How to Increase Fat in Breast Milk

Breast milk is considered to be the most nutritionally complete food source for babies. Breastfeeding provides health benefits to infants and nursing mothers. One of the most important nutritional elements of breast milk is fat. Infants need fat for their developing bodies, especially for the development of the nervous system. If you are concerned about your baby receiving enough fat through your breast milk, there are ways to increase the fat content of that milk.

Instructions

1

Pump milk from your breasts before feeding your baby. If a breast is extremely full at the beginning of breastfeeding, the milk has less fat content. The milk that comes once the breast is partially empty is known as "hind" milk and contains more fat. The amount that you will need to pump will vary from person to person. Consult a lactation specialist if you are unsure.

2

Eat foods with saturated fat if you want your breast milk to be higher in saturated fat. Eat foods higher in unsaturated fat if you want your breast milk to be higher in unsaturated fat.

3

Allow your baby to empty one breast before switching her to the other breast. This also increases the chances that your infant will receive the nutritionally dense hind milk.

4

Perform breast compression while the baby is feeding. This a technique in which you place pressure on the outer part of the breast and maintain pressure as you move toward the nipple. Perform this technique when the infant stops sucking for a few moments.

How to Calculate Conception Without a Period

Figuring out when you conceived can be tricky, even under the best of circumstances. But if you discover you are pregnant when you haven't had a recent period -- because you are breastfeeding or have a low body weight, for instance -- or simply can't recall your last period, determining the date of conception becomes even more difficult. Fortunately, with some detective work and the help of your healthcare provider, you can still figure out roughly when you conceived your baby.

Instructions

1

Check the date you first had a positive home pregnancy test. On average, it takes 13.6 days after conception for an test to turn positive, according to a study by the charting website FertilityFriend.com. On the date of your first pregnancy test -- you should at minimum -- be about 2 weeks past conception. By itself, this is not a reliable test, however, since you could also be much farther along than 2 weeks.

2

Measure the size of your uterus with a pelvic exam. Your doctor will feel your abdomen or use a tape measure. The distance from the top of your pubic bone to the top of your uterus, or your fundal height, grows approximately a centimeter every week of your pregnancy. However, this only provides a rough estimate of gestation, since a variety of factors -- including fibroids, multiple babies, the amount of amniotic fluid and the baby's position -- can all influence the measurement. By 28 to 30 weeks of pregnancy, measuring fundal height with tape measure becomes too inaccurate.

3

Estimate a baby's size with a dating ultrasound, as early as three weeks after conception. A baby's length from head to bottom provides a very accurate estimate of a baby's gestational age until 12 weeks, and is most accurate between and 7 and 10 weeks. During the second trimester, ultrasound measurements still provide a reasonably accurate measurement of gestational age between 12 and 22 weeks. By the third trimester, however, ultrasound estimates of gestational age may be off by plus or minus three weeks.

4

Calculate your likely conception date, once you have an estimate of your baby's gestational age. Since pregnancy dating usually counts the length of time since the start of the last menstrual period, conception takes place when you are considered 2 weeks pregnant. If an ultrasound measures your baby as being 8 weeks 6 days, conception occurred approximately 6 weeks 6 days ago. Simply count back on calendar 6 weeks and 6 days, to find your estimated date of conception.

What Fish Is Safe to Eat During Pregnancy?

It's in the news almost daily: Eating fish several times a week is a healthy habit. Pregnant women, however, must be mindful about avoiding particular kinds of fish that carry higher levels of mercury, which could be harmful to the brain development and nervous system of a fetus.

Lowest-Mercury Fish

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that children and women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant should consume no more than 12 oz. (two average meals) of low-mercury fish per week. These include anchovies, calamari, king crab, pollock, catfish, scallops, flounder, haddock, rock lobster, crawfish, salmon, shrimp, clams, tilapia, oysters, sardines, sturgeon and freshwater trout.

High-Mercury Fish

The FDA recommends that pregnant women eat no more than 18 oz. of high-mercury fish per month. High-mercury fish (not to be confused with the highest-mercury fish, listed below) include saltwater bass, croaker, halibut, canned, white albacore tuna, bluefin or ahi tuna, sea trout, bluefish and American or Maine lobster.

Highest-Mercury Fish

Since these fish carry the highest levels of mercury, the FDA strongly recommends that pregnant women abstain from eating them throughout the pregnancy and while breastfeeding: grouper, marlin, orange roughy, tilefish, swordfish, shark and king mackerel. Of these, tilefish, swordfish, shark and king mackerel have the highest levels.

Tuna

Levels of mercury vary in tuna, depending on the type of tuna and where it was caught. The Natural Resources Defense Council developed a chart that helps pregnant women, women trying to conceive, and children determine how much canned tuna is safe to eat. (See Resources.)

Local Fish

Fish caught in local lakes, rivers or coastal areas must be considered for their mercury levels as well. Check with local advisories about the safety of eating fish caught locally. If no information is available, consume up to 6 oz. per week, but do not eat other fish that week.

How to Tell If You're Pregnant While Nursing

Although nursing acts as a form of birth control for some women, it is still possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding. Some women become fertile soon after delivering and can even become pregnant the first time they ovulate. In addition to the common signs of pregnancy, there are specific symptoms for breastfeeding women to monitor.

Instructions

How to Tell If You're Pregnant While Nursing

1

Note if you have any of the common signs of pregnancy such as nausea, heightened sense of smell, cramps or fatigue.

2

Notice if you experience sore nipples. Although nipples are typically sore while nursing, they can become even more sore and tender if you become pregnant. You may also notice that your breasts are suddenly swollen and that nursing is more painful than usual due to the hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy.

3

Observe your milk for any changes. The hormones produced in pregnancy can cause a reduction in milk supply beginning at just two weeks gestation. You may also notice that your baby becomes less interested in breastfeeding at this time, because pregnancy hormones can also cause the texture and taste of breast milk to slightly change.

4

Note if you miss a period while nursing. Many breastfeeding mothers do not have a period while nursing, but those mothers whose periods have returned will notice that they miss a period if they become pregnant.

5

Take a pregnancy test if you suspect you are pregnant. Schedule an appointment to see your doctor in order to find out for sure and to begin prenatal care.

Muscle Back Spasm Treatment Alternative

Muscle back spasms are characterized by cramping and pain in the back. Causes for muscle back spasms include tense muscles, dehydration, prolonged standing or sitting, strenuous movements, nerve damage, fatigue, and low calcium levels, low magnesium levels, and low potassium levels in your body. Back muscle spasms are also sometimes caused by conditions like cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. There are natural treatments that can help you alleviate some of the causes of muscle back spasms.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Visit your physician if you suffer from chronic muscle spasms in your back. Your doctor will collect a full medical history from you, and ask about the spasms you are experiencing. You will have a physical examination to determine the source of your spasms, or you may have a neurological exam to determine if nerve damage is causing them. Blood tests will be performed to check your calcium, magnesium, and potassium levels. An arteriography test may be performed to assess your blood flow.

Calcium

Your body relies on calcium to help your muscles, heart, and organs function. A deficiency in this mineral can cause muscle spasms. Eat more calcium-rich foods by adding low-fat dairy products, yogurt, and milk, cheeses of different varieties, blackstrap molasses, and tofu to your diet. Consume Brazil nuts, dried figs, dark leafy greens, hazelnuts, canned salmon, sardines, oysters, cabbage, and broccoli. Soy milk, cereals, and juices that are fortified with calcium are also a great way to get the calcium you need daily for healthy muscles.

Adults ages 19 to 50 require 1000 mg of calcium a day and people over the age of 51 require 1200 mg of calcium daily. Pregnant women and nursing females need 1300 mg of calcium to remain healthy and to prevent muscle spasms. Take one 500 mg calcium supplement in capsule form three times daily with 8 oz. of water.

Possible side effects of calcium consumption include gastrointestinal upset and constipation; reduce your dosage if you note these side effects. If you have sarcoidosis, kidney conditions, or cancer, you should refrain from consuming calcium unless otherwise advised by your doctor. Calcium may interact with alendronate, aluminum containing antacids, blood pressure medications, cholesterol controlling medications, corticosteroids, digoxin, diuretics, estrogens, gentamicins, antibiotics, and anti-seizure medications.

Potassium

Your body requires potassium to assist in kidney and heart function, and it plays a vital role in muscle contractions; a deficiency can result in muscle spasms. Add foods that are potassium enriched to your diet like lima beans, cod, chicken liver, meats, orange juice, bananas, cantaloupes, avocados, potatoes, and tomatoes. Your body needs 2000 mg of potassium a day for optimal health. Discuss with your doctor before consuming a potassium supplement. Take one 99 mg potassium supplement in capsule form daily as a supplement for back spasm prevention.

Side effects of potassium consumption may include nausea and diarrhea. If you have a kidney disorder or hyerkalemia, you should not take potassium supplements. Potassium supplements may interfere or interact with nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs, ACE inhibitors, heparin, cyclosporine, trimethoprimand sulfamethoxazole, beta blockers, thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics, corticosteroids, amphotericin B, antacids, insulin, fluconazole, theophylline, and laxatives. Potassium may also interact with digoxin.

Magnesium

Your body needs the mineral magnesium for optimal muscle health. Food sources rich in magnesium include poppy seeds, marjoram, tarragon, cumin seed, savory, fennel seed, cocoa powder, basil, dried mustard, sage, celery seed, dill weed, coriander, seaweed, agar, pine nuts, black walnuts, squash seeds, peanuts, oat flour, whole wheat flour, cashews, blackstrap molasses, pumpkin, spinach, pistachios, shredded wheat, bran cereals, bananas, oatmeal, baked potatoes, chocolate, soybean flour, almonds, cashews, legumes, tofu, and wheat bran.

Consume magnesium in supplement form. Males require 270 to 400 mg of magnesium a day, while females require 280 to 300 mg a day. Pregnant females need 320 mg a day, and breast feeding females need 340 mg of magnesium daily. Excessive consumption of magnesium can result in the onset of nausea, hypotension, vomiting, and a diminished heart rate. Magnesium may interfere or interact with antibiotics, calcium channel blockers, blood pressure medications, diabetic medications, digoxin, hormone replacement therapy medications, levothyroxine, penicillamine, tiludronate, alendronate, aminoglycoside antibiotics, thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics, amphotericin B, corticosteroids, and antacids.

How to Train a Nipple

Some women have a difficult time breastfeeding because of inverted or flat nipples, so their nipples don't become erect for effective nursing. Most women who have this problem can train their nipples to protrude enough for their baby to latch on for feeding. Seeking the help of a doctor or a lactation specialist may be necessary.

Instructions

1

Nurse your baby as soon after birth as possible. If you wait too long, the breast may become engorged, making it much more difficult to pull out the nipple. The more the baby nurses, the more likely your nipple will come out.

2

Pump your breasts right before you nurse your baby. This may help pull your nipple out for the baby to latch onto. The pumping may also help train your nipple to come out.

3

Wear a breast shield between feedings. A breast shield will help pull your nipple out. However, doctors and lactation consultants say you shouldn't rely on a breast shield for every feeding. Breast shields are also called breast shells.

4

Place your thumbs on each side of the base of the nipple. Firmly press inward against your breast. As you press, pull your thumbs away from each other. This stretches your nipple and loosens the area at the base.

5

Squeeze and pull with your fingers around the base of the nipple. Hold your nipple and gently pull it out. Do this several times per day.

How to Wean an Underweight Toddler

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding babies until 12 months, while the World Health Organization encourages breastfeeding until age two. In addition to protecting your child from a wealth of infections and illnesses, many studies support the idea that breastfed children have intellectual and developmental advantages. If your toddler is refusing nutritional sources outside the breast, however, he may become underweight. At this point, your child's pediatrician might encourage you to begin the weaning process.

Instructions

1




Offer your child a cup in place of a feeding.

Approach it gradually, both for your sake and your child's. Going cold turkey can cause you physical discomfort and put emotional stress on your toddler. Try replacing one breastfeeding session a day with a cup of milk or water. After a few days, replace another feeding. Continue this process, until you have eliminated all feedings.

2




Not all children like the taste of cow's milk when it is first offered.

If your child refuses to drink any type of milk except yours, try mixing some pumped breast milk with cow's milk in a cup. Start with a lot of breast milk and just a little cow's milk. Gradually decrease the amount of breast milk you're giving her, until cow's milk is the only liquid in the cup.

3




Give your child lots of extra attention while you wean.

Your child will likely miss the physical contact and comfort that comes with nursing. Be sure to spend lots of extra time cuddling, reading, and giving lots of hugs and kisses. He might be especially clingy during this time, so be sure to respond to his needs and give him lots of reassurance.

4




If your child is particularly strong willed, try garlic oil.

If your child is resistant to your gentle weaning attempts, try brushing your nipples with garlic oil a few times a day. Your child will likely not want to nurse once he tastes the garlic oil, and after a few days of attempting, will happily take milk from a cup.