How to Know if a Breastfed Baby Is Getting Enough Food

Life would be easier for breastfeeding mothers if breasts had measurement markers. Unlike bottle-feeding mothers, however, breastfeeding mothers cannot check how many ounces their babies have eaten at any given point. Even the length of nursing sessions are not a reliable marker, as some babies are leisurely or sleepy eaters who take as much as an hour to feed, while others are voracious feeders who can drain a breast in minutes. However, by studying your baby's behavior and checking her diapers, you can get a sense of whether your baby is eating enough.

Instructions

1

Count your baby's number of stools per day. For the first eight days of life, your baby should have roughly the same number of stools as her age; a 1-day-old baby should have at least one stool, a 2-day-old should have at least two and so on. Once your baby reaches 8 days of age, the number of stools should even out at 8 to 10 per day.

2

Note the color and consistency of your baby's stools. A 1- to 2-day-old baby will have blackish, tarry stool. This will gradually change to brownish-black, then to brownish-yellow and finally to yellow as milk replaces the amniotic fluid in your baby's system. Your baby's yellow stool should look as though it has seeds or curds in it, like runny scrambled eggs or cottage cheese mixed with mustard. If your baby's stool is green and foamy, call a pediatrician or a lactation consultant, as it means your baby is only getting low-calorie, low-fat foremilk instead of richer hindmilk.

3

Count the number of wet diapers as well as the number of stools. After the third or fourth day, your baby should have at least six wet diapers per day.

4

Study your baby's behavior. A newborn should spend most of the time either eating or sleeping; wakefulness and excessive crying are signs of hunger. Your baby should seem satisfied for an average of two to three hours between feedings during the first two months and may be able to go as long as six hours without a feeding by the third month.

5

Examine your baby's appearance. His mouth should be pink and moist, and his skin should be soft and supple. A dry mouth or dry skin are signs of dehydration. Additionally, his eyes should appear bright when he is awake, not dull or sunken.

6

Monitor your baby's weight. While most babies lose weight between birth and the first doctor's visit, it should be no more than 7 percent of birth weight. The baby should regain her birth weight by two to three weeks of age and gain an average of at least four ounces per week after that.

7

Listen for swallowing sounds as your baby nurses. You should hear one or two sucks per swallow during the first 5 or 10 minutes of nursing.

8

Check your breasts before, during after each feeding to determine whether your baby is getting milk. They should feel noticeably softer after the feeding concludes. You may also feel a tingling sensation called the "let-down reflex" during feeding. While not all women feel the let-down reflex, its presence is a definite sign that you are making milk.

How to Use an Electric Breast Pump

Although electric pumps are the most expensive (they range from $100 to $1,000), they are faster and more convenient than manual pumps. In addition, because you do not need to use your hands, you can nurse your baby on one side while pumping on the other.

Instructions

1

Choose a time of day when your breasts are the fullest (in the morning, for most women).

2

Make sure your breast pump equipment is clean and sterilized.

3

Select a quiet, comfortable place for pumping where you won't be interrupted.

4

Wash your hands with soap and water.

5

Place the breast shield over your breast correctly, with the entire areola enclosed.

6

Begin at a low speed, gradually building up to high speed.

7

Collect breast milk in the attached plastic container.

8

Turn the pump off before pulling out your breast.

9

Pour breast milk into plastic bags designed specifically for nursing to use at a later date.

Breast Augmentation & Reduction in Breast Feeding

While most medical professionals agree that breast milk is best for the baby, women who have had breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery may have difficulty breastfeeding. It will not be known if she is able to breastfeed until she actually attempts it. According to BFAR, a website with information and support on breastfeeding after breast and nipple surgeries, there are several factors to consider when breastfeeding if these surgeries have been performed.

Basics

Most women who have had breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery will be able to breastfeed. However, their milk supply is generally lower than those who have not had the surgery. This may prevent breastfeeding exclusively, though there are ways to increase milk supply such as breast compression, hand expression, pumping and breastfeeding more frequently.

Breast Augmentation

Those who have had breast augmentation generally have a better chance of breastfeeding than those who have had breast reduction. This is due to the fact that placing implants in the breasts generally involves less cutting and disruption of the ducts in the breast than breast reduction surgery. Plastic surgeons generally attempt to minimize the appearance of scars and will place incisions around the areola and in other inconspicuous areas. If ducts and nerves are damaged in the process, it can affect the ability to breastfeed.

Breast Reduction

In breast reduction surgery, the incisions are much more intensive than with breast augmentation surgery. The plastic surgeon is also removing breast tissue, which could include ducts and nerves that make it possible to breastfeed. For women with very large breasts, it may be necessary to completely detach the nipple during the surgery. These women generally have very little, if any, chance to breastfeed after the surgery due to this.

Lactation Consultants

For women who have undergone any type of breast surgery, the lactation consultant can be a valuable resource. Women should reach out to a lactation consultant before delivery to develop a relationship and inform the consultant about her situation. While nothing can be done beforehand to ensure breastfeeding is a success, the lactation consultant can offer tips in breastfeeding that will increase the odds of success for women who face this set of circumstances. Women who have had breast surgery should mentally prepare to have to either breastfeed or pump more often than their non-surgical breastfeeding peers.

Considerations

If planning to breastfeed, consider delaying any breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery until after breastfeeding is complete. If this is not possible, inform the plastic surgeon of the desire to breastfeed prior to surgery. While no guarantees can be made about breastfeeding, the surgeon can proceed more carefully in removing tissue or making incisions to provide the greatest chance of success.

Reasons You Can't Breast Feed

Breastfeeding is not only healthy for your baby but is also a wonderful way for mom and baby to bond right out of the womb. However, there are certain circumstances that can prevent breastfeeding or make it very difficult. Talk to your doctor before your baby is born about whether or not you will be able to try breastfeeding.

Health Concerns

If you have an illness such as HIV, breastfeeding is not recommended. Though the chance of transmitting this disease to your baby through breast milk is relatively low, the American Academy of Pediatrics says HIV positive moms should not take the chance. If you are a drug user, you shouldn't breastfeed because the drugs can be passed through your milk to your baby and cause very serious health problems. Check with your doctor if you take regular prescription medications to make sure it's safe to breastfeed while using those.

Physical Limitations

Some women just don't have the equipment to breastfeed. It can be very frustrating to realize you have milk ducts that don't produce enough milk, but it is quite common. If you've had breast surgery such as reduction or augmentation, that may affect your ability to breastfeed. If you have a condition such as heart disease, that also may limit your ability to breastfeed.

Discomfort

For some women, breastfeeding just never feels natural. If you're uncomfortable nursing, in a large amount of pain or just can't seem to get the hang of it, maybe breastfeeding isn't for you. If you've tried your best and are still unsuccessful, there are plenty of formula options that are healthy substitutes. You can still bond with your baby by snuggling him close while you feed him and making lots of eye contact as you give him his bottle.

How to Get a Free Breast Pump From the Hospital

Breastfeeding is healthier for a baby than formula because it provides enzymes, growth factors, antibodies and anti-virus factors that prevent babies from getting sick. Many women plan on breastfeeding their babies but sometimes the babies have difficulty latching on. It also is difficult for women to continue breastfeeding their babies when they return to work. These are common situations that are solved by a breast pump. These devices allow a woman to save her breast milk and feed it to her baby in a bottle. There are electric, pedal and manual pumps, which can be obtained at a hospital.

Instructions

1

To obtain a free breast pump from a hospital, you have to prove you have a baby. If you've just recently had the baby in that hospital, there should be no problem. If you had the baby somewhere other than a hospital or are returning to the hospital a few months after having the baby, you may have to show the baby's birth certificate or other proof of identification, such as a crib card or immunization record. Pumps can be expensive and hospitals want to make sure you are trustworthy.

2

Talk to a lactation specialist or a certified lactation educator in the hospital about what type of pump is best for you. If you are returning to work full time, borrowing an electric pump from the hospital may be your best choice. If you are staying at home but the baby is having trouble latching on, you may benefit from using a manual pump, which the hospital may provide for free.

3

If you choose to get an electric or pedal pump, you may have to fill out paperwork in order to rent it. Be prepared to show an identification card for yourself. You may have to include a phone number of someone who does not live with you on the loan contract for security purposes.

4

To obtain a free breast pump, you should show the hospital you are serious about trying to breastfeed. This way they will see your commitment and know giving you a free breast pump is not going to go to waste. One way to prove your commitment is to keep a breastfeeding log to show the lactation specialist or other hospital staff. In the log, record the time when you breastfeed each day, how long each feeding lasts and any other comments you may have, such as "baby got full and fell asleep on breast." In the log, you should be able to show that you are breastfeeding, or are trying to breastfeed, at least eight to 10 times in 24 hours.

5

To borrow a pedal or electric pump from the hospital, you may have to prove you are going to work or school. This is not always the case, but be prepared to provide a name and number of someone they can contact who will verify you are working or going to school. A good contact would be a supervisor or a school academic adviser.

How to Prepare the Breast for Breast-Feeding

During your pregnancy, your body will naturally prepare itself for breast-feeding - you don't need to do very much to prepare your breasts. But if you have very sensitive skin, inverted nipples, or flat nipples, there are a few things you can do to make the transition into new motherhood easier.

Instructions

1

Gently massage a few drops of colostrum into your nipples every couple of days, starting a few weeks before your baby is born.

2

Apply pure lanolin cream to your nipples several times a day to soothe sore, tender skin after you begin nursing.

3

Keep the flaps of your nursing bra open whenever possible so that your breasts are exposed to air.

4

Ask your doctor, local La Leche League leader or local lactation consultant about the various methods you can use to draw out inverted nipples.

5

Attend a La Leche League or other breast-feeding support group during your pregnancy to get answers to any questions you might have before your baby arrives.

6

Get a good book about breast-feeding and read it during your pregnancy so that you'll have the information you need by the time your baby arrives.

Expressed Milk vs. Breastfeeding

Your obstetrician, family and well-meaning friends have probably told you many times that breastfeeding is the best nutritional choice for your baby. While they're absolutely correct, not all mothers are able to breastfeed, and expressed milk is a good alternative for a mom who wants her baby to have breast milk. Know the pros and cons of both to help you make the right decision for your baby.

Breastfeeding Pros

Breastfeeding is free and you can feed your baby wherever you happen to be. According to HealthyChildren.org, formula can cost anywhere from $4 to $10 per day, which can really add up over time. Breastfeeding is more convenient, too, because you don't have to mix and warm bottles every time your baby needs to eat. Breastfeeding is better for the environment, as well, because you don't have to throw away empty formula canisters or purchase bottles and other supplies. Most important, breast milk is the most nutritious food to feed your baby, but it has health benefits for you, too. Women who breastfeed are less likely to develop diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer and ovarian cancer, the HealthyChildren website reports.

Breastfeeding Cons

Breastfeeding isn't always easy. The primary drawback for many a mother is that she can't get her baby to latch on properly, which makes feeding sessions painful. Babies who have a hard time latching on are also less likely to breastfeed for extended amounts of time because it's so hard for them to get enough nourishment. Another drawback is that a mother is often uncomfortable breastfeeding when she's in public, which means she might miss chunks of time at parties and family events while she's in a separate room nursing. It's also more difficult for a breastfeeding mother to take time away from her child since she is solely responsible for feeding her little one.

Expressed Milk Pros

Having a stockpile of expressed milk makes it easy to feed your baby and doesn't require you to run to the store to pick up a canister of formula. Breast milk is also more convenient for women who want their babies to drink breast milk, but must return to work before they wean the child. Again, breast milk is free, and pumping it even when you're not with your child is an economical way to feed your baby. Breast milk can be stored for up to a year, depending on where you're storing it, which makes it a long-term solution to feeding your baby, too.

Expressed Milk Cons

Many women find that they can't express breast milk at the same volume as when they breastfeed. That means that you might not make enough milk to last your baby until her first birthday when she can have cow's milk. It takes time to thaw breast milk and warm it up, which makes it slightly less convenient than nursing, which can be done immediately. You'll also need to take bottles and expressed milk with you when you go places, which takes time to prepare, too. Keeping bottles and breast pump parts clean is another drawback to using expressed milk rather than breastfeeding.

How to Lose Weight With Lecithin

Lecithin comes from the Greek word "Lekithos," which means "egg yolk." All living organisms contain lecithin. Your liver produces this fatty substance in bile. Every cell in your body needs lecithin. So how does lecithin help you lose weight? Lecithin is a fat emulsifier, breaking down fat and liquefying it, so it's no longer stored in your body. When you take lecithin supplements or eat foods high in lecithin, your body burns fat much more efficiently.

Nutritionist and author Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, proved in a six-week study of 30 clients that adding two eggs to their diets and drinking water and lemon juice (a bile thinner) twice daily resulted in weight loss for all, without exercise changes. "One woman lost 21 pounds over the six-week period," Gittleman said.

Instructions

1

Eat two whole eggs each day, either soft-boiled, hard-boiled, poached or scrambled in broth (to avoid unnecessary fat). Egg yolk is an abundant source of lecithin and eating two eggs daily is proven to be safe.

2

Take 7.5g of soy lecithin supplements daily, after meals. The supplements come in pill, powder and granulated forms.

3

Mix a tablespoon of regular lecithin granules in juice, cereal and desserts or add it to your sandwiches. Lecithin granules look like protein powder and don't add any flavor.

4

Eat soybeans on a regular basis. Soak 1 cup of dried soybeans overnight, bring to a boil, then simmer for three hours with onions and garlic. This will produce 2 to 3 cups of cooked soybeans.

5

Take 600mg of egg lecithin supplements if you don't like the taste of eggs. Egg lecithin supplements are concentrated egg yolks with nothing added.

6

Exercise every day. Lecithin makes it easier for you to burn calories. Take a walk for 30 minutes daily or break up the 30 minutes into 10-minute increments three times a day.

Hydroquinone Side Effects During Pregnancy

Hydroquinone is an aromatic organic compound and is a type of phenol. Phenol, also known as carbolic acid, was originally used in surgery as an antiseptic treatment for skin during operations. It is also a basic element in aspirin and herbicides. One of the properties of phenol and hydroquinone is their tendency to bleach the skin. This led to the development of hydroquinone for use in lightening freckles and other skin discolorations.

General Uses

Due to its properties associated with lightening of the skin, hydroquinone in a topical application has been used for age spots and other skin discolorations. Some of these skin conditions are caused by pregnancy or by the use of certain hormone therapy drugs, such as birth control pills. The condition of skin discoloration during pregnancy, known as melasma, generally affects facial areas, including the cheeks, lips, nose and forehead.

Side Effects

General irritations to the skin (dermatitis) may be a side effect of using hydroquinone. This would include itching, stinging or redness of the skin. Prolonged use of hydroquinone may cause severe irritation, crusting of the skin and possible edema (swelling) of treated areas. In some cases, hydroquinone can cause a blue-black discoloration of the skin, although this seems to be confined to women who have a darker skin pigmentation.

Possible Side Effects

The Food and Drug Administration has placed the class of topical creams containing phenol, such as hydroquinone, into a C category for pregnant women. This category is established on the basis of test results on animals as to the effects of any substance on fetal development. Some of the reported affects of hydroquinone on animals indicated an increase in still births and lower birth weight, as well as deformities in unborn fetuses.

Other Risks

There have been some reports of the dangers of using hydroquinone by mothers who breastfeed. Currently, there are no conclusive findings that suggest any potential danger to babies who breastfeed while the mother uses hydroquinone in a topical application. However, it is known that the skin may have a lack of sufficient absorption with some topical creams and while there are no reported dangers to infants from ingesting low amounts of hydroquinone through breastfeeding, it may require the advice of a doctor before usage.

Precautions

Due to the category C rating by the FDA concerning the use of topical hydroquinone products, there may be some need for precautions concerning its use by pregnant women. The advice of a medical professional may be recommended. There are also alternatives to using hydroquinone in addressing skin discoloration, including taking vitamin supplements. Any change in dietary intake or use of topical products should be reported to a medical caregiver.

How to Breastfeed After Breast Surgery

Breastfeeding after breast surgery can be a challenge, however, it is possible. Some surgeries--especially breast reduction--can sever milk ducts, resulting in low milk supply. This can be overcome either by raising milk supply with herbs, or supplementing with donated breastmilk or formula through either a bottle or a breastfeeding supplementer. Whether you've had breast reduction, implants, lumpectomy or other invasive breast surgery, there are some things you can do to prepare for breastfeeding after surgery in order to minimize your stress level in those first postpartum days.

Instructions

How to Breastfeed After Breast Surgery

1




Purchase a nursing supplementer. This is a flexible tube attached to a milk container, which allows the baby to receive formula or donated breastmilk while nursing at your breast. Study the instructions and practice filling and putting on the supplementer ahead of time. The two main brands of nursing supplementer are the Lact-Aid, and SNS (supplemental nursing system) by Medela.

2

Purchase herbal galactogogues (herbs or ingredients which increase milk supply). These can be helpful to a mother breastfeeding after surgery. Such herbs include fenugreek, blessed thistle, goat's rue and alfalfa.

3

Locate a qualified lactation consultant. Try to find one who has specific experience with breastfeeding after breast surgery. Line up the services beforehand so that both you and the consultant are ready to immediately tackle any problems that may arise when the baby is born.

4

Attend a local La Leche League meeting and note the schedule for future meetings. While not every La Leche League leader has experience with mothers who are breastfeeding after breast surgery, most are acquainted with nursing supplementers and ways to improve milk supply, therefore can be a vital source of support when breastfeeding in a challenging situation.

5

Nurse frequently. This is particularly important for mothers breastfeeding after breast surgery. Don't worry about nursing the baby "too much", babies know how to to let you know when they need to eat, and nursing very frequently--as often as every 30 to 60 minutes--is helpful in building a good milk supply.

6

Watch the baby's urinary and bowel output, and monitor his or her weight. Breastfed babies should have a minimum of six to eight wet diapers and several small bowel movements per day. If the baby's output is not adequate, consult your pediatrician and lactation consultant.

The History of Wet Nursing

Wet-nursing, the practice of hiring someone other than the mother to nurse an infant, has played a only a minor role in debates between formula feeding and breast feeding. However, it was once the option of choice when it came to rearing children. From Imperial China to Victorian England, wet nursing played a prominent role in both ancient and modern history.

Ancient Egypt

Poor women in Ancient Egypt often supplemented their family's income by providing wet nurse services for upper class citizens or mothers who didn't have enough milk. Their employers used written contracts to ensure good milk and prevent the wet nurse from nursing other children, having sex, or getting pregnant. In turn, the employer paid the wet nurse for her milk, fed her, and clothed the child. While babies of the same class were taken to the wet nurse's home, those of the upper class were nursed in their own homes. Women lucky enough to become royal wet nurses in Ancient Egypt were honored in the tombs of their charges. In addition, their children were raised in the royal palace as "milk siblings" of the princes and princesses with whom they experienced close relationships.

Greece and Rome

Popular throughout the ancient world, wet nursing experienced both controversy and popularity in the Greco-Roman regions. In Ancient Greece, those who could afford it hired special slaves called "duolos" as wet nurses. In fact, a 2nd century genocologist named Soranus of Ephesus warned that a mother's milk was no good for the first 20 days after giving birth. As wet nurses, he promoted the use of slaves between the ages of 20-40 and recommended that they be self-controlled, good-tempered, of good color, tidy, and Greek. Even the Romans preferred Greek wet nurses whom they hoped would set cultural examples for their infants. Although the philosopher Plato advocated wet nurses, other famous Greeks such as Aristotle and Plutarch argued against them.

Islamic Law

The Koran sheds some light on the use of wet nurses in Muslim culture. According to Islamic law, a divorced father must hire a wet nurse for his child. However, if the baby won't take to the wet nurse's breast, or the father doesn't have enough money, the law then makes the mother responsible for breast feeding. The Koran is also explicit that hiring a wet nurse is not considered a sin as long as the wet nurse is decently paid.

European Aristocracy

By the 11th century, the aristocracy and royalty of Europe used wet nurses almost exclusively. In taking the baby from the mother, they prevented her from experiencing the birth control effects of producing milk and nursing. This allowed the women to stay fertile and produce more babies. It also left them open to sexual activity with their husbands as having sex with a nursing mother was considered taboo and harmful to the health of the baby. In France, the custom was to send infants to the country for wet nursing. However, by the end of the 18th century in France, the urban poor had also begun to send their babies out of the city so that the mothers could work. In fact, in 1780, only 700 babies out of 21,000 born that year nursed from their mothers. This high demand for wet-nurses caused quality to go down and infant mortality to rise.

Wet Nursing and Bourgeois Values

Because the Netherlands didn't have a court life like other European countries, their cultural ideals tended to revolve around the bourgeois lifestyle. This included a rejection of the aristocratic advocacy of wet nursing. Instead, the Dutch promoted an ideal focused around an immaculate household centered around the nursing mother as a part of civic responsibility. In fact, Pieter de Hooch and other Dutch painters documented these values burgeoning in the 17th century. The Enlightenment and the French Revolution then introduced some of these same ideas to the rest of Europe in the 18th century. Jean Jaques Rousseau himself denounced wet nursing in favor of nursing by the mother. However, only some people in the upper middle class changed their habits, and, despite the critiques of a few political radicals and women's rights defenders, wet-nursing remained popular in England through the Victorian Era and in France until World War I.

Decline of Wet Nursing

At the beginning of the 20th century, a comprehensive study by the French government showed that wide spread wet-nursing was contributing to infant death rates. This empirical information, which coincided with the development of new technology, initiated a change towards bottle feeding. The inventions of the rubber nipple, the bottle, pasteurization, and canned milk all made this new method of feeding possible and helped seal the decline of wet-nursing.

Wet Nursing in Modern China

Considered an aristocratic invention, wet nursing tends to be frowned upon by societies focused on egalitarianism. Therefore, Chinese communists after World War II worked to outlaw what had been an ancient tradition in their country. Yet, the rise of wealth in China during the first part of the 21st century has lead to wet nursing's illegal resurgence as a status symbol. Although they can make up to 8 times their working world salaries, wet nurses in China must leave their own children, maintain a special diet, and undergo training in certain cases. Furthermore, if the babies that they nurse do not grow 20 grams each day, the wet nurses are fined by their employers.

The Signs That a Baby Is Not Tolerating Breast Milk

If you breastfeed your infant, the foods you ingest can have a direct impact on your babys health. Sometimes, an infant may exhibit symptoms that indicate he is not tolerating breast milk well. If you discern problematic symptoms and behaviors in your breastfed baby, examining your diet may allow you to resolve the issues.

Common Behaviors

After breastfeeding your baby, you may notice behaviors and symptoms that could indicate that she has dietary sensitivities. These behaviors include fussiness after eating, excessive crying for long periods of time, sleep disruptions and sudden waking with crying that indicates pain, according to the KellyMom.com, a source for parenting and breastfeeding information.

Family History

Parents who have a family history of allergies and food sensitivities in either the mother or the father may have children with a higher risk of developing both food and environmental allergies, states lactation consultant Karen Zeretzke, with the La Leche League International. If siblings have food sensitivities, parents may wish to avoid the same foods while breastfeeding younger siblings, practicing avoidance of possible allergenic foods to avoid the baby's developing food sensitivities.

Additional Symptoms

Babies may also exhibit gastrointestinal symptoms, such as loose and bloody stools, vomiting and gas, according to Zeretzke. Skin symptoms can also occur, including hives, eczema, rough skin and open sores. A baby who is not tolerating breast milk may also have trouble gaining weight proficiently, according to the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.

Timing of Symptoms

Proteins from a mothers diet appear in breast milk within three to six hours after ingestion. With strict elimination of offending foods, the proteins should slowly disappear from the breast milk over a two-week period, and you should notice your babys allergic symptoms improve.

Treatment

If you suspect that your baby is not tolerating breast milk, have her evaluated by a physician. Your doctor may recommend that you keep a food diary and record your babys symptoms to see whether a pattern appears. If you do find that specific foods are irritating your baby, eliminate them from your diet. Read labels judiciously to ensure that you do not eat the foods as hidden ingredients, recommends the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Luckily, a baby may outgrow food sensitivities by his first birthday.

How to Get Fitted for a Nursing Bra

Many pregnant women who plan to nurse will want to buy a few nursing bras prior to delivery. Finding the right nursing bra can be a challenge, as a woman's breasts can go through tremendous changes after pregnancy that won't be easy to predict before her milk comes in. Here are some guidelines for getting fitted for a nursing bra that fits properly.

Instructions

1

Wait until you're eight months pregnant--or further along--to begin shopping for a nursing bra. If you shop for nursing bras earlier in your pregnancy, your breasts might still grow several sizes before your baby is born. By 8 months, though, you'll have a good idea of what size you'll be when your milk comes in.

2

Choose a bra that is either adjustable in the back or made from a stretchy material like Spandex or Lycra. Chances are, your back will become much more narrow once your baby is born, so you want a bra that can adjust to fit a smaller band size.

3

Measure yourself above the swelling of your breasts, right beneath your armpits, to get your band size. Round up to the next number if you get an uneven number--i.e., a measurement of 37 inches would be a size 38 bra.

4

Determine your breast size while wearing an unpadded bra by measuring at the fullest part. Subtract your band size from your breast measurement. A 1-inch difference is an A cup, a 2-inch difference is a B cup, a 3-inch difference is a C cup, a 4-inch difference is a D cup, and a 5-inch difference is a DD or E cup, depending on the manufacturer.

5

Choose which nursing features you like the best next, once you've determined your size. Some nursing bras have a flap that is unsnapped to allow baby access to the breast, while other bras are simply pushed aside. The flaps can be from the center of the breasts, from the top or the sides. See which options you prefer.

6

Consider buying a Bravado bra if you think your breasts will change considerably after pregnancy. These bras accommodate a large span of bra cup and band sizes because they are made from stretchy fabrics.

Mother's Milk Tea Side Effects

Mothers Milk tea is an herbal blend that is meant to stimulate breast-milk production. Herbs can mimic female hormones because they contain phyoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are plant estrogens that act much like human estrogen. This breast-milk-boosting tea is loaded with generous amounts of herbs such as fennel, fenugreek and blessed thistle. Mother's Milk tea also contains fruit extracts such as organic aniseed fruit and organic coriander fruit. Herbal teas have been used for thousands of years to help breastfeeding mothers and treat other ailments.

Benefits

One of the most beneficial side effects of Mother's Milk tea is an increase in the amount of breast milk a woman is able to produce. The herbs found in the tea are called galactagogues. The combination of herbs has a powerful effect on a woman's body. Mother's Milk tea is also sweet. Fenugreek tastes similar to maple syrup. Some moms have also reported that their infants have less colic and gas when the mothers consistently drink this tea.

Time Frame

Most women report a difference in breast-milk quality and production within the first few days after drinking the tea. The results are not instant because it takes the body time to absorb the herbs. Many moms are pleased to continue drinking the tea for several months or even a year or longer while they nurse their babies.

Changes in Blood Sugar

Some women who drink Mother's Milk tea have also reported another side effect--changes in blood sugar levels. Fenugreek can reduce blood glucose levels when taken in excess. This can cause some women to develop hypoglycemia. Mothers who are diabetic or already have hypoglycemia should be careful when using fenugreek. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Upset Stomach and Diarrhea

Some of the herbs in Mother's Milk tea have also been shown to cause stomach upset and diarrhea in some women. If this happens to you, decrease the dosage or talk to your doctor. This is more commonly seen in women who have a history of gastrointestinal problems. Also keep in mind that dosage may need to be reduced if a you start to produce too much milk. Too much breast milk can cause a baby to be fussy from overeating. Many moms take the tea to give their body a boost and then discontinue use after they have achieved their desired results. Once their milk supply has been stimulated, they still continue to produce milk even without the tea.

Warning

Talk to your doctor before drinking herbal tea. Herbs are powerful medicines and should be treated as such. Some herbs may interact with medications or other herbs. Some women may also be sensitive to herbs such as fenugreek. If you have any type of allergies to grass or weeds, this tea may not be for you. Inhaling fenugreek produces an allergic response similar to other allergies for some people.

Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms

A new mom who hasn't breastfed before has all sorts of hesitations, fears and even confusion about breastfeeding an infant who may not follow what she learned from books and information read while pregnant. Breastfeeding mothers must also contend with conflicting information from family and friends. As confusing as everything may be at first, breastfeeding doesn't have to be frustrating.

Time to Heal

Once you bring baby home, friends and family visit, hoping to spend time with you and the new baby. Having a baby is exhausting, especially if you had your baby by cesarean or otherwise had a difficult delivery. And you now have total care of a helpless newborn.

Have someone run interference for you with visitors. If you get ill, breastfeeding becomes a problem. Don't apologize for taking the time needed to recover. Limit time with visitors, even if that means leaving the room or, if alone, ushering visitors out the door.

Don't let anxiety over separation from your infant keep you from allowing trusted family or friends watch your baby while you rest. Make clear the baby is to be brought to you when hungry. Don't allow well-meaning friends to feed your baby or decide that you need rest more than the baby needs to nurse. Allow the baby to nurse on demand, and resist the temptation to offer artificial nipples or supplemental feedings. An often-unintended consequence of supplement feedings is to decrease the amount of milk you have available.

Know Your Mind

Don't let others talk you out of nursing. Breastfed babies have fewer allergies and generally cry less. Breastfeeding is the safest, cheapest and easiest way to feed a baby. Breastfeeding is healthy for mother as well. Don't let others' opinions or breastfeeding challenges stop you from doing what you know to be healthy for your baby and for yourself.

Stress

JoAnn Wagner, mother of four in "Help! I'm A New Mother" said, "Babies understand feelings. When you're upset, they sense it. Try to relax when you're feeding your baby. You'll be rewarded with a calmer baby."

Those first few weeks and months, focus on being a breastfeeding mother, not on an otherwise busy schedule. Stress may lead to breastfeeding problems for you and/or your baby. If stress keeps you tense, your baby may not feed well. Not totally expressing you milk may lead to loss of milk or infection.

Soreness

Regular nursing helps keep the milk ducts from clogging up. Clogged ducts may cause the breast to become sore. With rest, application of heat and frequent nursing, this may resolve itself naturally. Red streaks and pain indicate a breast infection and require a doctor visit and antibiotics. You may also need to express and throw away milk from that breast until the mastitis clears. Regular nursing and not using soap or other drying products helps alleviate sore nipples. Applying lanolin to the nipples can also help relieve soreness.

Support

La Leche League, an organization for nursing mothers, has support groups in many areas. It can also be accessed online. Joining this or other support groups may prove vital to helping you feel comfortable with your decision to breastfeed. A support group helps you learn breastfeeding techniques, understand what is normal and what is not and recognize when you need medical intervention.

Ask for Help

It is not unusual to have problems with breastfeeding. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance from nurses or from others who've breastfed. Don't allow embarrassment to keep you from eliciting help. Breastfeeding may take both commitment and stamina until you break through to the sweet bonding experience you've read and others talk about.

How to Sterlize Breast Pump Parts

To keep breast milk safe for babies to drink, many mothers want to sterilize the parts of breast pumps. According to the Breastfeeding Essentials website, "Sterilize all pump parts that will come in contact with breast or milk before the first use unless your parts came in a sterile package." For an electric pump, do not worry about cleaning the motor or power source.



Read the owner's manual for your breast pump to make sure you follow their cleaning recommendations. Some manufacturers will only guarantee the warranty on the pump if you sterilize as they recommend.

Instructions

Sterilize Using a Stove

1




Wash and your dry hands before sterilizing pump parts.

Wash your hands with soap and water before you touch any parts of the breast pump. Dry your hands with paper towels.

2

Use soap and hot water to to wash the pot, tongs and drying rack. Dry the items with clean paper towels.

3

Fill the pot halfway with water. Heat on a stove until the water boils.

4

Place the breast-pump parts into the boiling water for 10 to 20 minutes. Turn off the stove and allow the water in the pot to cool.

5

Remove the breast pump parts from the pot with tongs.

6

Rinse the breast pump parts with hot water.

7

Place the pump parts on a drying rack for several hours or overnight to air dry.

If you don't have time to wait for the parts to air dry, use a clean paper towel to wipe them dry.

Sterilize Using a Dishwasher

8

Place the breast-pump parts into the top rack of a dishwasher.

9

Set the dishwasher to a water temperature that is at least 140 degrees.

10

Allow the breast pump parts to dry thoroughly. Either leave them inside the dishwasher to dry, or remove the parts from the dishwasher and place them on a drying rack or on clean paper towels.

Labor Laws: Breastfeeding & Discrimination

Many states have their own laws mandating that employers not discriminate against their workers who are breastfeeding. These laws say that employers must provide their female employees with a place and time to either breastfeed their infant children or express milk for their babies while at work. A federal law, part of the health care reform legislation signed by President Obama in March of 2010, makes it illegal for most employers in the country to discriminate against lactating mothers.

Federal Law

The federal law, passed as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, states that mothers in the workplace must receive adequate time and a private place to express milk for their babies. This law modifies the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

It's important to note that this law only applies to mothers who bring breast-pumping apparatuses to work, not to mothers who are actually breastfeeding their children at the office. The law also states that employers must provide a space other than a bathroom to allow their female employees to express milk.

The law covers working women who continue to breast feed for up to one year after their children's birth.

What The Law Doesn't Say

There are some vagaries in the new law. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper, in a story written by Marcia Heroux Pounds, reports that the law doesn't define what "adequate time" is. It also doesn't define how many times each week that mothers can take breaks to express milk. The law also does not state anything about the requirements for employers to provide a place and time for mothers to breastfeed their children at work. Several state laws, though, do cover this situation.

State Laws

Several states have their own laws preventing employers from discriminating against their female employees who need to breastfeed their children while at work or who want to express milk for their infants.

The National Council of State Legislatures says that 24 states have laws forbidding employers from discriminating against women who breastfeed in the workplace. Though these laws vary, most of them state that employers must provide their employees time and a place to either breastfeed or express milk.

California And Illinois

Two states with typical labor laws forbidding discrimination against breastfeeding mothers include California and Illinois.

In California, for example, employers must provide adequate facilities for breastfeeding and expressing milk. Illinois has the Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act, which requires employers to provide reasonable, unpaid break time for nursing mothers. The law also states that employers must provide a private place other than a bathroom stall for nursing mothers.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has its own labor laws protecting nursing mothers. According to the country's statutes, employers must provide breastfeeding mothers with the chance to nurse their infants for half-an-hour during the work day. Mothers are allowed to continue breastfeeding their children at work for a maximum of 12 months. Puerto Rico has even declared August to be Breastfeeding Awareness Month in the country.

How to Get More Breastmilk When Using a Breast Pump

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies exclusively receive breast milk for the first six months of life. However, many mothers return to work well before their baby is six months old, and a mom's milk supply increases and decreases with demand. This fact often makes breastfeeding after returning to work challenging since mom and baby are apart around eight to 12 hours a day. You do not have to let your milk supply diminish and stop providing your baby breast milk earlier than you want.

Instructions

1

Make sure you are using a high quality breast pump. Mechanical breast pumps get more milk than manual breast pumps. You can buy one at many stores or you can contact your insurance company and see if they will cover the cost of renting an industrial breast pump.

2

Pump frequently throughout the day. If you can, pump at least every three hours. You should also aim to pump for twenty minutes on each breast. To save time, you can pump both breasts simultaneously.

3

Breastfeed often. Whenever you are with your baby, breastfeed rather than bottle feed. Even when you use a high quality breast pump, pumps are not as effective at stimulating the breast as a baby. Breastfeed before you go to work, as soon as you are back with your baby and if you can, breastfeed your baby during the night.

4

Avoid stress. Tension can decrease your milk supply. When you are pumping, sit in a comfortable chair or rocker and look at a picture of your baby. This can help you relax and transition from being at work back into being a mom. Being relaxed and feeling like a mom helps your milk letdown.

5

Eat a well-balanced diet. Try to eat foods from all the food groups and avoid empty calories. However, make sure you eat enough calories so your body can maintain your milk supply. Breastfeeding burns approximately 300 to 500 calories a day.

6

Drink plenty of fluids. You require more fluids when your body produces milk. If you are dehydrated, this will decrease your milk supply, so you need to drink at least eight glasses of water, not including caffeinated sodas.

7

Avoid alcohol and certain medications. Alcohol decreases your milk supply. Also, birth control pills that contain estrogen and decongestants decrease milk supply.

8

Take an herbal supplement. Fenugreek can increase a mother's milk supply within 48 to 72 hours, according to Breastfeeding Online. Fenugreek contains phytoestrogens, which are similar to estrogen.

Vitamins for Lactating Women

Women must take certain vitamins during pregnancy and lactation. Prenatal vitamins during pregnancy make up for nutritional deficiencies in the mother's diet, while vitamins for lactating (or breast-feeding) ensure sufficient nutrients for mother's and breast-milk for the baby's diet. The first nutrition decision mothers make for their children has a lot to do with how they're fed from birth, so it's equally important that mothers take vitamins while pregnant and while lactating.

One A Day: Women's Prenatal

One A Day Women's Prenatal vitamins provide nutrients for women considering pregnancy, who are already pregnant and women who've given birth and are lactating. This supplement can be taken throughout each stage without having to change or find new vitamins. These multivitamins are specifically formulated with more folic acid and iron needed for nutritional sufficiency in mother's and infants, as well as DHA and Omega-3 fatty acids to support brain and eye development for infants and toddlers.

nuMom Nutrition: Daily Breast-Feeding Multivitamin

Designed by the Institute of Medicine, this multivitamin is specifically formulated for breast-feeding mothers. nuMom Nutrition says that breast-feeding is a time to move from the pre-natal vitamins to one that provides the nutrients a women's body needs while lactating. Since new moms most likely experience higher levels of stress because of busier schedules brought on by the new addition, nuMom Nutrition ensures that their breast-feeding multivitamins also help mother's with fatigue and stress.

Motherlove: More Milk Special Blend Capsules

More than just providing mother's with necessary nutrients while breast-feeding, Motherlove's More Milk Special Blend Capsules are formulated to stimulate breast tissue for increasing breast milk. Made from all-natural ingredients, this capsule is alcohol free, comes in vegetarian capsules and is blended with herbs like goat's rue known to increases breast milk secretion.

Salicylic Acid & Breastfeeding

Salicylic acid can work wonders on acne-ridden skin. This over-the-counter, topical drug is known and celebrated for its oil-fighting effects on the skin. It also helps reduce inflammation, redness and signs of aging. But for breastfeeding moms, salicylic acid and safety don't necessarily go hand and hand.

Breastfeeding

Breast milk is loaded with unique nutrients specifically intended for a growing infant. It also protects infants against sickness and disease for as long as nursing continues. Additionally, breast-fed babies are prone to higher intellectual functioning and have a reduced risk for developing obesity. Yet almost any drug, including the topical medication salicylic acid, enters into breast milk. This can often be a nuisance to nursing mothers, especially those dealing with acne.

Salicylic Acid

According to the American Society of Health, topical salicylic acid is used to treat a variety of skin conditions (most notably acne) and comes as a cream, lotion, liquid, gel, ointment, shampoo, wipe, pad or patch. There are several different strengths available with or without a prescription, and it should be used exactly as directed.

Salicylic Acid Side Effects

The most common side effects of salicylic acid are skin irritation and stinging. In less-tolerant individuals, serious side effects such as dizziness, fatigue, headache, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea can occur.

Safety of Salicylic Acid During Breastfeeding

Salicylic acid is a part of a group of compounds called salicylates. Salicylates are chemicals naturally found in plants and are used to make aspirin and beauty products. Since drugs easily find their way into breast milk, women who breastfeed should consider the possible effects salicylates will have on their baby. Although rare, aspirin can cause problems such as Reye's syndrome in nursing infants. MayoClinic.com reports that during Reye's syndrome, a child's blood sugar level drops as levels of ammonia and acidity in her blood increase. The liver enlarges and develops fatty deposits. Swelling also takes place in the brain--causing seizures, convulsions or loss of consciousness. Women who breastfeed should avoid salicylates due to its indisputable relationship to Reye's syndrome.

Use Caution

Breastfeeding mothers should exercise caution when using any oral or topical drug. Most importantly, consult a health professional regarding drug use to avoid any unwanted complications in nursing infants.

Breastfeeding & Mild Asthma Treatment

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant's life. That sounds good in theory, but if you're a mother with asthma and have to take regular asthma medication, you may wonder how that affects your ability to breastfeed. You don't want something that's supposed to be good for your baby to become something harmful, by passing your medication through your milk to your baby. You can relax, however--in most cases, you have nothing to fear.

Misconceptions

The medical community has been careful to make sure nursing mothers understand the potential dangers of taking certain medications while breastfeeding. This has led to a general misunderstanding that any medication a mother takes will be passed through her breast milk to her baby and cause harm. In reality, many medications aren't easily absorbed orally and pose little threat to a breastfeeding infant. Most asthma medications fall into this category. Of course, you should make sure your doctor knows you're breastfeeding before you agree to any medication he recommends.

Types

Most asthma medications fall into one of two categories--inhaled steroids or oral steroids. Inhaled steroid use by a mother poses no risk to a breastfed infant. Of the inhaled steroids, fluticasone may be the safest for use during breastfeeding. Oral steroids, such as prednisone or prednisolone, are fairly safe for short-term use during breastfeeding. If you need to use an oral steroid at doses over 20 milligrams, prednisolone is the safer choice.

Time Frame

If you're worried about the possible effects of your medication on your baby, you can decrease your risk of passing medication on by timing your doses around your baby's feeding schedule. If you need to take an oral steroid, take it four hours before your baby's next feeding. You could try dosing yourself immediately after a feeding to maximize the time between the medication entering your bloodstream and your baby's feeding.

Benefits

The benefits of breastfeeding during the critical first six months of life outweigh the minimal dangers associated with asthma medication. Babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months experience fewer ear infections, fewer allergies, stronger immune systems, increased cognitive ability and healthier weight gain than formula-fed babies.

Theories/Speculation

A 2007 study published by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine shows a possible link between long-term breastfeeding by mothers with asthma and increased risk of asthma for the breastfed infant later in life. The risk is still considered theoretical, and it only appeared in children who were breastfed longer than four months. If you have asthma, you may want to consider introducing formula after the first four months of breastfeeding.

How to Correctly Measure for a Nursing Bra

A nursing bra is worn after you've given birth. The bra has special cups that allow you to detach and open them for nursing, without requiring you to take off the entire bra. Nursing bras also provide the extra support that your breasts need after birth, when they're filled with milk. Measuring for a nursing bra is not dissimilar to measuring for your other bras, though you shouldn't rely on a size without measuring. Your breasts change size during pregnancy, and it's important you have a bra that fits well.

Instructions

1

Measure your band size. While wearing a bra, measure the circumference of your midsection right under your breasts and around your rib cage. Make sure the tape is not tight or loose, but comfortably snug. Add three inches to your measurement. If your measurement is an odd number, round up to the next number.

2

Measure your cup size. Measure the circumference of your torso at the fullest part of your breasts, typically where your nipples are. Subtract this number from your band size. The difference between your cup and band size helps determine your cup size.

3

View a chart that details cup sizes that correspond to the difference between your cup and band measurements (see "Resources").

4

Couple your band size with your cup letter size to know the size of nursing bra you need to buy. For example, if your band measurement is 34, add 3 to get 37. Round up to 38. Your band size is 38. If your cup measurement is 42, then there is a 4-inch difference between the cup and band size. According to the chart, a 4-inch difference is a size D cup. Your nursing bra size is a 38D.

How to Deal with Drinking While Breastfeeding

Drinking while breastfeeding is a tricky and touchy subject. The bottom line is that alcohol does enter the breastmilk. It is up to you to choose whether or not you will have no drink, one drink, or ten drinks.

Instructions

1




If you are going to have a drink with dinner: Sip--don't guzzle. Enjoy your glass of wine (one serving equals five ounces) or your beer. Remember, women lose between 300-500 calories a day breastfeeding. Do you want to gain those calories back?

2




If you have a party to go to and want to feel like you are socializing, and "having a few," enjoy one drink. Then, keep refilling your cup with ice cold water. Add a stirring straw and lime!

3




If you want to get drunk, rethink it. If you are exclusively breastfeeding, make sure there is a trustworthy person around to watch your baby. Make sure you have stored breastmilk in the freezer and ask yourself if your baby will even drink from a bottle. How much are you planning on drinking? "Pumping and dumping" does not get rid of the breastmilk with alcohol in it. All it does is help you get rid of milk from your breasts so that more can come in. Remember, depending on how much you drink (see chart in Resources below), you might have to pump and dump again.