Breastfeeding medications
When it comes to the use of prescription and non-prescription medications, you will find that there are not always clear answers on whether breastfeeding & medications are compatible. Read more »
When it comes to the use of prescription and non-prescription medications, you will find that there are not always clear answers on whether breastfeeding & medications are compatible. Read more »
In the last several posts, I have been providing information on various breastpumps, all single pumps so far. In this post, I want to discuss two types of double pumps, which are pumps that allow you to pump one, or both breasts simultaneously.
You have come to the right place if you are having breastfeeding problems. Every lactation consultant in town knew me when I gave birth to my children, because I experienced many different types of problems over the course of nursing my children. Read more »
When it comes to alcohol and breastfeeding, it becomes clear that there are no clear-cut answers. There is a lot of conflicting information out there, so I will try to give you some of the facts. Read more »
If you have not already read a previous post on recognizing the signs and symptoms of mastitis, you may want to do so first, and then return here.
In an earlier post, I discussed tips for weaning that apply to children of all ages. However, if you have been doing extended breastfeeding, you may still be nursing a toddler or preschooler. In this case, you may be comfortable with child-led weaning. However, if you want some ideas on breastfeeding weaning an older child, here are some ideas: Read more »
As when you were pregnant, being a nursing mother requires that you eat for the benefit of yourself and for your baby. So if you’re like I was, you’re probably wondering what a breastfeeding diet entails. In this blog, you will come away with a better idea of what diet is best for you and your baby.
I remember that when nursing a baby, it’s not always easy to recall which breast you last fed your baby on, or how long the baby nursed for. You already have enough things to remember, and you’re probably somewhat sleep deprived. That’s where a breastfeeding bracelet comes in handy.
In Part 1 of breastfeeding & bottle feeding, I discussed how many moms will breastfeed and provide their babies with bottles of pumped breast milk or formula regularly or from time to time. There can be varying reasons for this, from providing the father the opportunity to be involved in feeding the baby, or allowing the mom to get some extra shut-eye at night, or because mom needs to be away for a few hours to all day because of returning to work. In any case, there are ways to make breastfeeding and bottle feeding compatible, and I’ll give you some more ideas today. If you have not read Part 1, you may want to read that post first as it has some good ideas and recommendations there, and then you can return here. Read more »
As I have mentioned in the previous post (Part 1), there are a number of different breastpumps on the market. So many, in fact, that it can be very confusing. The type of breastpump you purchase depends on a few different factors such as how often you will be using it (ex. several times/day or just occasionally), whether you want to pump one or both breasts at the same time, whether you want it to be battery-operated, plug-in or manually-operated.
It is very rare that a woman cannot nurse her child due due to a low milk supply. However, there are times when your milk supply does indeed need to be increased, and there are ways to increase breast milk supply. However, the intent of this post is not on how to increase your supply, but on first understanding what does cause a low supply of breast milk. For ways on increasing your milk supply, please see the next post.
Extended breastfeeding beyond your child’s first year is something that you may be criticized for by family, friends, and even strangers. However, there are a lot of benefits of nursing your child beyond the first year, and as mother to your child, follow your instincts.
If you are looking for a way to increase your milk supply, you have no doubt come across the term, “fenugreek breastfeeding.” So what exactly is this? Fenugreek is an herb that is used in maple flavorings, but it can also be used to increase milk supply. It has been known to increase breast milk supply within about two days, and sometimes in as few as twenty-four hours! It can be consumed in capsule form or as tea. It is stronger and acts more quickly when used in the capsule form. You’ll find it growing in places like France, Argentina, and the Mediterranean, to name a few. No one knows exactly how it works, but it has a long history of aiding breastfeeding mothers who need to increase their milk supply. Because of this, it is known as a “galactogogue,” a substance that is used to increase milk supply in moms.
There is a book called The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: Seventh Revised Edition (La Leche League International Book). When I first heard of this book, I have to admit that I really didn’t understand why it was named that. But once I started breastfeeding my babies, it all made sense.
There are many moms who breastfeed their babies and provide their babies with a bottle regularly or from time to time. The bottle can contain pumped breast milk or formula. Whatever you decide to fill the bottle with, here are some tips on how to do breastfeeding & bottle feeding: Read more »
Breastfeeding in public is not illegal, but it is not necessarily always accepted well by everyone in society. Breasts in our society have become known as sexual objects, and not for the purpose that God created them for. But when you really think about it, you see much more breast tissue during a day at the beach than you do of most nursing mothers.
Breastfeeding weaning can cause all sorts of emotions from sadness to a feeling of regaining some of your freedom and having your body back to yourself. The thing to realize about weaning is that it starts when your baby begins eating solids, usually at six months of age. Unless you have been medically advised that you have to stop breastfeeding (for example, if you’re newly pregnant and at high risk of miscarriage or you’ve started a new medication that is not safe during breastfeeding), you should always wean more gradually. Doing so serves many purposes. First of all, it will lessen the engorgement and the possibility of developing a mastitis (breast infection). It will also lessen your chances for depression or sadness over ending this special relationship. Lastly, it will be less traumatic for your child, who has come to realize that nursing not only provides nutrition, but also love and security.