How to Feed a Baby Whale

Baby whales begin nursing from their mothers several hours after birth and usually continue to nurse for as long as one year. The milk the calf drinks from the mother allows it to develop a layer of blubber it will need for insulation, and any delay in nursing could adversely affect the baby. After one year, calves are gradually weaned off the mother. In some cases, where the mother has died or the calf cannot nurse properly, aquarium staff will attempt to nurse the baby whale.

Instructions

1

Allow the baby calf to nurse from the mother. The calf will suckle from the mothers nipples while lying on its side. The nipples are hidden beneath the mothers abdominal mammary slits.

2

Simulate the mothers mammary gland with a 3 liter baby bottle of milk if the baby is not or cannot respond to the mothers milk. This might happen if the mother dies or is ill or if the calf is not receiving enough milk and is showing signs of starvation.

3

Monitor the babys breastfeeding. Typically calves will nurse from their mother for about five to 10 seconds. This will continue throughout the hour and all day. This frequency will drop to about 10 minutes per day once the calf learns how to efficiently suckle milk from the nipple.

4

Wean the calf off from the mother gradually but still allow it to nurse after one year.

5

Feed the calf 60 lbs. of herring, smelt and squid per day when the calf has reached 1 year of age.

What Immunity Is Passed on in a Mother's Milk?

Breastfeeding is a natural and amazing experience between mother and baby, which not only facilitates bonding but also provides perfect nutrition and immunity to your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization both recommend breastfeeding as the only source of food until an infant reaches 6 months old, at which time solid foods may be introduced with breast milk continued until at least 12 months old. WHO goes on to recommend extending the breastfeeding relationship until age 2 and beyond, as long as the relationship is desired by both mother and baby. These recommendations are made based on the healthy benefits to both mother and baby, which cannot be fully replicated by formula feeding.

Immune System Benefits

The benefits of breast milk on the immune system are manifold: One drop of breast milk contains roughly 1 million white blood cells -- the cells your body uses to fight infection. Your breastfed baby receives antibodies, enzymes and immune factors in the milk, which give his fragile immunity a boost. As a bonus, if you encounter a mild illness such as a cold or flu while breastfeeding, your breast milk may protect your baby from ever getting sick. The antibodies your body makes to fight the infection are passed to your baby via breast milk. Thus, if your baby is exposed to the same germs, he may get a much milder case of the flu or avoid it altogether. Breastfed babies experience fewer problems with common ailments including ear infections, diarrhea, vomiting, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and certain types of spinal meningitis.

Childhood Illnesses

Breastfeeding has been found to reduce the risk of childhood illnesses compared to what infants who are formula-fed experience. When babies come into the world they have limited immunity of their own, as they have been sheltered in the womb for 9 months. The immunities human milk provides help to mature a baby's immune system, providing protection against various illnesses. In fact, research has repeatedly found that breastfed babies are healthier overall. Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease the risk of numerous illnesses including, but not limited to, childhood cancer, diabetes, appendicitis, influenza Type B, meningitis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, infant botulism, cholera, salmonella, E. coli and respiratory syncytial virus. Breastfeeding has also been shown to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, and reduce the incidence of infant reflux.

Breastfeeding and Allergies

Breast milk also contains high levels of immunoglobulin A, which coats the lining of the intestines, protecting your baby from the penetration of germs. This protective coating also helps prevent allergic reactions in your baby by stopping foreign food molecules from entering the bloodstream and triggering an allergic reaction. Breastfed babies are less likely to have milk allergies and suffer from the skin condition eczema; these conditions are thought to be reduced by the immunity-boosting properties in breast milk. Breastfeeding may protect even children born into a family with a strong history of food and other allergies.

Other Health Benefits

While breastfeeding may only occur for a relatively small portion of your child's life, the benefits may last a lifetime. Breastfed babies are found to have a higher IQ, as the cholesterol and good fats in human milk help with the growth of nerve tissue in the brain. They may be less likely to require orthodontics, due to the muscle development suckling the breast causes in the muscles of the mouth. Other potential benefits breastfed babies may enjoy are lower cholesterol as adults, decreased risk of Crohns disease, decreased risk of ulcerative colitis in adulthood, decreased chance of obesity later in life and a lower incidence of developing both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Breastfed babies also enjoy psychological benefits, as the act of breastfeeding itself facilitates an emotional bond between mother and baby. Breastfeeding releases hormones in the mothers body as well, so she experiences a sense of emotional closeness while breastfeeding her baby.

How to Lose Weight After Nursing

When you're breastfeeding, you can still lose weight while eating a lot of food. You need to eat enough to make sure that your baby is getting the nutrition that she needs, which usually means an extra 500 calories per day. Since you are used to eating this extra food, it can be a challenge to lose weight after nursing, though some women will naturally lose weight after weaning. Through properly tracking your calories and exercise, however, you can lose all of the weight after weaning.

Instructions

1

Determine the number of calories that you need to eat to lose weight after stopping breastfeeding. In order to lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you eat. You can create this calorie deficit through eating less and exercising. In general, the average person uses about 1,800 calories each day. This is how much you would need to eat if you wanted to maintain your weight. To lose weight, you should eat around 1,300 calories per day. People that are very large or quite active may be able to eat more than this, so be sure to ask a doctor or nutritionist.

2

Start your day with a filling breakfast. Eating breakfast prepares your body for the rest of its day. Aim to eat a breakfast that is low calorie and filling. Oatmeal and eggs are both good choices, as is a fruit smoothie. Your breakfast should include both protein and carbohydrates. This will give you the energy that you need to take care of your toddler.

3

Plan meals that fit in with your calorie range. Assuming that your calorie range for weight loss is average, you should aim to eat around 300-400 calories for each meal, a big difference from the 600 calorie meals you could eat while nursing. This allows you to eat a few snacks as well to hold you through until meal times.

4

Snack on low calorie vegetables. Don't eat junk foods for your snacks. They are high in calories and don't provide any nutrition. Instead, choose vegetables as a snack. Sliced vegetables dipped in a low fat dressing or hummus can make for a filling snack that won't break your calorie budget.

5

Exercise to burn extra calories and lose more fat. You can lose more weight when you incorporate exercise into your day. Do something fun with your child. Not only will this help you to lose weight, it will set a good example for your little one.

Will Breastfeeding Help Me Lose Weight?

There are many good reasons to choose breastfeeding, but a weight loss guarantee is not one of them. The American Society for Pediatrics, and the American Medical Society both recommend exclusive breastfeeding for six months for optimal child health, growth and development.

Considerations

I

Breastfeeding offers a wide range of health benefits to both mother and baby, but does not necessarily help with postpartum weight loss. Though a recent study published in the September 2010 issue of the American Journal of Medicine, suggests that breastfeeding may help a woman keep weight off later in life, as well as reduce her risk for developing diabetes.

Individual Experiences

Exclusive breastfeeding can burn an extra 200 to 600 calories per day, but the weight doesn't exactly melt off in most women. This may be because the hormone prolactin stimulates appetite, as well as stimulates milk production, so a breastfeeding woman may consume more calories, than her non-breastfeeding counterpart. Some women don't experience a return to their pre-pregnancy weight until they stop nursing.

Exercise and Nutrition

Most women lose postpartum weight gradually, and moderate exercise can help with weight loss. Eat a healthy, low fat diet, with plenty of fiber, and drink plenty of water. Exercise does not interfere with your ability to breast feed.

Conclusions

A search of the literature indicates the research is mixed on this topic, leaving breastfeeding's effects on weight and body fat unclear. Personal experiences vary widely, and some women actually gain weight while breastfeeding. Weight loss goals should not be a significant consideration when considering the personal decision to breastfeed.

Infant Child Visitation Laws

Child custody and visitation issues are complicated components of any divorce proceeding. These issues become more complicated when infants are involved. Very young children may need to stay close to the mother in order to be fed appropriately and may not recognize non-custodial parents if they are not around them often enough. The court sets up a custody and visitation agreement intended to protect the infant's best interests, but parents must determine a schedule that is fair to both parents and meets the infant's needs.

Custody of Infants

In the majority of cases, custody of infant children is awarded to mothers after a divorce. Many infants are breastfed, which is not an option if the infant lives with only the male caretaker. Thus, infants often live with their mothers to ensure their feeding cycle is not disrupted. The court may grant the father the right to visit his infant in these cases.

Reasonable Visitation Schedule

There are no set laws to determine how long a visit the father may have with an infant and every visitation order spells out different terms. Parents should work out a reasonable visitation schedule in line with the court order. If visits occur outside of the mother's presence, they should be kept short so that the child is not distressed over the separation. However, newborns and very young children should see the father frequently so that they learn to recognize his face. Visits should also occur at both parents' homes so the child can learn to be comfortable in both settings.

Overnight Visits

Children of any age may be allowed to stay overnight with a non-custodial parent as there are no laws mandating a minimum age for overnight visits. However, overnight visits are not usually recommended for infants. They need to be fed on schedule and become upset when separated from the mother for long periods of time. Some parents begin with short visits and lengthening the visits as the infant grows older.

Contact Information Requirements

The infant's mother is required to give the father her current address and phone number and give him updated information if her living situation changes. This ensures that neither parent is cheated out of court-ordered visitation with the infant due to the other parent blocking him from contact. If one parent feels harassed by the other, such as the non-custodial parent frequently dropping by unannounced to "check on the child", that parent can move and petition the court to share phone numbers only or to restrain the other parent from non-permitted visits.

Natural Cures for Thrush in Infants

Thrush in infants is characterized by white patches, often curdlike, in the baby's mouth. Painful sores may develop under the white patches, causing the baby to be fussy during feeding. Sometimes thrush causes a red rash in the diaper area. Thrush rash has defined edges and sometimes has red spots near the edges. A breast-feeding mother with thrush may experience sore nipples with or without a rash. The yeast can be passed back and forth between baby and mother, so both must be treated.

Cause

Thrush is caused by an overabundance of candida yeast. The yeast is normally found in the intestines, where it aids in digestion. A baby's immune system may not be developed enough to control an overabundance of candida, so an overgrowth may occasionally appear as thrush.

An illness or antibiotics also may compromise the baby's immune system, making it easier for the yeast to grow out of control. Bottle-fed babies or babies who suck on pacifiers for prolonged periods may have areas of abrasion in their mouths that harbor the yeast, too. Thrush is more common in bottle-fed babies than breast-fed babies.

Natural Remedies

Wash everything that comes in contact with the infant's mouth or mother's breast and be diligent about good hygiene. Boil and sterilize all bottles and nipples, pacifiers and toys. Use the hottest water available and add 1 cup of vinegar to the final rinse when laundering breast pads, burping cloths, bras and baby's laundry. Sunlight kills candida, so hang laundry outdoors to dry if possible. Continue these practices to help prevent a recurrence.

A high-carbohydrate diet, including starches, sugars and dairy, provides an environment for candida to thrive. Breast-feeding mothers can make dietary changes to limit starches, sugars and dairy to regulate the yeast in their systems. Yogurt with live cultures and dairy products with acidophilus are exceptions. They should be included because acidophilus will fight yeast overgrowth and restore the intestinal balance.

Grapefruit seed extract is a natural antifungal. Use it in liquid form. It should not be used full strength, but should be diluted by adding five drops of grapefruit seed extract to half a cup of cooled boiled water. Keep it in two containers, and use one to wipe or swab baby's mouth after feeding and wipe mother's nipples. Use the other to wash baby's bottom at every diaper change. Make a new batch of this every day, and use it at least three or four times a day.

Make it inhospitable for yeast to grow by altering the yeast environment. Make an acid wash by adding 1 tsp. vinegar to 1/2 cup cooled boiled water. Use this to wipe baby's mouth and mother's nipples after feeding, and to wash baby's bottom when diapering. Or make an alkaline wash by adding 1 tsp. baking soda to 1/2 cup cooled boiled water and use it the same way. Choose either vinegar or baking soda and use it for at least a week. (Note: The vinegar solution may burn tender skin.)

Fastest Way to a Flat Stomach After Pregnancy

If you recently had a baby, you probably are eager and anxious to lose your belly fat fast. "Gaining weight in your abdomen does more harm than simply making your waistband too tight," say doctors at the Mayo Clinic. Belly fat increases risks of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and different kinds of cancers.

Losing postpartum obesity within the first few months is essential for any new mother. Women who ignore their post-pregnancy weight are likely to carry it for the next 10 to 15 years. However, mothers should not rush but focus to reduce the stomach weight gradually.

Diet

Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising are key notes to quickly losing the postpartum belly. New mothers who are breastfeeding need extra calories to make milk. Nursing mothers should not diet but focus on scaling their calorie count.

Mothers should center on "eating a reduced-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains," recommends Dr. Laurie Casas, plastic surgeon from Northwestern University in Chicago and a spokesperson for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in an interview to MSNBC.

Reducing portions of simple carbohydrates like refined pasta and white bread helps in losing stomach fat. Incorporate lean proteins like chicken, low-fat dairy products, eggs and high-fiber leafy greens into your diet. Eat small meals to boost metabolism and digestion and keep off body fat.

Exercise

It's necessary to get into an exercise routine immediately for new mothers. Daily moderate exercise like a walking regimen tones the muscles and helps shrink body fat.

Strength training is an effective means to lose the fat accumulated during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor before integrating light weights into your daily exercise practice, especially if you had a C-section.

Gina Lombardi, a personal trainer in Los Angeles, recommends crunches along with cardiovascular exercises to tighten abdominal muscles. "Begin with one set of 10 repetitions and up to three sets of 20, a few times a week."

Doing Pilates is another popular option to reduce stomach fat. Pilates strengthens the core muscles and helps contract the pelvic muscles. Demonstrated in Erin O'Brien Denton's DVD "Postnatal Rescue" are the basic lifts, curl-ups, bridges and planks. Denton walks mothers through bridges and planks and suggests a modified Pilates 100s exercise, which is "simply lifting the head and shoulders while pulling in the abdominals" during the first three months following delivery. Increase intensity with time and practice.