s book Adventures in Tandem Nursing. Flower shares information to support your choice as well as other mother’s stories (which are sometimes more supportive than any other type of information!). Her witty and comprehensive book will help you feel much less alone in your choice.

 

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

5 Amazing Benefits of Breastfeeding a Toddler

If you’re still breastfeeding, you may be wondering when you’re going to stop. Many moms start their breastfeeding journey with an arbitrary end date in mind, often around the six months or one year mark. But what happens when that end date comes and goes and your baby still seems more than happy to keep breastfeeding? Extended breastfeeding (breastfeeding for over twelve months) offers many benefits to both mom and toddler. Here are just some of the amazing benefits of breastfeeding a toddler:

  1. Nutrition

Your toddler will still be getting plenty of nutritional value from breast milk long into the second year. Your milk doesn’t become nutritionally lacking as soon as that first birthday candle is blown out, instead it continues to offer your child plenty of nutrition. When you have been breastfeeding for over a year, your breast milk contains higher levels of fat and energy content, making it the perfect fuel for your growing toddler.

  1. Comfort

Breastfeeding isn’t just about nutrition, it is also a vital source of support for many breastfed babies. Bumped heads, scary dreams and poorly tummies can all be breastfed away thanks to the comfort provided by this closeness. If you continue breastfeeding, you’ll continue to be able to use this as your go-to whenever your child needs comforting. It’s lazy and easy and lovely – what more could you want?

  1. Connection

Now that your baby is getting older, you may be spending more time apart. Perhaps you are increasing your hours at the office, heading back to work or picking up your social life again. Whatever you’re doing, breastfeeding can provide you with the perfect way to reconnect with your toddler after some time apart. If you’re still feeding in the night, it also provides you with a great opportunity for nighttime connection. As your toddler grows more independent, you may at times feel somewhat disconnected from her, but breastfeeding gives you a foolproof way to reconnect.

  1. Immunity

Your child still has an immature immune system and this leaves her at an increased risk of catching colds, viruses and tummy bugs. Breastfeeding will continue to offer your child a boost of antibodies and immunity from your own immune system.

  1. Food

There are few things more stressful than having a poorly toddler. When you have a poorly toddler, it’s worrying to see them lose weight when they’re off their food. A breastfed toddler will probably continue to breastfeed throughout an illness, even when she doesn’t want to eat solid food. This can give you some peace of mind that your child is getting at least some nutrition to help her stay strong and fight the infection.

Are you planning to continue breastfeeding into toddlerhood?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

#breastfeedinggoals

You’ve been breastfeeding your baby from the start. You’ve gotten past those two-hourly feedings your baby had in the first weeks, to starting solids and drinking from a cup. What now?

When to wean

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, then continued breastfeeding while solids are introduced during the second six months of life. Weaning can happen at one year, but breastfeeding can continue as long as mom and baby are both happy with it. The World Health Organization recommends nursing to two years or beyond. Experts say the natural age for weaning is between 2.5 years and 7 years.

Weaning without worries

If you want to wean your baby, you need to consider his age and his developmental stage. If your baby is younger than one year, those at-breast feedings will need to be replaced with expressed breastmilk or formula.

If your baby is older than one year, you can gradually wean from the breast by eliminating one feeding every few days. If your baby resists or regresses in other areas, then weaning is going too fast for him. Gradual weaning is also preferred so that your breasts do not become engorged, risking plugged ducts and mastitis for you.

For older babies, weaning strategies might include: distractions at normal feeding times, substitutions with other foods, shortened nursing sessions, and don’t offer don’t refuse.

Expect weaning to take time – maybe even months. Night nursing and naptime sessions are typically the last to go.

What if you’re being pressured to wean?

How do you feel about continuing to breastfeed? It’s entirely your own private decision about whether or not to continue nursing your baby. The benefits of breastfeeding don’t end just because your baby turns a certain age. How you deal with judgments from others depends on how close you are to that person. You may be more emotionally offended if the person questioning your continued breastfeeding is your partner or a family member. You can always use phrases, such as “My doctor thinks this is best for our baby” or “This is working for our family” when people start asking when you’re going to wean.

Extended breastfeeding

Breastmilk doesn’t turn to water at one year. It continues to be a source of nutrients for your toddler. Your child will still get the immunological benefits along with the calories and comfort of breastfeeding no matter how many months (or years) old he is.

How long are you planning to nurse your baby? What are your #breastfeedinggoals?

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

What Is a Nursing Strike?

Breastfeeding has been going well for you and your little one, when suddenly, baby begins refusing the breast. You may ask yourself: Is he weaning? Is something wrong with my milk? Is it something about me?

A nursing strike is a sudden refusal to nurse (whereas weaning is typically a gradual reduction). Babies younger than one year rarely self-wean. Nursing strikes are most common between 3 months and 9 months. The breast refusal typically lasts 2 to 4 days, but may last a week or more. The worst part is that your baby will likely be pretty fussy and unhappy about the situation.

Knowing the cause of the nursing strike – which may take some sleuthing – will let you know how best to proceed to get baby back to the breast. Occasionally, a strike comes and goes and the root is never determined. Some common reasons for a nursing strike include:

  • Illness: Does your baby have a stuffy nose (so that he can’t breathe while nursing), an ear infection (which can cause discomfort with being held certain ways or when swallowing), or thrush (which can cause a tender mouth)?
  • Pain: some teething babies refuse the breast due to painful gums; immunizations and injuries can cause pain when baby is held in a nursing position.
  • A change of schedule: If baby is staying with a sitter more often or if you are separated longer than normal, he may refuse the breast.
  • A change in mom’s smell: Are you using a new soap, perfume, deodorant, lotion, fabric softener, detergent?
  • A change in the taste of the milk: Have you eaten anything with a strong flavor? Have you recently had mastitis? Could you possibly be pregnant? These could all change the taste of breastmilk.
  • A change in milk flow: If your milk supply is decreasing, your baby may be getting frustrated trying to increase the flow, and may just refuse to do so (leading to an even lower supply).
  • A dramatic reaction from mom while baby was at the breast: If your baby bit you and you reacted strongly, or if you were speaking loudly or arguing with other family members while nursing, your baby may go on strike.
  • More frequent use of pacifiers or bottles: A baby with nipple preference may just decide the breast is too hard and the bottle much easier.
  • Stress: Do you have extra company at home, have you been traveling, have you just moved to a new home, or are you amidst a family crisis? Is your baby just overstimulated? Are there simply too many exciting distractions for your baby to be bothered with stopping to nurse?
  • Developmental milestones: Some experts think when baby is concentrating on a new skill like crawling, standing or walking, eating sometimes takes a back seat.

Your baby will still need to eat during this crisis. Offer your breast often, but be nonchalant if he doesn’t nurse. Don’t force breast feedings – you want to keep the breast a safe relaxing place for baby. If your baby starts to get upset while you’re trying, feed him another way and try again at the next feeding to get him to latch and nurse.

You can use bottles, if you’d like, though you want to make it as much like breastfeeding as possible by practicing paced feeding and using a slow flow nipple. If you want to avoid using a bottle, try giving milk in a cup or syringe, or with a spoon or eye dropper. If baby will latch at all, you might be able to use a nursing supplementer to keep the flow of milk steady. You will need to pump or hand express milk as often as your baby would be feeding in order to avoid a drop in milk supply, plugged ducts or mastitis.

Getting your baby back to the breast will take patience and persistence. Other tips and tricks include:

  • Spend time skin-to-skin, offer lots of extra cuddling, increase attention
  • Wear your baby in a sling or wrap
  • Take a bath with your baby
  • Nurse when your baby is drowsy, or even when he’s sleeping
  • Pump for a couple of minutes before offering the breast to get milk flowing
  • Change up your positioning, or nurse in motion (walking, swaying, rocking)
  • Try feeding in a quiet, dim room without any distractions, turn off the television and any music, put your phone away
  • If your baby has a stuffy nose, use saline drops or breastmilk in the nose before feeding, and try clearing his airway with a nasal aspirator
  • If teething pain is the culprit, offer something cold for baby to chew right before a feeding. Pain relievers are also an option

While a nursing strike can be challenging, it’s only temporary. Expect getting baby back to the breast to be a slow process. Don’t get discouraged. Most babies return to the breast and go on happily nursing as if nothing ever happened.

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

When to Wean?

Although breastfeeding is a great way to give your baby the nutrients he needs, at some point you’ll decide it’s time to wean your baby. If you are wondering when you should consider weaning your little one, you’re the best judge of when the time is right.

Keep in mind, doctors usually recommend breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months and continuing to nurse even after introducing solids for at least the first year of your baby’s life. But there is no hard and fast rule that you have to wean your baby by her first birthday. If you and your baby are both still comfortable breastfeeding, continue to do so.

But in some cases, you may feel both you and your baby are ready to wean. Your baby may show signs she is losing interest in nursing. For example, if she acts indifferent or cranky when nursing, she may be giving you a hint. In some instances, when babies start to eat solid foods, they may naturally nurse less. Also, after a year, if your milk supply is decreasing or nursing is becoming increasingly difficult to juggle with work, you may feel ready to wean.

When you do decide the time is right, it’s important to wean your baby slowly. If you wean too quickly, it can lead to engorgement. It can also be traumatic for your baby to wean cold turkey, and he may resist taking a bottle or cup of milk.

To make the transition smoother, slowly taper off. For example, drop a feeding or nurse for less time during each feeding. See how your baby reacts to a gradual decrease in nursing. Consider weaning to the point of only nursing at bedtime.

The amount of time it takes to completely wean your baby varies. Some babies don’t seem to mind the change and quickly make the switch while others may take a bit more time. Be patient and follow your babies lead.

Keep in mind, if you’re weaning your baby before the age of one, switch from breastmilk to formula. After the age of one, you can slowly introduce your baby whole milk. Whether you want to give your baby a bottle or cup is up to you.

You may feel a little bittersweet about weaning your baby. While it will be nice to get your body back, you might miss nursing and that special time with your little one. It’s also normal to feel a little nostalgic about your baby growing up. But a big part of parenting is learning to let go of each stage and embrace the next one.

written by MaryAnn DePietro @ writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Will My Boobs Ever Be the Same?

After having your baby and nursing, you may have a new appreciation for what your breasts can do. But you might be starting to wonder if your boobs will ever look the same again.

Along with the rest of your body, your breasts probably underwent some changes during pregnancy. Some of which may be continuing even after you had your baby. You knew your breasts would get larger and maybe change a little, but are these changes permanent?

It’s difficult to say whether your breasts will be exactly the same after you wean your baby. It may depend on how much weight you gained, how fast you gained it, and if this is your first baby or your fourth. It also depends on what changes you are talking about.

Some of the changes, such as larger and darker nipples, may go away a few months after you stop nursing. Cracked, sore nipples from breastfeeding will also go away. But a few other changes may be here to stay.

Between pregnancy weight gain, hormones and your milk coming in, your breast tissue expanded and your skin stretched. As a result, some women develop stretch marks on their breasts. In some cases, laser treatments and prescription retinoid creams may help reduce the appearance of stretch marks, but results vary. Keep in mind, these treatments are not recommended while you are breastfeeding.

Once you stop breastfeeding, your breasts may or may not return to their pre-pregnancy size. Some women notice their boobs are a bit smaller or a bit larger. You may also notice “the girls” are not as perky as they were before. Before you blame breastfeeding for your drooping boobies, pregnancy is the real culprit.

During pregnancy, your breasts increased in size, which caused the ligaments that support them to stretch. The stretching is what can lead to sagging.

It’s important to understand, everyone is different, and not all women experience permanent changes in how their breasts look. But if you’re unhappy with your post-pregnancy breasts, there are a few things you can try. For example, a good, supportive bra may add a little oomph to your cleavage.

Also, once you get the go-ahead to work out, consider adding a little strength training to your routine. Pushups, chest flys and bench presses all work the pectoral muscles, which are the muscles that support your breasts. Working your chest muscles won’t give you a larger cup size or fuller breasts. But developing your pectoral muscles, may give your chest a little perkier, lifted appearance.

Lastly, try to focus on what an amazing thing your body did. Your breasts provided the nutrition your baby needed. Regardless of your cup size, that’s a beautiful thing.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Magical Breastmilk

Breastmilk – it’s how nature intended babies be fed. Apart from the nourishment and nurturing, though, the amazing properties that make breastmilk such a healthy food choice also make it an incredible medicine.

While some uses of breastmilk have only anecdotal evidence, many others have actually been researched and are supported with studies as to their effectiveness. In fact, donor milk is sometimes even used for treating older children and adults with certain conditions, such as cancer and other serious illnesses.

Full of antibodies, breastmilk has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties without the side effects of pharmaceuticals. According to one source, a teaspoon of breastmilk contains at least 3 million germ-killing cells.

While you may never have considered many of these, you will see from the list below just how versatile your breastmilk is. Breastmilk can be used for:

  • Eyes: Whether from a viral or bacterial infection, breastmilk’s anti-infective properties have been use to effectively treat “pink eye” and clogged tear ducts. Even styes seem to respond well to some drops of breastmilk.
  • Ears: Ear pain seems to be lessened with a couple of drops of breastmilk a few times per day.
  • Skin: Treat diaper rash, baby acne, cradle cap, adult acne, cuts and scrapes, burns, rashes, poison ivy, insect bites and stings with expressed breastmilk. Breastmilk has even been used to get rid of warts (apply breastmilk several times per day until the wart dries and falls off).
  • Cold symptoms: Stuffy nose? Try breastmilk instead of saline nasal spray or drops. Sore throat? Have a shot of breastmilk or a breastmilk gargle.
  • Cancer: Amazing research has shown that in a laboratory situation, breastmilk causes cancer cells to commit suicide while not damaging the healthy surrounding cells.

With any illness, a visit or call to your healthcare provider may be warranted along with your home comfort measures.

Apart from home remedies for illnesses, breastmilk has been used for other interesting purposes:

  • Contact lens solution: If you’ve forgotten your solution when traveling, or if you’re just out and about and need to clean your lenses, what could be easier than using breastmilk? Its antimicrobial properties will clean your eyewear, and the small amount you need can easily be hand expressed (no need for a pump).
  • Soap making: You can find recipes online for creating a gentle cleanser with breastmilk. Soap makers say it’s an ideal ingredient since it contains essential proteins and amino acids, as well as lactic acid and vitamin A – all excellent for skin care.
  • Cooking and baking: Recipes for breastmilk ice cream and cheese can be found online. Actually, in any recipe that calls for milk, breastmilk can be substituted. Though heating or freezing the breastmilk may decrease the number of anti-infective organisms, it’s still a healthy choice. Out of coffee creamer or milk for your breakfast cereal? Try breastmilk. Hungry for a smoothie? Use breastmilk as the base.
  • Jewelry: A number of online companies will take your expressed breastmilk and make it into jewelry to immortalize your breastfeeding experience. Some will sell the supplies, as well, if you want to DIY.

Have you used breastmilk for anything other than nourishing your baby?

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Help! Baby Bites When Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a pretty amazing thing and leaves you in awe of just how incredible your body is. Well, it does until your baby bites you for the first time, then all of a sudden it’s not quite the warm and fuzzy bonding experience you were hoping for. Some moms choose to give up breastfeeding when their baby bites, but this isn’t necessary. There are things you can do to gently teach your baby not to bite your nipples.

The important thing to bear in mind is that biting is a temporary stage. Just because your baby has bitten once does not mean that he will bite during feeds forever more. Some babies only ever bite once, others may trial it for a few days and for other babies it may take a few weeks until the behaviour dies down, this will all depend on your baby.

Biting often accompanies teething and is simply a way of your baby relieving some of the discomfort he feels on his gums. Unfortunately, this then passes the discomfort onto you which is certainly not ideal. So what can you do to stop your baby biting during breastfeeds?

How to stop your baby biting when breastfeeding

  1. Recognize teething signs

Your baby may be using feeds as a way of reducing discomfort caused by teething, unfortunately this may mean he’s like to gum down or bite your nipples. Ouch. If you think your baby may be teething, try offering a teething toy for him to bite instead of offering a feed.

  1. Look out for signs of boredom

Some babies bite at the end of a feed simply because they are bored (and, clearly, ungrateful). Babies can’t feed and bite at the same time, so a break in feeding could be a warning that a bite may be around the corner. If you think your baby may be done, immediately remove him from the breast.

  1. Give your baby attention

Some babies bite for attention during feeds. Try to resist the urge to look at your phone or watch TV and instead focus your attention on your baby during feeds. It may just be that he wants to look into your eyes for a little while and doesn’t know a better way of getting your attention.

  1. Remove baby from the breast

If the baby bites, you should stop the feed. You can do this without saying anything or you can say something to gently let him know that the feed is over. Scolding your baby won’t work because he’s too young to understand, so silence or gentle explanation is the best way forward.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.