How Does Breast Feeding Work?

Milk Production Begins Before Birth

A pregnant mother begins making milk in the form of colostrum even before her baby is born. This colostrum is what the baby receives when he or she first begins to nurse and it is rich in nutrients that are important for growth and the immune system.

Once the baby is born, a mother's hormones undergo yet another change that prompts the rapid production of milk, usually two to three days after the baby's birth. In the meantime, a baby gets all he needs from the colostrum.

Hormones at Work

When a baby suckles at the breast, the hormone oxytocin is released within the mother. This stimulates milk production or "let down." The milk literally comes down the milk ducts ready to be squeezed out by the babies suckling action. Oxytocin is also a "feel good" hormone, causing the mother to experience pleasure. This is one reason why breast feeding can be such a bonding experience for the mother.

The more a baby feeds, the more breast milk the mother's body makes up until the day the baby is weaned.

Prolactin is the other important hormone in milk production, which is responsible for turning nutrients from the mother's blood supply into nourishing breast milk for baby.

Feeding Your Baby is a Bonding Experience

Breast feeding is a unique bonding time. Babies have been known to instinctively find the breast without assistance if given the opportunity. Many breastfed babies' first experience outside of the womb is suckling at the breast. It comes naturally to them. A baby's physiology is such that they cannot see any further away than the distance between the breast and their mother's face, and this also contributes to bonding.
Breastfed infants tend to feed more often than bottle-fed babies because breast milk is easily digestible and therefore the baby needs to eat more frequently, often "on demand." This time spent in the arms of mother can contribute to a feeling of safety and a deep and lasting bond.

Higher IQs, Healthy Immune Function and More

Breast milk is the perfect food. It has the exact proportions of fats, sugars and proteins needed. Studies have shown that children who were breastfed have higher IQs and, because breast milk contains antibodies, healthier immune systems. Why do breast fed babies have higher IQs than their non-breast fed counterparts? Many say it is because of the fats in breast milk. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the Omega-3 fats, which are essential to brain development and proper function, increase a child's IQ.

Healthiest Foods for Breastfeeding

The experts at womenshealth.gov agree that breastfeeding provides many benefits to both baby and mother that formula feeding does not. Though many women may find breastfeeding to be an infinitely satisfying experience, it is a time-consuming endeavor that requires a new mother to remain as diligent in her diet and nutrition as she was when she was pregnant. Fortunately, there are many delicious, healthful foods that can help a new mom supply herself and her baby with the balanced nutrition they need.

Proteins

Eat adequate amounts of protein when you are nursing to supply the necessary nutrition to both your body and your child's body. Some women are concerned about consuming animal proteins when they are nursing due to growth hormones, additives and toxic levels of mercury and other heavy metals. If you are not a vegetarian, there is no need to eliminate animal proteins from your diet while nursing. Choose meat and poultry that has been organically fed and fish that is fresh-caught instead of farmed.

WebMd categorizes salmon as one of the best foods for breastfeeding mothers because it is packed with nutrition and an important type of fat called DHA. DHA assists in the development of your nursing baby's nervous system. In addition, studies suggest that the DHA in salmon may help prevent postpartum depression. Concerns about mercury consumption are causing some nursing mothers to avoid salmon and other nutritious seafoods; however, the FDA guidelines state that salmon is a low-mercury fish and is safe when consumed in amounts of no more than 12 oz. per week.

Lean beef is recommended for nursing mothers because it is iron-rich and a good source of vitamin B-12. Adequate amounts of iron and vitamin B-12 will keep you from becoming drained of energy while meeting the demands of caring for and nursing your infant.

Eggs are versatile and easy to cook. They are also one of the few foods that provide a natural source of vitamin D. Vitamin D will help keep your bones strong while you are breastfeeding and will help your baby develop strong bones and teeth.

Low-fat dairy foods such as yogurt, cheese and milk are also good sources of vitamin D and calcium. Eat three or more servings per day as part of your nutritional plan.

Legumes such as black beans, kidney beans, lentils and peanuts are a good source of protein and iron if you are a vegetarian breastfeeding mom, or if you simply want to add some variety to your diet. Legumes are also inexpensive, which can be advantageous when adjusting to the expenses of having a new baby.

Fruits and Vegetables

Blueberries are highly recommended for nursing mothers as a way to meet their two-serving daily requirement of fruit or juice. Blueberries not only provide you with important anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals, but they also provide an energy-raising dose of carbohydrates.

WebMd states that nursing mothers need even more vitamin C than they did while pregnant. Oranges are a quick, portable snack that will give you that extra boost of vitamin C. For a mid-day pick-me-up, sip some orange juice when you sit down to nurse your baby in the afternoon.

Leafy greens are the healthiest type of vegetable a breastfeeding mother can eat. Spinach, Swiss chard, mustard greens, kale and broccoli are all a good source of vitamin A and a non-dairy source of calcium. Eating leafy greens can also soften bowel movements, which is a concern for some postpartum women.

Grains

You may be tempted to cut out carbohydrates when trying to lose excess baby weight, but whole-grain cereals, breads, pastas and brown rice will help you maintain your energy levels and provide the calories you need for producing an adequate supply of breast milk. Whole grains are also rich in folic acids, which are crucial to your baby's development during gestation and infancy. They also supply fiber, which can help you maintain regular bowel movements.

Water

Drinking at least 8 cups of water daily will prevent dehydration, a common problem for nursing moms, and will boost your ability to produce milk. Avoid sodas, coffee and tea while nursing as the caffeine in these drinks will become concentrated in your baby's system. Opt for water instead.

Home Treatments for Sore Breasts After Breastfeeding

Breast milk is the preferred nutrition for babies by most medical professionals. However, for mom, especially in the beginning, breastfeeding may not come as naturally as she assumed that it would. Breastfeeding can cause sore breasts and nipples, but there are treatments that can help.

Continue Breastfeeding

When breasts are sore, continue to breastfeed or pump on a regular schedule. According to La Leche League International (LLLI), sore breasts after breastfeeding are most often due to plugged ducts or a breast infection. While a breast infection will likely require medical treatment, it is advisable for all mothers to continue breastfeeding to get relief. It is not dangerous to the baby to breastfeed even when an infection is present.

Change the way you hold your baby while breastfeeding. LLLI states that moms who use different style holds while breastfeeding will be able to drain the breast more effectively than those who stick with one particular hold. Moms should alternate between the cradle hold, football hold and breastfeeding while lying down.

Treatments

Apply heat in several different ways to the breast. This will provide relief as well as help to unclog a plugged duct. Heat can be applied with a low setting on a heating pad, by taking a hot bath or shower or by leaning over a bowl of warm water and placing the breasts directly into the water. Breastfeeding while the breasts are warm can help the milk to flow better. Massaging the affected breasts during these heat application sessions can also help with plugged ducts according to LLLI.

Rest well while breastfeeding. This is an enormous physical task on the body. It is important to rest well, eat well and hydrate continuously during the time you are breastfeeding. Being relaxed during breastfeeding sessions can also help to alleviate any pain or soreness that is associated with the task.

If the nipple or the surrounding area is sore or cracked, apply a thin layer of breast milk to the area after feeding. Allow the film to air dry for an all natural solution to these painful symptoms of breastfeeding.

Seek Help

Seek help from medical professionals if you believe you may have an infection. A breast infection, such as mastitis, is often treated with antibiotics that will need to be prescribed by a physician.

Schedule an appointment with a lactation consultant. This trained professional can check to ensure the baby is correctly latching onto the breast. If the latch is incorrect, this can cause pain to the nipple and surrounding area. Correction of the latch technique can make breastfeeding a more enjoyable and effective process for both mom and baby.

How to Relieve Engorged Breast From Weaning

While weaning your child off breast milk, even though you are feeding him from the breast less often, you body continues to produce as much milk as it did before you began weaning. This excess milk production causes engorgement of the breasts, which can be extremely painful. You can relieve engorged breasts from weaning in a number of different ways that will also provide you relief from pain and tenderness.

Instructions

1

Begin weaning gradually. When you first begin weaning, replace one or two breast feedings per week with a bottle. This allows your body to slowly reduce milk production and also helps to prevent your breasts from becoming too painfully engorged.

2

Continue to increase bottle feedings. Week by week replace an additional one or two breast feedings with a bottle. This causes your milk production to reduce even further, resulting in fewer instances of painful engorgement.

3

Apply cold compresses. The coolness of the compresses helps to reduce swelling of engorgement in the breast. Place them in the freezer for 10 minutes to cool them down, then place the compresses on the breasts for 10 to 15 minutes immediately after feeding.

4

Put on a sports bra. Sports bras offer more support than regular bras and nursing bras. This added support helps reduce pain and tenderness caused by engorgement.

5

Drink 8 ounces of sage tea two to three times a day. Sage contains phytoestrogen, a natural form of estrogen that helps to reduce your body's milk supply.

How to Nurse a Baby While Pregnant With Twins

Breast-feeding a baby has many advantages. It is an inexpensive way to provide optimum nutrition that is tailored to the individual infant's needs. A woman who breast-feeds her baby also receives several health advantages such an increased ability to burn calories and, according to a study in the July 20, 2002 issue of the Lancet, a decreased risk of breast cancer. Nursing a baby while carrying twins can be difficult but it can be done with the right support and preparation.

Instructions

1

Drink lots of water. Water can help you increases your milk supply if you are short of milk. Pregnancy can help you up your supply of milk as your body prepares to nurture two new babies.

2

Get enough sleep. Both pregnancy and lactation can release hormones that can make you sleepy as you nurse. The best way to cope with the sleepiness that is common in early pregnancy is to take naps if possible. You can easily cuddle up with a baby next to you in bed in a sidecar sleeper after she has finished nursing. Getting enough rest can help you cope with caring for your baby and gestating twins. Your body is undergoing a tremendous change in a short time frame. Let that happen without fighting it.

3

Protect your nipples. First-trimester hormones can make your nipples feel sore and achy. Reduce the hurt with soothing creams on the market designed to reduce nipple soreness as well as soft cotton nipple shields you can place in your bra when not nursing.

4

Stick to comfort nursing only. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that women nurse babies for at least a year. Older babies can also benefit from nursing. As your baby grows, you can feed him other sources of nutrition such as vegetables and whole grains. If your baby is older than a year, consider nursing her only for specific activities such as getting to sleep at night, comfort during vaccinations and after she's had a minor misstep or fallen down. Older babies may also not want to continue nursing after you've become pregnant because a pregnancy can affect the taste of the milk.

5

Hire outside help. If you find that the pregnancy is creating problems with your existing nursing relationship, hire professionals. Lactation consultants are trained medical professionals who can assist you with any problems with your existing breast-feeding relationship. A visit may even be covered under your medical plan. Contact an office of your nearby La Leche League. The La Leche League is devoted to helping women nurse their children. Members are trained volunteers, many of whom have nursed their own children. They can assist you with any problems you might have without additional costs.

How to Change Hair Color After a Baby Is Born

Many hair care experts believe that coloring the hair while pregnant is safe, although some caution women against it. The main concern is the hair color gets absorbed through the scalp and enters the bloodstream. After the baby is born, mothers who are breastfeeding are concerned about the dye entering the breast milk. Fortunately, there are a few ways to change the color of the hair safely after the baby is born.

Instructions

1

Highlight your hair. One advantage of highlighting is that you apply the color up to 2 inches away from the scalp. This means that the color doesn't touch the skin, or enter the bloodstream. Highlighting the hair changes the look of the hair without using permanent hair color. When highlighting, use rubber gloves that come with the kit and use it in a room that has plenty of ventilation.

2

Apply a semi-permanent color to the hair. Semi-permanent hair colors wash out in about six shampoos. Look for semi-permanent hair colors with no peroxide, or low or no ammonia. By containing less chemicals than permanent hair colors, these semi-permanent hair colors may be best for mothers worried about dyes and chemicals entering the breast milk.

3

Brush on hair mascara. These are temporary hair colors that come in a large tube resembling mascara. The hair color is easy to brush on the hair, and dries quickly. The mascara only coats the hair, so the scalp doesn't absorb the hair color. This is probably the fastest way to color the hair after giving birth.

What Allergy Medicine Can I Take While Breastfeeding?

Chronic allergy symptoms can be uncomfortable and troublesome, and may even interfere with daily activities or become life-threateningly severe. Many nursing mothers unnecessarily avoid taking medication--or, worse, avoid breastfeeding--because of a fear that antihistamine drugs may hurt the child. Fortunately, the vast majority of antihistamine drugs are considered safe during lactation, though some allergy medications options are safer than others.



Renowned breastfeeding expert Dr. Jack Newman writes that, on average, less than one percent of a medication taken by a nursing mother is actually passed into her breast milk, and even smaller amounts are actually absorbed by the child. He emphasizes that the extremely minimal risks associated with these small doses are negligible compared to the risks of unnecessary formula feeding. Moms with allergies can get relief from their symptoms with little-to-no risk to their children.

Over-the-Counter Allergy Medicine: Loratadine

Loratadine is one of the most common allergy medications, and also one of the safest for breastfeeding mothers. As the active ingredient found in Claritin and Alavert, loratadine offers prescription-strength relief despite being available without a prescription. This, combined with the medication's quick action, makes it a popular choice for nursing moms.

Unlike diphenhydramine (Benadryl), loratadine is totally non-drowsy, and will not sedate the mother or child. It is also associated with very few side effects compared to the vast majority of other drugs, and it has been approved for use during lactation by the American Academy of Pediatrics. If possible, Claritin or Alavert should be the first line of defense against seasonal allergies for nursing mothers.

Over-the-Counter Allergy Medicine: Desloratadine

When loratadine breaks down in the bloodstream, it converts into a chemical called desloratadine. Some over-the-counter allergy medications, including the popular brand Clarinex, use desloratadine as a primary active ingredient. Since its precursor, loratadine, is considered safe for nursing moms, there is no reason to suspect that Clarinex may be hazardous.

One 1988 study demonstrated that only barely-detectable amounts of desloratadine are transferred into human breast milk-- just 0.019 percent of an adult dose. Since even smaller portions are absorbed in the child's gut, there is good reason to believe that Clarinex and other desloratadine products are safe allergy medicines for lactating mothers.

Non-Over-the-Counter Allergy Medicine: Triprolidine

Another allergy medicine that has been approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics is triprolidine, commonly sold under the trade name Actidil. Although this drug is not prescribed as frequently as some other allergy medicines, Actidil is considered to be one of the safest and most effective allergy treatments for nursing mothers.

Triprolidine is sometimes combined with pseudoephedrine, a powerful decongestant, to create products such as Actifed. These decongestants are available over-the-counter and are also considered to be safe for nursing mothers. To avoid the possible negative effects of pseudoephedrine, bresatfeeding moms should seek isolated Triprolidine unless they find it ineffective.

Over-the-Counter Allergy Medicine: Fexofenadine

Fexofenadine--also known as Allegra--is also considered to be a safe allergy medicine for breastfeeding mothers. Though it is available only by prescription, fexofenadine is associated with very few side effects and only passes into breast milk in small amounts.

While it has been approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics for use by breastfeeding moms, Allegra has not been studied thoroughly enough for its effect on lactation to make it a good first-choice. Still, it is a good choice for mothers who do not find relief from over-the-counter allergy medicine.

Other Medicines Used to Treat Allergies

Some other drugs are considered to be reasonably safe during lactation, although there are safer options. For example, cetirizine (trade name Zyrtec) has been used extensively by breastfeeding women, but its long-term effects on nursing have not been studied thoroughly. There may be better options.

Another popular allergy medicine is diphenhydramine, more commonly known as Benadryl. Though serious effects on breastfed infants are unlikely, it does appear to be present in breastmilk in detectable amounts, and it has more potential side effects for the child. Diphenhydramine may have a sedative effect on some children-- a reaction that may be dangerous for very young infants. Alternatively, Benadryl has been known to cause agitation or hyperactivity in older babies and toddlers--an effect that any sniffly-nosed mom would prefer to avoid.