This is one of my favorite questions. It smacks of the sense that there is a right answer. Not only will the door allowing advice swing wide if you answer incorrectly, but the question clearly falls into the veiled competition category. No one really cares how your baby is sleeping except you, your husband and your mother.

As a breastfeeding mother, you may find yourself suffering from sleep deprivation long after the rest of your friends have started getting out of their pajamas before noon. Since breastmilk protein is smaller than cow’s milk protein, from which most formula is based, it is more easily digested and therefore, does not hold baby’s appetite for as long. Frequent nursing is also designed to help build a sufficient supply and in the early days, ensures that baby will nurse often to flush out bilirubin and “practice” before mother’s milk comes in.

Generally, baby’s sleep cycles become more adult at around four months. This does not mean they will go to bed at 8 pm and sweetly call your name at 8 am the following day. A newborn likely has one lengthy stretch of sleep lasting about five hours. Ideally, this lovely nap is saved for nighttime and sometimes you can encourage this with swaddling or someone other than mom doing the soothing. Even at this age, breastfed babies will likely still nurse at least twice during the night.

Another important part of nighttime sleep is sleep during the day. Sleep begets sleep and while it will seem like an easy bedtime if you skip the daytime nap, it does not bode well for the remainder of the night or perhaps the next day. Fatigue actually sets up a caveman-like reaction of revving the body up to protect it when tired, hence the “Power Hour” if a child gets overtired. Naps generally dwindle as the baby ages, but if you are disciplined, and sprinkle on some luck, your child will continue to nap through their pre-school years. Hold onto those naps, like you do the feel of your baby’s fat wrists, for as long as you can.

When people ask that loaded question, “How is the baby sleeping?” the best answer is “Like a baby.” And when your dear husband wakes up after sleeping all night and asks, “Honey! Did the baby sleep through the night?” remember how you’ve always loved him for his optimism.

When facing breast infection issues, it is important to know the differences between a plugged duct and a bacterial infection. A plugged duct comes on gradually, may shift in location with little or no warmth in the area. Pain is mild and localized with a temperature lower than 101F. A breast infection comes on suddenly, is localized, with redness and swelling, pain is intense and flu-like symptoms are accompanied by a temperature of 101F or higher.

The mastitis mantra is rest, rest, rest but this begins beforehand. Plugged ducts are often the first sign that you are doing too much. It is difficult to relax and slow down but a plugged duct is a message from the universe or God, or whomever you wish to hear it from, that the time is now. An untreated infection steals time away from life’s responsibilities quicker than rest during the day. Sleep when baby sleeps. Lie down in an older child’s room, lock the door and let them play while mommy has a time-out. Feeling guilty, like you’re not doing enough and need to keep at it? Burning 500 calories a day just lactating is doing enough, sister.

Though rare and only occurring in a small percentage of women with infectious mastitis (one of them a family member), breast abscess is a potential effect of untreated mastitis. It is serious and painful and requires immediate medical attention as it must be aspirated or surgically drained. Then it is followed by a course of antibiotics. Wouldn’t a simple course of antibiotics to begin with be a better choice?

Antibiotics are often the only option when dealing with an infection and thank goodness they are available to us. Most antibiotics are safe to take while nursing. This information can be verified with your doctor, your pharmacist, a non-emergency call to Poison Control and/or by calling upon your local La Leche League International Leader to look up any medication in Dr. Hale’s Medications and Mother’s Milk. To combat intestinal tract upset, eat yogurt or add your favorite probiotics product to your daily regimen. Continue rebuilding your gut’s healthy bacteria after your antibiotics course is finished to keep your immune system armed and ready.

Mamas with plugged ducts and mastitis need to tap their inner vigilante with one eye on the worst case scenario. It is not worth waiting it out and having to deal with something worse down the road.

Another year has passed and one of my resolutions is to manage my time better. This is a never-ending, excruciatingly difficult thing to do. I often feel like I am running in place and though I am constantly busy with laundry and kitchen clean-up, with the re-mess-up immediately following, nothing ever seems to be done. Part of this feeling is our sense that the “things” we are supposed to do should already be done - that somehow if anyone witnesses us doing our “things” we are somehow disorganized, behind, not properly managing our time. Don’t you just love those commercials where mothers are reading a book while the washing machine is spinning quietly and the baby in the bouncy seat is sleeping? Where is the rest of the laundry? How about the ironing? Mending? Do people mend anymore? Where is the ream of paper from the elementary school? Is that baby in the bouncy seat actually sleeping? How much did they pay that baby to do that?

One of the best things about breastfeeding is the inescapable sit-your-bum-down-time. When our babies declare the need for some mama time, we must respond and relax and slow down, letting the little hand pat us, letting the little mouth smile at us, letting the Prolactin, or “mothering” hormone, wash over us and make us better mommies. This is a major component in the importance of the nursing relationship. Breastfeeding is much more than just providing nutrition. These are future people we are nurturing and when we stop the whirlwind of life to be with them it is as if we can stop time. Though trying to stop time is not an effective way to manage it, it is important to remember that life gives us many chances to slow things down and enjoy the moments but we have to pay attention to notice them. Life’s responsibilities are akin to running in place. You cannot get ahead because they are always there, waiting to be done. If you spend life believing that you can get ahead, you will miss the moments when time seems to stop. These are the moments when we actually accomplish something and we are truly making progress. When we gaze into our children’s eyes, giggle at their giggles, or get goosebumps from their wee cuddles we solidify their humanness, their conscience. By taking advantage of these moments it makes it all the easier to manage the whirlwind. Allowing yourself to revel in the nothingness of joy with your child, will give you all the gumption you need to tackle cleaning up the kitchen again.

Not everyone may understand your decision to supply the very best for your baby, both in terms on nourishment and nurturing. However, as Americans we are just rediscovering the benefits of breastfeeding. Artificial methods of feeding such as the bottle reigned supreme for more than 2 generations in our child rearing practices.
You don’t have to be an activist but if you happen to have friends and family who respond negatively to your choice to breastfeeding you infant there are a few simple tools you can use to try and educate or at least deflect any negative comments on your choice in how you nourish and nurture your baby.
Negative comments can come from either strangers or from family. With a stranger it really is not as important to most mothers what a stranger thinks about such a personal and positive choice. If it is a stranger that comments negatively or unless it is someone whose opinion you value there is no need to respond.
If the negative comments and attitudes come from friends or family (yes it does happen) then it is probably time to attempt to educate them in the benefits for your infant’s fragile immune system and growing psyche.
Assuming you have explained all the benefits of breastfeeding your infant to your friend or family member, and they still persist in being negative then perhaps you might question them in turn on why they feel so negatively about such a natural and obviously beneficial choice in nurturing.
If the resistance is extreme and the mother’s attempts to educate have fallen on deaf ears she may have to make the topic off limits and agree to disagree. These family members or that friend may have issues that make winning them over as breastfeeding fans impossible. In order to make it easier on both of her and the friend or family member sometimes asking that they not comment works best.
Supportive friends and family are pure gold but not everyone has that luxury. The breastfeeding mother still knows they have made the best choice in terms of nourishing and nurturing their infant and because negative comments from people she loves or respects can shake her confidence, asking that the topic be set “off limits” is not unreasonable. Whatever happens giving up breastfeeding is not the best answer to negativity from people you are close to. It can shake a mom’s confidence, but it should not be cause to give up breastfeeding.

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Some moms might be a little shy at first about breastfeeding their newborn in public especially if this the first breastfed baby. However breastfeeding is perfectly acceptable, legal and can be discrete as well even for the most modest of moms.

The first step is to establish your comfort zone. Some women are very shy and breastfeeding in public just may not be seem like an option. However, there are nursing bras, tank tops, and other items such as shawls that can make breastfeeding in public very discrete for even the most modest mother.

Some of the top items that make discrete breastfeeding possible are the proper clothing. This could include things like carrying along a light shawl, wearing tops that unbutton in the front, choosing easy one handed opening nursing bras, or wearing specially made nursing tanks which include a nursing bra and a tank top. There are many variations in clothing and you can suit your personal sense of style as well as pocketbook or even modify your current clothing to suit your needs to permit discreet public breastfeeding.

At first you may want to carefully plan your trips out with your infant. If you are very modest then perhaps you might limit trips at first to places that have mother’s lounges, large lady’s rooms, or even private rooms until you are more comfortable. At times it might not be possible to locate a private room or area. If that is the case turning toward a wall or in a corner can provide some small amount of privacy and yet not force you to leave the area. chances are that you will find that your comfort zone as it applies to breastfeeding your infant actually widens. There is nothing more natural in the world than breastfeeding.

Though a mom might think she will be overwhelmed or too modest to breastfeed her infant in public, but with the proper clothing, a light shawl or maybe a jacket and a little bit of practice breastfeeding can be not only practical in public but very discrete.

However, if it is simply impossible to even entertain the idea of breastfeeding your infant in any public place then you don’t need to totally eliminate going out. Short trips of course are always possible, and trips to family or friends homes where they will let you use a bedroom for privacy can be easily arranged. If you have to be away from home with the baby longer than 2 or 3 hours then it is possible to use a breast pump to express milk before hand and bring along a bottle.

With most moms though, with the proper clothing, a light covering and even a semi private location a mom maintain her comfort zone as regards modesty, and still provide the very best in nutrition for her baby.

It’s a good question since many women hear about it first from old wife’s tales. Not all old wife’s tales are true, but it is a fact that stress can adversely affect a breastfeeding mother’s milk supply and nursing. Extreme stress can inhibit milk letdown, cause frustration, and even cause the milk supply to diminish if the stress is prolonged. How we as individuals handle stress varies and some moms and their milk supply will be affected more by stress than others.

If this is a first child then the mother’s life has changed dramatically overnight and probably now revolves around that small noisy and beloved infant who’s every need must be a priority. This is a complete 180 in terms of lifestyle and causes stress because between night time feedings, new parent concerns, and the incessant demands of everyday life, stress can pile up. Even experienced mothers can find that every day stresses have compounded and might feel overwhelming at times.

Working moms have an added stresses in time limited pumping at work. A working mother who is breastfeeding will surely spend her lunch hour and breaks trying to grab a bite to eat and with a breast pump whirring in the background. If she is very concerned over maintaining milk supply this can lead to extra stress and even reduce supply.

Understanding that stress can affect the milk supply of the breastfeeding mother is the first step. The second step to handling stress it to attempt to reduce them as much as possible. This is not always possible as some things are out of our hands however with the help of family and friends and a quiet room much can be done to relieve temporary everyday stresses.

Moms who are stressed over maintaining an adequate milk supply while using a breast pump at work can actually be reducing their milk supply by worrying. It’s very easy to just say “relax” however it is harder to do. If a mom pumps at work, bringing a book to read or embroidery, or even watching TV can help relax her. Let nature take her course and things usually improve. If time concerns while breast pumping at work are an issue then a hospital grade breast pump can be worth it’s weight in gold. A hospital grade breast pump will empty both breasts at once and much faster than an ordinary pump.

Daily stress for the stay at home mother can be just as difficult. Dinner burns, the older children are fighting, and the clothes need taken from the dryer before they wrinkle, and of course right then the baby starts crying and is hungry.
Deal with one thing at a time. Turn off the oven, reassure yourself you can run the clothes in the dryer again for 15 minutes to remove wrinkles, separate the older children, and if possible find a quiet room to feed the baby. In fact it is possible you and your infant will finish that feeding both feeling more relaxed and you better able to face the multitude of demands on a mom who works at home.

Major life events are out of our hands and often can cause great stress. There are some things we can control and others that are out of our hands, it is important to keep the baby’s welfare in mind and try and maintain good sleep and eating habits. Consulting a physician may be necessary if stress becomes a problem in breastfeeding for any reason.

Most moms new to breastfeeding soon discover there are no hard and fast answers to some questions. Why? It is because every baby is different and every single situation is different. So, when asking “Should I give my baby a pacifier” the answers vary.

Some breastfeeding moms use pacifiers with their babies with no issues. Overuse can be an issue though. Only part of the time spent at the breast nursing is spent in actually getting milk. Suckling is also a comforting activity and the skin to skin contact is very comforting for baby. Suckling also stimulates the mother’s breasts and helps milk production. A baby who is given a pacifier to suck on will be comforted in some degree and may not spend enough time suckling to keep up your milk production.

Moderation is probably the key here. There are times when a pacifier might be important or even indispensable. However, it should not be overused.

Nipple confusion, can using a pacifier with a breastfed infant cause it? Well, some experts say they have never seen a case of nipple confusion, others feel it happens. To be on the safe side until about the age of 6 weeks any nipple other than the breast should be avoided if at all possible, after that point a pacifier can be used but of course only with moderation as the stimulation of baby suckling is what keeps breast milk production up.

Some mothers are tempted to introduce pacifiers often with the first growth spurt when an infant seems as if they wish to nurse every hour on the hour. This can be tiring for mom, but a growth spurt usually only lasts a matter of a few days in infants. If you resist the urge to use or overuse a pacifier for that short period baby’s feeding habits will return to normal very quickly and your milk supply will be undiminished.

As stated in the beginning there are no hard and fast rules for pacifiers. There are only general guidelines that can be used as a rule of thumb depending on the mother and baby’s needs. Working moms are often forced by circumstances to introduce baby to pacifiers and bottles as soon as 6 weeks old. Yet, there are a remarkable number of successfully breastfeeding working moms. It all depends on the individual.

There are a number of ways to ensure your family is spaced and insure the birth control method you choose doesn’t pass through to breast milk.

The first and most often used it to allow breastfeeding to be the natural method of birth control. Studies show this is a method that is 98% effective and equal to any other means of birth control. However for this to be effective the baby must nurse often and breastfeeding should be his only means of nourishment. That means no pacifiers if at all possible as well. It’s an effective method and almost sure-fire until the infant begins to take his first solid foods then it becomes less reliable.

Still, many women choose other means while breastfeeding and below are listed some safe methods of birth control as added insurance in your family planning endeavors.

•    Condoms
•    IUD (intrauterine device)
•    Diaphragms
•    Spermicidal Jellies and Creams
•    Rhythm Method

Less desirable and not proven 100% safe are the hormonal treatments such as birth control pills or hormonal implants.  Recent studies tend to show hormonal implants and birth control pills pass only minute amounts of the hormone through the breast milk. However, we as a society are finding even minute amounts of any substance sometimes are not without consequences.

Condoms both the male and female sort can help a nursing mother space the family. However condoms in conjunction with a spermicidal jelly or cream are found to be most effective and with no effect on  the quality of the breast milk.

IUDs or a copper device inserted in the uterus are also considered to be very effective in helping to plan a family. There are also no problems or hormones attached with this birth control method.

Diaphragms or foam inserts are also a means of family planning and are felt to have no effect on the quality of breast milk. Often these devices are used in conjunction with a spermicidal jelly or cream.

The rhythm method depends on learning the body rhythms and then abstaining from sex during periods of fertility.  This means is considered natural, however it also can fail if signs are misread.

No means of family planning is 100% effective and the choice of which to use in family planning is personal and usually best undertaken with the advice of a family physician to take into account any health considerations.

First off, we probably need to outline what a nursing strike is. A nursing strike normally occurs after a baby has been nursing well for some time. All of the sudden (usually) one the infant will refuse to nurse. Why? Well there are some well known and obvious causes for it, and sometimes no one is really sure.

The idea behind surviving a nursing strike is to outlast it, maintain the milk supply and of course ensure that baby is staying adequately hydrated. In cases where the cause of the nursing strike is guessed or known then proactive steps can be taken. In other cases, well mom just has to outlast the problem and eventually coax the baby back to nursing.

One of the reasons a baby might go on a nursing strike could be poor positioning. Yes, position, position, position is the litany of lactation consultants, doctors, and internet resources and it’s valid.

Think about this; If you were forced to eat your meals with your bottom sliding off the chair, chances that it would probably inhibit your appetite. You are an adult and of course might get up and get another chair or reposition the existing one, but a baby has no such recourse. The sensation of falling is not comfortable and does little for the appetite. So first off ensure the baby is held securely and that there is a good latchon. It’s important because how you hold the baby is their “chair” during meal times and can affect how secure they feel.

Let’s say that the positioning and latchon are perfect, baby is secure and comfy during nursing but is still on strike. This is very worrisome to the breastfeding mother. Mom might then check baby and see if he has tender or sore spots say from a fall or an immunization. Sometimes the feeding position can be irritating these..

Pacifiers have been cited as culprits in nursing strikes. If baby has been using his pacifier a lot then try backing off on it. Bottle feeding is a necessity with working moms and if this is a suspected culprit then try cuddling time prior to feeding. Working moms have little choice in using bottles as they are absent during feeding time for at least part of the day.

Sometimes no cause for the nursing strike can be found. Everything was going just fine and the next day, baby is on strike. There are a few tips that might get you through this trying period.

Coax the baby, don’t force and don’t turn feeding time into a battle of wills or a test of patience for you or your baby. The baby is on strike and this can be a real worry but if baby is still having the correct number of wet diapers per day you can easily outlast this. If baby becomes upset after being offered the breast then try something else for a little while, or get another family member to hold and play with him. If mom becomes upset, same thing, take a break then return to feeding attempts after mom calms down. Breastfeeding is a pleasure for both mom and baby it should not be stressful on either.

Take heart, nursing strikes generally only last a few days to a week. An idea that might work is the instant reward method  where a little expressed milk is drizzled over the nipple so baby gets a taste even before letdown occurs.

Take care of your milk supply. Ok, baby is on strike but your breasts are not, and you don’t want them to be. Instead use a breast pump the empty both breasts. Doing this will not only store up extra milk for your baby but will keep your breasts from becoming engorged and your breast milk supply from possibly decreasing. Freeze the pumped breast milk as it will most certainly be needed at some point and time.

If baby exhibits symptoms of dehydration, like insufficient urine output and few wet diapers, or dark yellow urine then it is time to consult a pediatrician.

Not every baby goes on a nursing strike but for those who do, it’s possible for mom to ride it out and maintain that precious milk supply.

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A baby with teeth or teething can be intimidating  to a first time breastfeeding mother. Many are concerned abut the baby biting and though breastfeeding is highly recommended through the first year and preferable through age 2 and beyond the truth is that teeth and teething can be a fearsome thing to a breastfeeding mom who has already overcome so many challenges to sustain her breastfeeding commitment.

The truth of the matter is, if baby is latched on to the breast properly  then biting should is not only not a problem but nearly impossible.. The baby’s mouth is opened wide and their tongue is on top of the bottom teeth. This  position is typical of a proper latch on and short of biting his own tongue first, baby will find it impossible to bite.

However if the baby’s gums are sore due to teething then the baby may try and squirm around to a different position to avoid a sore spot on the gums and incidentally making for a poor latch. In that case biting could be an issue.  A cool washrag, or frozen teething toy before feeding can help numb the baby’s sensitive gums and allow for maintaining a proper latch.

Over the counter teething preparations should only be used with the advice of a physician as they can numb the mouth enough to make feeding difficult for the baby and can even be transferred to mom’s nipple.

Another issue that is sometimes encountered with teething babies is that moms have been known to give the teething baby a sippy cup to chew on and drink from. Though this does relieve the infant’s need to chew and bite which is natural, it also can encourage bad dining habits, something mothers avoid at anytime but especially breastfeeding mothers.

In spite of everything a mom can do a baby’s teeth may leave marks on the areola (not bites but indentations). In that case positioning is all important. Make sure the baby has a wide open mouth. You may have to gently remind him to open wider, and make sure he is positioned well and supported well during nursing. If a baby slides downward during feeding that can cause his upper teeth to press into the breast and though a minor irritant it is one that is easily avoided.

Teething is a particular stage at which many mothers previously dedicated to breastfeeding consider weaning their baby. It’’s not necessary with a little persistence and care, breastfeeding can continue with perfect comfort for mom and all the benefits for baby.

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