Breastfeeding | Breastfeed Passionately...

Breastfeeding Myths (3)

2007-09-05T19:32:00.000-07:00

More & More Breastfeeding Myths
By: Dr. Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC

1. Nursing mothers cannot breastfeed if they have had X-rays.

Not true! Regular X-rays such as a chest X-ray or dental X-rays do not affect the milk or the baby and the mother may nurse without concern. Mammograms are harder to read when the mother is lactating, but can be done and the mother should not stop breastfeeding just to get this done. There are other ways of investigating a breast lump. Newer imaging methods such as CT scan and MRI scans are of no concern, even if contrast is used. And special X-rays using contrast media? As long as no radioactive isotope is used there is no concern and the mother should not stop even for one feed. Herein are included studies such as intravenous pyelogram, lymphangiogram, venogram, arteriogram, myelogram etc. What about studies using radioactive nucleotides (bone scans, lung scans, etc.)? The baby will get a little radioactive nucleotide. However, as we often do these very same tests on children, even small babies, and the potential loss of benefits if the mother stops breastfeeding are considerable, the mother should continue breastfeeding. If you feel you must stop for a period of time, express milk in advance so that the baby can be fed your milk and not formula. After 2 half lives, 75% of the compound will be out of your body. This is surely waiting long enough (the half life of technetium, which is used in most radioactive scans is only 6 hours, so that 12 hours after the injection, 75% of it will be out of your body). The exception is the thyroid scan. This test must be avoided in breastfeeding mothers. There are many ways of evaluating the thyroid, and only very occasionally does a thyroid scan truly have to be done. Check first before taking the radioactive iodine—the test can wait until you know for sure. In many cases where the scan must be done, it can be put off for several months. [See You should continue breastfeeding (1)]

2. Breastfeeding mothers' milk can "dry up" just like that.

Not true! Or if this can occur, it must be a rare occurrence. Aside from day to day and morning to evening variations, milk production does not change suddenly. There are changes which occur which may make it seem as if milk production is suddenly much less:

An increase in the needs of the baby, the so called growth spurt. If this is the reason for the seemingly insufficient milk, a few days of more frequent nursing will bring things back to normal. Try compressing the breast with your hand to help the baby get milk (Breast Compression).
A change in the baby's behavior. At about 5-6 weeks of age, more or less, babies who would fall asleep at the breast when the flow of milk slowed down, tend to start pulling at the breast or crying when the milk flow slows. The milk has not dried up, but the baby has changed. Try compressing the breast with your hand to help the baby get more milk.
The mother's breasts do not seem full or are soft. It is normal after a few weeks for the mother no longer to have engorgement, or even fullness of the breasts. As long as the baby is drinking at the breast, do not be concerned (See Is my baby getting enough milk).
The baby breastfeeds less well. This is often due to the baby being given bottles or pacifiers and thus learning an inappropriate way of breastfeeding.

The birth control pill may decrease your milk supply. Think about stopping the pill or changing to a progesterone only pill. Or use other methods.If the baby truly seems not to be getting enough, get help, but do not introduce a bottle that may only make things worse. If absolutely necessary, the baby can be supplemented, using a lactation aid that will not interfere with breastfeeding. However, lots can be done before giving supplements. Get help. Try compressing the breast with your hand to help the baby get milk (Breast Compression).

3. Physicians know a lot about breastfeeding.

Not true! Obviously, there are exceptions. However, very few physicians trained in North America or Western Europe learned anything at all about breastfeeding in medical school. Even fewer learned about the practical aspects of helping mothers start breastfeeding and helping them maintain breastfeeding. After medical school, most of the information physicians get regarding infant feeding comes from formula company representatives or advertisements.

4. Pediatricians, at least, know a lot about breastfeeding.

Not true! Obviously, there are exceptions. However, in their post medical school training (residency), most pediatricians learned nothing formally about breastfeeding, and what they picked up in passing was often wrong. To many trainees in pediatrics, breastfeeding is seen as an "obstacle to the good medical care" of hospitalized babies.

5. Formula company literature and free formula samples do not influence whether or how long a mother breastfeeds.

Really? So why do the formula companies work so hard to make sure that new mothers are given these samples, their company's samples? Are these samples and the literature given out to encourage breastfeeding? Do formula companies take on the cost of the samples and booklets so that mothers will be encouraged to breastfeed longer? The companies often argue that, if the mother does give formula, they want the mother to use their brand. But in competing with each other, the formula companies also compete with breastfeeding. Did you believe that argument when the cigarette companies used it?

6. Breastmilk given with formula may cause problems for the baby.

Not true! Most breastfeeding mothers do not need to use formula and when problems arise that seem to require artificial milk, often the problems can be resolved without resorting to formula. However, when the baby may require formula, there is no reason that breastmilk and formula cannot be given together.

7. Babies who are breastfed on demand are likely to be "colicky".

Not true! "Colicky" breastfed babies often gain weight very quickly and sometimes are feeding frequently. However, many are colicky not because they are feeding frequently, but because they do not take the high fat milk as well as they should. Typically, the baby drinks very well for the first few minutes, then nibbles or sleeps. When the baby is offered the other side, he will drink well again for a short while and then nibble or sleep. The baby will fill up with relatively low fat milk and thus feed frequently. The taking in of mostly low fat milk may also result in gas, crying and explosive watery bowel movements. The mother can urge the baby to breastfeed longer on the first side, and thus get more higher fat milk, by compressing the breast once the baby no longer actually swallows at the breast. (See Colic in the breastfed baby and Breast Compression).

8. Mothers who receive immunizations (tetanus, rubella, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, etc.) should stop breastfeeding for 24 hours (3 days, 2 weeks).

Not true! Why should they? There is no risk for the baby, and he may even benefit. The rare exception is the baby who has an immune deficiency. In that case the mother should not receive an immunization with a weakened live virus (e.g. oral, but not injectable polio, or measles, mumps, rubella) even if the baby is being fed artificially.

9. There is no such thing as nipple confusion.

Not true! A baby who is only bottle fed for the first two weeks of life, for example, will usually refuse to take the breast, even if the mother has an abundant supply. A baby who has had only the breast for 3 or 4 months is unlikely to take the bottle. Some babies prefer the right or left breast to the other. Bottle fed babies often prefer one artificial nipple to another. So there is such a thing as preferring one nipple to another. The only question is how quickly it can occur. Given the right set of circumstances, the preference can occur after one or two bottles. The baby having difficulties latching on may never have had an artificial nipple, but the introduction of an artificial nipple rarely improves the situation, and often makes it much worse. Note that many who say there is no such thing as nipple confusion also advise the mother to start a bottle early so that the baby will not refuse it.

source: thenewparentsguide

Breastfeeding Position - Lying Down

2007-09-05T01:05:00.001-07:00

Breastfeeding Myths (2)

2007-09-05T00:14:00.000-07:00

More Breastfeeding Myths
By: Dr. Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC

1. A breastfeeding mother has to be obsessive about what she eats.
Not true! A breastfeeding mother should try to eat a balanced diet, but neither needs to eat any special foods nor avoid certain foods. A breastfeeding mother does not need to drink milk in order to make milk. A breastfeeding mother does not need to avoid spicy foods, garlic, cabbage or alcohol. A breastfeeding mother should eat a normal healthful diet. Although there are situations when something the mother eats may affect the baby, this is unusual. Most commonly, "colic", "gassiness" and crying can be improved by changing breastfeeding techniques, rather than changing the mother's diet. (Colic in the breastfed baby).

2. A breastfeeding mother has to eat more in order to make enough milk.
Not true! Women on even very low calorie diets usually make enough milk, at least until the mother's calorie intake becomes critically low for a prolonged period of time. Generally, the baby will get what he needs. Some women worry that if they eat poorly for a few days this also will affect their milk. There is no need for concern. Such variations will not affect milk supply or quality. It is commonly said that women need to eat 500 extra calories a day in order to breastfeed. This is not true. Some women do eat more when they breastfeed, but others do not, and some even eat less, without any harm done to the mother or baby or the milk supply. The mother should eat a balanced diet dictated by her appetite. Rules about eating just make breastfeeding unnecessarily complicated.

3. A breastfeeding mother has to drink lots of fluids.
Not true! The mother should drink according to her thirst. Some mothers feel they are thirsty all the time, but many others do not drink more than usual. The mother's body knows if she needs more fluids, and tells her by making her feel thirsty. Do not believe that you have to drink at least a certain number of glasses a day. Rules about drinking just make breastfeeding unnecessarily complicated.

4. A mother who smokes is better not to breastfeed.
Not true! A mother who cannot stop smoking should breastfeed. Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease the negative effects of cigarette smoke on the baby's lungs, for example. Breastfeeding confers great health benefits on both mother and baby. It would be better if the mother not smoke, but if she cannot stop or cut down, then it is better she smoke and breastfeed than smoke and formula feed.

5. A mother should not drink alcohol while breastfeeding.
Not true! Reasonable alcohol intake should not be discouraged at all. As is the case with most drugs, very little alcohol comes out in the milk. The mother can take some alcohol and continue breastfeeding as she normally does. Prohibiting alcohol is another way we make life unnecessarily restrictive for nursing mothers.

6. A mother who bleeds from her nipples should not breastfeed.
Not true! Though blood makes the baby spit up more, and the blood may even show up in his bowel movements, this is not a reason to stop breastfeeding the baby. Nipples that are painful and bleeding are not worse than nipples that are painful and not bleeding. It is the pain the mother is having that is the problem. This nipple pain can often be helped considerably. Get help. (Sore Nipples). Sometimes mothers have bleeding from the nipples that is obviously coming from inside the breast and is not usually associated with pain. This often occurs in the first few days after birth and settles within a few days. The mother should breastfeed! If bleeding does not stop soon, the source of the problem needs to be investigated, but the mother should keep breastfeeding.

7. A woman who has had breast augmentation surgery cannot breastfeed.
Not true! Most do very well. There is no evidence that breastfeeding with silicone implants is harmful to the baby. Occasionally this operation is done through the areola. These women do have problems with milk supply, as does any woman who has an incision around the areola line.

8. A woman who has had breast reduction surgery cannot breastfeed.
Not true! Breast reduction surgery does decrease the mother's capacity to produce milk, but since many mothers produce more than enough milk, mothers who have had breast reduction surgery sometimes manage very well to breastfeed exclusively. In such a situation, the establishment of breastfeeding should be done with special care to the principles mentioned in the "Breastfeeding - Starting Out Right". However, if the mother seems not to produce enough, she can still breastfeed, supplementing with a lactation aid (so that artificial nipples do not interfere with breastfeeding).

9. Premature babies need to learn to take bottles before they can start breastfeeding.
Not true! Premature babies are less stressed by breastfeeding than by bottle feeding. A baby as small as 1200 grams and even smaller can start at the breast as soon as he is stable, though he may not latch on for several weeks. Still, he is learning and he is being held which is important for his well-being and his mother's. Actually, weight or gestational age do not matter as much as the baby's readiness to suck, as determined by his making sucking movements. There is no more reason to give bottles to premature babies than to full term babies. When supplementation is truly required there are ways to supplement without using artificial nipples.

10. Babies with cleft lip and/or palate cannot breastfeed.
Not true! Some do very well. Babies with a cleft lip only usually manage fine. But many babies with cleft palate do indeed find it impossible to latch on. There is no doubt, however, that if breastfeeding is not tried, it will not work. The baby's ability to breastfeed does not always seem to depend on the severity of the cleft. Breastfeeding should be started, as much as possible, using the principles of proper establishment of breastfeeding. (Breastfeeding - Starting Out Right). If bottles are given, they will undermine the baby's ability to breastfeed. If the baby needs to be fed, but is not latching on, a cup can and should be used in preference to a bottle. Finger feeding occasionally is successful in babies with cleft lip/palate, but not usually.

11. Women with small breasts produce less milk than those with large breasts.
Nonsense!

12. Breastfeeding does not provide any protection against becoming pregnant.
Not true! It is not a foolproof method, but no method is. In fact breastfeeding is not a bad method of child spacing, and gives reliable protection especially during the first 6 months after birth. It almost as good as the pill if the baby is under 6 months of age, if breastfeeding is exclusive, and if the mother has not yet had a normal menstrual period after giving birth. After the first six months, the protection is less, but still present, and on average, women breastfeeding into the second year of life will have a baby every 2 to 3 years even without any artificial method of contraception.

13. Breastfeeding women cannot take the birth control pill.
Not true! The question is not exposure to female hormones, to which the baby is exposed anyway through breastfeeding. The baby gets only a tiny bit more from the pill. However, some women who take the pill, even the mini-pill, find that their milk supply decreases. Estrogen in the pill may decrease the milk supply. Because so many women produce more than enough, this often does not matter, but sometimes it does and the baby becomes fussy and is not satisfied by nursing. Babies respond to rate of flow of milk, not what's "in the breast", so that even a very good milk supply may seem to cause the baby who is used to faster flow to be fussy. Stopping the pill often brings things back to normal. If possible, women who are breastfeeding should avoid the pill, or at least wait until the baby is taking other foods (usually 4-6 months of age). Even if the baby is older, the milk supply may decrease significantly. If the pill must be used, it is preferable to use the progestin only pill (without estrogen).

14. Breastfeeding babies need other types of milk after 6 months.
Not true! Breastmilk gives the baby everything there is in other milks and more. Babies older than 6 months should be started on solids mainly so that they learn how to eat and so that they begin to get another source of iron, which by 7-9 months, is not supplied in sufficient quantities from breastmilk alone. Thus cow's milk or formula will not be necessary as long as the baby is breastfeeding. However, if the mother wishes to give milk after 6 months, there is no reason that the baby cannot get cow's milk, as long as the baby is still breastfeeding a few times a day, and is also getting a wide variety of solid foods in more than minimal amounts. Most babies older than 6 months who have never had formula will not accept it, because of the taste.

source: thenewparentsguide

Breast Milk vs Cow's Milk

2007-08-26T20:16:00.000-07:00

What’s the difference between breast milk and cow’s milk?

There are many differences between breast milk and cow’s milk / formula. Cow’s milk is not recommended for babies until they are at least 10 to 12 months of age or older (ask your doctor). Cow’s milk is much more difficult for an infants digestive system to break down and is not nutritionally equal to breast milk. This goes for all types of cow’s milk, regardless of whether it’s whole, low fat, skim, powdered or any other form. The differences between breast milk and cows milk are explained below.

Breast Milk

Antibodies – Helps your baby’s immune system gain strength, fighting off bacteria and viruses. When you or your baby is exposed to a virus or bacteria, your breast milk "fights back" by producing antibodies specific to that virus or bacteria.
Water – Your breast milk contains the perfect amount of water to satisfy your baby’s thirst and adjusts to your baby’s needs.
Fat – Breast milk contains more fat than cow’s milk and is more easily absorbed by your baby. This is one of the reasons that breast fed babies have different stools than bottle (formula) fed babies. Since the baby is not excreting any wasted fats the stool will be a yellow mustard color with a mildly sweet smell.
Protein – Protein that is used to help your baby’s body grow and develop is in just the right amount and in a form most readily absorbed.
Carbohydrates – Breast milk contains more carbohydrates than cow’s milk. These carbohydrates provide a very important source of energy.
Vitamins and minerals – As long as you, the mother, eat a reasonably well balanced diet, your breast milk will contain all of your baby’s vitamin and mineral requirements, until about age 6 months.
Taste - Breast milk changes in taste, depending on the different foods the mother eats. Breastfed babies are more likely to accept new and different foods once they start on solids (not recommended until age 6 months) than their formula-fed peers, because formula tastes the same every single time, while breastmilk takes on a taste similar to the different foods a mother eats.

Cow's Milk

No antibodies – Antibodies that are in breast milk are not in cow’s milk / formula and cannot be artificially produced.
Water – The amount of water in cow’s milk / formula can’t change to suit your baby’s need the way breast milk can.
Fat – The fat in cow’s milk / formula is very different than the fat in breast milk and your baby can’t absorb it as easily.
Protein – The amount of protein in cow’s milk / formula is at least double the amount in breast milk and is also a different and less digestible type.
Carbohydrates – Cow’s milk / formula has smaller amounts of carbohydrates than breast milk.
Vitamins and minerals – Cow’s milk / formula has more of some vitamins and minerals and less of others than breast milk; it’s not the right amount for your baby.
There are over 100 ingredients in breast milk which ARE NOT in formula, even the new "DHA added" formulas. Formula is intended as a replacement for breastmilk when breastmilk is not available, but sadly, it does not even come close to it!

Source: thenewparentsguide

Breastfeeding Myths (1)

2007-08-22T23:27:00.000-07:00

Some Breastfeeding Myths
By: Dr. Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC

1. Many women do not produce enough milk.
Not true! The vast majority of women produce more than enough milk. Indeed, an overabundance of milk is common. Most babies that gain too slowly, or lose weight, do so not because the mother does not have enough milk, but because the baby does not get the milk that the mother has. The usual reason that the baby does not get the milk that is available is that he is poorly latched onto the breast. This is why it is so important that the mother be shown, on the first day, how to latch a baby on properly, by someone who knows what they are doing.

2. It is normal for breastfeeding to hurt.
Not true! Though some tenderness during the first few days is relatively common, this should be a temporary situation which lasts only a few days and should never be so bad that the mother dreads nursing. Any pain that is more than mild is abnormal and is almost always due to the baby latching on poorly. Any nipple pain that is not getting better by day 3 or 4 or lasts beyond 5 or 6 days should not be ignored. A new onset of pain when things have been going well for a while may be due to a yeast infection of the nipples. Limiting feeding time does not prevent soreness. (See Sore Nipples).

3. There is no (not enough) milk during the first 3 or 4 days after birth.
Not true! It often seems like that because the baby is not latched on properly and therefore is unable to get the milk. Once the mother's milk is abundant, a baby can latch on poorly and still may get plenty of milk. However, during the first few days, the baby who is latched on poorly cannot get milk. This accounts for "but he's been on the breast for 2 hours and is still hungry when I take him off". By not latching on well, the baby is unable to get the mother's first milk, called colostrum. Anyone who suggests you pump your milk to know how much colostrum there is, does not understand breastfeeding, and should be politely ignored.

4. A baby should be on the breast 20 (10, 15, 7.6) minutes on each side.
Not true! However, a distinction needs to be made between "being on the breast" and "breastfeeding". If a baby is actually drinking for most of 15-20 minutes on the first side, he may not want to take the second side at all. If he drinks only a minute on the first side, and then nibbles or sleeps, and does the same on the other, no amount of time will be enough. The baby will breastfeed better and longer if he is latched on properly. He can also be helped to breastfeed longer if the mother compresses the breast to keep the flow of milk going, once he no longer swallows on his own (Breast Compression). Thus it is obvious that the rule of thumb that "the baby gets 90% of the milk in the breast in the first 10 minutes" is equally hopelessly wrong.

5. A breastfeeding baby needs extra water in hot weather.
Not true! Breastmilk contains all the water a baby needs.

6. Breastfeeding babies need extra vitamin D.
Not true! Except in extraordinary circumstances (for example, if the mother herself was vitamin D deficient during the pregnancy). The baby stores vitamin D during the pregnancy, and a little outside exposure, on a regular basis, gives the baby all the vitamin D he needs.

7. A mother should wash her nipples each time before feeding the baby.
Not true! Formula feeding requires careful attention to cleanliness because formula not only does not protect the baby against infection, but also is actually a good breeding ground for bacteria and can also be easily contaminated. On the other hand, breastmilk protects the baby against infection. Washing nipples before each feeding makes breastfeeding unnecessarily complicated and washes away protective oils from the nipple.

8. Pumping is a good way of knowing how much milk the mother has.
Not true! How much milk can be pumped depends on many factors, including the mother's stress level. The baby who nurses well can get much more milk than his mother can pump. Pumping only tells you have much you can pump.

9. Breastmilk does not contain enough iron for the baby's needs.
Not true! Breastmilk contains just enough iron for the baby's needs. If the baby is full term he will get enough iron from breastmilk to last him at least the first 6 months. Formulas contain too much iron, but this quantity may be necessary to ensure the baby absorbs enough to prevent iron deficiency. The iron in formula is poorly absorbed, and most of it, the baby poops out. Generally, there is no need to add other foods to breastmilk before about 6 months of age.

10. It is easier to bottle feed than to breastfeed.
Not true! Or, this should not be true. However, breastfeeding is made difficult because women often do not receive the help they should to get started properly. A poor start can indeed make breastfeeding difficult. But a poor start can also be overcome. Breastfeeding is often more difficult at first, due to a poor start, but usually becomes easier later.

11. Breastfeeding ties the mother down.
Not true! But it depends how you look at it. A baby can be nursed anywhere, anytime, and thus breastfeeding is liberating for the mother. No need to drag around bottles or formula. No need to worry about where to warm up the milk. No need to worry about sterility. No need to worry about how your baby is, because he is with you.

12. There is no way to know how much breastmilk the baby is getting.
Not true! There is no easy way to measure how much the baby is getting, but this does not mean that you cannot know if the baby is getting enough. The best way to know is that the baby actually drinks at the breast for several minutes at each feeding (open - pause - close type of suck). Other ways also help show that the baby is getting plenty (Is my Baby getting enough milk?).

13. Modern formulas are almost the same as breastmilk.
Not true! The same claim was made in 1900 and before. Modern formulas are only superficially similar to breastmilk. Every correction of a deficiency in formulas is advertised as an advance. Fundamentally formulas are inexact copies based on outdated and incomplete knowledge of what breastmilk is. Formulas contain no antibodies, no living cells, no enzymes, no hormones. They contain much more aluminum, manganese, cadmium and iron than breastmilk. They contain significantly more protein than breastmilk. The proteins and fats are fundamentally different from those in breastmilk. Formulas do not vary from the beginning of the feed to the end of the feed, or from day 1 to day 7 to day 30, or from woman to woman, or from baby to baby. Your breastmilk is made as required to suit your baby. Formulas are made to suit every baby, and thus no baby. Formulas succeed only at making babies grow well, usually, but there is more to breastfeeding than getting the baby to grow quickly.

14. If the mother has an infection she should stop breastfeeding.
Not true! With very, very few exceptions, the mother’s continuing to breastfeed will protect the baby. By the time the mother has fever (or cough, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, etc) she has already given the baby the infection, since she has been infectious for several days before she even knew she was sick. The baby's best protection against getting the infection is for the mother to continue breastfeeding. If the baby does get sick, he will be less sick if the mother continues breastfeeding. Besides, maybe it was the baby who gave the infection to the mother, but the baby did not show signs of illness because he was breastfeeding. Also, breast infections, including breast abscess, though painful, are not reasons to stop breastfeeding. Indeed, the infection is likely to settle more quickly if the mother continues breastfeeding on the affected side. (You can still breastfeed).

15. If the baby has diarrhea or vomiting, the mother should stop breastfeeding.
Not true! The best medicine for a baby's gut infection is breastfeeding. Stop other foods for a short time, but continue breastfeeding. Breastmilk is the only fluid your baby requires when he has diarrhea and/or vomiting, except under exceptional circumstances. The push to use "oral rehydrating solutions" is mainly a push by the formula manufacturers (who also make oral rehydrating solutions) to make even more money. The baby is comforted by the breastfeeding, and the mother is comforted by the baby's breastfeeding. (You can still breastfeed).

16. If the mother is taking medicine she should not breastfeed.
Not true! There are very very few medicines that a mother cannot take safely while breastfeeding. A very small amount of most medicines appears in the milk, but usually in such small quantities that there is no concern. If a medicine is truly of concern, there are usually equally effective, alternative medicines that are safe. The loss of benefit of breastfeeding for both the mother and the baby must be taken into account when weighing if breastfeeding should be continued (You can still breastfeed).

source: thenewparentsguide

Video - Breastfeeding your Newborn baby

2007-08-20T21:10:00.000-07:00

Jaundice & Breastfeeeding

2007-08-19T20:58:00.000-07:00

Jaundice
by Anne Smith, IBCLC

The diagnosis of jaundice in their newborn baby is often very frightening to new parents. They immediately begin to think that something is very wrong with their infant, and may not be fully informed about the facts, which are actually very reassuring. Because jaundice is such a common condition, some medical professionals don't take the time to explain all the details, because they deal with jaundiced babies every day. However, when the baby in question is your own precious newborn, you need to get as much information as possible to put your mind at ease.

Nearly all infants are jaundiced to some degree. In the vast majority of cases, newborn jaundice is a normal process, which many researchers feel may even serve protective functions, such as guarding the infant from the effects of oxygen free radicals. It makes sense that something that occurs in the majority of babies so routinely may be part of nature's plan for the human infant.

Jaundice occurs when a yellow pigment called "bilirubin" accumulates in the tissue, especially the skin, where you can see it as a yellowish or orangish tint. In adults or older children, jaundice is considered a pathological condition, but this is rarely the case with newborns. The very common type of jaundice that most babies experience is called normal, or "physiologic" jaundice. Physiologic jaundice is not a disease; it is nearly always a harmless condition with no adverse after effects, as long as the bilirubin count doesn't reach dangerous levels.

Before babies are born, they need high levels of red blood cells in order to get oxygen from their mother's blood. Immediately after birth, when they begin breathing high-oxygen blood outside the womb, they no longer need their fetal hemoglobin. The red blood cells containing fetal hemoglobin now need to be broken down and eliminated from their bodies. Bilirubin is a by-product of the breakdown of these extra blood cells, and is removed from the bloodstream by the liver and excreted in the stool. It accumulates in the meconium (fetal stool-the black, tarry stuff that the baby excretes the first couple of days after birth) and if not excreted, can be re-absorbed into the baby's system. The newborn's immature liver may not be able to process and excrete the bilirubin fast enough in the first days after birth, so jaundice often develops. This is especially common in premature infants.

Bilirubin is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood, or mg/dl. The average level for an adult is 1mg/dl. The average full-term newborn will have a peak level of 6mg/dl on the third or fourth day of life. Levels usually go down to about 2-3mg/dl by the end of the first week, gradually reaching the adult value of 1mg/dl by the end of the second week. It usually takes the newborn's liver a week or two to mature enough to handle the build-up of bilirubin in the blood. It is important to know that there is no evidence that bilirubin levels of less than 20mg/dl during the first week of life, and less than 25mg/sl after that have any harmful effects of healthy, full-term babies.

So, if jaundice is such a normal condition, why all the concern? Because there are rare medical conditions which cause bilirubin to rise to dangerous levels and can cause brain damage. Years ago, before we had the diagnostic tools and treatment options that we have today, some babies with very high bilirubin levels suffered from a condition called bilirubin encephalopathy, or kernicterus. This is rarely seen today, and then usually only in very premature or sick babies. Doctors today monitor bilirubin levels very carefully, and initiate treatment well before levels get high enough to cause problems.

There are three types of jaundice: Normal, or physiologic jaundice, affecting the majority of newborns; pathologic jaundice, caused by medical conditions such as blood type incompatibilities (the most common cause), as well as prematurity, infection, liver damage from rubella, syphilis, or toxoplasmosis, and metabolic problems such as hypothyroidism; and late-onset, or breastmilk jaundice (probably caused by a factor in some mother's milk that seems to delay or prolong the excretion of excess bilirubin).

It is important to understand the different types of jaundice, because each has different causes, consequences, and treatments.

Physiologic jaundice affects nearly all newborns to some degree. It is more prevalent in certain ethnic groups, such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hispanic, and Native Americans. If you define jaundice as bilirubin levels of greater than 10mg/dl, one study found that Japanese newborns were more than three times as likely to be jaundiced as white newborns. Babies who are premature or are low birth weight are more likely to become jaundiced. Babies who don't feed often enough during the early days, and who don't stool often, are also more likely to become jaundiced. This underscores the importance of early, frequent feedings. Colostrum (the sticky yellow fluid produced before the milk comes in) acts as a laxative. Bilirubin accumulates in the baby's stools, and if it isn't excreted, it re-circulates in his system. Frequent stooling helps lower bilirubin levels.

In the baby with physiologic jaundice, bilirubin levels will usually peak between the third and fifth days of life and are usually less than 12mg/dl. Occasionally they will go higher than 15mg/dl. Most doctors will monitor levels closely during this time, checking the baby's levels with a blood test, pricking his heel, toe, or finger. If the levels are rapidly rising, or are 20mg/dl or higher (lower levels are used with premature infants), phototherapy is often suggested. This is a treatment which involves exposing skin to blue range light which breaks down the bilirubin and makes it more easily excreted. Years ago, nurses found that babies who were in beds near sunny windows had lower bilirubin levels. Researchers then found that phototherapy can make bilirubin levels drop quickly. Until the past few years, babies with high bilirubin levels had to be in the hospital for phototherapy treatments. Now, with new technology, babies can receive phototherapy at home using bili-blankets, provided by home health care providers. In most cases, bilirubin levels drop rapidly after phototherapy is initiated, and once the levels begin to go down, they almost always continue to decline. Usually only a day or two or therapy is needed. Most cases of physiologic jaundice will resolve without the use of phototherapy.

Here are some suggestions for preventing and/or treating normal, physiologic jaundice:

Feed your baby early and often. Remember that colostrum acts as a laxative, and frequent stooling lowers bilirubin levels. Keep track of urine and stool output (see article on How to tell if your baby is getting enough milk).
Avoid water supplements. Only 2% of the bilirubin is excreted in the urine, and 98% in the stools. Colostrum and milk contain fat, which stimulates bowel movements, and water can fill your baby up so that he is less interested in nursing.
Encourage your baby to stay awake and to feed at least every two hours. One of the things jaundice does is make your baby sleepy, especially is he is "under the lights". (See article on Waking sleepy babies).
Supplement with your expressed milk. If your baby is sleepy at the breast, and is having fewer than three large bowel movements in 24 hours, consider expressing your milk after feedings and giving it to him (preferably not with a bottle at this stage; he may become confused by rubber nipples if he is only a few days old). Use a dropper, syringe, cup, or tube-feeding device if possible. If your only option is hand expression or manual pumping, you may want to consider renting an electric pump for a few days until the bilirubin levels go down. Babies are often sleepy and lazy nursers as long as their levels are elevated, and the pump can provide extra stimulation to ensure an adequate supply.
Expose him to indirect sunlight. Undress him down to his diaper and put him in a room that gets a lot of light. His skin is very sensitive, so never put him in direct sunlight.
Avoid medications such as aspirin and sulfa drugs. Make sure your doctor knows which drugs you are taking, so that you can discontinue or find substitutes for drugs which might cause problems.

Pathologic, or abnormal jaundice is caused by medical conditions, and usually shows up at birth or within the first 24 hours after birth. The levels often rise quickly (0.5 mg/dl or more per hour). The baby may need immediate treatment, but breastfeeding can and should be initiated and continued. The colostrum and milk he receives will help him move his bowels, speeding up the elimination of bilirubin from his system. A sick baby needs the benefits of breastmilk even more than a healthy baby. In some extreme cases babies may be given exchange blood transfusions. This is the fastest way to bring down the bilirubin level, but is seldom needed these days since phototherapy is usually effective. If you are separated from your baby during his treatment, ask for information about where to obtain a hospital-grade breast pump to use while in the hospital and after you go home. A sick baby with elevated bilirubin levels will often be too sleepy and weak to nurse effectively for a while, and you may need the extra stimulation from the pump to ensure an adequate supply of breastmilk for him.

There is a third type of jaundice called late-onset, or breastmilk jaundice. This type of jaundice shows up during the second week of life, and peaks around the tenth day or later. It affects a very small percentage of infants (between 2% and 33%, depending on how you define "jaundiced" -- usually a level of 5-10mg/dl). The bilirubin count can remain elevated for weeks or even months, but will eventually level out at adult levels of 1mg/dl. The diagnosis is usually made in a healthy, thriving infant, and only after all the pathologic causes of jaundice have been ruled out. Often, this type of jaundice runs in families, and breastfed siblings are likely to be jaundiced as well. No one is sure why this type of jaundice occurs, but there seems to be something in some mother's milk that increases the reasbsorption of bilirubin, or decreases the liver processing of bilirubin. When the baby is temporarily given formula, either as a substitute for, or along with mother's milk, the levels drop quickly, rising again as the baby returns to total breastfeeding. Even though we are not sure of the cause, what is important to remember in cases of late-onset jaundice is that the baby is not harmed in any way by continued breastfeeding. There has never been a case of kernicterus associated with this type of jaundice, or any detrimental after effects. Because we know the well-documented benefits of breastfeeding, the baby should not be denied the advantages of breastfeeding, given the fact that the slightly elevated bilirubin levels will soon return to normal levels without any intervention. Once pathologic causes are ruled out, nursing should continue. Sometimes babies are taken off the breast for 24-48 hours just to make the diagnosis of breast-milk jaundice, though this is seldom necessary. If your healthcare provider wants to go this route, and the levels drop significantly, then breastfeeding should be resumed.

In most cases, jaundice is a normal, possibly even beneficial process that can be managed without interrupting breastfeeding. The treatment for physiologic jaundice is more breastfeeding rather than less, and sick babies with pathologic jaundice need breastmilk even more than healthy babies. Even in rare cases where the jaundice is caused by the breastfeeding, there is no reason to wean and every reason to continue giving your baby the best possible nourishment -- mother's milk.

source: storknet

Pros of Breasfeed

2007-08-14T20:53:00.000-07:00

Your Health: Breastfeed for your child's sake
By : Rajen M.

The world’s largest online dictionary, Wikipedia, defines “mammals” as “warm blooded vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of hair or fur and females that secrete milk for the sustenance of the young.

But sad to say most modern women these days choose not to breastfeed their babies. We are also the only species of God’s creations who would deliberately feed our delicate young with the milk of another species —sometimes even hours after birth! No other mammal would do that! Mothers keen on maintaining their figure and returning to work even take drugs to suppress producing breast milk. The infant formula industry promoted itself and even managed to get doctors to recommend infant formula.

In 1903, at the International Congress of Obstetrician’s meeting in Paris, France, expressed concern that doctors were encouraging artificial feeding at the expense of breastfeeding.

Since 1979, the World Health Organisation, has been recommending breastfeeding. Here is a paragraph from their website: “Breastfeeding is the ideal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.

Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family and the health care system.

“Colostrum, the yellowish, sticky breast milk produced at the end of pregnancy, is recommended by WHO as the perfect food for the newborn, and feeding should be initiated within the first hour after birth. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to six months of age.” Indeed, the World Breastfeeding Alliance Action has produced d at a that “breastfeeding in the first hour can save one million infants”.

I know of no modern technology that can make that claim.

The initial milk — colostrum is high in substances called immunoglobulins.

They coat the gastrointestinal tract and protect the newborn until its own immune system starts functioning properly. To put it simply, it immunises the fragile newborn against all viruses, bacteria and fungus.

Colostrum also helps create a mild laxative effect. This helps expel meconium —the first stool of an infant. Colostrum’s mild laxative effect also prevents build up of bilirubin (a contributory factor in jaundice).

Recent studies show that babies who are not exclusively breastfed for six months are more prone to infections in the ear, stomach and lungs. They are also more likely to be hospitalised.
Some studies suggest that infants who are not breastfed have higher rates of sudden infant death syndrome in the first year of life, and higher chances of getting type 1 and type 2 diabetes, lymphoma, leukaemia, Hodgkin’s disease, overweight and obesity, high cholesterol and asthma.

Breastfeeding means there are no bottles and nipples to sterilise.
Thus, breastfed infants have less colic pain and hence, cry a lot less.

Mother’s milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby’s growth and development. Most babies find it easier to digest breast milk than they do the infant formula.

Truly, nature does best.

Breastfed infants tend to gain less unnecessary weight and to be leaner. This may result in being less overweight later in life.

Breastfed babies score higher in IQ tests, especially babies who are born prematurely.

Breastfeeding is also good for mothers. It makes it easier to lose the pounds put on during pregnancy.

It helps the uterus to get back to its original size and lessens any bleeding a woman may have after giving birth. Breastfeeding delays the return of normal ovulation and menstrual cycles.

Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and possibly the risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause.

Breastfeeding makes life easier.

It saves time and money. You do not have to buy, measure, and mix infant formulas. There are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night. Breastfeeding mothers sleep better as their infants sleep better because of less colic trouble.

Breastfeeding helps a mother to create a special bond with her baby as she takes some quiet relaxed time for herself and her baby.

Physical contact is important to newborns and can help them feel secure, warm and comforted.
Breastfeeding saves on health care costs. Total medical care costs for the nation are lower for fully breastfed infants than neverbreastfed infants since breastfed infants need fewer sick care visits, prescriptions, and hospitalisation.

Breastfeeding contributes to a more productive workforce.

Breastfeeding mothers miss less work, as their infants are sick less often. Employer medical costs also are lower and employee productivity is higher.

Breastfeeding is better for our environment because there is less trash and plastic waste compared to that produced by formula cans and bottle supplies.

Humans have been breastfeeding for millions of years. It would be illogical to do otherwise. Let us in the middle of this World Breastfeeding Week take a moment to thank our mothers (and fathers) for abiding by nature and doing the right thing for us. Let us also do the same for our young. It would be a better and healthier world for everyone.

Datuk Dr Rajen M. is a pharmacist with a doctorate in Holistic Medicine.

source: New Straits Times 4th Aug 2007

Interesting Baby Facts

2007-08-14T20:13:00.000-07:00

Interesting Baby Facts... Strange But True!
by: GranMamma

A baby is born every seven seconds.
Babies are born with very poor vision but can recognize their mothers almost right away.
Babies are always born with blue eyes, within a few moments of delivery their eye color can change.
Babies are born with swimming abilities and can naturally hold their breath. However, they shortly lose this instinct.
Newborns usually double their weight by six months.
Playing classical music will increase a baby's intelligence.
Reading to your child at ANY age will increase their knowledge.
Babies and toddlers are, pound for pound, stronger than oxen. This is especially true of their legs.
Babies are born without kneecaps.

The human body is a fascinating study to subject. You may be surprised by the following facts.

Women blink twice as many times as men do.
Eyes are the most active muscles in the whole body.
There are about 550 hairs in the eyebrow.
The life span of a tastebud is 10 days.
Humans have almost 10,000 taste buds.
The colder the room you sleep in, the more likely that you will have a bad dream.
The human body is better suited for two four-hour sleep cycles than one eight-hour one.
The jawbone is the hardest bone in the human body.
It's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
You share your birthday with at least 9 million other people in the world... talk about a lot of celebrating.
The name Wendy was made up for the book “Peter Pan”

source: articlecity

My Breastfeeding Gadget

2007-08-14T00:04:00.000-07:00

Just would like to share some of my nursing gadget which has been used until now:

Nursing pillow - Primary usage: for nursing. Other usage: as our own pillow (used when watched tv) & as a support for baby who start to learn how to sit. (Worth buying, since it has multiple usage)

Nursing cover - very useful when I need to nurse my baby in the public. The baby also love to be inside the cover!

Image source: thebabyloft

Breastfeeding during Ramadhan

2007-08-13T18:47:00.000-07:00

Today is 14th August 2007 (1 Syaaban 1428 Hijrah)... where we are 1 more month to go for our Ramadhan... when talk about Ramadhan, will bring me to the memories of last year where I came back from my confinement during Ramadhan... at that time, I successfully pumping the milk for my baby 3 times daily @ work... at that time, I loose my weight very easily (about 8kg!)... At that time, all my kebayas semua muat, longgar lagi... hehe... But it gained back when Syawal came... :)

Here are few tips for breastfeeding during Ramadhan. I did it and I successfully fully breastfeeding my son where he was 2 months old. Now he is 13 months old and I’m still breastfeeding him. Check it out:

eat dates (kurma/tamar) during your sahur - take at least 7 ketul (Each date provides 23 calories, and is a good source of carbohydrate, fiber, and potassium, also providing some calcium and iron along with other vitamins and minerals in smaller amounts. Dates do not have significant amounts of fat, cholesterol, protein, or sodium (the same for most fruits)) source: netwellness
drink a lot of water during sahur and berbuka - at least 8-10 glasses per day
drink milk
always think positive that you can produce enough milk for your baby and just give your baby when he/she needs it
selawat when you are breastfeeding your baby and doa that your milk supply is sufficient and nutritious to your baby

You are the leader to the successfulness of breastfeeding your baby. Just don't give up, be patient and always think positive.

Salams

Pump @ Work

2007-08-13T01:24:00.000-07:00

Secrets to Working and Pumping
by: Patty Hone

When I had my first son I hadn't planned to go back to work. I suddenly had to return to the workforce when he was three months old. I was completely unprepared and my son went from an exclusively breastfeeding baby to a mostly formula baby within a short period of time. I learned a lot from my experience with him and was much more prepared when I had my daughter. I was able to exclusively breastfeed her and work full time. Because of what I went through, the emotions of trying to pump enough milk for the next day, I wanted to gather up all my tips and write them down for others to use. I hope that you find these tips helpful.

Plan ahead if possible. Get a freezer stash going before you go back to work.
Do not just pump at work. Pump at home on your days off and before and after work.
Pump while nursing. Pump on one side while nursing on the other.
Find a good place to pump, where you are comfortable and can relax.
Make sure everyone at work knows how important breastfeeding is and not to interrupt you.
Drink plenty of fluids through out the day. Drink a large glass of water about an hour before you are going to pump.
Use a good quality double breast pump like the Ameda Purely Yours.
If your supply is dwindling rent a hospital grade pump.
Find other moms to talk to that are breastfeeding and pumping.
Do not get discouraged if you don't pump a large volume at once. Most moms pump around three oz per pumping.
Pump frequently. Pumping frequently is more important than how long you pump.
Try to pump at least every three hours.
Pumping is NOT as efficient as nursing. Do not gauge your milk supply by how much you pump. Your baby will get more milk from nursing than you will make from pumping.
Before you nurse, relax and do a quick breast massage. This will help you get a better let down.
Any time you give your baby a bottle make sure you pump in place of that.
Nurse frequently at night or try reverse cycling. Reverse cycling is when baby nurses more at night than during the day.
Co-sleep with baby if you are comfortable so he can nurse more at night. Nursing at night will help your supply.
Try drinking Mothers Milk tea.
Eat a bowl of oatmeal in the morning. Oatmeal is really good for boosting milk supply.
Avoid giving bottle to baby before he is three weeks.
Use a slow flow nipple for your bottles.
Find a day care provider that is a breastfeeding supporter. An uneducated day care provider can sabotage your success.
Take Fenugreek or Blessed Thistle
If you need to supplement when you are home use a Supplemental Nursing System.
Do not assume because baby is fussing it is your supply. Many times baby will fuss for other reasons.
When preparing bottles for day care, store them in three oz portions. Your baby will likely only need three oz at a time. If he needs more up it to four.
Send small 2 oz bottles of breast milk for day care provider to give to baby if you will be picking him up soon. This way baby will be ready to nurse when you get him home.
Nurse on your lunch break if you can.
Take picture of baby with you to work. Look at your baby when you are pumping. It will help with your let down.
Have a nurse in. On the weekend spend the entire weekend in bed with your baby and nurse as frequently as you can.
During pumping session, take a break when your milk stops flowing. Massage your breast and use nipple stimulation to get a second let down. You will usually get another oz or so if you can get a second let down.
Cut down on caffeine. Caffeine will hinder your supply
Don't do extreme dieting. Eat a healthy diet.
Contact a La Leche League Leader or lactation consultant for advice.
Avoid using bottles and pacifiers when you are home.
Try switch nursing when you are home. Nurse on one side then switch to the other when baby seems to be getting fussy. Switch sides two or three times while nursing.
Remind yourself of all the benefits your baby is getting and that it's worth it!
Keep your pump pre-assembled so that you can keep your pumping breaks shorter.
If your using a pump with horns put them in a Ziploc bag and store them in the freezer between pumpings. This way you can just wash them when you get home.
If you can, do paperwork while pumping. This way you can have more pumping breaks and you will relax more if you are not focused on pumping.
Don't watch the pump. Staring at the pump watching for milk will make your session more stressful.
Adjust the suction controls, experiment with the speed and suction until you find what works best for you.
Keep spare parts readily available for your pump so you don't have any emergencies.
If you own a hands free pump like whisperwear try pumping on the drive to work.
Massage your breasts while you pump.
Pump in the morning. Your supply is best in the morning.
Bring a baby blanket or item of clothing that smells like baby. Use your senses to visualize your baby.
Close your eyes and picture baby nursing.
Keep a back up pump at work or in your car in case you forget. The Avent Isis is affordable and a great pump to have for a backup.
Pat yourself on the back for giving your baby the best!

Source: articlecity

Where Do I Start?

2007-08-13T00:57:00.001-07:00

Breastfeeding My Baby, Where Do I Start?
by: Melida Cohen

Congratulations you have a new baby! Having a new baby is hard enough but when you choose to breastfeed you sometimes feel that you made this experience even harder. Breastfeeding is not as difficult as it looks or as you may have heard from others. It is actually pretty easy and a very fulfilling way to nourish your newborn once you get the hang of it. Remember as with most things practice makes perfect! Breastfeeding is new to you and to your little one but with a little practice you two will become pros in no time!

During the first week of your baby’s life, your breasts will produce colostrum for your baby to drink. Colostrum is rich in antibodies and aids the baby’s immune system. It also helps him pass his first bowel movement, which is called meconium. Meconium is black and tarry looking and is in the first few diapers after birth. Then he begins to transition to a brown substance and after your milk comes in, it becomes a yellow, mustardy stool that is loose and watery. Bottle-fed babies pass firmer, tannish stools than breastfed babies.

After 24-48 hours after birth, your baby will start having wet diapers that will increase to two or three a day.

Your technique and positioning is a very important factor in ensuring that your breastfeeding experience is a great one. There are a few different positions that can be used to make the experience more comfortable for you and baby. Some of these positions include:

Laying down - Lay down on you side with pillows behind you to support your back. Lay baby facing you with her head on a pillow your breast should be level with baby’s mouth. Bend your legs with a pillow between your knees and then have baby latch on.
Sitting Up – Sit up either in bed or a comfortable chair or couch with pillows supporting your back and head. Place a pillow on your lap and put baby on top of the pillow in your arms, you can rest your arms on the pillow to make it easier to bring baby up to your breast. Bend your knees to make this even easier have baby latch on.
The Clutch Hold – This is also known as the football hold. This position is also good when nursing twins as it allows mom to have a baby on each side. Sit down and tuck your baby under your arm almost like a handbag. Rest baby’s head on a firm pillow on your lap. Ensure that baby’s feet are behind your back. Your hand is at the back of baby’s neck, not on baby’s head. Your arm will extend down baby’s back , guide baby to latch on
These are just a few of the positions that you can use there is also the cradle hold, clutch hold, and the transition position. Do some research to learn these other positions to nurse your baby if you find the above positions uncomfortable.

While your baby drinks colostrum and then milk, you should listen for a pattern of “suck, suck, suck, swallow.” This pattern will be rhythmic and there should be no “clicking” noises. The “clicking” sound can indicate that your baby is not properly latched on and may not be getting enough milk from you. If you start to hear this, you need to unlatch him and then reattach him. If you continue to hear this sound after reattaching him several times, then you may want to consult a lactation consultant or your pediatrician.

After the first week of life, you should see 6-8 wet diapers each day and at least 3 bowel movements a day. His urine should be clear and he should become more alert with each passing day. Your baby should also be gaining weight and growing, as this is the surest way to tell that they are getting enough nutrition. If you have two days in a row that deviates from the above indicators, then you should call your pediatrician immediately.

Breastfeeding problems, such as milk production difficulties, are not as common when using the PDF feeding method, but they do occur. Even if you are well rested, eating healthy, have a pretty routine life, and your baby is growing and getting enough food, you still may experience a milk production issue. Many things can cause production problems. Here are just a few.
Some things that can affect your milk supply are:

What mom eats
How much mom rests and sleeps
Her state of mind
The age of the mom
How many children you have
Your desire to breastfeed
Your nursing capabilities
Your nursing techniques
Baby’s latch on abilities

If you choose to breastfeed, it is very important that you take your baby for their check-ups as needed. If you don’t, how will you know if he is getting enough milk and growing at the correct rate? There is no way for you to tell that your child is getting enough nutrition for sure without your child being weighed.

Source: articlecity

The Importance of Breastfeeding

2007-08-13T00:44:00.000-07:00

Breastfeeding - How Important Is It? by: Carlie Edwards

Years ago, perhaps when you were a child, breastfeeding was not very popular. Breastfeeding was not encouraged as it is in todays society. Doctors didn't fully grasp how important and beneficial it is for a newborn baby. Because of this, and a few other reasons, there were many new mothers that went directly to feeding with the bottle, most often new mothers didn't even try to breastfeed their new baby.

Breastfeeding helps protect and nurture your baby in innumerable ways. There have been many studies in regard to breastfeeding babies and the results have shown increases in brainpower within as little as six weeks of breastfeeding. The study has also shown a reduced risk of obesity due to the fact that breastfed babies are much less likely to overeat than formula-fed babies. Overall, babies that have been breastfed for roughly six months are also less likely to have breathing problems.

We now know how nourishing breast milk is for your baby. Breastfeeding is highly recommended by doctors as well as health care professionals. Further, it's been shown that breast milk supports brain function as stated above and also provides valuable nutrients that would not otherwise be available. Breast milk is very special, every mother's milk is slightly different, tailored to her own baby's needs. A baby's immune system is directly affected by the breast milk of his/her mother.

Every feeding time is an extremely important time of the day, it allows the mother and baby time to bond to each other without any distractions. A new mother will really get to know her baby by breastfeeding and will feel much more at ease with him or her during breastfeeding.
Milk induced sleep is one of the most wonderful things a mother will experience. Newborns love to be cuddled and they also love to eat. When you combine the two you get an extremely sleepy baby who will snuggle up in their mother's arms long after the feeding is over. Breastfeeding will instill a naptime but you'll find yourself continuing to rock your precious little one, it's calming to mother as well.

Babies have a built-in latching instinct, although some babies will not latch properly, causing pain to the mother. You'll detect these problems early on and you'll find that most hospitals have a nursing specialist that will help to determine if your baby is latching on wrong. If you continue to have problems in this area in the first week, you should consult with your doctor. With a little practice you'll be a pro in no time! Hang in there, It's worth it!

Breast milk is not only good for your baby, but it's also good for the mother as well. It has been stated that Mother's who breast-feed their babies for at least six months have shown a dramatical reduction in the risk of various types of cancer including breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Another happy note... through breast-feeding, new mother's will also lose the additional weight she gained while pregnant, and another benefit is that it will also help her uterus contract to its pre-baby size.

All new parents want to give their babies the very best and when it comes to nutrition, the very best "first food" for baby is breast milk.

Although you may experience a few challenges at first while breastfeeding; it will be the best experience a new mother will have. There may even come a time later in life when you look back on this wonderful experience and wish that you had breast fed your baby longer.

Source: articlecity

Initial

2007-06-20T19:48:00.000-07:00

Hi there! I am a mum of 2 children (both boys, 4 years and 1 year). At this moment I'm still breastfeeding my second child and hope that I can breastfeed him until he is 2 years old. I've breastfed his elder brother until 9 months...

For me, breastfeeding is very good to both you and your child. By breastfeeding you can maintain your weight and provide the best immunisation system to your baby.

Happy breastfeeding...!