The Easiest Ways to Lose Weight After Having a Baby

Most women gain a significant amount of weight during pregnancy, no matter how much the try to avoid it. Many will have big plans of dieting and working out after they give birth, only to realize they are too busy. There are some simple exercises that will help you start sweating off those calories.

Medical clearance

Before getting serious about post-pregnancy weight loss, check with your doctor to ensure you are ready to exercise. Your physician will also be able to help you determine how many calories you should eat to help lose weight without compromising the nutrition of your breast milk. Breast feeding actually burns a lot of calories, so besides being good for your baby, it also helps you lose the weight.

Diet

When calories expended outnumber calories consumed, you will lose weight. During pregnancy you may have become accustomed to eating anything that satisfied your cravings. But to kick-start your weight loss, start eating healthy foods and less of them. Think about making small changes like eating smaller servings at every meal, replacing ice cream with frozen yogurt or skipping the butter on your toast in the morning.

Cut back to just enough calories that you feel satisfied all day. Cutting calories too drastically will leave you feeling hungry, and for a new mother, that's the last thing you need. Leave the calorie calculating to the professional: Purchase a pre-packaged meal plan like Nutrisystem or Weight Watchers, which can also save you time shopping for groceries or wondering what to eat.

Exercise

Get active. Once your doctor says you're good to go, start moving. If have only limited time between the feedings and the diaper changing, try adding just five-minute exercises to your day. While folding the laundry do some squats, or if you're folding it on the couch, sit on an exercise ball to strengthen your tummy muscles.

Other ideas: Time yourself while cleaning the house to see if you can do it faster each time, burning a sweat as you go. As soon as you can, get the stroller out for a daily walk, you and the baby. If you can move that walk into a run, you'll burn even more calories.

How to Freeze Breast Milk in Plastic Bags

Breastfeeding mothers have the ability to pump and store their milk for later feeding using a bottle, either for work purposes or for another person to help out with the feeding duties. Proper collection and storage procedures are important to follow to ensure that the milk remains nutritionally sound and doesn't spoil. Breast milk can be stored in various containers, but many mothers prefer the flexible and sterile milk storage bags because they transport well and don't take up a lot of room in the freezer.

Instructions

1

Write today's date on the milk storage bag with permanent marker, along with your name and your baby's name if it will be stored at a child-care facility.

2

Attach milk-collection bottles to your breast pump. Make sure they are firmly attached and that the pump is properly sealed.

3

Pump your milk, according to your breast pump's directions. Make sure your pumping area is relaxing and private. A photo of your baby may help your letdown reflex.

4

Transfer the milk carefully from the bottle to the storage bag, being careful to keep your hands steady. Store milk in 1- to 4-oz. portions to reduce waste.

5

Store the bags upright in your freezer. Always put newer bags behind any that are already frozen so that your supply gets rotated correctly.

How to Bottle Feed With Love

When you have your baby, you choose to either breast or bottle feed. Although breastfeeding has many nutritional benefits, it is not the way every mother wants to feed her baby, or is able to feed her baby. If you have chosen to bottle feed your baby, you can still mimic the bonding experience of breastfeeding and make it enjoyable for both you and your baby. You can bottle feed with love. Here are some basic ways.

Instructions

1

When bottle feeding your baby, it is important to make eye-to-eye contact. Not only is this beneficial for the bonding experience, but it is associated with optimal brain development. This simple technique can foster immense attachment to your newborn.

2

Hold your baby skin to skin, if possible. Simply unbuttoning your shirt and holding your baby belly to belly will encourage closeness. If you are out in public and feel uncomfortable, you can use a shawl or blanket to cover up with. Your partner can also do this technique with baby and encourage bonding.

3

Always remain in contact with your baby and be aware of when he is done feeding. Watch his cues, such as pulling away or fussing, as if you were breastfeeding.

4

Take your time and enjoy feeding your baby; don't rush your baby through any of his feedings. Instead, talk to him, stroke his face and hold him close as you feed him. Make it an enjoyable time together.

5

Feel confident about your decision to bottle feed. Breastfeeding is not always the best decision for every parent. Medical circumstances, religious beliefs or work schedules can inhibit breastfeeding. Bottle fed babies can thrive well with the appropriate care from their mothers. Stay loving and continue to pass on those loving emotions to your baby through feeding her.

How Does Diet Affect Breastfeeding?

Babies and Breast Milk

In order to meet the nutritional needs of an infant, some mothers choose to breastfeed as opposed to using infant formula. Breast milk is the most natural way to feed a baby, but breast milk is heavily influenced by a mother's own diet. Not only do the foods she consumes supply the infant with needed nutrients, it also gives her body the necessary energy and nutrients needed to produce milk.

Calories and Calcium

In past years, many doctors advised that a nursing mother consume an extra 500 calories a day and also drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. Now, there is not set amount of extra calories a mother needs to consume in order to breastfeed. Doctors still advise that a nursing mother should still drink extra fluids to obtain the milk necessary for milk production.

Calcium is one of the most important nutrients a mother should consume. It is recommended that a nursing mother consume at least 1,000 milligrams a day. You eat and drink a wide variety of foods to meet your daily calcium requirements. Foods such as yogurt, cheese, salmon and broccoli are excellent sources of calcium.

Caffeine and Spices

All foods and liquids you consume can enter your breast milk. This reason is important to include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. In some cases, some nursing mothers should avoid strongly flavored foods and spices. It is very important that caffeine and nicotine are strongly avoided. The caffeine not only decreases your milk production can make your infant fussy. It is best to avoid alcohol while breastfeeding. Alcohol and other drugs can easily pass through your breast milk and be harmful to your infant.

How to Remedy Flatulence in Babies

There is nothing like listening to a baby crying and knowing that the baby has gas and can't pass it. There are many reasons that babies get colic, gas and flatulence, but what do you do to help relieve the symptoms?

Instructions

1

You are what you eat and so is your child, especially if your child is breast fed. A breast-fed baby is at the mercy of mom's diet. If mom eats gas-causing foods like broccoli, beans or dairy products, chances are good that a few hours later baby is trying to fart. Unfortunately, often her system isn't mature enough to pass the gas as effectively as mom's does and that leads to crying, straining and sleepless nights. Limit your diet if you are breast feeding.

2

Blow dry the baby. Lay the baby face down on your lap and blow dry the baby's back. Using low heat, gently blow air across the baby's lower back. The combination of pressure on the belly and soothing heat on the back often relax clenched tummy muscles and when they relax, the gas passes.

3

Give the baby a cup of tea. An herbal tea made with catnip (yes, catnip) and fennel can be fed to the baby with a dropper. Catnip has long been a remedy for cramps and upset stomach and fennel helps to relieve gas.

4

If your baby is farting and passing a lot of gas, the culprit may be how you are feeding the baby, not what she is eating. Make sure to feed the baby in an upright position and burp every few ounces. Many times, the baby is gulping in great amounts of air with each swallow, so try several types of nipples. The answer to all your problems with gas and flatulence may be as simple as switching from one brand to another.

Breastfeeding and Tummy Aches

New babies can tell you when they need help, but they have a harder time telling you specifically what the problem is. Even when intuitive parents are able to pinpoint stomach ache as the cause of their baby's distress, it can be hard to determine what led to it. Stomach aches in breastfed babies share some common causes enabling you identify what changes will help soothe your baby's tummy aches.

Immature Immune Systems

Infants are born with an immature immune system which can cause stomach upset as it continues to develop. According to La Leche League International, breast milk helps an infant's immune system develop by providing necessary bacteria that aids in later food digestion. Breast milk is generally easier to digest which decreases gas. However, some infants still have excess gas and trouble digesting as their immune systems develop. For many of these babies, the issue resolves itself as they get older and their bodies become more adept at processing nutrients.

Forceful Let Down

Forceful let down occurs when the mother's milk comes out too quickly for the infant. The overabundance of milk can cause issues such as swallowing air which can lead to stomach ache. According to La Leche League International, stomach pain can also occur when a baby swallows too much fore milk, the more watery breast milk that flows out before the higher fat hind milk. With too much fore milk in proportion to hind milk, stomach aches can result. Common signs of forceful let down are letting go of the breast during let down, gagging, spitting or choking and excessive spitting up. Many women find that cluster feeding or expressing milk until let down slows assists in correcting this issue.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition where digestive juices are forced into the throat as an infant eats, causing them to vomit or giving them heartburn-like symptoms. These infants may appear hungry, but cry after nursing only briefly as their stomach acids begin to irritate the inner lining of their esophagus. In a 2003 article, La Leche League leader Sharon Knorr explains that infants with this condition tend to breastfeed in short bursts or may refuse to nurse due to pain. Luckily, breastfeeding itself can be a remedy for GERD. Smaller, more frequent feedings allow the stomach to empty between nursing sessions and avoids irritating the esophogus with overflowing stomach juices.

Food Sensitivities

While most women do not have to change what they eat while breastfeeding, some infants respond to proteins in the mother's milk left over from her diet. According to a 2008 article in "Canadian Family Physicians," dairy products are the most common cause of food sensitivity in children under one year, though some children are sensitive to other foods. Food sensitivities or allergies can show up as upset stomachs, or they may have more severe allergic symptoms such as hives or breathing difficulty. A food log that tracks the things you eat before your baby shows symptoms or an elimination diet help identify which foods your child may be sensitive to.

Women's Health Questions After Birth

While pregnant women often worry about how to prepare for birth and how to get through pregnancy, few consider what happens to their bodies after the baby is born. Your body will go through almost as many changes after giving birth as it does preparing for it.

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a clinical condition that deserves prompt attention. If you ever feel like hurting yourself or your baby after giving birth, get medical attention immediately. Your doctor may prescribe medications to help you, along with therapy.

It is common for new mothers to feel a bit sad or down after giving birth, but this doesn't automatically equate to postpartum depression--it's just a natural part of your hormones getting back in balance.

Breasts and Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding differs from birth to birth--some babies latch on immediately and the process is easy, while it may be difficult for others. Some women may not be able to breastfeed at all; if this is the case for you, do not feel guilty. Before you leave the hospital or birthing center, a nurse will instruct you on how to breastfeed your baby if you choose to do so.

Whether or not you breastfeed, in the days after giving birth your breasts likely will become swollen and engorged with milk. You may feel pressure and discomfort, and experience leaking. To alleviate the pain, put warm compresses on your breasts and wear a very comfortable, supportive bra. Put cotton pads in your bra so that any leaking doesn't show through your top.

Birth Control

Some women think that they cannot easily get pregnant after giving birth because their hormones are out of balance. This is not true. Unless you plan to get pregnant soon after giving birth, consider using birth control. This can be in the form of medications or natural methods, but unless you are proactive, there is a reasonable chance that you will get pregnant again before your new baby is a year old.

Exercise and Work

Heavy work and exercise, such as weightlifting, running and standing for more than six hours at a time, should be done no earlier than six weeks after giving birth. If you have a job where you are stationary, such as working at home, doing clerical work or typing, you can safely get back to work as soon as you feel like it. Light exercising, such as walking, yoga and stretching, can be done anytime after giving birth, as long as you are comfortable.

Sex

Medical providers recommend that you wait to resume having sex for six weeks after giving birth, but you really should wait until you feel ready. Because your hormones are getting back in balance, you simply may not feel like having sex. If you had a rough labor or a C-section, you should wait until your wounds are completely healed and you no longer feel soreness.

Talk to your partner about resuming sexual activity--he needs to understand that it is best to wait until you are physically and emotionally prepared, no matter how long that may take.

How to Wean an Older Baby

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers breastfeed their babies until they are at least 1 year old. Some mothers decide to continue breastfeeding even after the child's first birthday. For these women, it may become more difficult to wean the baby when they decide to discontinue breastfeeding, because the baby has gotten used to this type of feeding and it has become a habit. If you have an older baby and have decided it is time to wean her, you can do so successfully with a few tips.

Instructions

1

Devote two to three weeks of time to trying to wean your baby. Do not try to take a family vacation or introduce other big changes during this time.

2

Nurse your baby only when he insists on nursing. By not offering to nurse him, unless he is persistent, you can help your baby get out of the nursing routine.

3

Feed your baby adequate meals and snacks to minimize hunger. Make sure you give her plenty of fluids to avoid her getting thirsty and wanting to nurse to obtain fluids.

4

Do different activities in place of when you would normally nurse. For example, if you nursed around 11 a.m. daily, try playing a game or giving your baby a bath during this time to take his mind off of wanting to be nursed.

5

Set nursing time limits for your baby if she is old enough to understand. For example, tell your baby that you are only going to nurse for 10 minutes and set a timer. When it goes off, explain to her that you are finished nursing her for now.

How to Prevent Colic in Infants

All newborn babies go through periods of crying or fussiness. However, when a healthy baby cries for more than 3 hours per day, more than 3 days per week for at least 3 weeks, it is a condition known as colic. Although colic can be highly upsetting for both baby and parents, it is a normal condition, and it will eventually go away on its own.
Many people believe that a breastfeeding mother's diet can have an effect on a baby's system. Avoiding certain foods for your baby's first six weeks will help to minimize or prevent colic. Some foods can negatively affect a newborn, because it takes approximately two months for the digestive system to mature. Here are some ideas for preventing colic in your baby.

Instructions

1

Avoid eating certain fruits during your baby's first six weeks. These include berries, mangoes, grapes, melons, lemons and pineapples.

2

Avoid eating certain vegetables during your baby's first six weeks. These include broccoli, cabbage, peas, cucumber, cauliflower, raw onions and lentils.

3

Avoid drinking coffee or alcohol while you are nursing. The alcohol or caffeine will pass through your breast milk to your baby.

4

Purchase special bottles. Bottle-feeding may cause and aggravate colic in your baby. Consider purchasing specially made anti-colic bottles. They cost more than regular bottles, but they are a good investment if your baby suffers from colic.

5

Feed your baby in an upright position. If you feed your baby while she is lying down, her digestion will slow down and her chances of getting colic will increase. Be sure to burp your baby after she is finished eating. If she suffers from colic, have her sit upright for about an hour after she eats. This will help her food to digest properly.

How to Unclog a Milk Duct Using a Breast Pump

Nothing is more painful when nursing than a clogged milk duct. If the duct goes untreated, it can turn into mastitis or even calcify and have to be surgically removed. If you have a hot, wet washcloth and an electric breast pump, you will be able to unclog the milk duct in no time at all. Be sure that you have a good collection container, as you will probably fill it up after the milk duct becomes unclogged.

Instructions

1

Massage the area containing the clogged milk duct in a circular motion for two minutes.

2

Apply a hot, wet washcloth. Use as much pressure as you can stand. Keep the washcloth in place until it cools down.

3

Wet the washcloth with hot water and wring. Fold into a small square and apply to the area with the clogged milk duct.

4

Affix the breast pump to the breast with the clogged duct while holding the washcloth in place.

5

Turn on breast pump and lean forward.

6

Remove the washcloth but keep the breast pump on.

7

Massage the clogged area until you notice more milk filling the collection container. This indicates that the milk duct is unclogged.

8

Turn off and remove the pump once milk stops coming from the breast.

Fixing the Short Luteal Phase Due to Breastfeeding

If you are trying to conceive and are breastfeeding, fertility might be an issue. Breastfeeding increases prolactin and other hormone levels that can inhibit ovulation. How breastfeeding affects a woman's fertility varies from person to person.

Significance

According to Judith Lauwers and Anna Swisher, co-authors of "Counseling the Nursing Mother," the length of infertility is related to frequency, intervals, nighttime feedings and lack of food supplementation. When ovulation returns, a short luteal phase--a time span of 10 days or less between ovulation and menstruation--can occur.

Nighttime Weaning

The amount of time between nighttime feedings should be around six hours and is often done when parent and child can communicate.

Distraction

If your older child breastfeeds when bored, distractions can be helpful. Reading books, playing games and eating a snack are distractions to help lengthen the time between breastfeedings.

Introduce Food

Start introducing healthy foods to your breastfeeding child. Avoid high-risk allergy foods and follow food safety tips. Breast milk continues to offer the best nutrition for your child beyond a year old.

Considerations

Weaning to increase your fertility should be done gradually to help ease the transition. Try one suggestion at a time; if fertility does not return, add another. Speak with a lactation consultant if you have additional concerns.

Fast Ways to Lose Weight After Pregnancy

The weight you gain during pregnancy keeps you and your baby healthy. Once your baby is born, much of that weight will disappear. However, most women are left with some weight after their baby is born. Be patient while you are waiting for your body to recover: pregnancy is a complicated physical process. Remember a saying common to midwives: nine months up, nine months down. If you are anxious to get back into your pre-pregnancy wardrobe, however, there are a number of ways to encourage those last pounds to make a hasty exit.

Breastfeed

One of the fastest ways to lose weight after pregnancy is also one of the least expensive and healthiest thing you can do for your baby and yourself: breastfeed. Part of the fat your body added during pregnancy is a means of storing energy for you to use in breastfeeding your child. You need about 1800 calories a day to produce breastmilk for one child; do not drop your calorie intake and make sure you stay hydrated. You can lose up to one pound a week just from breastfeeding.

Exercise

Ask your doctor when it is safe for you to begin exercising again. You don't have to go to a gym to exercise. You can pop in a DVD while baby is sleeping. Or better yet, you can put baby in a sling or stroller and go for a walk. You'll be getting fit and baby will enjoy the fresh air.

Sleeping

Good quality sleep is hard for new mothers to come by. But you need to make sure you are getting enough sleep. During sleep your body's production of certain hormones decreases, particularly the stress hormone cortisol which helps your body hold on to fat. Getting a good night's sleep will not only make you feel more energetic and more like exercising, but it will also help you with your weight loss goals.

How to Apply for the WIC Program in Connecticut

Everyone needs a little assistance from time to time -- that is why the WIC program, or Women, Infant and Children program was created. This government issued program offers food coupons, nutritional classes and assistance for breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women and postpartum women and children until they are five years of age. Recipients of the program are constantly re-certified and the approval process requires that individuals meet a specific amount of requirements in order to gain assistance.

Instructions

1

Locate your local WIC office. There are several WIC providing offices throughout the Connecticut area. Visit the state's WIC site and find the closest WIC office near your ZIP code.

2

Meet basic eligibility requirements. To apply for WIC assistance you must be pregnant, a breastfeeding mother or a non-breastfeeding mother of an infant up to 6 months, an infant up to 1 year of age, or a child up to 5 years of age.

3

Meet the eligibility requirements. All WIC programs require individuals to provide proof of income. Your total number of family members in your family, including yourself is listed on a chart with the corresponding income amount that qualifies. WIC programs will not accept individuals who make more than the requirements. You must also reside within the state of Connecticut to be eligible.

4

Prepare for the interview. When applying for WIC set up an appointment at your local WIC office. Provide proof of income, proof of residency and your proof of identity. If you are enrolling children into the program they need to come with you to the appointment. Bring your child's birth certificate and social security card as proof of identification.

5

Conduct an interview. After your income, residency and proof of identity have been established, you will have to interview with a representative to determine your needs. Breastfeeding mothers will be given allowances for foods to help boost their health, while bottle-feeding mothers will be given coupons to purchase formula. For your older children their specific health needs will be determined upon interview as well and the coupons issued accordingly. WIC facilities take weight and height measurements of children to ensure they are receiving proper nutrition.

How Long Does it Take for Milk to Dry Up?

Feeding infants breast milk gives them a healthy start, providing the nutrition and antibodies babies need to grow and stay healthy. It helps Mom and baby bond and is one of the best things you can do for your infant. So, you've been breastfeeding, and now you are ready to wean your child. Weaning a baby from breastfeeding is tough for both baby and Mom. It is painful physically and emotionally for both of you. One of the questions breastfeeding moms ask is how long it takes for your milk to dry up.

Don't Quit Cold Turkey

The time it takes for a woman's breast milk to dry up varies. The first piece of advice is don't quit cold turkey. Wean slowly for both your comfort and your baby's. Begin by alternating every other feeding with a bottle feeding.

Get The Family To Help Out

This is a great time for Dad, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles to get in the feeding game and help out. Work your way to breast-feeding every third time, then one-quarter of the time until you wean into total bottle-feeding. Your milk may take longer to dry up, but you and baby will be a lot more comfortable.

Grandma's Remedies

If you do decide to stop nursing, it will take a week or so for your milk to dry up on its own. There are a few tricks to help you get through this period of discomfort. Engorged breasts become hot and hard. Try applying cold compresses. An old grandmother's remedy is placing cold cabbage leaves on the breasts to relieve discomfort. Wash the leaves, and crush them slightly. Place them on your breasts inside your bra. You can wear them until the leaves wilt. Then place fresh leaves on until your milk is dried up. Another old remedy is drinking sage or raspberry leaf tea to help with the discomfort of drying up your milk.

Modern Remedies

You can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for the pain and swelling. Also, expressing your milk will help you feel more comfortable. However, be careful to just express a little at a time, as this will encourage your body to make more milk.

A Good Bra Is Your Best Friend

Make sure you wear a bra that fits well and does not allow nipple stimulation, as this will also encourage your body to make milk. Do not bind your breasts; this will only increase your discomfort. A sports bra is a perfect solution when you are drying up your milk.

How to Lose the Baby Fat

You and your baby are now home and well. You are happy but you now want to do something about the baby fat you have gathered over the last 8 or 9 months. Don't feel daunted by the challenge, as you can lose the baby fat by following a few simple guidelines. To lose your baby fat, you have to make a few changes in your daily life. Before you know it, the baby fat will be only a memory.

Instructions

1

Drink water throughout the day. You should try to drink between 8 and 12 glasses of water spaced as evenly as possible throughout the day. The water will do several things to help you lose the baby fat. By drinking water you will avoid other drinks such as sodas that will increase fat. Also, by keeping yourself hydrated, you can flush out toxins and fats from your body.

2

Breastfeed to lose baby fat. The process of breastfeeding can help to reduce your baby fat stores. In addition, it also burns on average 200 to 500 calories per day.

3

Eat healthy snacks instead of high sugar foods. It is easy to grab a cookie or donut, but you will not lose the baby fat that way. Keep fresh fruit around to munch on. It is tasty and highly nutritious. You can also purchase 100 calorie snacks from the supermarket that are healthy.

4

Consume whole grain foods whenever possible. This should be practiced regardless of whether you are trying to lose baby fat. Whole grain rice, bread and pastas can help you to lose the baby fat by making your digestive system work a little harder. Also, and more importantly, eating whole grains can guard against cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes.

5

Ease into light exercise and you will soon see the baby fat come off. Once you are feeling better and have your energy back, you can begin to exercise. Stick to taking walks early on. You can use a pedometer to track your steps and gauge your progress as you get into better shape.

Safety of Methylphenidate & Breastfeeding

Methylphenidate, sold in several forms including Ritalin and Concerta, is a stimulant prescription drug used to treat ADHD and other disorders. Its off-label uses may even include weight loss. While it is used to treat children as well as adults, it is not recommended for infants.

How Methylphenidate Works

Doctors don't fully understand how methylphenidate acts on humans, but they believe that it activates the brain's arousal system, making it easier to pay attention and take an interest in the world around you.

Methylphenidate and Breastfeeding

Methylphenidate does pass through breast milk. It takes up to four days to eliminate methylphenidate from your system, and all breast milk produced during those four days will be contaminated, though the level of drug after a day will probably be trace.

Safety in Infants

Methylphenidate has been shown to retard growth in children when used over time. It can also cause cardiovascular disorders and may damage normal brain development.

Recommendations

Infants should not be exposed to methylphenidate in any level or in any form. Because breast milk levels will vary widely, it is especially important that breast milk be kept clear of this drug.

Alternatives

A nursing mother should ask her doctor about safer alternatives to methylphenidate. As a last resort, stop feeding an infant breast milk and switch to formula if necessary.

How to Feed New Born Babies

Infants require a lot of care and attention: diaper changes, numerous naps and frequent feedings throughout the day. Newborn babies typically eat between eight and 12 meals each day, or about one meal every two to three hours. Although feeding your newborn might seem like a daunting task at first, you can learn how to satisfy your baby's hunger through patience and careful attention.

Instructions

How to Breastfeed a Newborn Baby

1

Find a comfortable place to breastfeed. When your baby is ready for a meal, look for a place to sit where you can comfortably feed your baby, such as a sofa, bed or a chair. You might want to place a blanket over your breast if you feel uncomfortable about breastfeeding in public.

2

Allow your baby to latch onto your breast. Your newborn's mouth should cover as much as your aureole as possible and not just the nipple itself. Be patient and remember that it will take some time before you and your baby will master latching and breastfeeding. Speak with a lactation consultant if you are having problems.

3

Let your baby eat until she is full. There is no set time schedule for how long your baby must eat per breastfeeding. Your newborn will stop sucking or turn her head away when she does not want to eat anymore.

4

Alternate breasts per feeding. It is important to use both breasts when feeding your child to prevent engorgement. Some women prefer to switch breasts in the middle of the feeding. Others prefer to nurse on one breast for one feeding and then nurse on the other breast for the next feeding. Choose an option that works best for you and your baby.

5

Feed your baby whenever he gets hungry. Because breast milk digests easier than formula, your baby will need more frequent feedings than a formula-fed child. Look for signs that your baby is ready for a meal, such as sticking out his tongue and making sucking motions with his mouth. Try to feed your newborn before he starts to cry or fuss because an upset baby can be hard to calm.

6

Burp your baby. When your baby is finished with a meal, make sure to burp him. Put a towel or spit-rag over your shoulder to catch any liquid your baby might spit up. Then, place your baby's head gently onto your shoulder--her body should rest against your chest--and rub her back until you hear a burp.

How to Bottle-feed a Newborn Baby

7

Fill a clean bottle with the desired amount of warm water. You should use sterilized water if you obtain your water from a well. To sterilize water, fill a pot with water and let it boil for at least a minute. Let the water cool to room temperature before you use it to make formula.

8

Prepare the formula. Consult the directions on the formula's label, and add the formula powder or formula concentrate to the bottle. Usually, you add one scoop of powder for every two ounces of water or one ounce of concentrate for every once of water.

9

Shake the bottle to mix the formula and water. If the formula forms bubbles, let the bottle sit until the bubbles go away. The bubbles can give your baby gas and cause her to spit up, so you want to get rid of as many bubbles as possible.

10

Warm the bottle. Some babies will drink room-temperature formula while others will prefer warm bottles. To warm the baby formula, place the bottle into a pot of hot water. (The water should not be boiling.) The bottle will be ready when it feels warm against your forearm (the bottle should not feel hot). Shake the formula gently to even out the temperature inside the bottle. Alternately, you can run the bottle under hot running water or use a bottle-warming device. Do not warm the formula in the microwave because the microwave can cause uneven heating.

11

Feed your baby. Cradle your infant in a semi-upright position and provide support for his head. Place the nipple of the bottle into his mouth and tilt the bottle at a slight angle to prevent him from sucking down air. Your baby should stop sucking or turn her head away from the bottle when he is full. (Keep in mind, though, that he might only be taking a break from feeding. Allow him to rest for a minute before you try to give him the bottle again. If he resists the bottle, then he should be full.) In general, newborn babies will eat every two to three hours and should gain between four to seven ounces a week for the first month.

12

Burp your baby. Put a towel or spit-rag over your shoulder to catch any liquid your baby may spit up. Then, place your baby's head gently onto your shoulder (her body should rest against your chest) and rub her back until you hear a burp.

13

When your baby is finished eating, wash the bottle and nipple thoroughly with warm water and soap. You also can clean the bottle by placing it in your dishwasher on the hot water cycle. Your doctor might recommend you sterilize the bottles after each use to kill any harmful bacteria, especially if your baby is premature. Generally, you do not need to sterilize the bottles if you live in an area where your water is treated. If you obtain your water from a well, however, you should sterilize your bottles before each use.

How to Thaw Breast Milk

Just as freezing breast milk correctly helps prevent babies from getting sick, thawing it safely also decreases the risk.

Instructions

1

Remove bottles or bags of breast milk from the freezer.

2

Check the date labels to make sure the milk is less than four to six months old.

3

Place the milk in the refrigerator for 12 hours.

4

Defrost the milk more quickly by placing the bottle under warm running water for about 30 minutes.

How to Make a Baby Latch on Properly

Breastfeeding has been shown to benefit both mother and newborn. A proper latch-on is central to make breastfeeding a positive experience. When your baby latches on correctly, she will be able to get an adequate amount of milk from your breast. Furthermore, you will less likely to suffer from sore nipples and breast engorgement.

Instructions

1

Choose a location so you can breastfeed your baby comfortably. Ideally, it should be a quiet place. Each feeding session lasts about 20 to 30 minutes. Have water, juice and snack with you. You can have your baby in either a crossover hold, football hold, cradle hold or side lying hold. Make sure that you support your baby's neck and head. You can use a breastfeeding pillow to support as well.

2

Get your babys mouth open wide. Guide your baby to the breast, not vice versa.

3

Make sure that your baby gets a good grip on the areola, not just the nipple. Her lips must be open up to 100 to 120 degrees. A correct latch-on is when the entire areola and nipple are in your babys mouth. Your baby's inner lower lip should be placed against the breast.

4

You may feel discomfort initially. However, if you continue to feel discomfort, it may mean that your baby is not latched on properly.

5

Listen for her sounds. A clicking sound is a sign of poor latch-on, which indicates that your baby's suction is broken. Insert your finger into your baby's mouth to break the seal and try again.

How to Breast-Feed a Baby with Down Syndrome

Babies born with Down Syndrome or other physical and mental challenges need the benefits of breast milk as much as, and maybe even more than, other babies. Building a healthy nursing relationship with a special-needs child may be difficult, but is beneficial to both the child and the mother.

Instructions

1

Try to nurse soon after your baby is born. You will face a lot of stress and conflicting emotions whether or not you were expecting a special-needs child. Focus, as early as possible and as best you can, on your baby's health and comfort.

2

Provide as much colostrum and breast milk as possible for your baby. Babies with Down Syndrome are susceptible to infections, and your milk will help to boost your baby's immune system.

3

Obtain a pump if your baby is reluctant to nurse or has low muscle tone and poor sucking ability. Build and maintain your milk supply by using the pump as often as necessary.

4

Be patient: it may take a few weeks for your baby to learn to nurse. In the meantime, pump your milk for your baby and feed him through a supplemental nursing system (SNS), bottle, syringe, or other feeding system.

5

Spend time with your baby skin-to-skin when you nurse him. This extra contact gives your baby the extra stimulation he needs to develop as fully as possible.

6

Stimulate your baby to nurse even if he is sleepy or sluggish; this will help him gain weight.

7

Carry your baby in a front carrier or sling to provide extra stimulation and easy nursing access.

8

Get support. Your local La Leche League or other breastfeeding support group can help you and can recommend other groups that are specifically tailored to the needs of your child.

About Nursing Clothes

Nursing clothes allow breastfeeding mothers to nurse their babies and toddlers with ease. Some women appreciate the discretion and privacy offered by specialty nursing garments. Maternity shops offer a variety of items, ranging from basic nursing bras and camisoles to cocktail dresses and swimwear. While nursing clothes are not a necessity, they can make breastfeeding, especially in public, a bit more convenient for both mom and baby. Choose nursing garments that fit your personal style, work for your body type and are machine-washable.

Function

Nursing clothes of all types are designed to allow breastfeeding mothers to easily feed their children. Nursing bras are supportive, highly adjustable and include a drop flap to allow mom to nurse without shifting or removing her bra. Nursing tanks and camisoles are increasingly available at maternity retailers and include a similar drop flap over the breast. Shirts, dresses, nightgowns and swimwear designed for nursing all include openings to access the breast, as well as integrated coverage for these openings.

Types

There are several types of nursing openings and some may work better for different body types than others. Some nursing tops have a large opening at the armhole, covered by a mock cardigan or panel. These work well for nursing twins and can accommodate larger busts easily. Other nursing garments rely on a single center opening. This option is not a good choice for a very fitted top or dress and may not easily allow baby to change sides if needed.

Features

Nursing tops and dresses come in a wide variety of styles. Nursing openings can be hidden under an empire waist styled top or in an inverted pleat. These options may look more modern and stylish than traditional panel fronted nursing shirts or dresses. Openings can also be hidden under a wrap-style top. Choose styles that flatter your postpartum body. Your nursing clothes should, while practical, also help you to feel good about yourself.

Size

Choosing the right size for nursing clothes can be difficult, particularly if you are buying before baby arrives. You should be fitted for nursing bras as late in pregnancy as possible, and may find it helpful to visit a lingerie shop that specializes in bra fittings. A good fit is critical to prevent clogged milk ducts and provide adequate support. Some women opt to buy only a bra or two and then go in for a fitting once any engorgement has resolved.

Benefits

Nursing tops, dresses and undergarments can make it easier and more convenient to provide your baby with the best start in life. If you are uncomfortable nursing in public, well-designed nursing wear will allow you to nurse without anyone around you even being aware that baby is eating. Nursing dresses offer breastfeeding moms the convenience of one piece dressing, and can make it easier to manage taking baby along to a wedding or other more formal occasion.

How to Treat Tonsillitis With Alternative Remedies

Tonsillitis is a condition that is characterized by the inflammation of the tonsils, which are located on the left and right sides of the back of your throat. Common symptoms related to tonsillitis are persistent sore throat, pain experienced when swallowing, swollen lymph nodes, congestion in the nasal area, headache and fever. Causes of tonsillitis include viral or bacterial infection, allergies and straining the voice. If you are prone to getting this condition, your doctor may suggest the use of antibiotics or may even recommend that your tonsils be surgically removed, if your case is more chronic. You may also want to give some alternative remedies your consideration.

Instructions

1

Take pau d'arco, which is extracted from the bark of the Tabebula avellanedae tree in Brazil, for its antibiotic properties. Drinking pau d'arco tea or taking it in capsule form will help to get rid of infection. Do not take this herb without speaking to your doctor, if you are suffering from a serious illness or are presently on anti-platelet and anticoagulant medications. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not take pau d'arco.

2

Try taking 1/2 tsp. of echinacea tincture every four hours to relieve your symptoms. This should only be done for short term, until you experience some degree of relief. You can also drink it in tea form. Echinacea is extracted from a tall-stemmed plant, originally used by Native Americans to treat various health problems. It is a popular herb, commonly used to help bolster immunity. You should avoid echinacea, if you are about to have an organ transplant or have HIV/AIDS, diabetes, liver disease multiple sclerosis or tuberculosis. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking prescription medications, do not take echinacea without consulting your doctor.

3

Gargle with saltwater. Add 2 tsp. of salt into a glass of warm water. Gargling with this solution, while the water is still warm, will relieve the pain of tonsillitis.

4

Ease inflammation with flaxseed oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, which aid in reducing inflammation. Flaxseed oil is extracted from the flax plant and can be found in both capsule or liquid form. Speak with your doctor before taking flaxseed oil, if you are on non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, blood thinners, or statin drugs, to make certain there are no interactions.

5

Drink liquids continuously. This includes water, vegetable juices, tea, and broth, all of which can be beneficial. Do not drink acidic drinks when you have tonsillitis, as it may worsen your symptoms.

6

Take a break from talking. It is important that you rest your throat during your recovery time.

How to Use Doxylamine Succinate While Pregnant

If you suffer from insomnia, a common side effect of pregnancy, many health care providers recommend Doxylamine Succinate, an antihistamine marketed in the United States as Unisom Nighttime Sleep-Aid, to temporarily alleviate your discomfort. The FDA classifies Doxylamine Succinate as a Class B medication, according to their pharmaceutical pregnancy categories, which means that tests conducted on animals demonstrate that the medication is probably safe to use during pregnancy. If you decide to use Doxylamine Succinate during pregnancy, ensure you use it safely by talking to your doctor first and taking a few extra precautions.

Instructions

1

Discuss taking Doxylamine Succinate with your doctor and investigate possible alternatives. Since the FDA has not classified any sleep aids as completely safe to use during pregnancy, you will want to carefully compare the risks vs. the potential benefits of taking this medication.

2

Purchase the Doxylamine Succinate from your local pharmacy. Ensure you buy the 25 mg version of Unisom and not SleepGels or SleepMelts that contain diphenhydramine HCl, which according to BabyCenter's Medical Advisory Board should not be used by pregnant women.

3

Take Doxylamine Succinate about 30 minutes before you go to sleep for the night. Make sure you can stay asleep seven to eight hours after taking it since it will make you extremely sleepy. Dizziness might occur if you get up too soon after taking the medication. Follow the labeled instructions for usage, ensuring you never take more of the product than recommended.

4

Contact your doctor if you feel the need to take Doxylamine Succinate for longer than two weeks. Sleeping pills can be habit forming, and according to OB-Gyn Dr. John Larsen, your baby can get addicted in utero and suffer from withdrawal symptoms after birth. Consider alternative insomnia remedies such as chamomile tea, hot baths and other soothing nighttime rituals.

5

Refrain from taking Doxylamine Succinate during your last trimester. Medications taken shortly before birth potentially remain in the baby's system after birth. According to the Mayo Clinic, antihistamines are unlikely to cause serious problems, but they can make newborns jittery and cause excitability and irritability.

How to Get a Flat Stomach After Having a Baby

Pregnancy adds an average of 25 to 35 pounds of weight to a woman's body. When the baby is born, the weight doesn't simply go away with the delivery. This can leave a woman's body decimated and her stomach flabby and out of shape. You may think that at this point it is impossible to get a flat stomach, but truth is, there are many ways to obtain a flat stomach after having a baby.

Instructions

1

Ease back into your exercise after delivery. Going into all out, full blown exercise routines directly after delivery may overwork you body and cause you to tire faster. Easing back into exercise slowly will allow your body time to heal as well as giving you time to adjust to a new routine with the baby. Take it easy at first focusing on consistency rather than an expanded exercise routine.

2

Fuel your body with quality foods. Diet is the single most important factor that will decide whether you will get a flat stomach or not. Eat plenty of vegetables such as beans, carrots, lettuce, tomato, sprouts and celery as many of these will vitalize you with healthy nutrients and fiber that will keep your system clean a functional.

3

Replace the bad foods. Get rid of unhealthy sugars and substitute honey or fruits. Slow burning carbohydrates like oatmeal, grits and wild rice should replace carbs that wreak havoc on your stomach like white bread. In any case, whenever you can replace a food with wheat or whole grain, do so in order to get the best benefit along with drinking plenty of water.

4

Attack the abs with specific exercises. Leg raises, sit ups and crunches should all be a staple of every workout you plan for yourself. To avoid the plateau effect, which is when your muscles get used the motion of an exercise, change up your routine by performing negative repetitions. Negative repetitions are when you place the emphasis on the opposite motion during a repetition. What this means for sit ups for instance, is that emphasis should be placed on lowering your back to the floor slowly instead of raising up.

5

Incorporate aerobic exercise to see your results. The truth of the matter is, if your body does not alleviate some of the fat that is tucked around your stomach, you will not see the results you want. Aerobic exercise helps your body to rid some of this fat by converting it to energy when you sweat. Jogging or power walking is the best way to burn some fat around your stomach and see the results of your hard work faster. Walk or jog at least 3 times a week for 20 minutes each time ensuring that you alternate your workout stress by going all out with effort for 30 second intervals for every 3 minutes of your aerobic exercise. Performing interval training this way will shred your abs and maximize your aerobic workout while speeding the results you see.

6

Join a gym that has a daycare. If getting a babysitter is a problem or one is not available to you, there are gyms that include daycare services while you workout. This will help you to have time to workout without worrying about attending the newborn. Check to see the age limit that these gyms have to ensure that your baby will accepted in care. Use your time in the gym effectively and wisely if this is your choice to get the most out of your workout so you can get a flat stomach.

Breastfeeding & Colonoscopy

When a breastfeeding mother has to undergo a medical procedure such as a colonoscopy, she might be wondering if the medications used during the procedure are safe for her baby and when she can continue breastfeeding normally. Breastfeeding mothers who must have colonoscopies can expect to continue their nursing relationship with some advance preparation.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopies are given to examine the colon and part of the bowel for a variety of reasons. Doctors might want to diagnose or remove lesions or polyps. The procedure is done to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease or diverticulitis. Colonoscopies are also used to screen for colon cancer in older patients, or those with a history of colon cancer in their family.

Time Frame

The procedure requires that the colon is free of fecal matter. Patients are asked to drink a clear liquid diet with little fiber ingestion for one to three days prior to the procedure. On mothering.com, pediatrician Bob Sears says that even though some doctors suggest not nursing during the preparation period, it's safe to nurse up until the time of the colonoscopy. After the procedure, mothers can nurse their babies once their sedative has worn off and they're able to pump their breastmilk once and dispose of it. Mothers should speak with their doctors to determine if the drugs they're given before the procedure are, in fact, compatible with breastfeeding.

Considerations

The Breastfeeding Network suggests that mothers have someone with them in the days before the procedure and a day after the procedure to make sure that they are staying fully hydrated during this time. Lack of nutrients could result in a drop of milk supply, so the breastfeeding mother should be encouraged to drink ample water and other liquids. Also, the breastfeeding mother might be extra tired from ingesting fewer calories, so she may need help caring for her baby.

Medications

The Breastfeeding Network says that the typical laxative used to prepare the bowels for a colonoscopy---picosulphate or osmotic laxative macrogal 3350---are not contraindicated for breastfeeding, so mothers should be able to take these and still continue to breastfeed. These laxatives are not absorbed into breastmilk, and pass through the gut without being absorbed into the body.

During the procedure, patients are given a short-acting hypnotic like midazolam to help sedate and make them comfortable. This drug is not contraindicated during breastfeeding, the Breastfeeding Network says, unless the mother is breastfeeding a baby at risk for respiratory depression.

Mothers, however, should speak with their doctors to determine the safety of their specific medications. Breastfeeding mothers might also find it helpful to speak to a lactation consultant who can provide alternative medication suggestions, if necessary.

Recovery

During the recovery period, the breastfeeding mother might find that she's tired or feels a bit off from the hypnotic drugs. Caregivers can assist the breastfeeding mother during this time. "The Breastfeeding Answer Book" says that because the breastfeeding relationship is a supply and demand one, the nursing mother should make sure she does what she can to maintain her milk supply. Caregivers can help position the baby during a feeding to make sure the mother is able to continue her breastfeeding relationship.

How to Cope With a Baby that Won't Nurse

Even babies who have been breastfeeding consistently for months can suddenly refuse to nurse. This is referred to as a nursing strike. It is not unusual and there is typically a specific reason for the strike--anything from the mother's diet to the baby's teething--but it's still upsetting and frustrating for parents. Luckily, nursing strikes are almost always temporary. If your baby suddenly refuses to breastfeed, it's helpful to know how to cope with the situation.

Instructions

1

Consider your diet. Have you eaten something strong or spicy that you normally do not eat? Garlicky or spicy foods may upset a baby's tummy. Foods such as cabbage or broccoli may give her gas. Or your baby may refuse to nurse because of the strong flavors these foods impart in your breast milk.

2

Check if your baby has begun teething. Most babies do not begin to cut teeth until they are at least 6 months old, but it's possible for teething to occur earlier. If your baby is teething, nursing can actually be painful for him because of the pressure it puts on his gums. If your baby is getting teeth, you might be able to feel them through his gums with your finger, but more likely you'll see symptoms of pre-teething first: fever, drooling, biting, ear pulling, chin rash, difficulty sleeping and irritability.

3

Resist giving your baby formula. Giving your baby a bottle of formula may actually make the problem worse because it could reduce your milk supply while you're not nursing. Rest assured that nursing strikes usually only last a day or two.

4

Try some breast milk in a bottle. Pump a bit of breast milk and put it in a bottle for your baby. This will not work if there is something in your milk that your baby does not like, but it is worth a try if he keeps refusing the breast. This is a good option if you are worried that your baby has gone too long without eating. Even if your baby doesn't drink the milk, pumping maintains your milk supply.

5

Keep offering your baby the breast. This may be frustrating, but be persistent. In all likelihood, your baby will begin nursing again as suddenly as she stopped. Your baby can't tell you why she went on this nursing strike, and she can't tell you when she'll be done. So it's best to keep offering your baby the breast so it's there when she's ready for it.

6

Hold off on solid foods. If you began feeding your baby solids and he started refusing to breastfeed, the solid foods may be curbing his appetite for milk. During the first 6 months to a year, a baby should get most of his nutrition from breast milk (if you're breastfeeding). If solid foods are interfering with nursing, cut back on the solid foods until he begins to nurse again.

How to Continue Breastfeeding After Going Back to Work

All the experts agree. Breastfeeding is best for a child during their first year of life. But making the choice to breastfeed a baby is a sacrifice for the mom, especially if the mom chooses to go back to work. But it's possible to continue breastfeeding after you return to the workplace.

Instructions

1

Purchase a high quality breast pump. Some pumps are manual, but these can get tough to use if you are pumping on a regular basis. Most working moms agree that it's worth the money to invest in a hospital grade electric pump. Many of these pumps allow you to pump both breasts at one, so you're away from your desk less.

2

Alter your schedule so you have time to pump breast milk. It's easy to get caught up in the tasks of your day, but schedule time to leave your desk and pump. If you schedule this like any other appointment, you'll have good success maintaining this routine.

3

Identify the barriers. Some work environments make it difficult for you to make time to pump breast milk. When you know what stands in your way, it's easier to make a plan on how to overcome these hurdles.

4

Talk to your boss. Let your boss know that breastfed babies are usually not as sick as formula fed babies. That means you'll likely require less sick time. Recruiting your boss to your side means you'll find much needed support from management so you can continue breastfeeding.

5

Find other support. You're more likely to continue breastfeeding if you surround yourself with people who support your decision. It's also great to have a resource of other moms who breastfed after maternity leave. These moms can offer tips and advice that you might not have thought of.

6

Remember that a little breast milk is better than none. Some moms choose to formula feed their babies at day care, but to nurse when the baby is home with them at night. As long as your baby is nursing, your body will produce breast milk.

7

Enjoy breastfeeding. This is a relationship that no one else but you can have with your baby. Remember that it's a privilege to nurse your child, and you'll be more excited about taking the time to do so while you're at work.