Breastfeeding - Diet How Does It Affect Baby?

by LisaC

The old saying “you are what you eat” is doubly true for the breastfeeding mother because what she eats so does her baby. Now, that being said, most foods are safe to eat for a breastfeeding mother and she should get around 2500 calories a day and eat a healthy and well balanced diet.
That’s actually relatively easily done as most moms have been eating a balanced healthy diet all the way through the pregnancy. Foods that mom enjoys are not out of the question in moderation and baby is likely to benefit as long as mother gets an adequate diet from each of the four food groups.

However, there are some foods that can be irritation to very young infants. Infants have poorly developed digestive systems at first, and things that mom can easily handle and love might irritate the infant.
For instance, highly spiced foods might cause some intestinal upsets in baby, such as salsa or pizza. Gassy foods such as onions, bell peppers or broccoli or beans might irritate the infant as well. This could cause fussiness that usually goes away after a day or so. Gas builds up in the baby’s intestines and this can be very uncomfortable. Generally as the infant matures the offending foods can be added back to the breastfeeding mother’s diet and they can usually begin to tolerate them when their digestive tract is more developed.
Caffeine and chocolate can be problematic to the infant breastfeeding and should be taken in moderation as caffeine is passed through the breast milk and can make some babies restless or irritable.

On the other side of the coin there are true allergies that some infants might have and these do not go away in a day or so and can even cause skin problems, rashes, irritability, vomiting and a host of other symptoms.
The very first thing to do if a mother suspects a baby has food allergies is to consult a pediatrician. Many times the allergy can be ruled out or pinpointed with a few simple tests and the offending food item removed from the mother’s diet, then all is well with the infant.

Other times though it requires more testing and a lot of determination on the part of the mother to track down the problem food.
With the help of a professional, an infant with food allergies can continue to be breastfed and mom will have a much happier healthier baby.
It’s rare in this day and age for a physician to recommend discontinuing breastfeeding due to an infant’s food allergy, even with infants allergic to milk. Instead, diet modification on the mother’s part is usually recommended and succeeds.

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August 29, 2009   No Comments

Weaning A Breastfed Baby

by LisaC

When to wean a breastfed baby is a very controversial subject. Some people are in favor of extending breastfeeding lasting well beyond 2 years and others prefer a lesser time.

It’s up to the parents to decide when the time is right or them and for their baby to wean. Work and other obligations might make breastfeeding beyond a year impossible or very difficult for some, while other mothers might continue to breastfeed up to 4 years and beyond. Those choices are right for those parents. However, at some point it will become time for the child to be weaned from the breast.

Weaning some breastfed children is simple because they are ready and they do not feel rejected at all when weaning takes place. However, other children in particular toddlers may have a harder time of it.
In that case the easiest way for mom’s body and for the child to wean is gradually reducing the number of breastfeedings per day. Mom’s body becomes used to producing less milk over a period of time and the child gets used to missing a nursing here and there. It comes gradually and easily for many.

One thing most everyone agrees on about the process of weaning a breastfed chilld is that touching though the weaning process is very important. The child might be missing that special closeness that nursing provides and extra hugs and cuddles can ease that immensely.

If the breastfed child is a toddler then praising them can be a very good positive reinforcement during the weaning process. Parents should be free with praises and tell them what a big boy or girl they are for drinking from the cup or accepting a glass of juice instead of nursing.
Remember that every child is individual and what works for one might not for another, persistence is the key here.

Gradual weaning if at all possible is easiest on both mom and baby because suddenly stopping breastfeeding can be very uncomfortable for mom and lead to breast engorgement and possible mastitis and it can also be very confusing and scary for the child to be denied the comfort he has known from infancy.

If the baby is under a year old then a bottle will be necessary since infants that age need the extra iron and supplements in formula. The mom may have to try several different types of nipples to find one that the infant will accept easily. Again, if possible try and wean gradually to reduce the impact on mom’s body and so give the infant time to adjust too.

A mom who pays extra attention to her baby during the weaning process can ease weaning as well as strengthen the bond between mother and child.

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August 26, 2009   1 Comment

Overactive Letdown an Overabundance of Milk Is Possible

by LisaC

While many mothers worry if their infants are getting enough breast milk and they do everything possible to increase their breast milk supply, other mothers experience what is often referred to as overactive letdown that can cause just as many concerns with a breastfeeding mom.

Yes, there is sometimes too much breast milk and if baby is able to handle this overabundant supply and the strong letdown, then mom’s body and nature will take care of it. The baby won’t drink all the milk available and the breastfeeding mother’s body will take that as a signal to slow down on the milk production. However, there are also situations where overactive letdown might result in choking or vomiting. I this occurs frequently then it is always best to consult a physician to be sure of the cause. One sign that the problems are caused by overactive letdown is if the baby is having to gulp instead of swallow due to the quantity of milk.
There are some things mom can do to help nature along and increase baby’s comfort during feeding while her body adjusts to the baby’s needs.

The first thing to try is to only nurse a single breast each feeding because mom is trying to encourage her body to make a little less milk. Allow the infant to drink until satisfied but she should not offer the second breast. The next feeding then she should offer the other breast. She can hand express milk from a breast that is overfull between feedings.

This is one case where breast pumping is discouraged as the problem is too much milk and pumping can encourage more milk production. If breasts become engorged then hand expression is best. If a mom must pump her breasts to store milk for absences then she should not empty her breasts. This will tell her body to slow down on the milk production when there is milk left over.

Frequent burping is also important as this helps release gas the baby may have swallowed while gulping. Also when the baby begins to gulp instead of swallow then remove him from the breast and allow the milk to flow out on it’s own onto a nursing pad or other absorbent material. This can reduce baby’s discomfort and the possibility he will be overwhelmed with milk.

It should ot take long for mom’s body to adjust to the baby’s needs if a little care is taken and with professional consultation mom can be breastfeeding happily while baby gets just enough breast milk.

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August 24, 2009   No Comments

Breast Engorgement When Breastfeeding

by LisaC

Breast engorgement is something that about every breastfeeding mother will probably experience normally while nursing her new baby. It’s a common and most natural result of breastfeeding, but be of good cheer because the normal breast engorgement that occurs when the milk supply “comes in” lasts only 48 to 72 hours. Almost every breastfeeding mother encounters this and though mildly uncomfortable it promptly goes away as the milk supply is established.

Let’s deal with this type of breast engorgement first. It is very important of course to breastfeed during this periods while the milk is coming in, though the breasts may be mildly to moderately tender and swollen. In a few cases breast engorgement can make a proper latch on for baby difficult. In those cases massaging the areola can relieve this problem and soften the nipple to allow for a comfortable latch on for both mom and baby. When engorgement of the breast is severe, some mothers report relief from the use of a breast pump prior to feeding for a very short period. The gentle suction can help soften the nipple and allow an easy latch on for baby.

There are however, other times when the breast engorgement can occur for other reasons and these are sometimes much longer lasting and far more uncomfortable if not addressed.

For instance, when a mother is returning to work it is important to schedule regular breast pump sessions during the workday. Even so, some breast engorgement may occur unless the pumping sessions are frequent and of reasonable duration. The type of breast pump used affects the amount of engorgement and how much will willl be left in the mother’s breast and this can affect her milk supply. A hospital grade breast pump can often be the answer for a mother with shorter pumping periods at work who intends to continue breastfeeding. It will help relieve the engorgement in the shortest amount of time possible by pumping both breasts at the same time and ensure an adequate supply of stored milk for her infant.

If however a mother is attempting to wean her baby from the breast upon returning to work then some breast engorgement can definitely occur especially if this weaning is abrupt. It used to be advised to bind the breasts and suffer though it. That’s no longer recommended and can actually lead to mastitis many say. Instead, the breast pump can come in handy here even while attempting to reduce the milk supply. The pumped breast milk need not necessarily be stored and the breast should not be completely emptied but just enough milk expressed to assist in the mom’s comfort while weaning. By not emptying the breast completely the body gets the signal that less milk should be produced and weaning can take place at a comfortable rate for mother with a reduced possibility of mastitis as well.

Sometimes though breast engorgement can occur when the mother or infant become ill and feedings must be interrupted for a time. Again a breast pump can save the day. Mom can pump her breasts completely dry and safeguard the milk supply for infant and then store the milk. This will keep breast engorgement at bay and give a backup stock of breast milk as well.

If breast engorgement occurs when no feedings are missed or no schedules interrupted and there is tenderness or pain in the breast as well then a physician should be consulted as this could signal other issues such as mastitis.

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August 17, 2009   1 Comment

Breastfeeding Twins

by LisaC

Breastfeeding has become more popular with mothers who wish to give their infants the very best in nurturing and nutrition. The mother who finds she is expecting not one baby, but two is no exception to this. She too can breastfeed her infants with few problems.

One of the more common questions moms ask is if they will be able to produce enough milk for their hungry infants. The answer is yes. Of course you can. The more stimulation the breasts receive, the more milk they will produce. Two infants should empty both breasts and encourage an abundant supply of milk. A healthy mom should not have any problems producing an adequate supply of milk for even two infants.
Adequate nutrition and rest are vital for milk production but that would be true if there were just a single infant.

The second most often asked question is, how to feed the newborn twins. What position should the babies be in? Should mom feed them one at time or both of them at once?
The answer to that will be up to mom.
One infant at a time will allow mom to concentrate on each baby exclusively.
Two infants breastfeeding at the same time will require more coordination but there are some benefits to it as well.

Mom can try the football position for breastfeeding both infants at the same time with a baby tucked under each arm as if carrying a football. It’s all about comfort for mom and babies. Or, she can try a cradle position supporting an infant in each arm with their bottoms resting in her lap or against her chest.

It’s important to pay attention to latching when feeding two infants at the same time. Latching affects how well an infant can nurse and can help prevent plugged ducts. Ensure the infants nurse until they fall asleep or relax completely and are no longer sucking and swallowing.

Infants will need to nurse about every 2 hours during those first weeks so feeding them both at once can be a means for mom to get a little more sleep and still ensure they get all the attention and nutrition they need.

If the mother feels she may not be producing enough milk for both her infants then she should check that they are both latching on properly first. Then ensure they are having enough wet diapers. Allow the babies to nurse on demand (when they are hungry) but make sure they nurse at least 10 times a day. It’s all about supply and demand, the greater the demand for breast milk the more milk a mother’s breasts will produce.

Breast pumping after both infants have been fed is another way to increase the milk supply but the mom should ot go overboard with it. Too much milk can be very uncomfortable.

Mothers are as well equipped to nurse twins as they are to nurse a single infant. It will just require a little more coordination but the results are well worth it.

August 11, 2009   No Comments

Breastfeeding and the Special Needs Child

by LisaC

Breastfeeding is often a decision made while the mother is pregnant, before her newborn bundle of joy arrives. The plans are in place, and usually all the equipment is there as well. However not so many mothers plan on having a special needs child, whether the child is a premature infants with health concerns, or a child with congenital problems that affect feeding.

The question is asked by many mothers at that point “Can I still breastfeed my baby?” It seems a daunting task especially if the infant is in neonatal ICU or on multiple monitors and perhaps receiving oxygen and possibly with IVs.in some cases the infant might even be fed by a naso-gastric tube delivering nourishment directly to the stomach and in other cases only by IV for a time. In the face of all that equipment, breastfeeding the infant might seem impossible. However, it only seems impossible the fact is not only can a mother breastfeed even the tiniest and most ill of infants but also should if at all possible.

Many hospitals have taken a supportive stance as regards her breastfeeding and the hospitalized special needs infant. Many hospitals provide lactation specialists who will help the mother choose a proper breast pump to continue to build up her milk supply if the child has to remain in the hospital when mom goes home, or for the infant who is unable to suck yet and yet able to take nourishment. A lactation specialist in the hospital setting can help moms to establish a pumping routine and explain proper breast milk storage techniques. They can also help establish delivery schedules for stored milk to the hospital so that the baby will have a constant supply of nature’s best infant food, breast milk.

The purpose of this is of course many fold because there are several issues that the parents of an ill or special needs child will face that they might not ordinarily need to.

The first is that if the child requires special care, oxygen or surgery the parents may not be able to begin the bonding process through holding and touching their infant immediately. This can lead to a feeling of helplessness as regards the newborn infant and a distancing from him as well. That’s hard for any parent to cope with. Providing a supply of breast milk for an infant is one way mom can actively contribute to even the most ill baby’s well-being. Because a child has special needs doesn’t mean they will not benefit from the most natural food on earth, on the contrary it means they may benefit more.

The benefits that an infant receives from the beginning milk supply - colostrum are even more markedly beneficial for the special needs infant who is battling other health issues. As soon as feedings can begin, the pumped and stored colostrum is usually given to the baby to help build his immune system. Breast milk is so much more easily digestible than cow’s milk that even the delicate stomachs of the very ill preemie can handle it far more easily than formula. It could be some time before the mother is able to put her newborn directly to her breast to feed, depending upon the health issues involved, but the benefits of breastfeeding can be established as soon as the infant can be tube fed in even the more extreme cases.

In instances where an infant has oral problems or malformations a special shield might be necessary to allow the infant to latch properly to the breast and breastfeeding to be successful. Even so, with the help of a lactation specialist even the very ill infant or at the infant with special needs can benefit from breastfeeding and just as important to the mother of a special needs child, she can actively contribute to her child’s well-being and care.

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August 8, 2009   No Comments

Breastfeeding - What Is Latching?

by LisaC

At one time no new mother would have even considered the question “what is latching” when referring to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding was the way infants were fed and a girl would be exposed to breastfeeding and babies from the time she was small. There would be mothers and grandmothers to ask breastfeeding questions of and to give advice (both solicited and unsolicited). In today’s society though, the new mother often has little or no prior experience with breastfeeding and resorts to asking friends who breastfed if she is lucky enough to have them or researching the internet.

The Webster’s definition of a latch is a catch for fastening a door. Well in terms of breastfeeding it is a proper closure and interface between your infant’s mouth and your breast. Locked tightly to allow for suction necessary to begin and continue the milk flow.

You see the term latching or “latch-on” in nearly everything written about breastfeeding, however there are few places that really explain what a good latch is, and fewer that explain the term itself simply, most focus on the results of bad latch-on.

Latch is a term that refers to how your baby attaches to your breast while feeding. Your nipple doesn’t just sit in the baby’s mouth like a plastic bottle, but is positioned there and held by the baby’s suction and how it is positioned can determine how successfully your baby feeds and how comfortable it is for you.

The most comfortable latch for you and your baby will be where the nipple rests against the baby’s soft palate, not the hard portion closer to the front of the mouth. Now, instinct and the way we are built helps in this and some babies achieve that perfect latch from the very first attempt. Others though, might need a little help from mom to achieve it.

If breastfeeding is painful for you after the first week you may want to consult your lactation specialist and also check and be sure your baby is latching on properly. In other words, future net will resting against soft springy palate or being rubbed raw upon the closer hard palate?

Is your infant latching a bit off center with more of the lower part of your nipple in the baby’s mouth? If so, that’s good, if not then try repositioning the baby during feeding and having your infant facing you directly and allowing his lower lip touch your breast first. Make sure your baby’s mouth is opened wide, they are hungry and it’s will help them there, it can help in latching to offer the breast when their mouth is open widest and placing the lower part of your breast first against their lower lip.

Is your baby achieving a good suction? Are the baby’s lips pulled out or inward? Outward is a sign of a good latch on position and will give them the best suction. Remember, latching on properly is critical not only for your comfort, but for the baby’s comfort and nutrition.

There is no need to force a nipple into a baby’s mouth but a gentle shove right as the baby latches on can push your nipple back into a more comfortable position against soft palate.You might try this if your baby is latching on and the nipple is not quite deep enough in his mouth.

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August 6, 2009   No Comments

The Role Of Dad In Breastfeeding

by LisaC

We put a lot of effort into supporting a mother and supporting her role in breastfeeding her baby, and quite rightly so. Mom is the source of milk and normally the primary caregiver for a baby because so many of his early needs have to do with feeding. it is her commitment that permits healthy breastfeeding to continue in the face of many obstacles.

However, a supportive dad is a big part of the parenting team and his efforts can help a mother to sustain the breastfeeding commitment as well as nurture their infant.
All too often when dealing with breastfeeding issues we tend to leave out the other half of the team - dad. It seems in our culture we sometimes expect fathers to magically bond with their children from across the room just because they don’t produce milk. A bond between father and child is not established by some mystical means the moment a child becomes old enough to play football as our culture sometimes appears to indicate. This bond is built from the earliest stages onward.

Dads can be involved in many ways as a parent for breastfed children from the very earliest stages. Though a father is not carrying around the built-in pacifier that mom does with her breasts, they can be a great source of comfort and provide interaction for the baby as well as give mother a few minutes rest.

In fact, in order to support a strong marriage, and the team parenting concept it is important to get dad involved as early as possible. How much dad is involved, and in what roles, will depend upon the individuals and what they are comfortable with and of course on their lifestyle.

For instance, regular stimulation of the nipples is important to maintain and build breast milk supply, but especially with working mothers, there comes a point when the nighttime feedings have become a burden. If the infant is of an age to be able to go several hours without feeding this is a perfect opportunity for further parental interaction for the involved dad in either the role of comforter to put baby back to sleep or to feed the infant from a bottle or cup.

If mom is working, then baby has already been introduced to an alternate means of feeding like a bottle or a sip a cup. Some couples have dad give the midnight feeding with breast milk that has been pumped and stored earlier. This gets dad directly involved and will also teach him the basics of handling pumped and stored breast milk. The idea here is to give a mother a few solid hours of sleep that she might not ordinarily get.this also provide the perfect bonding time for the father and the infant and establishes the father as a nurturer in the infant’s mind.This is not normally a good idea during the first few weeks after birth, but can work well for some parents after the infant is a few months old.

In other circumstances the parents may decide to avoid bottle feeding at any time even late night feeding. in that case, dad can get up in the middle of the night, when the hungry infant awakens and that perhaps change the baby’s diaper and bring them to the 24 hour buffet a that is mother. Doing this serves two purposes, as it establishes dad as a source of comfort and allows the mother an extra little bit of rest time.

Having dad give the occasional bath under the watchful eye of even the most nervous mother is another way to establish comfort in handling the infant for dad and permitting bonding that might not easily take place in our culture’s traditional mother and father roles.

The baby has many needs outside of diapers and feeding as they grow and the involved dad can participate by supplying many of these needs and providing relief for a stressed or tired mother, and of course the necessary interaction and bonding for a lifelong relationship between father and child.

Breastfeeding is not something dad can do but his involvement with an infant’s care especially during stressful times for mom will help establish his role as a nurturer and it will also support the concept of teamwork in parenting.

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August 4, 2009   No Comments

Breastfeeding after an Initial Delay Is Possible

by LisaC

For a number of reasons, often due to health issues with the baby or the mother, breast-feeding may not be initiated immediately after delivery. The question is often asked “Is it possible to initiate after a delay?” The simple answer is yesit is possible and relatively easy up to two weeks after delivery to transition the baby from a bottle and formula to the more natural and healthy breast-feeding method.

Mothers who have delayed breast-feeding might encounter a couple of common issues, most notably would be the difficulty of transferring an infant who has become accustomed to the bottle to the breast. The other issue might be that of establishing a milk supply after a period of delay.

To deal with the first issue, the infant who has become used to a bottle and might resist latching on to the breast, one of the best things to do is to spend a lot of time in skin to skin contact. Some infants experienced no problems whatsoever transitioning from bottle feeding to breast-feeding.

However, if the infant is resistant to breast-feeding, a mother might use a clear silicone nipple shield that may help an infant get used to the breast because it feels more like the bottle nipple that they are used to.

Medela makes such a shield and it is relatively inexpensive and yet can help overcome one of the more common issues experienced by mothers transitioning infants from the bottle to the breast.

The other issue often encountered if there has been a delay in initiating breastfeeding after delivery is without the milk supply will often need to be established. Frequent stimulation of the breast by attempts to feed the baby is one of the most natural and frequently recommended courses. However, it can also be helpful to obtain a hospital grade breast pump for a short period of time. It normally does not take too long to establish an adequate supply of milk so soon after delivery.
At first a mother may want to use a supplemental feeding device which supplies formula while the baby sucks at the breast. Doing this will provide the proper stimulation for the breast to establish milk supply and yet ensure that the infant is getting adequate nutrition during this period.

There are several methods of establishing an adequate milk supply as well as transitioning the baby from bottle to breast. Many mothers may find that consulting with a lactation specialist is a great benefit and will help guide them in their choices.

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July 27, 2009   No Comments

Highlight On Medela Hands Free Breast Pump

by LisaC

Most nursing mothers find it handy to have a breast pump around the house. Even if they are lucky enough to be stay at home mothers there will usually be occasions where those handy little devices are life savers. Of course, needs will vary from mom to mom but for an evening out it comes in handy and is imperative for the mother returning to work and who wants to continue the breastfeeding experience with her baby.

In the past in order to have a lightweight breast pump, the mother had to trade off the power of a traditional electric pump in favor of a light hand powered unit, chosen for it’s portability and use in situations where an electric outlet was not available. Advances in technology brought us the portable battery powered breast pumps and they met the needs of a working or busy breastfeeding mom better than the hand powered units.

Medela has taken this a step further with the hands free Medela Freestyle unit.

While the new Medela Freestyle breast pump is not as powerful as the hospital grade breast pump, Medela Symphony it offers distinct advantages and also has a two phase expression pumping technology to increase let down and mimic the babies breast-feeding pattern.

Breastfeeding moms returning to work and those who lead an active lifestyle may find particular challenges to continuing breastfeeding that the Medela Freestyle pump can address. These moms can find themselves in situations where no electrical outlet is handy and the battery powered Medela Freestyle can be a boon in these situations.

What sets the tiny Medela Freestyle apart from otherl battery powered breast pumps is it’s minute size, LED readout, and hands free operation. Both hands can be free to attend to other tasks than holding the pumping unit in place. This portable breast pump is also a double unit that can pump both breasts at the same time and even comes with a 12V adapter for use while traveling.

Even though the Medela Freestyle may not be the right breast pump for every mother and every situation it certainly meets a need for the mom on the go. The mother who requires a hospital grade breast pump may still be happier with her stationary Medela Symphony. However the mom who requires a portable solution to breast pumping will likely want to take a second look at the tiny Medela Freestyle.

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July 21, 2009   2 Comments

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