Breastfeeding Positions: May 2012

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Dieting Tips for New Moms

It's natural to put on weight when you're pregnant. Taking the weight off after the baby is born is a little more difficult. However, it's not impossible. If you take a sensible approach toward creating a healthy weight loss diet, you can lose the pregnancy weight and keep it off.

If you're breastfeeding your baby, there's a limit to how much you can diet and still nurse successfully. You may feel distressed about the extra weight you have gained during pregnancy, but there's no hurry to take off the pounds. You can afford to wait until your baby is weaned to start dieting. If you decide to cut back while breastfeeding, be sure to eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water.

Even if you're bottle feeding, you shouldn't cut your calories too severely. Taking care of a baby is hard work, and you need all the energy you can get. So don't cut healthy foods from your diet. Instead, reduce or eliminate your consumption of sweets such as soda, candy, cookies and cake and fats such as butter and gravy. Limit high calorie nutritious foods such as cheese and peanut butter to about an ounce per meal or snack. Also, cut out white starch such as white bread, rice and pasta. Replace these foods with healthier ones such as fruit, vegetable oils and whole grain bread, rice and pasta.

Being up half the night to feed and soothe your baby back to sleep will inevitably take a toll on you. Make sure that you get proper nutrition during the day, but don't allow yourself to indulge in stress-induced eating. Include a serving of protein, starch, vegetables, fruit and fat with each meal. Snack on healthy and satisfying foods such as a slice of whole grain toast or a banana. Avoid fruit juice, which is high in calories but ineffective at satisfying hunger. Instead, drink caffeine-free tea or water throughout the day. Also, make sure you drink two or three glasses of low-fat or skim milk per day.

Don't eliminate entire food groups from your diet or skip meals in an attempt to lose weight. Instead, reduce your calories by taking smaller portions of each food. When you shop, choose foods that have fewer calories per serving whenever possible. If a food has 200 or more calories per serving, only eat half a serving during each meal or snack.

You can lose weight with less dieting if you exercise regularly. This can seem difficult when you have a new baby, but it's not impossible. Get a good stroller that you can fit easily in the trunk of your car. An athletic stroller is a good choice if you like to walk, run, jog or rollerblade. Another option is to invest in exercise equipment for your home. Then you can grab a quick workout every day while the baby is sleeping. There are also workout routines you can do with your baby. Check your local bookstore or look online for books or DVDs on how to exercise with your baby in a safe and enjoyable way.

Monday, May 28, 2012

How Can I Lose Weight After a C- Section?

Delivery by Cesarean section (C-section) is invasive surgery that requires weeks to months of recovery time. Losing weight after a C-section can be a challenge due to the restrictions placed on movement for fear of tearing or traumatizing the affected area.

Breastfeeding can help you to burn more calories and lose weight after a C-section. Studies have shown that you can burn up to 500 extra calories daily if you choose to breastfeed for the first 4 to 6 months after giving birth. After that, weight loss may slow, but not necessarily stop. Since a pound of fat contains 3,500 calories, you can lose up to one pound of fat per week by breastfeeding alone. One to two pounds per week is the optimal amount to lose to ensure you will maintain weight loss.

After a C-section, avoid eating foods that give you gas or cause bloat. Stomach pain may exacerbate the tissue that was damaged by the C-section surgery. For this reason, eating cabbage, onions and beans may not be in your best interests to lose weight. Try eating food that contains protein and is slower to digest such as chicken, fish and lean steak. Low-calorie soups will help you to lose fat as well. In addition, add non-gassy fruits and vegetables such as grapes, watermelon, berries, peaches, green beans, spinach, carrots, asparagus, mushroom and squash. Drink two liters of water daily to increase fullness and flush fat.

According to pregnancy-info.net, you should wait for 8 weeks after having a C-section before beginning an exercise program. Begin a light exercise program that includes stretching, yoga, walking, and swimming. These exercises are less likely to exacerbate any still sensitive tissue that has been damaged by C-section surgery. Start walking or swimming 10 to 15 minutes daily and work up to 30 minutes per day, up to four days per week. Include yoga or stretching exercises for 5 to 15 minutes, two to four days per week as well. Pay special attention to any pain you might feel during exercise, and consult a doctor if you experience abdominal discomfort. Consult with your doctor before beginning an exercise program after C-section surgery.

What Training is Needed to Be a Lactation Consultant?

Breastfeeding is a natural process for many women. Many hospitals encourage nursing right in the delivery room to create bonding between mother and baby. Often they get the hang of it immediately, but sometimes it doesn't go so smoothly, especially for first-time mothers. Most hospitals have a lactation consultant on staff to help out. Other lactation consultants come to the mother's home after she returns from the hospital. Getting certified allows you to partake in this exciting and rewarding career.

Aside from some thorough education, every lactation consultant candidate needs 1,000 hours working with mothers and babies. Many candidates will have already acquired these hours through their current professions as doctors, nurses, or other healthcare professionals. Other candidates will need to volunteer or obtain some sort of paid position, perhaps in the labor and delivery ward of a hospital or in a La Leche League, where they will get this experience. These hours need to be completed within five years of applying for the certification examination.

The clinical hours must be supervised by someone in a supervisory capacity. You don't actually need to be "watched" the entire 1,000 hours; rather, someone needs to verify and sign off that you worked the hours that you claim. This is simple to accomplish in most settings where the candidate would be in a position to support breastfeeding, such as a hospital or a WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) office.

The purpose of the training is to ensure that the candidate has a solid understanding of the lactation process and its practical implications. Education alone does not allow you to get the hands-on training that augments your learning. Through clinical training, you interact with mothers and healthcare professionals and gain necessary experience in providing support for breastfeeding mothers and their families. This should span the entire nursing process, from the pre-conception stage through the weaning process.

You can also enroll in an academic program that is specifically geared toward lactation and includes clinical training. The program must be accredited, and it must concentrate on human lactating and breastfeeding. The program must be run by a board-certified lactation consultant and have board-certified lactation consultants as the primary faculty members. Additionally, the clinical experience must be supervised by a board-certified lactation consultant. You can get most information on specific programs by contacting the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners.

How to Assemble a Medela Breast Pump

Medela is a trusted name in breast pumps. Since 1961, the company has manufactured high-quality pumps used by mothers all over the world. One of their most popular products is the Pump in Style. These pumps are packaged in discreet leather bags for mothers on the go, especially those who pump at work. Assembling the pump can be challenging the first time; however, after a few times it becomes second nature.

Instructions

Wash and sterilize each piece in the accessory pack, including valves, membranes, tubing and breast shields. Place all of the parts in a large pot of water. Bring to a boil, cover with the pot with a lid and boil for 20 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and carefully drain the hot water, being careful to avoid splashing or spilling water on yourself, which could cause a burn. Allow the parts to cool in the pot for 30 minutes, and then air-dry them on a clean surface for three hours or until completely dry.

Snap the small white membranes onto the yellow valves. These membranes are about the size of a dime and are very flexible. Be careful not to tear them. Attach the yellow valves onto the bottom of the breast shields by pushing them firmly--but not too tightly. Attach the bottles onto the bottom of the breast shields by twisting them on until snug. The breast shield, valve and bottle are now one piece with the valve inside of the bottle.

Attach the tubing to the back of the breast shield by pressing the firm white end into the small hole on the back of the shield. Attach the other end of the tubing to the pump by pushing the tubing onto the port located on the front of the round diaphragm, underneath the vacuum regulator dial.

Set the vacuum regulator to the lowest setting. Plug the AC adapter into the pump and then plug it into a wall outlet. The pump is now ready to be used.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Training

A breastfeeding peer counselor is a mother in the local community who has personal breastfeeding experience. She offers professional advice and support to other mothers by answering questions and ensuring the most positive breastfeeding experience for her peers possible. Peer counseling courses are available to lactation consultants, midwives, doulas, health care professionals and any woman interested in acting as a peer counselor.

In many cases, being a breastfeeding peer counselor means being employed through an agency or organization that provides its own training program. Peer counselors for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, for example, attend five four-hour training sessions. These sessions provide information through classes and small group discussions, presentations, role playing and hands-on activities. Peer counselors receive periodic evaluations from the hiring agency, regularly attend meetings, and document client meetings.

Some organizations offer peer counselor training to the public as a way to promote breastfeeding in the community. La Leche League, for example, focuses on providing peer counseling to low-income communities with a lower rate of breastfeeding. It offers courses to women who want breastfeeding information for themselves or whose work brings them in contact with breastfeeding women. These courses can run 20 or more hours, and come with fees. However, programs like these do not offer employment and often rely on volunteer services from people interested in running and participating in peer counseling programs.

Common breastfeeding peer counselor training courses include lectures on the benefits, management and promotion of breastfeeding as well as effective counseling techniques, the anatomy of the lactating breast, techniques to help mothers and babies "latch on" properly, cultural issues and how to overcome common problems associated with breastfeeding. Many programs, like La Leche League's breastfeeding program, offer continuing education hours or a certificate at the end of the course, if not employment, as in the WIC program.

Other organizations offer breastfeeding peer counseling to encourage a philosophy of natural birthing and parenting. For example, Wholistic Birth Support and Childbirth Education of Southern California does not hire peer counselors but offers training and programing for women who want to support and aid mothers in their community. No previous experience with breastfeeding is necessary for the California course. The site states the program is open to "any woman who wants to help other women breastfeed." Courses are also sometimes available at local colleges and universities. University of California at San Diego, for example, offers various lactation courses. Anyone interested can take these courses, though they can choose to participate in the university's certificate program as well.

In some cases, prospective peer counselors must complete a practicum or internship before receiving certification. In the Southern California Wholistic program, candidates must pass the written program exam with a 70 percent score or higher and participate in a practicum, helping three mothers with breastfeeding. Candidates must turn in self and client reports for each of these encounters. Online distance education courses are another option. Many of them require a time commitment equal to that of a college course, but offer more flexibility than a traditional classroom program.

How to Conserve Colostrum

Colostrum, the first milk that a woman produces, contains a large quantity of immune properties for the new infant. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics providing colostrum to a newborn is effective in reducing the risk of illness and chronic disease and promotes brain development. According to the Centers for Disease Control more than 75% of new mothers choose to feed their infant colostrum in the first days postpartum.

Instructions

Sore nipples can result if baby does not maintain a wide open mouth while nursing.

Place the baby at breast height with his whole body turned to face you.

Align thebaby's nose with your nipple and touch your nipple to his upper lip.

When the baby opens his mouth wide as if yawning bring the baby onto the breast. The baby's sucking will express the colostrum.

Select a high-quality pump. The most efficient type for the extraction of colostrum is a hospital grade double-sided pump.

Place the flanges, also called breastshields, onto each breast simultaneously with the nipple centered in the tunnel of the flange.

Turn the pump on at the lowest suction level available.

Slowly turn the suction level up assessing your comfort. Do not increase suction level to the point of discomfort.

Continue pumping until the flow of colostrum slows.

Collect expressed colostrum in containers intended for breastmilk storage. These may include breastmilk bags or bottles that come with the pump.

Label the storage container with the date of expression. If more than one expression is combined into a bottle use the date of the first expression. This will serve as your reminder of its "use by" date.

Place colostrum in the refrigerator or freezer unless you plan to feed it to the infant infant quickly. For healthy full-term infants colostrum can be stored at room temperature for 6 to 8 hours. Alternatively, colostrum can be refrigerated for five days. Colostrum may be kept frozen for three to six months.

Warm colostrum under running water before feeding to an infant to thaw or heat.

Friday, May 25, 2012

The Effects of Alcohol on Babies

The effects of alcohol consumption on a baby in utero are extremely severe. Though there is speculation on the severity of effects on a baby that is being breastfed, in an article by the La Leche League, it was stated that in large consumption, a baby can still suffer from "possible" side effects of its mother's alcohol consumption. If a mother consumes alcohol while pregnant, she puts her baby at greater risk for fetal alcohol syndrome, central nervous system issues, and even fetal death or possible miscarriage. Fetal alcohol syndrome can have a lasting effect on a child who is born with it. Under no circumstance should a woman ever drink while being pregnant.

Fetal alcohol syndrome, is the result of a baby begin subjected to alcohol while in the womb. According to the Mayo Clinic, when a women consumes alcohol while pregnant, the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome are irreversible and can have lasting neurological disorders, as well as physical disorders. As a result of alcohol consumption, a baby can suffer from facial deformities such as small eyes. Other effects can include heart issues, deformities of limbs, small birth weight, sleep issues, mental retardation, and emotional issues such as hyperactivity or nervousness.

ARND refers to alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder. When a baby becomes exposed to alcohol prenatally, the baby can be exposed to the risk of having functional or mental issues. Learning difficulties can occur as as the child becomes older. Issues such as memory, attention deficit, or poor impulse control can also happen. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a baby exposed to alcohol in utero can also end up with kidney, bones, hearing issues, or a combination of any of these symptoms.

Alcohol can be transferred through the breast milk. Too much alcohol consumption while breastfeeding can result in the infant becoming too drowsy, not being able to be roused easily, or the child being weak. The infant may also have an inability to gain weight normally. It is also possible for the mother to not be able to eject milk as frequently for her infant if she drinks more than two alcoholic beverages in one day. In an article by the La Leche League, it was suggested that a nursing mother not breastfeed during consumption of alcohol, or for two or three hours after having had an alcoholic beverage.

According to the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human reproduction, mothers who consumed alcohol while pregnant can sometimes have a child born with abnormal facial features such as flat cheeks, upturned noses, and eyes that are abnormally small. The brain may also develop unusually by either being too small or be abnormally formed, which will then result in mental disability. The defects become more pronounced if the mother is a heavy drinker or binge drinker.

As a mother drinks, alcohol passes from the mother through the placenta, and finally into the baby. A baby can't process alcohol as an adult would be able to. The alcohol concentration in a fetus is higher than it is an adult, and the alcohol also prohibits the passing of oxygen to the baby's brain and other organs. As a result, deformities can occur, especially during the baby's most crucial development, which is during the first trimester.

It is not recommended that expecting mothers drink while being pregnant. The possible risks involved are far greater to the child. As the child grows older, they may have language/speech delays, low IQ, or have the inability to do basic functions, such as tying their shoes. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a permanent condition that will last a lifetime for a child. Such risks can be eliminated by choosing not to drink.

How to Keep Breast Feeding During Teething

Any mother who has breastfed her child while it is teething can tell you it's not always a lot of fun. The baby sometimes treats a nipple like a teething ring, which means sharp bites and unpleasant surprises. Despite that, many experts recommend that you keep breast feeding during teething: it often comforts the child while continuing to provide him with the health and nutrition of his mother's milk.

Instructions

Provide the baby with your undivided attention during breast feeding. She can't bite and keep drinking at the same time and if you watch her closely, you can tell when she's getting ready to nip you.

Give the baby a teething ring or a teething blanket to chew on before you start breast feeding him. That gives him time to "chew himself out" and he will be less likely to bite while you are nursing.

Recognize any patterns in the baby's biting while you are breast feeding. If it consistently comes early during each nursing, she may be trying to stimulate lactation, and if it consistently comes late, she may be trying to tell you that she's finished. Either way, you can adjust your breast feeding (either by stimulating lactation or ending the nursing earlier) to address her unspoken concerns.

Teach your baby not to bite. When he nips you, gently pull him away from the breast, then wait a few minutes before beginning to nurse him again. He will learn that biting means a loss of milk and eventually stop doing it in the future.

Refrain from laughing or making a joke out of the biting. Some babies will treat it as a game or a way to get their mother's attention. While you shouldn't ever get angry or raise your voice, don't smile when your baby bites: you want her to know that it is serious.

Ask your child why he keeps biting you (this normally works with older children who are in the latter stages of breast feeding). Rather than getting upset, simply ask him if there is something wrong--if he is jealous of a new sibling, perhaps, or worried that you aren't paying attention to him. Oftentimes, simply airing the child's concern is enough to get him to stop biting.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Breastfeeding Diet for Excellent Brain Development in an Infant

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers breastfeed for 12 months to provide their babies with the best start in development. Invest in your childs future brain growth by supplying nutrient-rich milk. While a special diet isnt necessary, concentrate on selecting a variety of foods to expose your baby to a wide range of flavors. Opt for fresh foods whenever possible to ensure you are ingesting vitamins in their purest form. A rainbow of foods on your plate secures your child's proper brain health and development.

Pediatric neurologist G. Robert Delong writes in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that Iodine deficiency is the most widespread nutritional cause of impairment of brain development. . . [and] remains one of the worlds most common preventable causes of mental retardation. Find iodine in yogurt, eggs, milk and strawberries in addition to processed foods like iodized salt and bread products. Some fish also contain high levels of iodine depending on the waters where they were harvested.

Docosahexaenoic acid, the healthiest of the omega-3 fatty acids, increases brain health and function for you and your baby because the brain is comprised of 60% fat. While formula makers promote their DHA supplementation, you can provide the same neurological benefits to your child by eating foods naturally rich in the fatty acid. To meet the daily requirements of DHA, consume foods like walnuts, avocados or DHA-enriched egg yolks. Fish provides one of best sources of DHA, but select fish low in mercury like salmon, canned light tuna, shrimp and catfish.

The breastfeeding mother can easily become anemic, but babies need the iron in proteins to properly develop the central nervous system. The highest sources of protein are found in dried beans, legumes and soybeans or animal-based foods like chicken, red meat, fish or dairy products. Add to those protein sources with iron-rich breakfast foods like whole grain bread and oatmeal, and supplement throughout the day with leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale or superpower starches such as the sweet potato.

Calcium, a nutrient necessary for nerve function, is an important staple in any diet. Dairy products like milk, yogurts and cheeses are an obvious source of calcium, but you can also benefit from dark green leafy vegetables, sunflower seeds, or foods enriched with calcium like some cereals or orange juice. Vitamin D, the "sunshine vitamin," helps the body process calcium properly; without it, the nutrients are wasted. Find adequate vitamin D in cod liver oil, fish, enriched milk and orange juice or vitamin supplements.

Breastfeeding & Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia, or high blood glucose, presents health risks for pregnant and nursing mothers and it can effect their babies. High blood glucose indicates metabolic syndrome, gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Health care providers recommend breastfeeding when possible for both babies and mothers, as it provides many health benefits for both, including helping to manage high blood glucose in mothers and helping to prevent the development of diabetes in children later in their lives. Type 1 diabetes also poses a risk of elevating the newborn's blood glucose level.

Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and metabolic syndrome are all caused by insulin resistance. Generally, the body produces enough insulin but it is ineffective in controlling blood glucose levels. These types of blood glucose problems are managed by diet, lifestyle changes, oral medications and sometimes insulin. They are usually developed in adulthood, and can develop as a result of pregnancy but also from other factors and may just be exacerbated by pregnancy. Type 2 diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed in children. Type 1 diabetes is a result of insulin not being produced requiring insulin injections.

High blood glucose can trigger a higher insulin response in infants in utero which can cause a lower blood glucose level when the baby is born. Sometimes no treatment is need, as the baby adjusts; however, sometimes they do need to be given glucose through an IV. Mothers with existing type 1 diabetes or who develop gestational diabetes must be monitored during pregnancy, and the babies are monitored for a few weeks after delivery.

Breastfeeding for at least a week has been shown to provide at least some benefit to infant blood glucose levels although breastfeeding for longer is preferred, and it is suggested that at least nine months is ideal. Type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes increase the chance that emergency deliveries may need to be performed, which may interfere with the successful establishment of breastfeeding. Both formula and cows milk have been shown to increase the chances that a child will develop type 2 diabetes when they grow up.

Breastfeeding is very helpful to new mothers as it helps lower their blood glucose. Breastfeeding requires a significant caloric outlay and may help a new mother lose weight. This can lessen the chances of developing metabolic syndrome which in turn lessens the chances of developing type 2 diabetes later on.

The benefits of breastfeeding may be countered by other health risks. Obesity, smoking and lack of exercise can all contribute to blood glucose control problems. Age is another indicator, as many mothers that develop gestational diabetes are older when they become pregnant.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

How Long After Delivery Should You Wait to Restart Birth Control?

To avoid a subsequent pregnancy, you might be looking at different options for postpartum birth control. Ovulation times differ among women, and breastfeeding does play a role in how quickly you might ovulate. Determining which method is right for you, as well as its possible effect on your milk, can help you determine when to start birth control.

According to American Baby, if you're a non-breastfeeding mother you, might ovulate anywhere from 25 to 72 days after birth, with an average being 45 days. Ovulation occurs approximately two weeks before a menstrual period, so you will be fertile even before you have a period. Because new methods of birth control can take several weeks to become fully effective, if you're not breastfeeding, you should start birth control as soon as possible.
Oftentimes, birth control needs can be discussed with your health care provider at your six-week postpartum check-up. If you've used a diaphragm in the past, make sure you undergo a new diaphragm sizing, as birth will have changed the size and shape of your vagina.

If you're breastfeeding, birth control options do exist; however, Planned Parenthood says that for the first six months, many women undergo a period of lactational amenorrhea. During this time, exclusive breastfeeding--only feeding the baby breast milk--naturally suppresses ovulation. Once the baby sleeps through the night or is fed solid food, however, ovulation is more likely to occur. Planned Parenthood says that only two to eight women practicing the LAM method will experience an unexpected pregnancy out of 100 users in a year's time. After this time of natural infertility, you might want to choose a hormonal or non-hormonal method of birth control, though some women do choose to start these soon after birth, even if they're breastfeeding.
If you would also like to use an artificial method of birth control, the "Breastfeeding Answer Book" says the safest options are barrier methods, such as condoms. Be careful, though, as spermicides could enter the blood stream, which can affect your milk.
If you'd like to try a hormonal option, the "Breastfeeding Answer Book" says breastfeeding mothers should only use a progestin-only method, which could include the minipill, progestin-IUDs, progestin-releasing vaginal rings, injectables (Depo-Provera) and implants (Norplant). Avoid hormonal methods that contain estrogen.

How to Unclog a Breast

Breastfeeding mothers must monitor their health carefully while nursing to ensure they do not develop infections. If milk does not move through the milk ducts, it will develop bacteria and the bacteria will lead to a breast infection called mastitis. If you develop pain or redness with warmth in a localized area of a breast while breastfeeding, take steps to unclog the duct to prevent bacteria from stagnating within the duct.

Instructions

Saturate the washcloth with warm water and apply the warm washcloth directly to the plugged area of your breast. Leave the washcloth on your breast for approximately 10 minutes and then breastfeed the baby, if possible. Alternatively, take a warm shower immediately before breastfeeding the baby.

Massage the plugged area of your breast before you breastfeed the baby. Use firm massaging to work the plug loose from the duct.

Breastfeed the baby as often as possible, always offering the breast with the clogged duct first. Position the baby onto the breast so the tip of the babys nose points toward the plugged duct.

Apply the heating pad to the breast with the clog when you are not breastfeeding the baby.

Use the breast pump to extract extra milk, especially if the baby does not seem to be emptying the breast completely at each feeding.

Drink as much plain water as possible to flush the clog out of your system.

Rest as much as possible while you are fighting the plugged duct. Do not engage in any activities that you can avoid and try to eat as nutritiously as possible.

Monitor your symptoms as you try to unclog your breast. If you develop a fever and flu-like symptoms, you may have mastitis. See a physician if you develop mastitis symptoms, because you will need antibiotics.

How to Promote Your Milk Production When Your Baby Is First Born?

Many women hope to breastfeed their babies. According to an article in Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 83 percent of mothers attempt breastfeeding while in the hospital, but by six months, only 50 percent are still doing it. Of the mothers who stopped breastfeeding, over half gave "I didn't have enough milk" as a reason why they quit. For this reason, establishing a good milk supply in the first weeks after a baby's birth is critical to a successful breastfeeding relationship.

Instructions

Hold your baby with skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth. Early skin contact between mother and baby helps baby latch on better and encourages a smoother start to breastfeeding. A 2007 study in the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health found that babies held skin-to-skin by their mothers sucked better and established effective breastfeeding faster than swaddled babies.

Nurse your baby on-demand. Lactation consultant Kelly Bonyata describes breastfeeding as a "'use it or lose it" process." Removing milk from the breast through nursing encourages a hormonal process that results in the production of more milk. The more you nurse, the more milk you create. To establish a good milk supply, nurse at least 10 to 12 times within a 24 hour period.

Drain the breast at each feeding. When your breasts are full of milk, it inhibits prolactin -- the hormone required for milk production. Once baby has completely drained the breast, though, prolactin activity increases and creates more milk. To boost your milk production, let baby nurse on one breast as long as he wants before stopping or switching to the other side.

Use a breast pump. If your breasts still feel partially full after nursing, use a pump to fully drain them. Pumping between nursing sessions will also stimulate further milk production.

Avoid supplementing with formula. Milk production is based on supply and demand. Every time your baby receives a supplementary bottle, it decreases the amount of milk your body produces for your baby.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

How to Increase Breast Milk After Going to Work

Many mothers choose to continue giving their baby breast milk after going back to work. Expressing milk at work will allow you to provide for your baby. Finding a time and place for expressing milk varies depending on the type of job you have. Good planning and preparation can make the transition easier for both mother and child. It is normal for milk production to taper off when away from the baby, but it is possible to maintain or even increase your milk supply while working.

Instructions

Begin storing milk as soon as your baby is accustomed to breastfeeding. The best way to do this is to pump breast milk after each feeding with your baby. Put the milk in a freezer-safe container and label with the current date. This not only starts your stockpile of milk, but should increase your milk supply by stimulating milk ducts even after the baby is done drinking. If possible, use a breast pump that pumps both breasts at the same time. Your baby is not deprived, since he or she always drinks first.

Find a quiet, comfortable place at work to pump. You are likely to pump more when relaxed than when stressed. Bring a picture of your baby to look at while pumping, or at least think about a happy time you had with your child. All of these psychological triggers aid in breast milk production. If a quiet place is not available, consider using ear plugs or music to block out stressful sounds.

Pump at work as often as you fed your child at home. If your baby eats every 2 hours, you should be pumping that often at work. If that is just not possible, pump as often as you can for at least 20 minutes each time. Store the milk in the refrigerator or in a cooler with ice packs.

Continue nursing on the weekends and pumping after baby eats. Even after returning to work, continue pumping after each feeding. Store the milk in the freezer for use during the week. Nursing before and after work each day can also help increase your supply. This special time can also calm your nerves after a stressful day at work.

Eat a healthful diet. You will need about 200 more calories each day while breastfeeding than while pregnant. In some cases, breastfeeding is like nature's weight loss plan for new moms, but be sure to eat enough to maintain your milk supply. Foods like oatmeal are not only healthy for you, but may increase your milk supply.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

About Infant Constipation

One of the most common questions parents ask pediatricians is whether to worry about their baby's bowel habits. Is this normal? Should my baby have more dirty diapers than this? Should their bowel movements look like this? When is it a problem? All the questions are really about one thing; is this normal? The difficulty is that there is a pretty wide range of normal, so the doctor will need to find out some basic information to appropriately answer that question.

First, what indicates a constipation problem in an infant? Constipation generally deals with two things. First, infrequent passage of stool means constipation. Secondly, the passage of hard, dry stool that often presents with painful elimination is also considered to be constipation.
What is infrequent bowel movement in a baby? The average range for a younger infant is between two and four, with breastfed babies passing stool more frequently than bottle-fed infants. The average number of soiled diapers will decrease as baby grows into the toddler years. Most babies will develop a schedule all their own that parents will grow to recognize.
The second sign of constipation is more easily identifiable. A baby who has formed pebbles of stool in the diaper, who cries and flexes legs or draws them up towards abdomen and shows much strain while defecating is most likely suffering from constipation.

Constipation is a very common condition with children, perhaps up to 10% suffer from it. However, very often it is a limited event, only occurring due to some upset in the diet, schedule or lifestyle of the child.
If a new food has been introduced into the baby's diet prior to the onset of constipation, that could very likely be the culprit. Conversely, if a regular food has been skipped recently then constipation starts, perhaps the child's system is having trouble adjusting to the food's absence.
Schedule changes can affect bowels as well. If the child has not been getting to bed, or getting naps at the regular time, or meal times have been changed in the time period that the constipation appeared, that may have been the cause for the problem.
Sometimes, a child will have dry stool that is difficult to pass and will try to avoid the bowel movement by delaying as much as possible, fearing the pain of eliminating hard stool which only exacerbates the problem.
Another common cause is simply not getting enough fluid intake to keep them regular.

Well-meaning friends and family members will often be there to give unsolicited advice that they are quite positive works, because they did it with their kids, or their parents swear by it or so on. However, sometimes even harmless treatments can be dangerous to infants, so never attempt to treat any medical condition, even one as typical as constipation, without speaking with your child's physician.
Some uninformed people will insist you just give the baby mineral oil or an enema, as those are two of the older methods commonly used with older patients with constipation. However, neither of those is typically recommended by doctors for infants. And the use of such treatment can lead to more serious problems than constipation.
Another suggestion may be to give the baby undiluted prune or similar juice. This may be problematic depending on your child's age and diet, and again, the physician should be consulted before making big changes in the infant's diet.

Always seek medical attention for a medical problem with your infant. Some common advice doctors give regarding constipation include increased feedings for breastfed babies, or supplementing formula-fed babies with couple bottles of water. Depending on the age of the child and the present diet, introducing some juice may be recommended. If the doctor sees that the child is backed up and can feel solid matter in their tummy, often the solution is to insert a glycerine suppository into the infant's rectum to facilitate a bowel movement. Often once things get moving, they stay moving and it won't continue to be a problem.
If the doctor suspects a problem with the child's digestion of their formula, the doctor might recommend trying a different type of formula to remedy the condition. Again, let your doctor know before you decide to make any such abrupt changes in an infant's diet.
Finally, if a baby has a tendency to get constipated, watch carefully to make sure that the problem isn't beginning again and take the recommended action earlier than later. Constipation especially the type that creates bowel movements that are painful will create a cycle of avoidance and more constipation.

Rarely constipation is a sign of a more serious problem. That's another reason to always consult a physician whenever you notice a problem. One such serious problem could be Hirschsprung's disease, a congenital condition where certain nerve cells are missing from the colon. Other symptoms typically include being small, vomiting, and ribbon-like stools. It's more common among boys and those with Down's Syndrome.
Hypothyroidism can also cause constipation, but this is usually diagnosed soon after birth from newborn blood screening procedures. Also, conditions that affect the nervous system, such as cerebral palsy or spinal cord conditions frequently have difficulty with constipation.
Certain medications may cause constipation, so never overlook that possibility if the constipation begins soon after beginning a new medicine.
Also, it may be a sign of emotional stress stemming from changes in the lifestyle or possibly even abuse.
Constipation in a newborn can be serious if the baby has not had a bowel movement within the first 48 hours of life, and a doctor should be consulted immediately.
Finally, constipation that goes untreated can lead to an impacted bowel. Signs of this include vomiting and fatigue and diarrhea that isn't fully emptying the bowel.

How to Clean the Medula Breast Shield in the Dishwasher

For the nursing mother, Medela offers a line of highly regarded breast pumps and pumping accessories, as well as other breastfeeding-specific supplies. As a nursing or pumping mother, you must keep all parts of your breast pump clean to ensure your baby receives uncontaminated milk. Although Medela recommends you boil your breast pump parts and shield once daily, the company does offer the option of cleaning them in the dishwasher.

Instructions

Wash the Medela breast shield in warm, soapy water and rinse it under running water.

Place the shield into the top dishwasher rack.

Add the amount of detergent you normally use to the dishwasher.

Adjust the dishwasher's settings to use the hottest water possible, as well as a high-heat drying cycle. Refer to your dishwasher's owner's manual for specific information on cycle adjustments.

Turn the dishwasher on and allow it to clean your Medela breast shield.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Effects of Sugar on a Baby

Sugar affects babies from the time they are in the womb. While it is not acceptable for a mother to smoke or drink during pregnancy, she can safely consume some sugar. Once a baby is born, sugar is commonplace in breast milk and fruits; however, consumption of excess sugar can have negative health effects. Although sugar can serve as a natural remedy for babies experiencing constipation or pain during immunization shots, parents should be leery of the amount of sugar their babies consume.

When a woman consumes sugary foods during pregnancy, it is absorbed into her bloodstream rapidly. A mother's blood sugar can impact her baby's size and health. Taking in excess sugar can cause the fetus to grow too large, resulting in complications during childbirth. Excessive sugar consumption results in the pancreas having to work extra hard to produce enough insulin to regulate the mother's blood sugar, leading to gestational diabetes in some cases. Although gestational diabetes goes away after pregnancy, it is bad for both the mother and child. Even if the mother does not have diabetes, high blood sugar can cause babies to be born with low blood sugar and high insulin levels. These problems can lead to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes for children later in life.

Sugar can affect babies by eliminating constipation. Sugar draws fluid into the baby's bowls, softening the stools and relieving constipation. The sugar can come in the form of fruit, fructose, sorbitol or sucrose. Brown sugar or corn syrup can be added to a baby's formula to relieve constipation. However, when possible, water is recommended over sugar. Increasing fluids can decrease constipation just as well as sugar, without causing a spike in the baby's blood sugar.

Sugar has proven to relieve the pain experienced during immunization shots for babies between one and 12 months old. Sugar water before the immunization shots seems to lessen the pain of the needle's sting. Babies who receive sugar water prior to the shots tend to cry less and in some cases, not at all. Adverse effects are not reported when sugar water is given prior to the shots.

Sugar should not be given to babies under one year of age. Babies get the natural sugar they need from breast milk and fruit. Other forms of sugar have no nutritional value for babies. Sugar is bad for a baby's oral health and teeth. A baby's teeth are much more vulnerable than an adult's. Even sugar in diluted juices can promote tooth decay.

How to Wean From the Breast Pump

Breastfeeding mothers often choose to use a breast pump to express milk when they can not be present for feedings, storing the milk for future use. Some mothers express their milk for all feedings because their babies never latch on to the breast properly, or for a number of other reasons. Weaning from the breast pump is similar to weaning from direct feedings, and it is important to wean slowly. However, there are a few special considerations specific to weaning from a breast pump.

Instructions

Choose a pumping session during your 24-hour schedule that is the most stressful and the least convenient.

Skip pumping for that session only. Continue to pump on the same schedule as you would for all other sessions during the day, storing the milk, if you wish, for future use. If you are nursing your child directly as well as pumping, you may want to wait to wean her from your breast until you first have stopped pumping entirely. Be aware that supplementation might be needed from all feedings with formula, however.

Wear breast pads to prevent embarrassment or garment stains on the chance that you experience milk leakage. Leakage is rare if you have been breastfeeding your child or expressing milk for some time. But pads are a precaution worth taking.

Make a compress of crushed ice inside a closed, plastic sandwich bag for relief from any tenderness that might result. Breast engorgement is unlikely if you have been expressing milk for more than a few months.

Once your body has adjusted, you can give up another session.

Select another session to eliminate once your body has adjusted. Don't rush the process. Continue to drop pumping sessions one at a time until you have completely weaned from the breast pump.

How to Boost Lactation

One common concern breastfeeding mothers have is low milk supply. A 2008 study in the medical journal Pediatrics found that women who stopped breastfeeding in the first six months gave "I didn't have enough milk" as a reason for quitting 51.7 to 54 percent of the time. If you find you need to boost your milk supply because your baby isn't gaining enough weight, your baby isn't making enough wet or dirty diapers, or you want to be able to pump more, a few techniques can help you produce more milk.

Instructions

Nurse more frequently. Milk production is based on supply and demand. The more often you nurse, the more milk your breasts will produce. Aim to nurse your baby at least eight times a day. Nurse her on each side during a feeding to stimulate both breasts. Feed your baby based on her hunger signs rather than on a schedule.

Drain your breasts completely at each feeding. Full breasts produce milk slowly, while empty breasts produce milk quickly. Allow your baby to nurse as long as he wants on one side before switching him to the other. Let a newborn nurse 20 to 45 minutes to ensure he consumes enough milk. If your baby is falling asleep at the breast or nursing lazily, encourage him to nurse more by switching him to the other breast every time his sucking slows. Aim to nurse him at least twice on each side.

Pump after nursing, especially if your baby doesn't drain your breasts adequately. Use a high quality pump, set the suction to maximum and pump both breasts for five to 10 minutes after each feeding.

Take up to 14 500-mg fenugreek capsules per day. Gradually increase the number of capsules you take until your urine and sweat start smelling like maple syrup. You may detect a boost in your milk supply as soon as 24 to 72 hours after starting fenugreek, but it can also take up to two weeks to produce an effect.

Eat a bowl of hot oatmeal every day. Some women find that eating oatmeal helps them produce more milk. If nothing else, it lowers cholesterol and provides a good source of iron.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

How to Treat Mastitis

Mastitis is a painful infection of the breast experienced by women who are breastfeeding. Preventing or quickly relieving engorgement by nursing your baby or expressing your breast milk can help to prevent mastitis. If you feel you are developing mastitis, it's important to treat it quickly.

Instructions

Know the symptoms of mastitis. If one or both breasts are tender or red, either all over or in one spot, you may be developing mastitis. Other symptoms include fever and feeling run down and achy, as if you are getting the flu.

Rest and nurse your baby as often as possible. Drink plenty of fluid, gently massage the area that's sore and alternate hot and cold compresses. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and pain; both are safe for breastfeeding. Don't give up breastfeeding altogether; continuing to breastfeed will help you to recover faster and possibly prevent a breast abscess from developing.

Contact your doctor. She may not prescribe an antibiotic right away, especially if this is your first instance of mastitis, and if you aren't feeling progressively worse over the course of a few hours. But if you have a history of mastitis, if you are feeling worse and worse, or if your nipples are cracked (which allows infection to more easily set it) your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.

Get help from your spouse and family. Your primary job right now is breastfeeding and getting plenty of rest, as that will help you to recover from mastitis. Let someone else take care of everything else so you can get better quickly.

Friday, May 11, 2012

How to Care for Toddlers with Thrush

Thrush is an overgrowth of yeast cells that can occur any time the number of beneficial bacterial cells in the body can no longer keep the yeast cells in check. This can occur when taking certain medications like antibiotics, when breastfeeding, or when your diet is unbalanced and contains too many carbs. Toddlers can contract thrush. While not a contagious disease, it can be painful and make your toddler feel ill. Treating your toddler is easy to do, whether you wish to do so with oral or topical medication.

Instructions

Treat the thrush topically. If your toddler is still breastfeeding, you can swab your breast with gentian violet. Wash your breast with a one to four solution of vinegar to water. Oral anti-fungal solutions can be swabbed into the mouths of toddlers.

Eat yogurt, especially yogurt with high concentrations of acidophilus. Acidophilus is a beneficial bacteria that will keep the yeast in check.

Cut out or reduce carbs. Many times reducing the number of carbs in the diet can reduce the number of yeast cells in the body, which will help treat thrush.

Boost the immune system. Make sure you toddler is getting plenty of vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals that will help her body's natural defenses fight off the yeast.

Take medication. There are oral antifungal medications that are available that will rid your toddler of thrush. There are also natural remedies such as grapefruit seed extract and lecithin that can treat thrush.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Is Hydroxycut Safe While Breastfeeding?

Weight loss supplements are an attractive way to speed up the return to your pre-pregnancy figure. Before rushing to the drug store for diet pills, however, note that most of these products are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

The effects of Hydroxycut on babies have not been scientifically studied, so it is not known if the product passes through breast milk. Therefore Hydroxycut is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers.

Hydroxycut contains caffeine, which causes sleeplessness and fussiness in infants and is easily passed through breast milk.

In May 2009, Hydroxycut was voluntarily recalled from the market because of reports of liver damage related to the product. The Food and Drug Administration advised consumers to stop using the products. Because of this, it is especially important for pregnant women to avoid this product.

Although it does help people lose weight, Hydroxycut has numerous side effects. These include increased heart rate and other cardiovascular issues, seizures and Rhabdomyolysis. Any product that puts a mother at risk should not be consumed while breastfeeding.

A healthy diet and exercise are the best form of weight loss, especially for a breastfeeding mother. A nutritious and balanced diet is best for mother and baby.

How to Safely Take Amoxicillin While Pregnant

When you are pregnant and sick it is important to research all medications before taking anything even if it is an antibiotic. Amoxicillin is a medication that only a doctor can prescribe. Get to know the health risks of taking medications such as Amoxicillin before you decide to consume it while pregnant. Any medication can have an effect on you and your baby during pregnancy.

Instructions

Get to know more about this drug in general. Amoxicillin, which is very similar to Penicillin, is used to treat bacteria-caused infections. These are both antibiotics. This antibiotic has not been linked to any birth defects or pregnancy-related difficulties. Consult your doctor first before taking any medication while pregnant.

Talk to your doctor. Amoxicillin is in the FDA category B for pregnancy, which interprets that they do not expect it to be harmful to your baby. If you have an infection you need to first be checked out by your OB/GYN or doctor. If you have a viral infection, this antibiotic will not help you. On the other hand, if the doctor sees that you are correct in needing an antibiotic she may prescribe you Amoxicillin.

Use Amoxicillin according to the dosage recommendations. Amoxicillin is typically taken once a day and at the same time each day. You must take the entire prescription as directed for it to be effective or for it to get rid of your infection. If you do not take it as directed the bacteria may continue to grow and worsen. Amoxicillin is best taken with food and water but can be taken without food. The dosage that your doctor prescribes will depend on your individual condition.

Consider any allergies. Amoxicillin, taken as directed (usually small amounts) by your doctor is acknowledged as harmless as long as the mother has no history of being allergic to Penicillin or any other antibiotics. Again this does not mean it is safe for everyone, so talk to your doctor.

Taken when nursing. Amoxicillin is also acknowledged to be safe during breastfeeding as long as there is no history of allergic reactions and that it is taken in small increments. This antibiotic is also used to treat various infections in babies. Babies can experience unwanted side effects from the medication as well as adults (talk to your babies pediatrician for a individual consultation before use).

When Do Breastfed Babies Sleep Through the Night?

Breastfeeding provides unparalleled bonding time with your baby. However, there comes a time in all new mothers' lives when the desire for a full night of sleep overcomes the desire to hold and snuggle this miraculous little life.

Newborns are growing rapidly and need to be fed every couple of hours; this includes during the night. Although newborns sleep up to 18 hours a day in their first month, it is rare for them to sleep for longer than four hours at a time. This means that you will be up around the clock, nursing and soothing your baby. Dr. Sears, the attachment parenting expert and breastfeeding advocate, recommends feeding on demand and carrying your baby in a sling during the day to maintain a restful atmosphere, which will in turn promote better nighttime sleep.

By about 3 months old, your baby will be more organized. He will likely be more alert during the day and sleepier (most of the time), at night. Some lucky mothers will begin to get more sleep at this point, although many will not. Your baby may only wake twice in the night to nurse, but his "night" may begin at 7:00 p.m. and end at 5:00 a.m. Hardly the ideal schedule for an exhausted new mother. If you choose to co-sleep with your baby, he may settle back to sleep more easily after nursing, leaving you less tired. This doesn't work for all babies; some become all-night customers at the breastfeeding buffet if they share mommy's bed, so don't feel obligated to co-sleep if it doesn't work for you.

Finally, some relief is in sight. As your baby gets older, his sleep cycles will get longer and he will sleep more deeply. He may still wake once or twice in the night to nurse, but he will most likely achieve the milestone of sleeping through the night, at least as doctors define it: a five-hour stretch of sleep. Some babies begin to sleep for longer periods at this time because they have begun to supplement breastfeeding with small portions of solid foods, like rice cereal and pureed bananas. But don't overfeed your baby in the quest to make him sleep longer; he's more likely to end up with a stomachache and some very messy diapers for you to change at 3:00 a.m.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

How to Treat an Infant Who Has the Flu

Treating an infant with the flu can usually be accomplished at home without having to visit the doctor. Keeping a close eye on infants with the flu, and treating symptoms will ease their pain and help the flu move along. The flu is a contagious illness caused by the influenza virus and is most common during the winter months. This illness is spread by coming in contact with someone who has the flu; it can take up to five days before showing symptoms.
The flu can be dangerous in infants, so if a baby has a temperature higher than 101 degrees F, seems lethargic, is coughing, and has the chills and a runny nose, consult a doctor.

Instructions

Start by keeping yourself healthy by taking safety precautions such as washing hands as often as possible with antibacterial hand soap. This will help keep you from getting the flu, making it easier for you to continue caring for your infant.

Remove all items from the baby's environment that may have flu contaminates on them--such as bedding, pacifiers and toys--and wash them thoroughly with soap and hot water in either a washing machine, dishwasher or by hand to kill any influenza virus.

Provide your baby with liquids as often as possible. According to babycenter.com, breast-feed or bottle-feed the baby often, and if she is eating solid foods, offer your baby frozen fruit bars or soup broth.

Encourage the infant to sleep as often as possible. If he is tired, allow him to sleep--even if it is not his regular naptime.

Treat a low fever with infant's acetaminophen as recommended on packaging or by a doctor. If your baby is younger than 3 months, or you are uncertain if acetaminophen is safe for your infant, contact a doctor. Never give aspirin to children, as it can cause a rare liver disorder called Reye syndrome in children with certain illnesses, such as colds and flu.

Treat a cough by administering warm liquids in a bottle bottle-feeding infants. Breast milk is naturally warm, so breast-feeding a baby who nurses may help. Sitting in a steamy bathroom for five to ten minutes will assist with easing a dry throat.

Streat a stuffy nose with a bulb syringe to allow infants easy breathing. Wipe discharge from an infant's nose with a soft towel to keep their sensitive skin from getting dried out.

Continue to treat infant flu symptoms until they dissipate. According to babycenter.com, flu symptoms can last from three to five days. If an infant's flu symptoms last longer, contact a doctor to discuss other options.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

How to Produce Colostrum After a Cesarean Birth

Colostrum, the first milk from a mother, is produced in the last trimester of her pregnancy, and it gives the baby antibodies to protect the infant from disease. The type of birth, whether cesarean or vaginal, makes no difference to colostrum or breast milk production. Generally mothers who have cesarean births are just as successful at breast-feeding as mothers who have vaginal births. However, a few simple steps should be taken to ensure breast-feeding goes smoothly.

Instructions

Discuss with your doctor your plans to breast-feed your newborn, and that you want to take all the steps necessary to do this easily. Most cesarean births are not planned, so you need to tell your physician what you want before your due date.

Read a breast-feeding book or talk to a lactation consultant before your due date for recommendations of breast-feeding positions after a cesarean birth.

Ask for pain medication that will not interfere with breast-feeding. Some anesthetics used during labor and cesareans are secreted in breast milk, and you need to be given ones that do not.

Hold your newborn as soon as possible. The hormones that create colostrum and breast milk come from holding your baby, not from a vaginal birth. A cesarean birth should not make any difference to your milk production, though sometimes it might take longer for the regular milk to come in.

Prop a pillow next to you as you first breast-feed your baby in the side-by-side position. Most hospitals have lactation specialists who can show you the proper way to breast-feed after a cesarean birth. Try to latch your baby onto your breast as soon as possible.

Feed your baby your colostrum, the yellowish clear liquid your body produces before the regular milk comes in. It's packed with nutrients and antibodies to protect him or her from disease.

Nurse your baby on demand. This will help with your bonding and milk production.

Sleep near your baby in the hospital. Most hospitals allow babies to stay in the mother's room after a cesarean. This will give your baby all the colostrum he or she needs, and you will be on your way to successful breast-feeding.

How to Pump Breastmilk

Breastfeeding a baby is one of the most natural human body functions. Breastmilk is full of nutrients and antibodies that are very beneficial to your babys health. Not all new mothers find breastfeeding to be an easy chore. Often the need to pump breastmilk comes up, and knowing how to properly pump will make feeding your baby a much more enjoyable task.

Instructions

Sterilize your breast pump and accessories before using them. The sterilize cycle on your dishwasher or boiling your parts in water for ten minutes will kill off any germs that might be present on your pump.

Massage your breasts before pumping. Gently massaging them in a circular motion from your body outward will help stimulate and relax your body. A warm towel applied to your breasts will also help you get the most milk during your pumping sessions.

Sit in a comfortable seat. It is important that you can relax for at least twenty minutes, as proper pumping can take time. Having an item that reminds you of your baby, such as a piece of your babys clothing with her scent, will allow your milk to come down faster.

Apply the pump to your breast and begin pumping. If you have an electric breast pump, turn it on and adjust the suction until milk is being expressed. If you have a hand pump, pump in a solid rhythm until you begin to get milk.

Allow the pumping to continue for at least twenty minutes, or two to three minutes after youve seen the last drops of milk come out. Milk is let down more than once during pumping, so continuing even after you think you are empty helps produce more milk.

Turn the pump off and gently remove them from your breasts. Take care not to injure yourself while removing the pumps, since the suction can be quite strong.

Seal your bottles or storage bags and place them in the refrigerator or freezer. Put them in the refrigerator if you will be using them within a day, or in the freezer for longer storage.

Wash your breast pump parts and allow them to dry thoroughly. Proper washing and sterilization will assure that you get the most breastmilk pumped for your baby.

How to Use a Breast Feeding Nipple Shield

Breastfeeding can be a challenge for both mother and baby, especially if there are extenuating circumstances that make it difficult for the baby to nurse effectively. When a mother has inverted nipples, or a newborn is premature or weak, the baby may have difficulty breastfeeding. Placing a silicone nipple shield over a mother's nipple can help a baby learn how to breastfeed successfully.

Instructions

Place the nipple portion of the nipple shield onto your nipple with the brim of the shield folded away from the nipple. Moisten the brim of the nipple shield with water, and press it down over the nipple gently.

Put the baby to the breast to see if the nipple shield solves the problem. The baby should latch onto the nipple shield, with the nipple portion of the shield fitting comfortably in his mouth.

Use the nipple shield at each feeding to help the baby learn to feed with the entire nipple in the mouth.

Wash the nipple shield with dish washing soap and rinse well with warm water after every use.

Fill a saucepan with water, and boil the water. Place the nipple shield in the water, and boil it for five minutes once a day.

Try breastfeeding the baby without the nipple shield after she becomes a proficient breast feeder with it. If she has problems without it, continue to use the nipple shield.

Begin weaning the baby off the nipple shield when he is growing well, becoming stronger and may be able to breastfeed without it. Be patient and encouraging when the baby breastfeeds without the shield, to help him accept the change. This transition may take several days to complete.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Ways Nurses Can Help New Mothers Care For Their Babies?

A caring and professional nurse can play a vital role in helping a new mother to care for her baby. Nurses provide information on infant development and behavior, instruct parents on basic infant care and help them to prepare for what comes next.

A newborn's only way to communicate is by crying. New mothers are often fearful and unsure of how to respond to a baby's cries. A nurse can help mothers to understand normal infant behavior patterns so that they can learn how to best support and comfort the baby. Nurses also teach parents how to take the baby's temperature and how to check for signs of illness.

On the surface, breastfeeding would seem to be a natural thing for mothers and newborns. In truth, successful breastfeeding can sometimes be difficult for both parties. Nurses can assist new mothers with proper breastfeeding techniques including how to hold the baby, get him to feed and tell when he's had enough. Additionally, nurses help new mothers with how to use a breast pump and how to store milk.

Having a baby is both emotionally and physically taxing. New mothers often have to push past their own fatigue to manage nighttime feedings. Nurses are instrumental in teaching new mothers how to schedule their babies' feedings so that babies get sufficient nutrition and mothers get the rest they need. Additionally, the nurse can provide details on normal sleep patterns, how often to change diapers and other important information that helps a new mother to transition from pregnancy to parenthood.

Babies are slippery when wet! A nurse can instruct new mothers about how to safely hold newborns during bathing and recommend baby-safe products. Nurses also provide general information on various subjects such as vaccination scheduling, how to take care of the umbilical cord, and how to dress the infant. Nurses can also recognize signs of postpartum depression in new mothers and make referrals to other health providers if needed.

How to Ease the Discomfort of Engorged Breasts

Many women experience painfully engorged breasts when they begin breastfeeding. If your breast become engorged when your milk comes in, your breasts may be so sensitive that it is very difficult and painful for you to nurse your baby. Although it can be very uncomfortable and even painful, it is important to nurse your baby regularly in order to establish your milk supply. Below are some tips for dealing with the pain of engorged breasts.

Instructions

Use heat. Apply heat for a short period of time to your breasts at the begining of each feeding. This will help to soften the areola and encourage your milk flow. Place a washcloth dipped in warm water on your areolas.

Massage your breasts. Gently massage your breast while your baby is nursing. This will help to encourage you milk flow and ease the engorgement.

Use ice. Use ice packs after nursing to ease the pain of engorgement. You can also purchase special cooling inserts for your bra.

Purchase quality nursing bras. Always wear a well-constructed nursing bra. It is especailly important that painfully engorged breasts are constantly supported. Make sure that the bra is well-fitted and is neither too loose nor too tight.

Breastfeed your baby regularly. Although it can be uncomfortable, this is the best treatment for engorged breasts. The less your baby nurses, the more your milk will build up, and the more engorged your breasts will become. The more often your nurse your newborn, the faster the engorgement will ease.

Use a breast pump. If your baby doesn't nurse enough to ease your discomfort, use a breast pump. Take care not to pump too much, just enough to relieve the engorgement.

Change your baby's nursing position from one feeding to the next. This will help to ensure that all of the milk ducts are being emptied.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Can You Skip a Period & Not Be Pregnant?

A missed period can cause considerable concern for a woman, especially if she is not anticipating a pregnancy. While pregnancy is the most common reason for missing a period, there are several other reasons, which are completely unrelated to pregnancy, why a woman may skip a period. Most women will miss periods at some point in their lives for reasons other than pregnancy, but if a period does not return within two to three months, a gynecologist should be consulted.

Most women who breast-feed their infants exclusively will skip periods for months after delivering their baby. It is common for a period not to return in a breast-feeding woman until her baby is completely weaned and her body's fertility is restored. As with other instances when a woman skips a period, it is still possible to get pregnant while breast-feeding or missing periods.

Rapid or extreme weight gain or loss are other common reasons women may skip their period and not be pregnant. Gaining or losing weight quickly can have drastic effects, often disrupting many of the body's major functions, including the menstrual cycle. Typically, a woman's period will return once the body adjusts to the new weight, unless an unhealthy amount of weight was lost or gained, resulting in either a new underweight or obese body mass.

Excessive exercise can also cause women to skip a period and is frequently seen in competitive athletes.

Most women will skip a period and not be pregnant at some point in their lives due to physical or emotional stress. Stress, especially when severe or prolonged, takes a toll on the body's normal functioning, much like rapid weight gain or loss, and can disturb the usual workings of the menstrual cycle. Typically, when stress is reduced a woman's period will return. Fatigue and illness are typically associated with stress as reasons that may cause a missed period. Rest and recovery are the primary ways women can help return their cycles to normal in these instances.

It is not uncommon for young women in their first years of menstruation to skip periods and have rather erratic cycles without being pregnant. It often takes up to three years for the menstrual cycle to firmly establish itself in a young female, thus causing an initial irregularity in function. Likewise, women approaching menopause and the complete cessation of menstruation often skip periods without being pregnant as their bodies prepare for the coming hormonal changes.

Many women take birth control pills to help regulate their menstrual cycles, but for those taking very low dose varieties, it can actually result in light or skipped periods. These low dose birth control pills may have such low levels of hormones that they are not able to sustain the normal functioning of the menstrual cycle. Women coming off birth control pills also may experience skipped periods as their bodies adjust to governing menstruation naturally.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

How to Stop Lactating After Finishing Breast Feeding

The process of no longer lactating varies according to how the mother stops breastfeeding. If stopped suddenly, the process may involve more discomfort. With gradual weaning, difficulties may be minimal. There are a variety of techniques to use at home that will help make a smooth transition from breastfeeding to no longer lactating. It is the choice of each individual mother of when to stop breastfeeding. Jeanne L. Ballard, MD from the University of Cincinnati Children's Hospital offers practical advice on how to stop lactating no matter the situation.

Instructions

Use a breast pump to express only enough milk to relieve discomfort and engorgement. Do not empty the breasts.

Apply cold compresses or take a cold shower to ease the pain after pumping. Placing cabbage leaves inside the bra for about 20 minutes every four to six hours is also helpful.

Pump less often; milk supply continually decreases.

Continue this gradual cycle until your body stops producing milk.

Sage and mint teas are natural remedies to help speed up the process. Sudafed is also known to work well, but should not be taken by women with hypertension. Take one dose of 60 mg daily.

Make sure baby is comfortable using a bottle or cup instead of the breast.

Slowly cut back on the number of breast feedings. Start by dropping one feeding at a time.

Wait a week, if possible, before dropping another feeding. This allows both the baby and mother's milk supply time to adjust.

Lessen the duration of each feeding, which will increase the time between feedings.

Be patient; this gradual process will allow the mother's milk supply to slowly decrease. It usually takes four to six weeks to completely stop lactating, but the time can vary depending on the weaning process.

Tips on Breastfeeding Twins

Having twins is both exciting and frightening. Though you will have two bundles of joy, you will also have double duty when it comes to care and feeding. As mothers begin to plan for their arrival, many may assume that having multiples means exclusive breastfeeding will not be possible, but that's not necessarily true.

Many mothers of twins successfully breastfeed their babies, often for extended periods of time. The key to success in breastfeeding more than one baby is having a good support network and building up an adequate milk supply. Breastfeeding twins is hard work, but it does get easier. Plus, you'll save a lot of money instead of using formula.

Before your babies are born, make sure to have a support network in place. Breastfeeding is hard and if you don't have someone to help motivate you, you may feel like quitting. Also, make sure to research resources, such as lactation consultants, who can answer your questions when you first start nursing. Many moms find it useful to have household help during the early days --- either a family member or a postpartum doula --- who can take care of minor household duties, help care for older children, prepare food for you and encourage and support you while you focus on feeding your babies.

Many moms of twins quit breastfeeding because they think they are unable to produce enough milk to feed two babies. While some women may be physically unable to produce enough milk to feed two infants, for many others it is quite possible to build up an adequate supply.

According to a 2005 study by JOGNN Clinical Research, the majority of mothers who persist in nursing exclusively during the difficult immediate postnatal period were able to supply enough milk to continue nursing both babies at six months and beyond. Using a double electric breast pump after each nursing session in the early days can help build up your supply, as can some herbal supplements such as fenugreek or blessed thistle. Also, remember to stay hydrated --- always have a glass of water nearby when you sit down to nurse and try to drink eight to 12 glasses of fluid a day.

If you continue to have supply issues, talk to you doctor about prescription medicines that are available to help increase supply.

Tandem nursing can save you a lot of time, but it can be tricky to get started. A good twin nursing pillow can help tremendously, as can the expertise of a lactation consultant. There are many positions that work for tandem nursing. When the babies are little, the double clutch hold is often the easiest position and is the most commonly used with a twin breastfeeding pillow. In this position, the babies' heads are side-by-side at your breasts, and their bodies are each tucked under one of your arms.

Another common position is the double cradle hold, where the babies each lie in the crook of one of your elbows, their legs crossing in your lap.

Alternatively, you may try a combination of the two holds, with one baby in the clutch hold and the other in the cradle hold; both babies' heads will be facing in the same direction and the legs of one baby will line up with the head of the other.

No matter the position you use, make sure their whole bodies are facing you chest to chest; if their bodies are facing up and only their faces are turned towards you, you will experience soreness. Some twin moms prefer to breastfeed their babies one at a time, and this may be a good way to get started if your babies have trouble latching at the beginning.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Breastfeeding Benefits and Statistics

A womans body naturally produces milk when she has a baby, but its the mothers choice whether she wants to breastfeed or bottle feed the child. There are many benefits to breastfeeding, however, for both the mother and the baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding babies for six months, followed by continuing to breastfeed while introducing age-appropriate foods for at least the rest of the baby's first year.

During pregnancy and right after giving birth, a womans body produces colostrum, a thick, yellow milk. The baby gets only small amounts of this first milk during each feeding, but its just enough for his stomach to handle. Colostrum is low in fat but high in protein, carbohydrates and other nutrients your baby needs. It helps the baby to pass stools easily and aids in preventing jaundice.

Newborn babies' stomachs are tiny and often sensitive. Breast milk is easier for most babies to digest than store-bought formula. This is especially true for premature babies. Formula is made from cows milk or soy. The proteins in formula are more difficult on the babys digestive system than those found in breast milk, and babies need time to adjust to digesting formula, which is typically not the case with breast milk.

Babies who are breastfed reap a number of health benefits. They are less likely to need future orthodontic treatment and have better jaw alignment. Breastfeeding can also help to prevent diseases of the digestive tract, such as Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis, as well as some childhood cancers. Babies who are fed breast milk rather than formula tend to be leaner and have a decreased risk of developing obesity as a adolescent or adult. Other health benefits for breast-fed babies include a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, asthma and respiratory infections.

Mothers also benefit from breastfeeding. Mothers who breastfeed are at a decreased risk for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and depression than those who feed their babies formula. WomensHealth.org reports that there might be a link between breastfeeding and losing pregnancy weight, though more evidence is needed to support this claim. Aside from the health benefits, breastfeeding is easier on mothers. After a mother and baby establish a breastfeeding routine, theres no bottle preparation or cleaning. Breastfeeding is free, whereas formula can cost hundreds of dollars per month. Additionally, breastfeeding is a way for a mother to form a close bond with her baby. The skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding can boost oxytocin in the mother, which makes her feel more relaxed and helps the milk flow.

The longer a baby breastfeeds, the greater the health benefits for mother and child. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health says that 72 percent of women in the United States start off breastfeeding, but by the time the baby is 3 months old, only 40 percent of them are still exclusively breastfeeding. Additionally, less than 14 percent of women exclusively breastfeed their babies for six months. African-American mothers, as well as those of a low socioeconomic status, those who are younger and those who are less educated have the lowest rates of breastfeeding.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

When to Start Dieting

Planning Meals and Snacks

Exercise

Monday, May 28, 2012

Breastfeed

Diet

Exercise

Clinical Hours

Supervision

Purpose

Other Pathways

Instructions

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Employer Training

Non-Employer Training

Typical Program Curriculum

Other Programs

Considerations

Instructions

Express Colostrum Using Baby

Express Colostrum With a Pump

Storing Expressed Colostrum

Friday, May 25, 2012

FAS

ARND

Breastfeeding

Defects

Causes

Warning

Instructions

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Iodine

DHA

Iron and Protein

Calcium and Vitamin D

Hyperglycemia

Blood Glucose And Newborns

Benefits For The Baby

Benefits To The Mother

Other Factors

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Non-breastfeeding and Birth Control

Breastfeeding and Birth Control

Instructions

Instructions

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Instructions

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Identification

Considerations

Misconceptions

Prevention/Solution

Warning

Instructions

Thursday, May 17, 2012

During Pregnancy

Constipation

Immunizations

Overall Health

Instructions

Instructions

Instructions

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Instructions

Friday, May 11, 2012

Instructions

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Significance

Considerations

Warning

Effects

Prevention/Solution

Instructions

The Early Weeks

From 3 Months

From 6 Months

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Instructions

Sunday, May 6, 2012