Monday 24 October 2011

Managing Sore Nipples From Breastfeeding

There are a number of reasons for developing sore nipples during breastfeeding and each can be easily managed and treated.  However, before treating the pain, it is important to determine the cause of the soreness and to treat the root of the problem first or the soreness will keep recurring.

Here are some reasons why your nipples might be sore from breastfeeding and what you can do about it. It is important to note that many of these reasons can overlap, for instance having a cracked nipple and a blocked duct at the same time.

1. When your baby hasn't latched on properly.

When you're new to breastfeeding, it can be difficult to tell what a proper latch should be like. To top it off, there are many other factors that can compound the problem, such as short nipples, inverted nipples, breast engorgement, etc.

The best thing you can do to identify whether your baby has correctly latched on is to check with a lactation consultant, a hospital nurse or another mother who is experienced in breastfeeding. Ask for advice and get them to check your technique when your baby is nursing.

One way to tell if your baby has a proper latch is to look and see how much of the areolar (the dark-skin area of your breast) is covered by your baby's mouth. Ideally, it should be most of the areolar, leaving only a thin ring of darkened skin visible. Another way (although I didn't find this particularly useful for me) is to check the shape of your nipple after a feed. It should still be relatively rounded after your baby comes off. A flattened nipple is potentially a sign of an incorrect latch.

To ensure your baby gets a correct latch on your breast, make sure that your baby's mouth is open wide with the tongue down before putting your baby on the breast. If the latch is incorrect, break the seal and try again. It is important to make sure your baby learns to latch on correctly because an incorrect latch will be the source of continued nipple soreness.

2. Cracked nipple

This is usually an indication of poor breastfeeding technique. In most cases, your baby isn't taking in enough of the areolar and is only suckling on the nipple. Sometimes it might be due to unusual anatomy within your baby's mouth, for instance a tied tongue. Getting someone experienced in breastfeeding to check will help you determine the exact cause if you aren't sure.

The first step is to correct the source of the problem, for instance, correcting your breastfeeding technique. To help your cracked nipples heal faster, applying a little breast milk onto the nipples after every feed can be helpful. Alternatively, you can apply a breastfeeding ointment like Bepanthen which promotes healing.

If nursing is too uncomfortable, try expressing the milk from the affected side until it heals sufficiently. You can also try nursing on the unaffected side first before switching your baby to the affected side as your baby usually suckles less vigorously on the second breast which shouldn't hurt as much.







Another option is to use nipple shields.  These are plastic coverings that cover your nipples and provides a barrier against the friction of baby's tongue on raw nipples.

3. Blocked duct

This is usually due to your baby not "milking" your breasts effectively. Your milk is being produced faster than your baby is consuming it. As a result, the milk travels back along the milk ducts and is forced into the surrounding breast tissue causing swelling, tenderness and pain.

Blocked ducts usually affect only one side and are localised. There is a hardened lump in the area of the breast associated with the blocked duct. Aside from the tenderness you feel, the skin in the area is usually reddened and feels warm to the touch. Blocked ducts can appear similar to mastitis with the main difference being the absence of fever and the fact that usually only one side is affected.

Managing blocked ducts:

Keep feeding your baby frequently on the affected side even though it hurts as this is the fastest way to clear the blockage. This is also the most effective way to clear the blocked duct above and beyond all the other measures listed below. With frequent feeds, a block duct can be cleared within 24 hours.

Vary your feeding positions as this will help your baby clear the milk more effectively.

Taking ibuprofen can help to reduce the inflammation and manage the pain if you find it unbearable.

You can also try expressing the milk with a breast pump or by hand, although I believe that no pump will be quite as effective as your baby.

Applying warm or cold compresses directly onto your breast, taking warm baths and massages can also be helpful.

4. Mastitis

Similar to the symptoms of a blocked duct, mastitis usually affects both breasts and is accompanied by flu-like symptoms. There may be an infection present which will require antibiotic treatment, though not always. If you suspect you have mastitis, consult your doctor for the best course of treatment. Aside from antibiotics, there are additional things you should do which will help to resolve the condition more quickly. Most of these are similar to what you would do if you had blocked ducts.

Rest with your baby and continue nursing regularly and frequently, especially on the affected side. Do not stop nursing as it can increase your risk of developing a breast abscess.

Nursing at this point will be painful so taking ibuprofen can help to alleviate the pain. Ibuprofen also helps to manage the accompanying fever.

Vary your nursing position to help baby empty your breasts more effectively.

Sometimes, though rarely, your baby may object to nursing because of the increased sodium content to your milk resulting from the inflammation. In this case, you will have to express your milk. However, your baby is still the best breast pump you have on hand so it is best to try persisting with nursing. As the inflammation begins to clear, the taste of your milk will return to normal.

Applying warm and cold compresses to the affected areas, taking warm baths and gently massaging the affected area.

5. Infections

Infections such as thrush can also cause sore nipples. Thrush is a yeast infection (caused by Candida) that causes the nipples to become red and tender, and may be accompanied by a burning sensation. If your breasts are infected by Candida, you will also notice white plaques inside your baby's mouth. Thrush is not an indication to stop breast feeding, however, both you and baby will require antifungal treatment for it. Your doctor can prescribe the appropriate medications.

6. Initial breastfeeding soreness

During the first couple of weeks of breastfeeding, there will be some soreness of the nipples - this is due to the friction of your baby's tongue against your nipples which can leave them feeling raw. As long as you are breastfeeding with good technique, this tenderness will eventually fade on its own as your nipples toughen up. In the interim, applying a little breast milk or breastfeeding ointment after every feed can help your nipples to heal sufficiently between feeds to reduce the sensitivity during nursing.

7. Teething

When your baby begins teething, you may experience something similar to the initial soreness you felt when you first started breastfeeding. This only occurs with the eruption of the upper front teeth since the lower front teeth are covered by your baby's tongue during breastfeeding. The sensitivity usually goes away quickly as long as your baby isn't using your nipple as a teething ring.

At this point, it is important to educate your baby that biting is not acceptable. If your baby bites, simply put away your breast and stop the feed. Your baby will soon get the message. Usually when your baby starts biting your nipple, it is a good indication that the actual feeding part is over and that your baby is just nursing for comfort or playing. A baby that is still actively suckling will be biting his or her own tongue if he or she attempts to bite the nipple.

Conclusion

There are several reasons why your nipples may be sore during breastfeeding. It is important to identify the cause of the pain and treat the underlying problem before applying methods to relieve the pain and sensitivity. Without treating the underlying problem, the pain and soreness of your nipples will continue to persist.



By: Shen-Li Lee  -   About the Author :
  Shen-Li is a stay-at-home-mum dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in parenting. She has a formal educational background and former work experience in healthcare. If you enjoyed this article, visit her blog Babylicious and follow her as she learns how to raise a happy, confident and successful person.

Saturday 1 October 2011

Pilates for new mums

Pilates for new mums

Specialist in pre and postnatal pilates for new mums

Hi my name is Wendy Levy. I am a new mum and understand how your body can feel after having a baby.

What is Pilates? Pilates is a program that improves muscle control, flexibility, co-ordination, strength and tone through physical and mental conditioning. When we adopt poor posture we get aches and pains in the body because of muscle imbalance. Some muscles will tighten while others lengthen causing undue strain and pull on our joints.

Pilates will correct any bad posture and movement habits that you may have and with gentle exercises condition the core and stability muscles so that tension can be taken away and give you relief from pain.

There are many changes that occur in the spine and pelvis in pregnancy, they are:
Increased lumbar (lower back) extension
Increased pelvic diameters
Increased ligament laxity (due to the hormone Relaxin that can remain for some time after birth)
Increased mobility of the symphysis pubis and sacroiliac joint
Instability around the pelvis and spine

So the time has come and your new baby has arrived into the world, what a magical time.  With everything that happens you are unaware of the stresses placed on your body and It is not until baby is a few months old that you start to feel pain generally in the back, neck or shoulders.

Some examples of the activities that cause the pain are:

1. Feeding baby with a poor sitting position.
Make sure your hips are level, do not cross your legs. Have arm propped up by a pillow or cushion allow arm to rest and shoulder to relax down.  Try not to twist or lean forward. Look up from baby regularly to prevent neck strain.

2. Standing holding baby.
Keep shoulders relaxed and down away from your ears. Avoid rounding your shoulders. Keep up straight as leaning back will compress the vertebra causing back ache and further weaken abdominal (tummy) muscles.

3. Lifting things such as the pram in and out of the car.
Position pram near the boot of the car before folding it up. Bend from your legs (a squat position) to pick up the pram from the ground and gently draw your lower tummy muscles in. Do not twist your back.

When it comes to exercise and awareness of movement the small changes that you make will give you greater results long term and allow you to have a better quality of life.

I have over 11 years experience specialising in Pilates - pre and post natal. I will help you feel re-energised again.

Book a consultation - come and see me at Aquatic Natural Therapies,

Corner of Bluebell and Abelia Street, Alexandra Hills. Telephone: 3207 5088

Saturday 17 September 2011

Safety Guidelines For Infant Sleep

Room sharing with your baby.

If a crib or newborn bassinet fits in your room, go for it. Having baby’s crib in your room may be protective against SIDS. Several studies gave shown that baby who died of SIDS were less likely than other babies to gave slept in a crib or bassinet in their parents’ room on the night they died. And since, unlike bed sharing, the idea of room sharing is not controversial, it was easy to advise parents to have babies in their room for the first six months.

Back to sleep.

Research shoes that this sleep position for babies dramatically reduces the incidence of SIDS. The only reason for a baby not to sleep on her back would be due to certain health, or when she gets to the age when she can roll over onto her tummy by herself and seems to prefer that. Once your baby can roll over easily, you can let her choose her own sleep position.

Firm mattress.

Avoid pillows, puffy bedding, stuffed toys and bumper pads in the baby’s crib as these could prevent proper air circulation around your baby’s face.

Smoke free environment.

Research clearly shows the single most important modifiable SIDS risk factors are now parental smoking. If you or your partner is smokers, get help to quit. Second hand smoke is harmful for anyone, particularly young children. If you are unable to quit, at least don’t smoke in your house or in any room where the baby is. Don’t let anyone else smoke around the baby either.

Breastfeeding.

It has many health benefits and probably gives some protection against SIDS. For a small number of babies, breastfeeding probably does reduce the risk of SIDS, but there are more important reasons to breastfeed.

Avoid overheating your baby.

A room temperature that would be comfortable for you should be fine for your baby. Earlier studies showed an association between overheating and risk of SIDS, but temperature is no longer considered a particularly important risk factor, partly because manufacturers are making lighter crib duvets. If the room temperature feels comfortable to you, it’s fine for your baby.

Bed sharing controversy

Lots of parents share a bed with their babies. For some, it’s part of their parenting philosophy. For others, it’s a convenience. The truth is that the risk factor is not bed sharing but how it’s done. Some cultures where co-sleeping is very common, like Japan, China, and the Ind0-Pakistani community in England, have some of the lowest SIDS rates in the world.

If you’re a non-smoking, sober breast feeder with fairly firm mattress, and you take sensible precautions to make sure your baby is protected from falls, getting her head covered by baby blankets or pillows, and getting wedged between the mattress and bed frame or walls, whether or not you share a bed with your baby is your call.

The most important risk factors are smoking during pregnancy, sleeping on the stomach and co-sleeping in certain situations- on a sofa, if the parents have been drinking or using drugs, or on a makeshift bed with pillows and cushions. None of the other risk factors are nearly as important.”

SIDS – Sudden infant death syndrome
By: Camber Lea  -   About the Author :
Camber Lea is an experienced business owner who specializes in baby products. She regularly writes articles about baby gifts and baby cares which are inspired by her clients and experienced parents. Check out unique baby gift baskets, diaper cake, personalized baby gifts today.

Monday 29 August 2011

How to Feel Confident Breastfeeding in Public

Breast milk is the ideal baby food, and many new mothers choose to breastfeed their babies.  Breastfeeding has all the nutrients your baby needs to thrive for the first six months of life, and research shows breastfeeding has many health benefits for both mother and baby. The best preparation for breastfeeding is good information – the more support and encouragement you have during the early days, the more likely you are to succeed in breastfeeding for as long as you choose. Breastfeeding works best when mums are feeling relaxed, so it’s important that you feel at ease nursing when away from home so you can enjoy being out in the world with your nursling.

When you have a baby you will find you spend a lot of time out of the house meeting up with friends, clinic appointments, baby activity classes and playgroups. Feeling that you have to hide away to nurse your baby will make it difficult to go out and breastfeed whenever your baby demands. It is very natural to feel a little hesitant about nursing in public, particularly when you have a hungry baby ready for a feed and you’re not used to using a nursing bra! The key to breastfeeding your baby whilst out is to practice feeding at home in the early days, until you feel comfortable and confident that you can settle your baby for a feed fairly quickly. Meeting up with other breastfeeding women, perhaps through an postnatal class or NCT group, gives you the support of other nursing mums, before trying trips out on your own.  In the early days you might also feel more confident going out with someone who boosts your confidence like your partner, mum or a friend.

Many new mums use a muslin cloth, shawl or pashmina to provide extra cover whilst they are breastfeeding in public. Nursing covers are especially popular in the USA, and are quickly becoming an essential for nursing mothers in the UK too. Whether you prefer a patterned or plain cover, cotton or jersey fabric, a traditional “apron” cover or a poncho, there are lots of options available. Baby Bubu offer a wide range of traditional covers and modern ponchos, in a gorgeous variety of fabrics and patterns giving you the confidence to feed your baby wherever you like whilst ensuring that you are fully covered whilst doing so. The adjustable necklines of these designs allows you to maintain eye contact with baby as you feed. Another wonderful new accessory for breastfeeding mothers is the Mamascarf. Designed by a nursing mother, the Mamascarf provides support whilst feeding your baby, as well as ensuring that you are covered as your baby feeds. The Mamascarf folds neatly, is lightweight and can easily be slipped into a bag so you can take it out with you.

There is now some wonderful nursingwear available for new mums. Nursing tops offer you quick and easy access to the breast for nursing your little one, whilst keeping your chest, tummy and back covered.  Many designs work well during pregnancy and afterwards for nursing, giving you fabulous value for money.  These dual purpose tops (“transition clothing”) ensure you look fabulous from your first trimester to your fourth. Well designed nursing tops really help with feeling confident nursing in public. With a little practice you simply pull aside the nursing opening and feed your baby, without anyone being any the wiser.  Different tops give different access – from pull over crossover fronts, double layers with vertical nursing openings to simple modesty panels – there is something to suit every nursing mother. Details like ruching and flowing fabric give a flattering fit on post-natal figures. Each type of nursing access has been skilfully designed and the nursing openings in the clothing are well disguised so you really cannot tell they are nursing tops at all.

Confidence is a major factor in ensuring you are able to breastfeed wherever you are. If mothers feel comfortable nursing whenever and wherever they choose, they will breastfeed for longer. Many new mums feel well designed nursingwear and breastfeeding accessories have made a real difference to their experience breastfeeding in front of friends, family and whilst out and about. Stylish nursingwear and accessories helps challenge the perception of breastfeeding as frumpy, and ensures breastfeeding stays fashionable.



By: Kirsten Baxter  -   About the Author :
  The author Kirsten Baxter is Director of UK based online maternity and nursingwear store Bella Mama ( http://www.bellamama.co.uk )

Bella Mama is a stylish Breastfeeding and Maternity clothing boutique offering a fabulous range of stylish maternity and nursing dresses, chic breastfeeding tops, pretty nursing bras, gorgeous baby bags and other accessories.

Sunday 31 July 2011

Breast IS Best! About Breastfeeding Benefits

Deciding to breastfeed is an extremely individual subject. It might be a decision which is very likely to bring about solid views from acquaintances.


Countless of medical gurus highly recommend breastfeeding your baby. Yet both you and your newborn are unique, and that's why the judgement depends only on you. To help you make up your mind, here is some info on the several breastfeeding benefits common today..



So... What Is Your Baby Getting From Breastfeeding?



Breast milk offers the ideal health food for newborns. It provides the best mixture of vitamin supplements, protein, plus fat. just what your child requires to develop. And it's presented within a form easier to digested as opposed to milk substances.. Breast milk contains antibodies which help your baby protect against viruses, bacteria and infections.. Breastfeeding your baby lowers your baby's risk of having asthma or perhaps allergen hypersensitivity. Children who are breastfed particularly during the first six months, without consuming milk substances, possess a lot fewer ear infections, breathing diseases, in addition to involving intestinal colic and/or diarrhea. They also have much less hospitalizations and trips towards the doc.



Breastfeeding is linked to elevated IQ results in later years, especially for toddlers that were born before time. Your body closeness, friction, along with eye contact each and every one assist your child connect with you and really feel protected. Breastfed children are more likely to attain the correct amount of callories when they get bigger and not developed into heavy kids. Many studies have also revealed association between breastfeeding a baby and a smaller threat of sudden infant death syndrome (Sudden infant death syndrome), being diabetic, obesity, in addition to certain cancers.



What Are The Breastfeeding Benefits For You?


Nursing your baby requires extra energy: about 500 additional calories every day . this means you lose pregnancy body-weight faster. It releases the hormone oxytocin, which assists your uterus to resume its pre-pregnancy proportions and may even cut down bleeding after giving birth. Breastfeeding brings down your possibility of breast and ovarian cancer. Some may not know this, however It could furthermore reduce possibility of osteoporosis and hip crack after women's menopause.



Given that you won't need to invest in and measure milk substances, clean bottle nipples, and also heat baby bottles, breastfeeding your baby helps you to save your and your whole family time and money. Determining to breastfeed affords you regular enough time just to stay quietly together with your new baby while you become close and emotionally attached.



So as you can easily observe, there are quite a few breastfeeding beenfits. Not just for your baby, but also for yourself. Nevertheless, although It is better to breastfeed, will certainly help you save time and money and is in most cases very satisfying, it does not always come without pains!! Should you go through difficulties with your breastfeeding, be sure to get breastfeeding advice, because there are a lot of techniques you can use to help make breastfeeding simpler for both you and your child.



Good luck!




By: Idit Gal  -   About the Author :
  Get all the info you need about newborn care and Newborn Feeding

Sunday 24 July 2011

How to breast feed a baby

How to breastfeed a baby

Support for new parents and breastfeeding

We receive many questions about how to breastfeed a baby easily, successfully or well.

Success is individual and we aim to support each woman in achieving her desired goal.

There are lots of factors that affect breastfeeding.  These include the pregnancy, birth, support people, among other things.

Women are born with milk making ability.  How much is individual.  Some women just don’t have much milk. We will work with you to make sure you learn how to breastfeed your baby meeting both your needs.  When we discuss how to breastfeed a baby we will explore all this with you.

Stress of any nature can also affect supply including rest and sleep.

We will look at how to position your baby, how to get a really good latch and attachment.  We will also teach you what to do when this doesn’t happen.

Sometimes you do everything right with the attaching and it still hurts.  Sometimes it is the baby’s mouth or tongue that can cause this. Sometimes your baby will prefer his head or body in a certain position which may be difficult for you.
If it doesn't work, that is okay. We will still be here to support you no matter what.

We will look at both your baby and you to work out how to get the best for both of you.

If you have questions about how to breastfeed a baby please contact us, we will be happy to discuss it with you



 

 

Understanding Sleep Patterns

Newborn sleep patterns

Understanding sleep patterns

Questions about newborn sleep patterns often arise for new parents sometime in the first month.

Often new babies will come home feeding and sleeping like a dream.  At some stage they begin to wake up and let the world know they are here.  This is commonly when parents think what happened to our perfect baby?  In reality, nothing has happened to them, they are just waking up.
Newborn sleep patterns can be challenging , however when you learn to read the signals your baby is giving it becomes much easier.
Baby won't sleep

At Insync with infants, we will teach you what to do when your baby won't sleep.  Not only will you feel confident in knowing what to do when this happens, we will teach how to minimise the times your baby won't sleep by teaching you to interpret their cues and needs.

Again as your baby grows, we will teach you appropriate techniques to help your baby sleep. You will learn all the tips to ensure your baby gets the rest and sleep they need, so that times your baby won't sleep decrease dramatically.

Our goal is to help you teach your baby to self settle as they grow and develop so they are not reliant on you for their sleep.  The times your baby won’t sleep will become a thing of the past.
Baby sleeping on stomach

We often hear parents say they have their baby sleeping on their stomach because it is the only way they will sleep.  We will explore this with you and discuss the reasons why having your baby sleeping on their stomach is discouraged.

As your baby gets older you may find your baby sleeping on their stomach by choice.  Certainly as your baby develops they will move around in their cot just as they do on the floor at play. When they are just learning to roll they may get stuck in some positions and we need to help them get out of it.  Until they are co ordinated enough to move themselves easily we need to help them.

The team at Insync with infants will guide you through when your baby won't sleep, when your baby is sleeping on their stomach and also teach you what is acceptable with regard to newborn sleep patterns and habits as your baby grows right up to toddler age.



 

Monday 11 July 2011

Blebs and Breastfeeding - What Are They?

Blebs and Breastfeeding - What Are They?

 

Blebs or white spots can appear on the tip of the nipple and are often  associated with breastfeeding. There are a few different types. The difference  can be unclear when looking at them. The causes include improper latch, clothing  rubbing on the nipple, not enough fluid in the mother's diet and possibly too  much saturated fat in her diet also.

There are blebs which are a tiny collection of fluid that occurs when a tiny  amount of milk has leaked into the nipple tissue at a duct outlet. They are  usually caused by an improper latch and are flat. Sometimes there is associated  pain. Sometimes it is completely painfree.

There are also plugged nipple pores. These resemble a bleb in appearance. The  plug is usually tiny and round, and is often an oily substance. If you squeeze  upward on the base of the nipple, the plug will pop up. If it is a plugged  nipple pore, there is almost always a hard, sore area in the breast where the  milk is unable to get out. Hence a plugged duct. The swollen area may press on  close by ducts and stop their drainage.

A milk blister is another type of white spot. This is when a single cell  layer of skin grows across a nipple pore and blocks it. The blister is usually  raised with fluid. There is epithelial growth factor in the milk which helps the  mucous membranes to mature. It is thought to aid the baby's gut lining to  mature. Epithelial growth factor can be the cause for a single cell layer to  grow over a milk pore on the nipple.

At times there can be associated lumps and pain in the breast where the bleb  is preventing an area of the breast from draining. Generally the "white" colour  is the build up of the fat in the milk. Sometimes the baby will pop the bleb  while feeding. Other times women will break it with a sterile needle or their  fingernail. In the case of a plugged nipple poor and a blister, once the  blockage is released it is common to see a long thick tenacious stringy looking  length of white come out of the pore that is now unblocked. Sometimes you won't  see it because the baby has ingested it while feeding which is of no concern.  This is the fat and solids part of the milk that has accumulated. Massage can  also assist in getting this blockage out.

Another remedy is lecithin. Lecithin is found as a powder additive that can  be added to foods. Lecithin is an emollient which means it helps dissolve fat.  So in the case of blebs, it keeps the fatty part of the milk suspended in the  milk more.

Lecithin can be ingested by the mother to aid in the treatment and prevention  of blebs. Some women may experience blebs in one breastfeeding experience and  not the next. The theory behind blebs forming is that the mother's milk is a  little thicker- perhaps due to the woman's hydration. Perhaps a diet a little  higher in saturated fats.

Generally when popping any of the white spots mentioned above, take care with  hygiene. Ensure you wash your hands beforehand, use sterile equipment and be  vigilant afterwards. Some women use an antibacterial cream on the area for a few  days after. Using warm compresses to pop the blebs is also used and can be very  effective when used together with massage.

Seek assistance from a professional if you are unsure or nervous about  this.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6328522

Monday 13 June 2011

Pros and Cons of Sleeping With Your Baby



Co-sleeping is often confused with bed sharing.

As a definition, co-sleeping is defined as the infant sleeping in the same  room as the parent.

Bed sharing is defined as the parent and infant sharing the same sleep  surface such as a mattress or bed.

It is an individual choice as to what you do in regard to sleep and your  baby.

Some of the common arguments against co-sleeping  include:

Baby learns to be dependent on a parent and will not be able to sleep on  their own even as they mature into young children.

Parent does not get therapeutic sleep.

Partner sleeping in another bed due to disturbed sleep, thus causing  relationship difficulties.

Baby is more noisy at night and parents have disturbed sleep.

Other children feeling left out or jealous with new baby sleeping in parents  room.

Some arguments in favour of co-sleeping  include.

Baby is more settled at night and sleeps better due to close proximity of  parent.

Parent has less disturbed sleep in that they do not have to go far to respond  to infants' needs during the night.

Breastfeeding is enhanced due to close proximity to breast.

Infant-parent bonding is enhanced with close proximity and prompt response  enabling infant to learn trust.

Reduced incidence of SIDs

Commonly co-sleeping is promoted for the first 6-12 months of your  baby's life.

The guidelines include:

Sleeping your baby on their back

Ensure the surface your baby is sleeping on is firm. No sagging mattress,  couch, bean bag.

Ensure the bedding and clothing is unable to cover your baby's face.

Ensure your baby is not sharing a sleep space with soft toys, pets or other  children.

Do not push the mattress /sleep surface against the wall where there is a  risk that your baby may roll between it and the wall. Babies have suffocated  this way.

If you do choose to share a sleep surface with your baby the  following guidelines are encouraged.

If you are taking drugs that make you drowsy at all both prescribed, over the  counter (including alcohol) or illicit- Do not share a sleep surface with your  baby. This is because you may not be alert enough to respond to your baby and  ensure they are kept in a safe place with you. This includes the risk of rolling  on them, your baby rolling off the sleep surface, or under bedclothes.

Also if you are a very deep or restless sleeper it is also discouraged to  share a sleep surface with your baby for the same reasons as above. If you are a  smoker it is also discouraged because of the toxins on your breath.

Ensure your baby is always on the outside of the bed and not between you and  your partner. If one person is solely responsible for your baby that person is  more likely to respond to your baby and ensure their safety. If you both take  responsibility the risk is that you both could subconsciously think oh it's ok,  my partner is aware and will respond to our baby- I don't need to check on  him/her.

Ensure your baby has their own bedding. Do not put them under your bedding  because of the risk of them suffocating.

Do not wrap or swaddle your baby so arm and leg movement is not restricted. A  sleep bag for infants may work better or their own blankets with warm clothing.

Of interest is that primitive cultures often will share a bed  surface with young babies. They instinctively employ the majority of guidelines  outlined above.

Where your baby sleeps for both day and night sleep is an individual choice.  Some parents feel that co-sleeping is not for them for different reasons. If you  are concerned or confused with the options available to you find someone with  expertise in this area to run your thoughts by.




Leisa Breed has been assisting and supporting women and families in caring  for their newborns and up till the age of 4 years since 1993. She is a  registered nurse, midwife, child health nurse and lactation consultant.

She has a successful home visiting consulting business assisting families in  all aspects of newborn and toddler care. She is based in the beautiful area of  Brisbane's bayside suburb of Redland Bay. To find out more visit http://www.insyncwithinfants.com
©Leisa Breed- Insync with  infants


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6203248

Monday 6 June 2011

Being Comfortable with Breastfeeding In Public

Breastfeeding in public has long evoked a great deal of debate and even controversy.  The Equality Act passed in April 2010, has meant that mums cannot be discriminated against in England and Wales which includes being asked to leave a venue or be unfavourably treated because they are breastfeeding.  Whilst this is supportive, there is still a significant resistance to breastfeeding in public.  In Scotland, the right to breastfeed in public has been part of their legislation for more than a year.


Mothers have to endure a great deal of pressure to breast feed, with numerous articles in the media promoting the benefits of breastfeeding.  There is also a lot of help and advice on breastfeeding, particularly from the National Childbirth Trust who actively promote breastfeeding.  NCT also introduced the ‘Booby Awards' to praise those establishments that encouraged breastfeeding with their attitude and facilities, whilst also listing some businesses that seemed to have a poor track record.   However, I believe that it should purely be a mum's choice on how she feeds her baby and as a company; Freedom Babe does not promote either way.


If a mother decides she wants to breastfeed, then breastfeeding in public will be a necessary part of her regime.  However, it is clear from a recent survey of 1200 new mums conducted in conjunction with the NCT, that many mums fear the public reaction; with a staggering 65% of respondents saying that they would not even attempt breastfeeding in public.  Many new mums had found the whole experience of breastfeeding in public to be a very stressful process and over half of them said they had been asked to leave the premises.  On many occasions, mums have had to disappear into the toilet to breastfeed, with establishments unable to provide any more suitable facilities.


There are obviously many mothers who need support in order to breastfeed in public.  Locking herself and her baby away in a toilet for 20-30 minutes is not the experience she wants.  However, the unease felt by many mothers breastfeeding their baby in a public area is an unacceptable situation. 


There are fortunately alternatives available which can support new mothers.  There are specific clothing items that can make it easier to breastfeed including nursing bras and specially adapted tops.  Many mums struggle with using blankets or cloths to cover up during feeding but these are often awkward and clumsy.  Purpose made clothing accessories such as nursing aprons or breastfeeding covers; provide a much needed aid to new mothers.  They have the advantage that they can be used in conjunction with everyday clothing.  Not only do they provide a secure and discreet cover, they also allow the baby to have a cocooned environment; without the distractions of other children or activity within the establishment.  It also means that there is less pressure on mums trying to feed quickly.


Breastfeeding should be a choice for new mothers and one that is freely made with knowledge of the benefits without the pressures currently inflicted by the whole experience of breastfeeding in public.



By: Dawn Callery  -   About the Author :
  Dawn Callery is a mother who understands the pressure on mothers to breastfeed.  As owner of Freedom Babe, she strives to offer innovative, tried and tested products designed to make life easier for new mothers. The breastfeeding cover is the first in a planned range of products available from Freedom Babe.

Friday 3 June 2011

A Journey Through Infant Development: The Ninth Month

It is the dance of life, the basis of human interaction. It’s about moving fluidly through our interactions. It’s not about an outcome, but the process in which we get there. It’s about doing it together. It’s the give and take. It’s the responses given to our actions and/or words. It’s co-regulation. By 9 months of age, a child spends a majority of the day engaged in co-regulation. My son is now 9 months old, and our interactive dance is becoming more fluid as we continue this journey.

You are the joy of our lives, the spark in our day. The joy you bring to our family is indescribable. Unlike when your sisters were babies, we are trying to slow down how fast you are growing. We want you to remain a baby forever, as you are the final baby of the family; and yet you seem to be growing twice as fast as your sisters. You have so many games that you love to play. You’ll crawl (yes, you are crawling now!) behind a chair, and then peak your head out when you see that I’m looking. I smile, then you smile back and hide again. It’s only a moment later when you slowly peak your head back out, and start to giggle as I give you a funny face. You are eating more and more foods! You make so many people laugh as you take a bite, and then quickly open your mouth for another bite. You’ll sit there with your mouth open staring at me until I get that spoon filled with more food back to your mouth. It can’t come fast enough! If I stand up to go get something, you scream like you are going to starve. I know you are about done eating when you grab at the spoon as though it’s a toy and not a shoveling device. If there is a ball around, you will find it. You love playing with balls! I’ll hand it to you, and you’ll throw it back. Sometimes it comes to me, but your hands don’t always throw in the same direction you’re looking. Then as I hold the ball you look at me with anticipation, wondering if and when I’ll throw it back; often times your hands and feet are moving with your excitement. Once I roll it back to you, you smile and scream in delight! If it bounces off you, you’ll race after it. You already know that we both have a responsibility in keeping the ball in play. Your sisters still love to torment you. They’ll climb in your face, and try to tickle you or tackle you. You are learning to defend yourself by clawing them in the face or pulling their hair. They get upset; but I defend you, and tell them that they deserved it. There is nothing better than coming home after not seeing you all day. When you see me, you light right up and come crawling to me as fast as you can. If you can’t get to me or I don’t pick you up right away, you’ll sit there and scream until I give you attention. It can be a bit annoying, but I love the attention and the immediate hugs!

The interactive dance of life is established, and relationships are beginning to flourish. Isn’t it amazing how early on in life this begins to happen? This is a topic I discuss early and often with families who have a child with autism: What does co-regulation look like; when is it established; when does it break down; and how is it repaired? Co-regulation is the basis for all human interaction, essential for developing relationships. Watching this form between the parents and children I work with is an amazing experience. What are you doing to initiate this dance?



By: Michelle Vanderheide, BSW  -   About the Author :
  About the Author: Autism specialist Michelle VanderHeide, of the Horizons Developmental Remediation Center, provides practical information and advice for families living with autism and other developmental disabilities. If you are ready to reduce your stress level, enrich your child’s development, and improve your family’s quality of life, get your FREE reports now at ==> www.HorizonsDRC.com

Monday 30 May 2011

Helping local communities in raising breastfeeding awareness

But there are still a number of reasons why breastfeeding take-up is low in many areas and these are the areas that need the help and support to raise the awareness of breastfeeding amongst the local mums. 

What’s the challenges that communities face raising awareness of breastfeeding:

the mental block of mums of finding breastfeeding intrusive on themselves and the unwillingness of feeding in public Lack of education/information for mums to make them aware of the benefits of breastfeeding lack of funding to hold events to raise awareness for breastfeeding or provide support to mums

These challenges large as they are can be overcome which is why Milkbug offers local communities support in raising awareness of breastfeeding. Already we have donated breastfeeding clothes to support a number of events and have offered advice to local communities on how breastfeeding clothes can help overcome some of the perceptions that breastfeeding is impossible in public. 

Supporting community projects is an important part of our business and is where we invest a large part of our time to help. If together we can help to raise the awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding, we are empowering women to make informed decisions on how to care for their babies as opposed to taking on others views on breastfeeding. 

At www.milkbug.co.uk we work with a number of local communities to help them in raising awareness for breastfeeding and to help them raise the levels in their local areas. We believe that as a business we have the ablity to help local communities to encourage mums to learn more about breastfeeding and therefore make an informed decision.

We offer mums who are conscious about feeding in public a large range of breastfeeding clothes which suit all shapes and all occasion. These breastfeeding tops and breastfeeding dresses help in half the battle of overcoming the anxiety of having to feed your child in public when you are feeling conscious about your own shape. 

Have a look at the projects we have helped so far with more in the pipeline:

http://www.milkbug.co.uk/MILKBUG-in-the-community



By: taj  -   About the Author :
  Taj owns and manages www.milkbug.co.uk and works closely to help local communities across the UK to improve breastfeeding awareness.

Monday 23 May 2011

Breastfeeding Benefits And Tips For Successful Breastfeeding

Despite being a natural progression of life, there still appears to be an enormous lack of awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding today.  Often with the combined negativity towards breastfeeding and lack of support, it is common for first time mothers to be dissuaded from persisting with this beneficial practice.

Unfortunately, breastfeeding is not necessarily as instinctive as one would expect it to be. However, the common fallacy that seems to persist that a mother might not have sufficient milk supply is unfounded.  Although possibly, it is a very rare occurrence.  For such a condition to be a rampant problem would have been evolutionary suicide back in the days where baby formulas did not exist.  In most cases, it is usually a lack of support and understanding that prevents a mother from breastfeeding.

Breast milk is produced on demand and the best way to increase milk production is to allow the baby to suckle directly from the breast. It is the baby's suckling action that encourages further milk production. No suckling, no milk.  Often, because of the "apparent" lack of milk in the early days of nursing, well-intentioned relatives encourage the new mother to supplement the feeds with formula - just until the milk comes.

Although well-intended, this flawed recommendation often sabotages the new mother's milk supply because it reduces the frequency with which the baby takes the breast.  Since breast milk is produced on demand, the reduced suckling means less milk is produced.  This then lends itself to the fallacy that the new mother "doesn't have milk".

In the first two days after delivery, the breast does not produce milk. It produces a substance called colostrum. Colostrum is rich in all the necessary nutrients required by a newborn and is very easy to digest. It offers protective antibodies for the newborn and also helps prevent jaundice.

A common concern among parents during this early stage is that the baby may not have enough to eat. However, we should be mindful that the size of a newborn's stomach is about the size of a grape. It is important for the baby to have frequent feeds during the early days as it sets the stage for normal milk production. Generally, the more often you feed, the better your milk production. By about the third to fifth day (there is a variation among mothers), colostrum will be replaced with regular breast milk.

To encourage breast feeding, it is advisable not to offer the baby any artificial pacifiers for the first six weeks (there is some variation to the timing between sources), therefore, no bottle feeding of any sort. At this time, the baby is also learning how to breast feed. The introduction of pacifiers can cause confusion because the suckling action is different from that of the breast.

There are additional issues with the introduction of a bottle too early. Babies are intelligent and they soon discover that it is far easier to retrieve milk from a bottle than it is to suckle from a breast. This is the fastest way to destroy a mother's milk supply. Although there are cases where babies happily interchange between bottles and the breast, this is not always the case, especially when the baby is very young. Where bottles are concerned, it is best to proceed cautiously, especially if continue to breastfeed is what you desire.

A baby that is exclusively breastfeeding has no need for water, because breast milk provides all the necessary fluids. The initial part of the feed is called the foremilk which is good for quenching thirst. If the baby is hungry, it will stay on the breast for longer to get the hind milk which is fatty and more filling. On the other hand, a baby that is consuming formula requires water to prevent constipation.

Most of the information on breastfeeding encourages mothers to breastfeed exclusively for at least the first six months - that means that the baby takes no other forms of nutrition except for breast milk.  Beyond six months, solids may be introduced, but it is still advisable to continue breastfeeding as there is a lot of evidence pointing to continued benefits for babies who breastfeed up to one or two years of age and beyond.

Here is a summary of the benefits of breastfeeding:

It's nutritional - with the right constituents for human development

The babies have fewer illnesses because of the mother's antibodies being passed through the milk

Breast fed babies are less likely to develop allergies later in life

Breast fed babies have less risk of developing obesity later in life

More research is demonstrating that breast fed babies have more optimal brain development

Breast feeding lowers the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)

Breast milk contains lots of good bacteria

Breast milk straight from the breast is sterile

Breast milk contains at least a hundred additional ingredients that formula does not

No baby is allergic to their mother's milk (although they may be allergic to some of the foods she eats, but this is easily rectified if the mother eliminates that food)

The suckling action allows the baby to develop strong jaw muscles that encourage the growth of straight and healthy teeth

Breast fed babies are also less likely to develop tooth decay compared to bottle fed babies

Babies who are premature or born with medical problems have also been shown to benefit from breast feeding

Babies who are breast fed have a stronger bond with their mothers. Some studies have shown that breast fed babies grow up to be socially more independent than their formula fed counterparts

Babies who are breast fed tend are generally held more closely than bottle fed babies. The skin to skin contact between mother and baby provides comfort for the baby that has just been removed from the protective environment of the womb.

Although breastfeeding is not without it own difficulties (mostly in the initial stages as it gets easier with time), I would think that given the overwhelming benefits, it's worth any inconvenience.

Additionally, we should not neglect the fact that breastfeeding is also beneficial to the mother - even more reasons to breastfeed:

The suckling action of the baby indirectly results in the contraction of the uterus, protecting the mother from post-partum bleeding

Exclusive breast feeding is 99% effective in preventing a second pregnancy the first six months post delivery

Decreases the risk of developing iron-deficient anemia

More rapid and sustained weight loss (milk production uses 200-500 calories a day)

Decrease the risk of developing breast, ovarian and uterine cancers

Current literature suggest that breast feeding may help protect against osteoporosis

It is also found that breastfeeding helps strengthen the maternal instinct.  From the scientific perspective, the psychosocial benefits are a little more difficult to analyse, however one particular study found that mothers with a history of abandonment are less likely to abandon their babies if they breastfeed the baby.

The recommended duration for breastfeeding

Currently, the general recommendation is to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, and to continue breastfeeding with other sources of nutrition up to 1 year.  However, more and more research shows that it may be worthwhile to extend breastfeeding beyond the first year and that the benefits of breastfeeding continue even before the first year.

Breastfeeding.com stated that: "in comparing humans to other primates, research showed that humans' natural age of weaning is a minimum of two and a half years and a maximum of between six and seven years."

Current guidelines:

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first four to six months of life and continued breastfeeding until at least two years.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding for a minimum of one year, but offers no upper limit.



By: Shen-Li Lee  -   About the Author :
  Shen-Li is a stay-at-home-mum dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in parenting. She has a formal educational background and former work experience in healthcare. If you enjoyed this article, visit her blog Babylicious and follow her as she learns how to raise a happy, confident and successful person.

Monday 9 May 2011

How Breastfeeding Benefits Mothers

With numerous guidelines being written on the importance and benefits of breastfeeding, more and more mothers are becoming aware of how beneficial it is to nurse their babies.  However, it seems that the benefits of breastfeeding to a mother isn't as well publicised, for many mothers still view breastfeeding as a sacrificial practice almost akin to martyrdom.

Far from it, mothers stand to gain just as much from breastfeeding their babies.  Breastfeeding is beneficial to mothers as it reduces their risk factors for developing certain medical conditions and diseases later in life.  It is beneficial for helping mothers regain their pre-pregnant figure more quickly - something that is bound to attract the attention of many post-partum mothers.  Breastfeeding also has psychological and financial benefits.

Here are the 17 benefits that breastfeeding offers to nursing mothers:

The baby's suckling action triggers the release of the hormone oxytocin which produces the letdown reflex (a process whereby the breast releases its stored milk to the baby). Oxytocin also causes contraction of the uterus which is important during postpartum healing as it reduces the risk of bleeding and promotes the return of the uterus to its original shape and size.

Breastfeeding delays the return of menstruation. Mothers who formula feed their babies usually observe a return of their periods within 6-8 weeks postpartum. A breastfeeding mother can expect to delay the return of her period for months up to a year and beyond. This helps a mother maintain her stores of iron and helps to reduce her risk of developing iron deficient anaemia.

Breastfeeding reduces a mother's fertility by preventing ovulation. This can help delay further pregnancies and allow her body to recover before being taxed again with another pregnancy. It is important to note, however, that the period of reduced fertility depends on the mother, her baby and their nursing patterns.

There is evidence that breastfeeding may provide a mother protection against breast, uterine and ovarian cancers.

A common misconception is that breastfeeding increases a mother's risk of osteoporosis, however, studies have found the converse to be true. While a mother's stores of calcium are reduced during breastfeeding, it was found that bone density return to normal levels and even increased after weaning, thus providing extra protection against osteoporosis.

Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce a mother's risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Some studies also show that breastfeeding helps to reduce a mother's risk of developing heart disease, heart attacks and stroke.

Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Breastfeeding releases the prolactin - a hormone responsible for milk production. Prolactin also has a calming and sedating effect on a nursing mother. This relaxes the mother, helps her get back to sleep quickly after a night-time feed and may be helpful in combating the baby blues and potential postnatal depression. Studies show that mothers who breastfeed are less likely to suffer from postpartum anxiety and depression.

It has been shown that breastfeeding strengthens the bond between a mother and her baby. This can help first time mothers adapt to the role of motherhood more easily. Studies have also shown that mothers with a history of abandonment are less likely to leave their babies if they breastfeed them.

Breastfed babies are less likely to fall ill which offers mothers greater peace of mind. Something must be said about the benefit of not having to deal with the added stress of living with a child with recurrent illness.

Breastfeeding can consume an extra 200-500 calories a day (the equivalent of swimming 30 laps or riding a bicycle up a hill for an hour). This helps a mother return to her pre-pregnant weight more quickly and easily.

During pregnancy, fat is stored around the waist and hip areas to protect the baby and womb. This fat is utilised in the production of breast milk after birth, which helps a mother return to her pre-pregnant size more quickly than a mother who formula feeds her baby.

It has been estimated that breastfeeding can save parents an average of US$400-800 a year since there is no need to purchase expensive infant formulas.

Breastfeeding directly also means there is no need for baby bottles, sterilizers and other fancy equipment required with bottle feeding.

Breastfeeding is a lot more convenient, especially for night feeds as Mum does not have to get up to prepare formula.

A nursing mother can also rest while she is nursing the baby (utilising the lying down position).  She doesn't have to stay awake to hold the bottle which allows her to get more rest.

The benefits of breastfeeding for mothers are many and should not be overlooked.  They are also equally valid factors that mothers should take into consideration when deciding whether or not to breastfeed their babies.  Even if some mothers might not want to breastfeed their babies for the benefits that it offers to the baby, I'm sure knowing a little more about "what's in it for me" might change their perspectives.



By: Shen-Li Lee  -   About the Author :
  Shen-Li is a stay-at-home-mum dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in parenting. She has a formal educational background and former work experience in healthcare. If you enjoyed this article, visit her blog Babylicious and follow her as she learns how to raise a happy, confident and successful person.

Monday 2 May 2011

Breastfeeding with Raynauds Nipple Vasospasm

A customer at our Breastmates store recently shared her story about her breastfeeding journey and Raynaud's Syndrome. I want to raise awareness about its treatment, because diagnosis is only the first hurdle.


“When my first child was born after a traumatic labour I found breastfeeding incredibly painful - sharp, burning pain. As the days went on, the pain got worse and continued even when the feed had finished. The medical professionals had no answers because I had "beautiful attachment". Finally a lactation consultant diagnosed me with Raynaud's.


The telltale sign of Raynaud's is blanching of the nipple: the nipple turns white because of a constriction of the blood vessels, which causes pain. The nipple blanching can be hard to spot and unfortunately most medical professionals will miss it. I could hardly see it myself! (I have since heard of women who can see the blanching when they are cold, but this was not the case with me.)


To treat the condition, my GP prescribed me the medication Nifedipine (a 10mg tablet). Within a couple hours, the tablet gave me a migraine. After 3 months of stress I was forced to formula feed. This was agonizing for me - I had always wanted to breastfeed.


After the birth of my second child, I was incredibly lucky. The pediatrician who did my baby's routine check at the hospital knew about Raynaud's and suggested I take Nifedipine. When I told him about the headaches, he said the dose was too high. He told me to get a pill cutter, chop the tablets in half and take one half in the morning and one at night. The outcome was amazing! No headaches, and the breastfeeding pain was considerably reduced.


I have to add here that the pain was not completely gone. Perhaps if I could have taken a higher dose it would have been. So it still took perseverance.


But I found out how much the medication helped when I forgot to take it one day and the pain returned!


I have now successfully breastfed my daughter for a year. I was very lucky to chance that doctor. The doctor himself urged me to tell everyone, since the condition - and worse the treatment - is not widely understood in the maternal health sector..."


Of course, as with everything, you need to discuss with your doctor to make sure it's right for you.


A breastfeeding story as told to “Breastmates



By: Breastmates  -   About the Author :
  Frances McInnes is the owner of Breastmates Maternity Store, which is a website dedicated to maternity and Breastfeeding products. http://www.breastmates.co.nz

Why some moms give up on breastfeeding - common breastfeeding problems

Common breastfeeding problems

Moms think they can’t breastfeed. Many moms feel inadequate. So many moms out there think that they are not capable of breastfeeding; most of them assume that they have a low milk supply.

Moms are not educated about breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is natural, but the process of breastfeeding doesn’t always come naturally. You need to educate yourself before you breastfeed…read and read some more! It will really be worth it.

Lack of support. You need to surround yourself with individuals who are like minded and that support breastfeeding. Also it is always nice to have someone around who can help with a few things around the house.

Moms supplement with formula. The first few weeks are crucial for developing a good milk supply. When you supplement with formula you taking away that stimulation on the breast that is needed for milk production since milk supply works on a supply demand basis.

Mom thinks she can pump her breast milk instead of breastfeed. Some moms might think they are producing too little and try pumping to see how much is coming out. A breast pump can never extract milk like your baby and should never be used to estimate how much milk you are producing. Also a breast pump can never stimulate your breast like baby and therefore your milk supply will decrease if you replace normal breastfeeding with pumping.

Moms feel uncomfortable. Breastfeeding is a learnt skill, as time goes by it becomes easier and easier so don’t expect it to be comfy the first few times. Try all the different breastfeeding positions like holding baby on your side (football hold breastfeeding position)  or keep baby in an upright position on your knee (Australian breastfeeding hold)Baby has some sucking breastfeeding problems that go undetected.

Your baby might not be latching on properly and this can cause allot of frustration. You should get your baby checked out for things like tongue tie, tongue thrust etc.

Mom has terrible nipple pain. In the beginning some nipple sensitivity is normal but if it continues it can sometimes cause mom to stop breastfeeding. Nipple pain is usually connected to a bad latch. Mom should try get her nipple and part of her areola into baby’s mouth so that your nipple is against his soft pallet. A shallow latch is when baby has your nipple on he’s hard pallet which will definitely cause pain during breastfeeding.


By: Tracy Ann Behr  -   About the Author :
  More information on latching on, nipple pain, oversupply and any other breastfeeding problems

Monday 25 April 2011

Fenugreek, Breast feeding, and Increasing Breast Milk Supply

Mothers have been breastfeeding their young since the beginning of time. Generally speaking, breastfeeding goes well. Sometimes though, breastfeeding mom run into issues. One of the most common problems is low breast milk supply.


With all the pressures that moms have on them in this day and age, it's not surprising that they don't have all day to devote to strictly breastfeeding. At the same time, this can hurt their milk supply. To make breast milk, you have to breastfeed or pump often.


Present day moms have all types of resources available to them including modern day medicines and breast pumps. In the past though, breastfeeding moms didn't have these things. Yet they managed to breastfeed successfully. I'm sure that they had many of the same issues we did. Somehow though they were able to make enough breastmilk without using modern day medicine.


Fenugreek seeds is one of the most well-known products to use when experiencing low breast milk supply. And our ancestors knew just how well herbs such as these worked. Fenugreek seeds have been used traditionally to increase breast milk supply, and they are still recomended and used to this day because of how well it works. Even wet nurses in the past were known to use these herbs to increase milk supply due to having to breastfeed more than one baby.


Fenugreek seeds is generally the first product breastfeeding mothers try when experiencing low milk supply. It's also the most recommended by lactation consultants.  For some moms though, they don't give the increase in milk supply that they need. At this point, it's time to try a combination of herbs. A great product to try is Breastea.


When breastfeeding moms use a combination of herbs, they work off each other. This gives the breastfeeding mom with low milk supply their best shot at increasing it. This is assuming that mom is breastfeeding or breast pumping often. Without breastfeeding or breast pumping often, mom will find that her milk supply keeps dropping until there is nothing left. To make milk you have to breastfeed or pump every 2 to 3 hours.


If you are breast pumping, make sure to use an electric breast pump. The best possible one is a hospital grade breast pump. You can rent these at your local medical supply store for about $40 a month. Many times your insurance company will cover these. If you plan on pumping, you need to use a breast pump that will effectively pump the breastmilk out. Otherwise, you are just wasting your time and money.


Steps to increasing breast milk supply;


1. Breastfeed (or pump) often. Don't go over 3 hours during the day or 4 hours overnight without breastfeeding or pumping. Skipping even one time will hurt your milk supply. For best milk supply possible, simply breastfeed as often and as long as baby wants.


2. If you are experiencing issues with milk supply, make sure to talk to a lactation consultant. They are trained to help breastfeeding moms. If you are experiencing low milk supply due to bad latch, etc, they can help you to get baby latched on right.


3. Make sure to continue taking your prenatal vitamin. Get plenty of fluids, food, and rest.


4. If experiencing low milk supply, consider taking fenugreek seeds. Even better, use a product like Breastea that contains several herbs recommended for increasing milk supply. If you try the Fenugreek Seeds and don't see an increase in milk production within a week, move on to a product that contains several herbs. Many moms have increased breast milk supply by using a combination product. Most moms don't realize that when you are using an herbal product, you have to use it often. Don't skip!  


5. Be dedicated to increasing your milk production. Give your body time to increase breastmilk supply.


All kinds of circumstances and situations can cause low breast milk supply. If you are experiencing it though, don't automatically give up breastfeeding. If your low milk supply is due to simply not breastfeeding enough, then start breastfeeding more. During this time, you might start using herbs like Fenugreek Seeds or Breastea until you get your milk supply back up.


 



By: Amy Smith  -   About the Author :
  Amy is a lactation professional who has worked with many breastfeeding moms.

Tuesday 19 April 2011

Three Simple Solutions to Help your 5 Month Infant Sleep

Are you tired of waking up every night trying to get your 5 month infant sleep? Do you wonder if you will ever sleep through the night again? I don’t think that there is anything in the world more frustrating for a new parent than to hear the cries of their baby who just will not sleep at night. Relax and read on; here are three simple tips that will help your 5 month infant sleep.

1). A Mothers Scent – One of Their Favorite Toys: Babies love to have a security object, or toy that they want around that helps them feel safe and secure. This could be a blanket, stuffed animal or any other object. During the day when your child is awake; keep this object as close to Mom as possible. Babies have a great sense of smell, and over time Mom's scent will rub off on the object. If the baby is startled awake, and that is object nearby, the baby will smell Mother and immediately feel relaxed, comfortable and safe, since they'll feel that you are still nearby.

2). Set Consistent Eating Habits: Sometimes, your baby will forget to eat during the day if they are distracted by playtime or other activities. Of course, it is your responsibility to feed the child, but; try to feed your baby at the same times throughout each day. This teaches them that eating is usually done during the day and sleeping is usually done at night. Setting a consistent eating schedule will help to reinforce this training.

3). Going Into a Deep Sleep: Most babies will not fall instantly into deep sleep; instead, the first 15-20 minutes are spent in light sleep. You may notice that your baby will wake once or twice during this first 15-20 minutes. You may even find that your baby will struggle to stay awake during this short period of light sleep, which is because your baby simply does not like to be alone. Invest an extra 10 or 15 minutes with your baby. Stay with them a short time, until they fall into a deep sleep. When they do, the likelihood of sleeping peacefully throughout the night is greater.

Sleep is such an important and necessary part of all our daily lives and it is critical to try and figure out how to get the necessary sleep each night. It can be hard to try and get the right amount of sleep each and every night. It is possible but first you need to help your 5 month infant sleep through the night. Are you ready to say goodbye to sleepless nights and hello to sleeping all night long? It is time to get the correct information and there are just a few more pieces to put together before you are ready to help your 5 month infant sleep through the night.

Do you wonder whether you'll ever sleep all the way through the night again? Relax! I have found you a reassuring guide that provides the essential information you need to help your 5 month infant sleep -- and stay asleep -- all night long. So cheer up: go to www.SleepingBaby.info -- a good night's sleep is just a few short pages away!



By: Peter Dugan  -   About the Author :
  Do you wonder whether you'll ever sleep all the way through the night again? Relax! I have found you a reassuring guide that provides the essential information you need to help your 5 month infant sleep -- and stay asleep -- all night long. So cheer up: go to www.SleepingBaby.info -- a good night's sleep is just a few short pages away!

Monday 18 April 2011

The Truth Behind Breastfeeding

As a part of the campaign against obesity, the First Lady, Michelle Obama has been promoting breastfeeding, given that, the said practice could help to lessen the chance of obesity for both of the infant and the mother. However, the campaign faces criticisms and disagreements especially that there are various politicians that do not advocate the said drive.


Why such a fuss in breastfeeding? Some say that the reason for the disapproval is political, but some think that it is due to practical reasons. Yet, the outcry for breastfeeding practice is constantly a concern, not just these days but also even before. To make things clear, it is a must that before looking unto the opinions of the politicians, we must first see and hear the outlooks of men wearing cotton scrubs and nursing clogs on what breastfeeding may bring unto the health of the mother and child. We often heard rumours, but it is a need to try to have a glimpse of the fact that surrounds the issue of breastfeeding. Here are some of them.


Size of Breast


Any size of breast could breastfeed. Actually, size doesn't matter when it comes to breastfeeding. And after the breastfeeding process, your breast will return to its actual size before you breastfed, though some women experienced to have breasts that seemed smaller than before. If you want assurance with regards to this matter, you may ask your doctor in cotton scrubs or nurses wearing nursing clogs.

Duration


It is recommended that for the first six months of the babies' life, mothers should breastfeed them. This could be done up to two years of their age. Beyond two years of breastfeeding though not prohibited, is quite impractical, for at that age, the child must already have learned to eat solid food. I remember, that I've read a case of a New Yorker mother who breastfed her child even at 3 years old, for, it was reported that she experienced sexual arousal while breastfeeding. The said mother lost the custody for her child in a year, since the authority feared that she may sexually abuse her child.

Benefits for the Infant


Several studies had been conducted to prove the benefits of breastfeeding. Its first and totally proven benefit is higher immune system that may prevent several illness and infections. Men and women in cotton scrubs and nursing clogs could attest to that. With regards to the notion that breastfed babies are more intelligent than those who don't, there are actually varied data and results. Some studies assumed that it has no effect and some said that it has. Obesity also could be prevented due to breastfeeding since the milk of mothers has low fat compared to commercial milks and solid foods.

Benefits for the Mother


It is not only the child that may benefit from breastfeeding but also the mother. It is said that breastfeeding nurture the bonding between the mother and the child. According to some studies, it could also prevent breast cancer and ovarian cancer of mothers. It was also reported that breastfeeding may help to lessen obesity of mothers, though diverse results from researches seemed unclear.

Those who must not Breastfeed


Though, breastfeeding is highly recommended, there are some cases that it is not advisable. Mothers who are infected by HIV, has untreated tuberculosis and are taking certain drugs must not breastfeed their child, if, they want their children to live long and be healthy. This is to prevent infection of the infant through the milk of the mother.

Cultural Differences


Different cultures have different practices of breastfeeding and with different beliefs too. In the Western world extended breastfeeding is quite forbidden, thus resulting for some mothers to practice closet nursing. In Africa, it is natural for more than one woman to breastfeed a child. Muslim women could also practice shared breastfeeding, though it is their cultural custom to consider the child that they breastfeed as their own blood-child.

Breastfeeding is Personal


Breastfeeding your child will always be a personal choice. No one could manipulate you or oblige you to breastfeed or not, especially nowadays that working moms are quite common. And speaking of Obama's campaign, it is not imposing a mandatory action towards the mothers but is just giving a choice. Well, the choice is always yours as a mother.



By: Steven Greggs  -   About the Author :
  Steven Greggs is a product consultant for cotton scrubs, nursing clogs and other apparels, uniforms and scrubs.

Monday 11 April 2011

Seek Breastfeeding Help From Professionals

As a first-time mother, you might be quite unaware of the techniques and intricacies of breastfeeding and in such a situation breastfeeding help can be a good source of much needed information. You can get proper advice regarding many aspects of breastfeeding such as how to take care of the baby, the right time to feed it, what type of feed you should take, when you should go to sleep and what to feed the baby if you run out of milk. Breastfeeding help would be ideal when you are exhausted after the birth of the baby. You would also gain immensely from the advice of lactation consultants at this stage.



Lactation consultants are available either in hospitals or in the office of a pediatrician. They also work privately and it is advisable for first time mothers to consult them shortly after the birth of the baby so that proper breastfeeding techniques are adopted from the very beginning. It is essential to know about latch-on basics but merely reading text and seeing pictures might not be of great help. Instead, if voluntary breastfeeding counselors show you the techniques practically, you would be in a much better position to feed your baby properly and also avoid latch-on problems such as sore nipples and the baby getting less milk. Lactation services are also provided by many hospitals as a component of their maternity schemes.



Lactation consultants can provide proper breastfeeding help and breastfeeding tips if your baby finds it difficult to latch-on or suck or if some other medical problems are making it difficult for the baby to breastfeed. All that you need to do is to look around, make some queries and find a good and experienced lactation expert. You can take the help of your childbirth educator, or the health care provider for finding the best lactation consultant in your area. It’s important to check the credentials of the lactation consultant and you should look for the credentials IBCLC (international board certified lactation consultant) or CLC (certified lactation consultant) after the name.



Many nursing mothers get specific problems regarding breastfeeding. These problems need special devices such as pumps or breast shells to facilitate the discharge of the milk. A lactation consultant is the best person who can guide the mother on the proper use of the breastfeeding pump and how to eliminate the problem that created the need for the external device.



There are many volunteer organizations like La Leche Volunteers that provide breastfeeding help either on the telephone or through support meetings. Many leaflets and books are also published by them to provide breastfeeding help to the mothers and to give all possible information and support to the mothers who can gain sufficient confidence and practical knowledge. By attending the monthly meetings, the mothers can interact with each other and exchange notes based on their personal experiences. Moreover, the mothers can gain proper knowledge regarding positioning of the baby near the breast, public place breastfeeding and general tips regarding mothering.



You can get the best breastfeeding help only from professionals and as such you should turn to such lactation experts or to the volunteer organizations that have sufficient experience in this field.



By: Apurva Shree  -   About the Author :
  If you have any doubts related to breastfeeding, do not worry because you can seek breastfeeding help from lactation consultants. You can either speak to your doctor or seek online breastfeeding help from volunteer organizations that would provide you more information and details about breastfeeding on issues such as, latch-on basics, using a breastfeeding pump. Search online for breastfeeding counselors or good books on breastfeeding. Pregnancy provides more information on breastfeeding and pregnancy related issues.

Tuesday 5 April 2011

A Journey Through Infant Development: the Third Month

 

I continue to be amazed by the huge strides that my little baby boy is making. Child development happens so quickly! When I see an infant who is younger than my little guy, I realize just how much he has grown in such a short time. He’s stronger, has better vision, and definitely knows when he’s been left alone! As you read through the new developments he has made, pay attention to whether these are things you see in your child. Are any of them missing?


There is nothing cooler than when your daddy comes home. You’ll be sitting happily in your bouncy seat, and when your eyes catch your daddy your face brightens up like you just received the best gift ever. Your legs start kicking, your arms start flailing, and squeals begin to erupt out of your mouth. I don’t think you even realize you’re doing all these things, but you just can’t contain yourself when you see daddy.

Your self-awareness has increased immensely. Suddenly you notice when you’ve been left alone in a room. You start off with a little squeal as if to say, “I’m still here, don’t forget about me”. Then the squeal turns into a little angrier vocalization: “Hey, where is everybody? I’m over here by myself!” If I continue to lignore you, the angry vocalization becomes a little more amplified like, “Hey, I want to join the party!” It doesn’t take long, and you are crying in complete disappointment that you’ve been left out of all the excitement. In the meantime I may have gotten half of the dishwasher emptied. As soon as I come to get you, as long as you can see all the activity going on, you are happy. You’ve gotten pretty used to your sisters entertaining you all the time!

You are beginning to read and understand facial expressions. When I smile at you, you give me a beautiful smile back. If I ignore you for a moment or become very serious, then you withdraw from the interaction as well. It’s amazing to me that you already know whether or not I’m paying attention to you.

If both of your sisters are playing with you, you are quickly able to shift your gaze between them to share your excitement (or sometimes distress when they are being a little obnoxious). They like to show you toys now because you are more interested in them. You will look between the toys and their faces to share your appreciation and receive feedback about what they are doing with you. It’s so fun to see you all play nicely together.

The comments at the grocery store have changed from “Oh, a little newborn” or “That’s a new one!” to “Wow, every time I walk by he smiles at me. What a happy little guy!” I watch you as you follow the movements through the store, and remain constantly stimulated by all the activity. This doesn’t overwhelm you, though it tires you out as you process all the new information and you shift quietly into a refreshing little nap. I love taking you to the store alone so I can talk to you and pay attention to you. Your sisters tend to steal my attention if I bring you all along!

Watching a child develop along a neuro-typical pathway is an amazing journey. Daily s/he makes gains, and those gains can easily go unnoticed as quickly as life goes by. You may read these reflections and think that your child doesn’t do many of these things and/or your feelings toward your child aren’t the same. Does your child upset easily? Do you dread having alone time with him/her? Does your child fail to notice you and your facial expressions? If so, the Relationship Development Intervention (RDI ®) program is what you need. RDI ® begins by looking at these early milestones and helping you and your child fill in the gaps that were missed the first time.



By: Michelle Vanderheide, BSW  -   About the Author :
  Autism specialist Michelle VanderHeide, of the Horizons Developmental Remediation Center, provides practical information and advice for families living with autism and other developmental disabilities. If you are ready to reduce your stress level, enrich your child’s development, and improve your family’s quality of life, get your FREE reports now at ==> www.HorizonsDRC.com

A Journey Through Infant Development: the First 12 Weeks

I am currently enjoying the amazing experience of having newborn development right under my nose. My son is now 12 weeks old, and I see such amazing differences in him on a daily basis. It’s incredible how much children grow and develop in only a few weeks time. No wonder babies sleep so much given the amount they are learning each day! We would all have to sleep that much if we were processing and learning everything for the first time! As my little guy is growing, I’ve taken some time to reflect on what I’ve seen so I can share this information with him when he’s older. Here are my notes to my son about his early development:

2 weeks old: You are growing so much! I just love to cuddle with you on the couch as you sleep, but it doesn’t happen often with two older sisters in the house. I treasure the time I spend with you in the middle of the night when the house is dark and quiet. I’ll be happy to sleep through the night again, but I know it won’t be long before you are awake more often during the day and will be more interested in other things than cuddling with your mom.

4 weeks old: You are starting to be awake more now. You are eating more, which is helping you sleep longer stretches at night. You’re vision is obviously getting clearer, as you are beginning to notice our faces. I can’t wait to see you smile for the first time. I know it’s coming soon!

6 weeks old: What a difference two weeks makes! You are now smiling, but it’s not without effort. It makes you very tired to figure out that beautiful facial expression. I’ll start talking to you with a smile, and you’ll respond with your lips out, then a kick, then your head turns to the side, then your arms flair out, then a yawn—and then, for one precious second, you’ll give me a smile while looking right at me. That second passes quickly, and you’ve done all you can for the time you are awake. Another yawn and you are ready to rest. I’m ok with that, because I know there are more to come when you wake again.

8 weeks old: You smile all the time now! It’s amazing how easily the smile comes compared to two weeks ago. When your dad walks near you, your arms and legs start moving and a big beautiful smile radiates across your face. We can’t get enough of that beautiful smile, and yet already we are pushing for a little giggle. It’s starting to come now. I hear a little grunt, and I can tell you want to giggle but aren’t quite sure what those funny sensations of a tickle are yet. We love the beginning sounds of your giggle, and are anticipating you laughing soon.

10 weeks old: You have been nick-named ‘guy smiley,’ because anytime you see someone you give a big radiating smile. You are now giggling easily, and your sisters love to make you laugh. You are following a typical developmental path, as it’s already evident that you enjoy the dynamic world. What once made you giggle (other than tickles) is no longer as funny; we have to work harder or try something new. It’s the new, unexpected things that make you giggle. It’s amazing to me how you are already picking up on patterns in your life and anticipate the continuance of something you enjoy. Your dad was tickling you the other day, and when he would pause before he tickled you would giggle in anticipation. It’s so fascinating to see this already!

12 weeks old: You are now visually scanning and tracking what’s in the environment all the time. Lying down is getting boring because you can’t see what’s going on around you. You love to sit in your exersaucer and watch your sisters play, but you do get tired quickly in it as you are still developing head and neck strength. It won’t be long before you’re bouncing up and down in it. You are also beginning to notice toys, which is new this week. You like the black and white visual contrast, and are more interested in toys with faces than toys without. You are also starting to vocalize, and you love to play with the intonation of your voice. The baby babble is so cute!

If you are the parent of a child with autism, reading about the developmental progress I’m noticing in my infant may be difficult for you. It may cause you to stop and reflect on the fact that some of these developmental milestones are not yet in place for your child. To me, this is one of the most important reasons to choose Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)® as your primary treatment approach. You will learn to guide your child to develop these critical developmental milestones that occur in the early months and years of life. You will receive guidance to understand your child’s development in a new way, and to begin building the foundations necessary for more advanced communication and relationships. Is your child missing some of the milestones I’m seeing in my son? If so, RDI® can help you fill in those gaps so that you and your child can get back on the neurotypical pathway and have a second chance at development.
By: Michelle Vanderheide, BSW  -   About the Author :
Autism specialist Michelle VanderHeide, of the Horizons Developmental Remediation Center, provides practical information and advice for families living with autism and other developmental disabilities. If you are ready to reduce your stress level, enrich your child’s development, and improve your family’s quality of life, get your FREE reports now at ==> www.HorizonsDRC.com

Monday 4 April 2011

Breastfeeding Mums Need To Talk!

Breastfeeding can be an isolating experience. A new mum, breastfeeding for the first time, can feel cut off from family and friends if they are unsupportive or simply do not understand her motives.



All too often it is assumed that a breastfeeding mum will scurry off to do the deed behind a locked door and well out of sight. And God forbid she utters the phrase, "I'm Breastfeeding!" Men avert their eyes and women smile as they shuffle their feet and move the conversation swiftly along! So much for breastfeeding support amongst peers!

Most mums choosing to breastfeed their babies do so because they have been made aware of the lifelong advantages of breastfeeding. But when it comes to the task itself, many feel they have no-one to turn to for information and advice when things are not going as planned. For that reason, a lot of breastfeeding mums give up breastfeeding prematurely.



The World Health Organisation recommends exclusively breastfeeding babies for the first six months of their lives. But many are only breastfed for a few days or weeks.



It is vital that breastfeeding mums have a supportive and informative network of people to ask for help.



And that is where Breastfeeding Support Groups come into their own.



A well- organised breastfeeding support group will cater for a variety of women from varied backgrounds. It will educate women thinking about breastfeeding whilst they are pregnant and it will also cater for novice and more experienced breastfeeders.

Breastfeeding support groups allow women and their babies to come together in a relaxed atmosphere, to enjoy congenial conversation. Women are encouraged to discuss breastfeeding issues and, as a result, breastfeeding mums help one another to bypass barriers placed along the path.



Breastfeeding mums need to talk about breastfeeding in order to bring their experiences into the wider community. It is only by chatting about breastfeeding in an open and honest way with one another that it will become more acceptable. If more women are given the opportunity to access breastfeeding support groups then breastfeeding statistics will surely rise.



And who knows, maybe today's breastfed babies will become confident breastfeeding mums of tomorrow, free of the hang-ups prevalent in today's society regarding breastfeeding!



By: Sinead Hoben  -   About the Author :
  Sinead Hoben is the proud mum of three beautiful children aged 6 years, 3 years and 9 months old, all of whom were breastfed. A qualified teacher, she now runs her own website, http://www.breastfeedingmums.com, offering breastfeeding information and advice to both breastfeeding and expectant mums. Visit her blog, http://breastfeedingmums.typepad.com to read her musings about setting up www.breastfeedingmums.com and daily life as a busy mum!