Breastfeeding to Bottle Feeding Tips

According to Breastfeeding Basics, mothers may need to switch feeding their babies from breastfeeding to bottle feeding when they return to work. Although the change can be difficult, there are simple ways to ease the transition for mother and baby.

Pump Breastmilk

Try pumping your breastmilk. This way your baby will only have to adjust to drinking from the bottle, because the flavor of the milk will be the same. To keep your milk supply from drying up you will need to pump at least once during the day when you are at work. If you don't plan to breastfeed when you are home use your pump to collect milk. Store your milk in milk storage bags in a cool pack or refrigerator. Freeze it when you get home if you won't be using it within the next 24 hours.

Start Early

When you want to introduce a bottle nipple to your baby it is bet to start her feeding early. If you wait until she is hungry she will likely get frustrated. According to Babycenter.com, the nipple of a bottle requires different tongue movement than when breastfeeding, so it may take a little work for your baby to master the technique. In addition, your baby may not like that the nipple is cold and feels different from your nipple.

Have Dad Feed Baby

If you won't be feeding your baby breastmilk in her bottle have someone else do the feedings while she adjusts to the formula. If you are close by, your baby will smell your milk and may be less willing to tolerate the formula or work at learning how to drink from her bottle. According to Babycenter.com, a baby can smell breastmilk up to 20 feet away.

Choose Bottle Nipple Carefully

When you are looking for a bottle nipple, choose one that is similar to your baby's pacifier. You can also look for a nipple designed for breastfed babies. Let your baby play with the nipple ahead of time so she can chew it and familiarize herself with it before she has to drink from it.

How to Dress for Breastfeeding

If you have made the choice to breastfeed, you must now dress for the task. Not every article of clothing is compatible with the needs of nursing moms. Being able to easily access the breast, perhaps even in front of others, requires looking carefully at your wardrobe and choosing the best options for keeping you modest and your baby fed.

Instructions

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The easiest, although most expensive, solution is to buy clothing designed specifically for nursing mothers. The shirts have openings either on the sides or the front. The openings are covered with another layer of fabric that is easily moved while nursing.

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If you don't have the money, or the desire, to buy new clothing for nursing, another option is to wear loose t-shirts. The shirt can be simply pulled up to allow the child to nurse. With a large t-shirt, the stretchy folds can then be pulled down a bit to cover the exposed breast without disturbing the baby. With this option, however, the lower part of the body may be exposed.

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If you like the t-shirt choice, but do not like being exposed, try layering clothing. Have a stretchable tank top under your shirt that can be pulled under the breast while the t-shirt is pulled up. This extra layer will keep your skin from being exposed.

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Button down shirts are also a viable option, but can be tricky. While it may seem logical to unbutton from the top down, the opposite is true. Unbutton shirts from the bottom to keep yourself more covered on top, while allowing easier access for your baby.

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Dresses can difficult to wear when breastfeeding. Shirts and skirts are frequently better options. However, there are a few things you can do if you choose a dress. If you are wearing a jacket, you can unzip your dress and bring it down in front. Use the jacket to cover your back and a blanket to cover your front. The jacket can also be used to cover the front, if necessary. If your dress is lower cut, you may be able to move the fabric to the side to expose your breast, although this may call for a some unzipping.

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Tighter fitting shirts can also work, if you are able to pull them up without causing too much discomfort. Try a combination of clothing for various situations.

Natural Herbs That Produce Milk

New mothers often want to increase their flow of milk when breastfeeding to ensure their infants are receiving ample nutrients at each meal. Certain herbs are considered lactogenic, or milk-producing, and some women take the natural supplements to keep their milk amounts consistent during their child's entire breastfeeding phase.

Alfalfa

According the Mobi Motherhood International website, alfalfa may be lactogenic due to its ability to strengthen the breasts' glandular tissue. The herb is safe to take both during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, and increases the healthy fat content of the milk. Alfalfa also boosts the function of the pituitary gland, or the bodily organ that produces hormones for lactation. The supplement is antifungal and rids of the body of infection while promoting the health of the liver and kidneys. Mothers also choose alfalfa due to its high nutritional content; the supplement is potent in amino acids, potassium and zinc, which are also transferred to the baby.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a popular herb associated with producing a healthy flow of milk in lactating mothers. The tea and supplements have a maple syrup-like smell, causing a mother's breast milk and urine to carry the scent. The Breast Feeding.com website warns against taking too much fenugreek, as the herb can make the baby smell like maple syrup as well; this is one of the symptoms of Maple Syrup Urine Disease, which is a very serious disorder of the metabolism. The herb originated in Asia and contains phytoestrogen, which has a mild sedative effect for women. In addition to boosting milk flow, fenugreek capsules or tea can also lower blood sugar and reduce water retention.

Blessed Thistle

Blessed thistle is an herb used as a cure for smallpox during medieval times. In the present day, blessed thistle is an herbal contraceptive, as well as a natural remedy for ridding the body of infection, according to Breast Feeding.com. The website also asserts that there are no studies that prove that the supplement increases milk production, but that blessed thistle is likely safe for mothers who are breastfeeding. The herb is useful for treating diseases of the liver and stomach, and stimulates gastric juices in the stomach to aid in food digestion. Blessed thistle is taken as a tea, and increases appetite in mother and baby, which could lead to more milk in the breasts.

Cumin

Cumin, the herb that gives warm, savory flavor to curry, is also a natural supplement that can boost milk supply for lactating mothers. And, according to the Mobi Motherhood website, when a mother takes cumin and breastfeeds her baby, the herb can soothe the infant's digestive system and help to cure colic. The herb also possesses sedative properties that will relax mother and baby during feeding times. According to "Mother Food," a book on lactogenic herbs and foods by Hilary Jacobson, pregnant woman should only take small amounts of the herb, and women who are especially prone to breast infections should limit the use of cumin. You can find cumin in the ethnic seasonings section of the grocery store to add to recipes, or visit the health food store to purchase the herb in capsule form.

How to Transport Frozen Breast Milk

In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that 75% of women breastfeed their babies, but the numbers drop to 43% by 6 months. The Surgeon General, agreeing that breast milk is the best food for infants, issued a call to action in January 2011 to support women who breastfeed. The intention of the Surgeon General's call to action is to see that the percentages of breastfeeding mothers remain steady through a child's infancy. Knowing how to properly transport frozen breast milk may encourage more women to continuously breastfeed their babies.

Instructions

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Purchase a cooler and pack it securely with ice packs to keep the temperature down. Use dry ice if the breast milk must be transported a long distance.

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Place the frozen breast milk in the cooler and close it securely. Tie the cooler lid shut with rope or use a lock.

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Leave the container closed and do not open it until you reach your final destination.

About Hydroquinone & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy, as well as prior use of birth control pills, can cause darkening of the skin. Sometimes called melasma, or the "mask of pregnancy," many women turn to prescription creams such as hydroquinone once the baby is delivered. If you're a breastfeeding mom, read on for further information about hydroquinone use.

Function

Hydroquinone is a topical cream that inhibits the body's ability to create melanin--the source of brown pigment in the skin. It's a bleaching agent that not only minimizes existing brown spots, but inhibits new ones from developing. It is considered a Class C drug, which means it has caused harm to developing fetuses in animal studies, but benefits from the use of the product may outweigh the risks. No human studies have been conducted on the effects on a developing baby.

Effects

As with many medications, it's not clear if the use of topical hydroquinone will pass to your breast milk. And, if it does, it's unclear if there would be any harm to your infant. However, be aware of any allergic reaction in your baby if you are using this product. These symptoms include difficulty breathing, swelling in the face, tongue, throat or lips, as well as hives.
The Physician's Desk Reference does not include information about breastfeeding and the use of hydroquinone. While this reference is considered extensive, because of the lack of medical studies, the final answer on the use of this product while breastfeeding is unclear.

Considerations

The issue of dark pigmentation, however, can be uncomfortable for many women. If you're hesitant about using hydroquinone and would prefer to avoid it until there's more definitive information, use an alternative. Consider natural Cellex-C products; its Fade Away Gel for Dark Spots uses botanical ingredients. Also, a product known as Lightening Gel is derived from natural ingredients, including tea trea oil and kojic acids. They are also considered bleaching agents. Another product to consider is Kinerase. It's not a bleaching agent, but it helps fade light marks.
Avoid products that include high doses of vitamin A, such as Retin A or Tazorac. Products derived from high doses of vitamin A that are taken orally, such as Accutane, have been proven to cause birth defects.

Misconceptions

The use of hydroquinone while breastfeeding is not prohibited; however, be sure to let your doctor know if you are. Each woman's skin condition is unique and needs to be evaluated by a health practitioner. The health of the baby and the health of the mother need to both be taken into consideration before using a prescription product such as hydroquinone.

Warning

Topical treatments are poorly absorbed by the skin, which is one reason why your doctor may feel comfortable prescribing hydroquinone for while you are breastfeeding. But be sure to follow safety directions when using it. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your baby, especially near the mouth or eyes.

How to Recognize Ovulation Symptoms

It is very important to be able to recognize ovulation symptoms when you are trying to get pregnant. Knowing what ovulation symptoms look like will enable you to know when the best time is for you to try and get pregnant. Learn the many symptoms of ovulation and increase your chances of getting pregnant today.

Instructions

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Charting Your Body Temperature to Recognize Ovulation Symptoms
One easily recognizable ovulation symptom is changes in your body temperature. During ovulation your body temperature will rise due to the release of hormones. The easiest way to recognize this ovulation symptom is to chart your daily temperature before you get out of bed in the morning. When you see an increase in temperature, you are ovulating. This increase will last until the first day of your cycle but you are most fertile when you first see the ovulation symptom of increased temperature.

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Breast Sensitivity is an Ovulation Symptom
One ovulation symptom that many women experience is breast sensitivity. This ovulation symptom includes increased sensitivity in the breast and nipple area that is caused by increased hormones.

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Changes in Cervical Mucus is an Ovulation Symptom
Most women produce cervical mucus and changes in this mucus is an ovulation symptom. During the time you are ovulating, cervical mucus should be almost clear, slippery, and have the consistency of a raw egg white. The change in cervical fluid as an ovulation symptom allows the sperm to travel to the egg easily.

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Consider Buying Fertility Monitors
There are many products on the market to help you monitor fertility more accurately. It can be very helpful to purchase an ovulation monitor that will help you recognize ovulation symptoms.

How to Get a Breastfed Infant on Formula

Babies need to either be on breast milk or on formula until they turn 1 year old. Many parents switch from breast milk to formula as the baby gets older. This can be because the parent goes back to work or because the baby begins to get teeth. There are a few things you can do to make the transition from breast milk to formula easier for your infant.

Instructions

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Pump breast milk and pour it into a bottle. Do this once a day for the first week, to get the infant used to the nipple on the bottle. The infant is still getting breast milk, so she won't reject the bottle based on taste.

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Choose the baby formula you think is best for your baby. If necessary, ask your doctor. Make a bottle of formula and replace the daily breast milk bottle with the formula. The infant can get used to the new taste before he has to drink it full time. Do this for one week.

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Gradually increase the amount of formula bottles and decrease the amount of times you breastfeed. This will let you naturally decrease the amount of milk you are producing. Cutting back all at once can cause painful breasts.

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Make a schedule and stick to it. Write down week one's goals, introducing a bottle nipple to your infant. Week two would list what time of day the infant would get a formula bottle. Week three would list how many formula bottles your baby is getting and the times she is getting them.