Benefits Of Breast Feeding

Once you've given birth, breast feeding is the single most important thing you
can do to protect your baby and help to promote good health. Best of all,
breast feeding is free.

Along with saving you money on HMR (Human Milk Replacement), breast feeding can
also help you to keep your medical bills down. Babies that are fed with formula
get sicker more often and more seriously than babies that are breast fed They
also have more ear infections, respiratory infections, and other problems.

This can be even more true if your family has had a history of allergies. When
a baby is breast fed, the antibodies pass on from the mother to the baby,
helping to protect against illness and allergies. As the baby's system matures,
his body will begin to make it's own antibodies, and he'll be more equipped to
handle sensitivities of food.

Sucking on the breast will also help with the development or jaw alignment and
the development of the cheekbone. For this very reason, there is less of the
need for costly orthodontic work when the child gets older.

Unlike formula, breast milk is always ready, always available, convenient, and
always the right temperature for feeding. Plus, it contains all of the vitamins
and minerals your growing baby needs, saving you a lot of money.

Breast feeding also offers many benefits for the mom as well. The baby sucking
at the breast will cause contractions right after birth, leading to less
bleeding for the mom, and helping her uterus to it's shape before pregnancy
much faster.

Breast feeding will also burn calories, so a mom can lose weight much faster
than if she fed her baby with a bottle. Breast feeding will also create a
special bond with the mother and the baby -- which is one thing formula simpy
cannot do.

Breastfeeding Questions & Answers

Q. How often should a newborn be nursed?

A. You should nurse a newborn no less than 8 times a day, depending upon how
long he sleeps between feedings at night. If he can go four hours between
feedings, then you will probably feed him twice between 11pm and 7am. If you
feed him right before he goes to bed, then you may only have to get up one time
during the night.

Q. How often should an older baby be nursed?

A. Depending upon the age of your child, you should be feeding him every 3-4
hours during the day. As your child gets older, they will nurse less, but they
will be eating more during each nursing. If you are going to nurse after your
child is over 6 months old, you should not nurse less than 5 times a day. If
your milk supply is decreasing, then you may need to add a nursing or two to
your day to help increase your milk supply.

Q. How do I go about dropping a feeding as my baby gets older?

A. The most common change that moms need to make is going from a every 3 hour
to every 4 hour routine, dropping a feeding in the middle of the night, or
dropping a late-night feeding.

Most of the time you will know when your baby is ready to change their eating
habits by a change in their sleep patterns. A baby that has been on an every 3
hour routine normally takes 3 naps a day and if they eat every 3,5 to 4 hours
then they may drop the last nap of the nap or shorten one of the other naps
considerably. Babies are usually ready to do this at around 3 months of age.

Most babies drop the feeding in the middle of night by themselves at around
6-14 weeks old. You will know that they are ready when you awake in a panic in
the morning wondering why your baby did not get you for a feeding. The baby
will require more food during the day though, and if you are breastfeeding,
your breasts may feel full for a few days, but it is well worth it!

The late night feeding is usually the hardest to let go of. Some parents think
that if they do not feed the baby right before bed that the baby will awake in
the middle of the night. If you don't think your child can do without the late
night feeding, then push it back in 15-minute increments until you are feeding
him at the time you would like to. If the last two feedings of the day seem too
close together, don't worry. It will all work itself out and you both will be
much happier for it!

Breast Feeding And Positioning

For some people, the process of breast feeding seems to come natural, although
there's a level of skill required for successful feeding and a correct
technique to use. Incorrect positioning is one of the biggest reasons for
unsuccessful feeding and it can even injure the nipple or breast quite easily.

By stroking the baby's cheek with the nipple, the baby will open its mouth
towards the nipple, which should then be pushed in so that the baby will get a
mouthful of nipple and areola. This position is known as latching on. A lot of
women prefer to wear a nursing bra to allow easier access to the breast than
other normal bras.

The length of feeding time will vary. Regardless of the duration of feeding
time, it's important for mothers to be comfortable. The following are positions
you can use:

1. Upright -- The sitting position where the back is straight.
2. Mobile -- Mobile is where the mother carries her baby in a sling or carrier
   while breast feeding. Doing this allows the mother to breast feed in the work
   of everyday life.
3. Lying down -- This is good for night feeds or for those who have had a
   caesarean section.
4. On her back -- The mother is sitting slightly upright, also a useful position
   for tandem breast feeding.
5. On her side -- The mother and baby both lie on their sides.
6. Hands and knees -- In this feeding position the mother is on all fours with
   the baby underneath her. Keep in mind, this position isn't normally recommended.

Anytime you don't feel comfortable with a feeding position, always stop and
switch to a different position. Each position is different, while some mothers
prefer one position, other's may like a totally different position. All you
need to do is experiment and see which position is best for you.

Breast Feeding And Jaundice

Jaundice is a result of buildup in the blood of the bilirubin, a yellow pigment
that comes from the breakdown of older red blood cells. It's normal for the red
blood cells to break down, although the bilirubin formed doesn't normally cause
jaundice because the liver will metabolize it and then get rid of it in the gut.

However, the newborn baby will often become jaundiced during the first few days
due to the liver enzyme that metabolizes the bilirubin becoming relatively
immature. Therefore, newborn babies will have more red blood cells than adults,
and thus more will break down at any given time.

Breast milk jaundice There is a condition that's commonly referred to as breast
milk jaundice, although no one knows what actually causes it. In order to
diagnose it, the baby should be at least a week old. The baby should also be
gaining well with breast feeding alone, having lots of bowel movements with the
passing of clean urine.

In this type of setting, the baby has what is referred to as breast milk
jaundice. On occasion, infections of the urine or an under functioning of the
baby's thyroid gland, as well as other rare illnesses that may cause the same
types of problems.

Breast milk jaundice will peak at 10 -- 21 days, although it can last for 2 -- 3
months. Contrary to what you may think, breast milk jaundice is normal. Rarely,
if at all ever, does breast feeding need to be stopped for even a brief period
of time.

If the baby is doing well on breast milk, there is no reason at all to stop or
supplement with a lactation aid.

Breast Feeding Adopted Babies

Not only is breast feeding an adopted baby easy, the chances are that you will
produce a large amount of milk. It isn't complicated to do, although it is
different than breast feeding a baby you have been pregnant with for 9 months.

Breast feeding and milk There are two objectives that are involved in breast
feeding an adopted baby. The first is getting your baby to breast feed, and the
other is producing enough breast milk.

There is more to breast feeding than just milk, which is why many mothers are
happy to feed without expecting to produce milk in the way the baby needs. It's
the closeness and the bond breast feeding provides that many mothers look for.

Taking the breast Even though many feel the early introduction of bottles may
interfere with breast feeding, the early introduction of artificial nipples can
interfere a great deal. The sooner you can get the baby to the breast after
birth, the better things will be.

Babies will however, require the flow from the breast in order to stay attached
and continue to suck, especially if they are used to getting flow from a bottle
or other method of feeding.

Producing breast milk As soon as you have an adopted baby in sight, contact a
lactation clinic and start getting your milk supply ready. Keep in mind, you
may never produce a full milk supply for your baby, although it may happen. You
should never feel discouraged by what you may be pumping before the baby, as a
pump is never quite as good at extracting milk as a baby who is well latched
and sucking.

Breast Compression

The sole purpose of breast compression is to continue the flow of milk to the
baby once the baby no longer drinks on his own. Compression will also stimulate
a let down reflex and often causes a natural let down reflex to occur. This
technique may also be useful for the following:

1. Poor weight gain in the baby.
2. Colic in the breast fed baby.
3. Frequent feedings or long feedings.
4. Sore nipples for the mother.
5. Recurrent blocked ducts
6. Feeding the baby who falls asleep quick.

If everything is going well, breast compression may not be necessary. When all
is well, the mother should allow the baby to finish feeding on the first side,
then if the baby wants more -- offer the other side.

How to use breast compression:

 1. Hold the baby with one arm.
 2. Hold the breast with the other arm, thumb on one side of your breast, your
    finger on the other far back from the nipple
 3. Keep an eye out for the baby's drinking, although there is no need to be
    obsessive about catching every suck. The baby will get more milk when drinking
    with an open pause type of suck.
 4. When the baby is nibbling or no longer drinking, compress the breast, not so
    hard that it hurts though. With the breast compression, the baby should begin
    drinking again.
 5. Keep up the pressure until the baby no longer drinks with the compression,
    then release the pressure. If the baby doesn't stop sucking with the release of
    compression, wait a bit before compressing again.
 6. The reason for releasing pressure is to allow your hand to rest, and allow
    the milk to begin flowing to the baby again. If the baby stops sucking when you
    release the pressure, he'll start again once he tastes milk.
 7. When the baby starts to suck again, he may drink. If not, simply compress
    again.
 8. Continue feeding on the first side until the baby no longer drinks with
    compression. You should allow him time to stay on that side until he starts
    drinking again, on his own.
 9. If the baby is no longer drinking, allow to come off the breast or take him
    off.
10. If the baby still wants more, offer the other side and repeat the process
    as above.
11. Unless you have sore nipples, you may want to switch sides like this
    several times.
12. Always work to improve the baby's latch.

Breast Feeding Complications

Sore nipples

A lot of mothers complain about tender nipples that make breast feeding painful and 
frustrating. There is good news though, as most mothers don't suffer that long. The 
nipples will toughen up quickly and render breast feeding virtually painless.

Improperly positioned babies or babies that suck really hard can make the breasts 
extremely sore. Below, are some ways to ease your discomfort:

1. Make sure your baby is in the correct position, since a baby that isn't
   positioned correctly is the number one cause of sore nipples.
2. Once you have finished feeding, expose your breasts to the air and try to
   protect them from clothing and other irritations.
3. After breast feeding, apply some ultra purified, medical grade lanolin,
   making sure to avoid petroleum jelly and other products with oil.
4. Make sure to wash your nipples with water and not with soap.
5. Many women find teabags ran under cold water to provide some relief when
   placed on the nipples.
6. Make sure you vary your position each time with feeding to ensure that a
   different area of the nipple is being compressed each time.

Clogged milk ducts

Clogged milk ducts can be identified as small, red tender lumps on the tissue 
of the breast. Clogged ducts can cause the milk to back up and lead to 
infection. The best way to unclog these ducts is to ensure that you've emptied 
as completely as possible. You should offer the clogged breast first at feeding 
time, then let your baby empty it as much as possible.

If milk remains after the feeding, the remaining amount should be removed by
hand or with a pump. You should also keep pressure off the duct by making sure
your bra is not too tight.

Breast infection Also known as mastititis, breast infection is normally due to
empty breasts completely out of milk, germs gaining entrance to the milk ducts
through cracks or fissures in the nipple, and decreased immunity in the mother
due to stress or inadequate nutrition.

The symptoms of breast infection include severe pain or soreness, hardness of
the breast, redness of the breast, heat coming from the area, swelling, or even
chills.

The treatment of breast infection includes bed rest, antibiotics, pain
relievers, increased fluid intake, and applying heat. Many women will stop
breast feeding during an infection, although it's actually the wrong thing to
do. By emptying the breasts, you'll actually help to prevent clogged milk ducts.

If the pain is so bad you can't feed, try using a pump while laying in a tub of
warm water with your breasts floating comfortably in the water. You should also
make sure that the pump isn't electric if you plan to use it in the bath tub.

You should always make sure that breast infections are treated promptly and
completely or you may risk the chance of abscess. An abscess is very painful,
involving throbbing and swelling. You'll also experience swelling, tenderness,
and heat in the area of the abscess. If the infection progresses this far, your
doctor may prescribe medicine and even surgery.

Avoiding Foods While Breast Feeding

Many women find that they can eat whatever they may like during breast feeding.
Even though it's true that some stongly favored foods can change the taste of
your milk, many babies seem to enjoy the varieties of breast milk flavors.
Occasionally, your baby may get cranky at the breast after you eat certain
foods. If you notice this happening, simply avoid that particular food.

The most common offenders duing breast feeding include chocolate, spices,
citrus fruits, garlic, chili, lime, gassy vegetables, and fruits with laxative
type effects, such as prunes and cherries.

You can have a cup or two of coffee a day, although too much caffeine can
interfere with your baby's sleep and even make him or her cranky. Keep in mind,
caffeine is found in many soda's, tea, and even over the counter type medicine
as well.

It's okay to have an alcoholic beverage every now and the, although having more
than one drink can increase your blood alcohol level, putting the alcohol into
your breast milk.

If you are planning to have more than one drink at a time, it's best to wait
two hours or more per drink before you resume any type of nursing or breast
feeding. There is no need to pump and dump unless your breasts are full and its
time to feed your baby. While breast feeding, any type of heavy drinking should
be avoided.

Before you actually omit any foods from your diet, you should talk to your
doctor. If you avoid certain foods and it causes a nutritional imbalance, you
may need to see a nutritionist for advice on taking other foods or getting
nutritional supplements.

Refusal To Breast Feed

Sometimes, a baby that is breast fed may suddenly decide to refuse breast
feeding. The baby will pull away from the breast, then toss his head from side
to side. This can happen at anytime, so there really is no way to predict it
happening.

Reasons why

Refusal to feed from the breast could occur when the baby is in pain. Normally, 
this can be due to an ear infection, sore head from vacuum delivery, thrush in 
the baby's mouth, or teething.

The use of dummies, teats or nipple shields may also contribute to refusal.
Some babies actually find it difficult to feed from the breast and bottle as
the sucking action is very different. Some become confused, therefore it's
always best to avoid using any type of teats or dummies.

Sometimes, the milk just takes bitter. This can be due to antibiotics, if you
starting or in the middle of your period, or nipple creams. If the milk tastes
bitter, your baby will normally not want to feed.

Solving the problems

First, you should always try to identify what may have caused the breast refusal 
then begin to treat the cause. Always remain patient and gentle with your baby. 
Be sure to hold your baby next to you, skin to skin, so that he can take the 
breast when he wants to, so that he begins to realize that breast feeding is both 
enjoyable and comfortable.

Older babies may suddenly take shorter and fewer breast feeds, although this
can be normal with some babies. Therefore, it's always best not to try and make
the baby feed longer, but instead let the baby decide how often and also how
long each individual feeding will last.

Reasons To Breast Feed

For many years, scientists have been playing out the ingredients that make
breast milk the perfect food for babies. They've discovered to day over 200
close compounds to fight infection, help the immune system mature, aid in
digestion, and support brain growth -- nature made properties that science
simply cannot copy.

The important long term benefits of breast feeding include reduced risk of
asthma, allergies, obesity, and some forms of childhood cancer. The more that
scientists continue to learn, the better breast milk looks.

In addition to making your baby healthier, breast feeding may also make him
smarter. Many studies have proved that breast fed babies tend to be more
smarter than babies who were fed with formula or other methods. Breast feeding
does help with nutrients and the support of brain growth, which is something
every mother should think about.

The benefits for the nursing mom are just as good as they are for the baby. The
hormones that are released during breast feeding will curb blood loss post
delivery and help to shrink the uterus back to it's normal size.

Long term, the breast feeding mom will have a lower risk for premenopausal
breast cancer, which is the kind that strikes before the age of 50. The
benefits will begin to show with three to six months of breast feeding and
increase the longer that breast feeding continues.

By now, you should realize that breast milk is one power packed liquid. It
offers more for your baby than formula, or any other scientific creation for
that matter. As you begin to plan for the future of your baby, make a
commitment to breast feeding him for as long as you possibly can -- as it will
do both your bodies good.

Poor Milk Supply

Almost all women don't have a problem with producing enough milk to breast
feed. The ideal way to make sure that your baby is getting enough milk is to be
sure that he's well positioned, attached to the breast, and feed him as often as
he gets hungry.

Some mom's that are breast feeding will stop before they want to, simply
because they don't think they have enough breast milk.

There are signs that might make you believe your baby isn't getting enough
milk. If your baby seems hungry or unsettled after feeding, or if he wants to
feed often with short pauses between feedings, you may think he isn't getting
enough milk -- which are often times not the case.

There are however, two reliable signs that let you know your baby isn't getting
enough milk. If your baby has poor or really slow weight gain, or is passing
small amounts of concentrated urine, he's not getting enough milk.

All babies will lose weight within the first few days after birth. Babies are
born with supplies of fat and fluids, which will help them keep going for the
first several days.

Once your baby regains birth weight, he should begin putting on around 200g for
the first four months or so. To get back to their birth weight, it normally
takes a few weeks.

If the weight gain for your baby seems to be slow, don't hesitate to ask your
doctor or nurse to observe you breast feeding. This way, they can make sure
that your technique is right and if they think your baby is breast feeding
often enough.

To help you with your breast feeding, here are some ways that you can increase
your supply of milk:

1. Be sure that your baby is positioned correctly and attached to your breast.
2. Let your baby feed for as long and often as he wants.
3. If you feel that your baby isn't breast feeding enough, offer him more
   breast feeds.
4. During each breast feed, make sure you feed from both breasts.
5. If your baby has been using a dummy, make sure you stop him.
6. Some babies may be sleepy and reluctant to feed, which may be the cause of
   problems with milk supply.

By following the above tips, you'll do your part in making sure you have enough
milk when it comes time to breast feed. If you are uncertain or have other
questions, be sure to ask your doctor, as he can answer any type of question
you may have.

Other Foods While Breast Feeding

Breast milk is actually the only food your baby will need until 4 months of
age, although most babies do well on breast milk alone for 6 months or better.
There is really no advantage to adding other foods or milks before 4 -- 6
months, except under unusual circumstances.

Water

Breast milk is over 90% water. Even in the hottest days of summer, a baby won't 
require any extra water. If a baby isn't feeding well, they still don't require 
any extra water -- although they will need the breast feeding problems to be fixed.

Vitamin D

Although breast milk doesn't contain much vitamin D, it does have a little. 
The baby will store up vitamin D during pregnancy, and remain healthy without 
any vitamin D supplementation, unless you yourself had a problem with vitamin D 
deficiency when pregnant.

Exposure to the outside will give your baby vitamin D, even in winter and when
the sky is covered. An hour or more exposure during the week will give your
baby more than enough vitamin D.

Iron

Breast milk contains less iron than formulas do, especially those that are
iron enriched. Iron will give the baby added protection against infections, as
many bacteria need iron in order to multiply.

The iron found in breast milk is utilized well by the baby, while not being
available to bacteria. The introduction of iron should never be delayed beyond
the age of 6 months.

Breast milk is the best that your can feed your baby, as it provides everything
he will need for probably the first 6 months. After the first 6 months, you can
introduce solid foods to your baby if he is taking an interest to them.

Low Supply Of Breast Milk

Almost all mothers who breast feed go through a period of questioning whether
or not their supply of milk is adequate. Some mothers simply aren't able to
produce enough milk to meet the needs of her baby. According to many experts,
true insufficiencies of milk are very rare.

A lot of women think their milk supply is low when it actually isn't. Thinking
this can happen if you lose the feeling of fullness in your breasts or if the
milk stops leaking from your nipples. Babies that go through growth spurts may
want more milk than usual, and these more frequent feedings may leave your
breasts less than full.

Causes of it

A mother's milk supply may diminish for a brief period of time if she isn't 
feeding her baby often enough due to nipple pain, or a poor latch on technique. 
Illnesses or estrogen containing birth control pills may also affect the 
production of milk.

What you should do

The best way to handle a low supply of breast milk is through a doctor's care. 
You should make sure that your baby gets frequent feedings and that nothing is 
wrong with your nipples or your milk ducts. Doctors are the best ones to ask, 
as they can run tests to see if everything is fine within your body.

A low supply of breast milk can affect your baby, although it's more of a
mental condition than anything else. If your baby isn't gaining any weight or
if he is losing weight, you should call a doctor immediately. Improved
techniques for breast feeding will normally help, although in some cases weight
gain or weight loss will indicate a serious concern.

In most cases, you can still nurse with a temporary decrease in milk supply,
although frequent breast feeding is the key to boosting your production of milk.

How To Use A Breast Pump

Just like breast feeding, pumping is a skill that you learn. When first trying
a breast pump, most mothers are only able to express a few drops of milk. With
the proper practice and knowledge, the mother will be more efficient at pumping.

Preparing the breast pump

1. Read all the instructions in the kit very carefully.
2. Every part of the breast pump will need to be sterilized before you begin
   using it.
3. After use, all the parts of the pump will need to be washed in warm, soapy
   water, then rinsed with hot water and drained on a clean towel. The plastic
   tubing doesn't need to be cleaned unless you get milk into it. If you do wash
   it, it should be hung to allow time to dry and drain thoroughly.
4. If your doctor feels the need, the entire kit can be sterilized every day.
5. When you first start with an electric pump, the suction level should be on
   the lowest possible setting.

Getting started

- Warm compresses, gentle massages of the breast and gentle nipple stimulation
  will help to stimulate a quick let down.

- You should always relax while doing breast massages during pumping. Some
  mothers prefer to close their eyes then think about nursing the baby, imagining
  the baby in their arms. The more relaxed a mother is, the better let down she'll
  have and the more milk will be dispensed.

- Your first attempts at pumping should be considered practice sessions with
  learning to use the breast pump as the goal, not how much milk is actually
  dispensed.

- When you use a hand pump, quick, short pumps at the start is stimulating and
  will imitate more closely the way a baby breast feeds. Once the let down occurs
  and milk starts to flow freely, long, steadier strokes are more effective and
  less tiring.

- When you learn to pump, you should practice for 5 minutes on a side at least
  once or twice a day. Always pick the least stressful part of your day for
  pumping.

Relaxing and realizing that the pump is your friend is the single most
important thing that a mother can do. There are several things that a mother
can do to help herself relax, such as putting a picture of the baby on the
pump, playing cards or a game with friends, watching television, read books, or
talk on the phone. Simply watching the collection bottle is not helpful and will
probably put more stress on you than you actually need.

How To Choose A Breast Pump

The milk production in the breasts, much like so many other things, work on the
shear principal of supply and demand. The more breast milk your baby consumes,
the more your body will need to make.

Breast pumps are generally used to insure continued production of breast milk
when you cannot feed your baby -- whether you are back to work, traveling,
taking medication, or just out of town.

Basic types of pumps

Breast pumps can either be battery operated, hand operated, semi automatic 
electric, or even self cycling electric.

Hand pumps

Manual hand pumps are designed to use the strength of your hand or arm muscles 
for pumping one breast at a time. You can also get pumps that will use the leg 
and foot muscles for pumping both breasts at one time. Mothers that with carpal 
tunnel syndrome may want to consider using a pump designed for the arm or leg 
muscles or even an automatic model.

Battery operated pumps

Pumps with battery operation are the best for women who have an established 
supply of milk and want to pump once or even twice a day. These pumps use 
batteries to create suction, minimizing any type of muscle fatigue. Most battery 
type pumps are designed for pumping one breast at a time and are recommended for 
occasional usage.

Electric pumps

Even though electric pumps are more efficient than hand or even battery operated 
pumps, they also tend to be more expensive. You can however, rent them if you 
need to. Electric pumps can normally plug directly into an outlet and are 
designed for pumping both breasts at a time and even frequent use. Hospital grade 
pumps are the most efficient for initiating and maintaining milk supply, and are 
available for rent or purchase.

How Breast Milk Is Made

If you've every been pregnant or if you are pregnant now, you've probably
noticed a metamorphisis in your bra cups. The physical changes (tender, swollen
breasts) may be one of the earliest clues that you have conceived. Many experts
believe that the color change in the areola may also be helpful when it comes
to breast feeding.

What's going on Perhaps what's even more remarkable than visible changes is the
extensive changes that are taking place inside of your breasts. The developing
placenta stimulates the release of estrogen and progesterone, which will in
turn stimulate the complex biological system that helps to make lactation
possible.

Before you get pregnant, a combination of supportive tissue, milk glands, and
fat make up the larger portions of your breats. The fact is, your newly swollen
breasts have been preparing for your pregnancy since you were in your mother's
womb!

When you were born, your main milk ducts had already formed. Your mammary
glands stayed quiet until you reached puberty, when a flood of the female
hormone estrogen caused them to grow and also to swell. During pregnancy, those
glands will kick into high gear.

Before your baby arrives, glandular tissue has replaced a majority of the fat
cells and accounts for your bigger than before breasts. Each breast may
actually get as much as 1 1/2 pounds heavier than before!

Nestled among the fatty cells and glandular tissue is an intricate network of
channels or canals known as the milk ducts. The pregnancy hormones will cause
these ducts to increase in both number and size, with the ducts branching off
into smaller canals near the chest wall known as ductules.

At the end of each duct is a cluster of smaller sacs known as alveoli. The
cluster of alveoli is known as a lobule, while a cluster of lobule is known as
a lobe. Each breast will contain around 15 -- 20 lobes, with one milk duct for
every lobe.

The milk is produced inside of the alveoli, which is surrounded by tiny muscles
that squeeze the glands and help to push the milk out into the ductules. Those
ductules will lead to a bigger duct that widens into a milk pool directly below
the areola.

The milk pools will act as resevoirs that hold the milk until your baby sucks
it through the tiny openings in your nipples.

Mother Nature is so smart that your milk duct system will become fully
developed around the time of your second trimester, so you can properly breast
feed your baby even if he or she arrives earlier than you are anticipating.

Health And Diet

The nutritional requirements for the baby will rely soley on the breast milk,
and therefore the mother will need to maintain a healthy diet. If the baby is
large and grows fast, the fat stores gained by the mother during pregnancy can
be depleted quickly, meaning that she may have trouble eating good enough to
maintain and develop sufficient amounts of milk.

This type of diet normally involves a high calorie, high nutrition diet which
follows on from that in pregnancy. Even though mothers in famine conditions can
produce milk with nutritional content, a mother that is malnourished may produce
milk with lacking levels of vitamins A, D, B6, and B12.

If they smoke, breast feeding mothers must use extreme caution. More than 20
cigarettes a day has been shown to reduce the milk supply and cause vomiting,
diarrhoea, rapid heart rate, and restlessness in the infants. SIDS (Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome) is more common in babies that are exposed to smoke.

Heavy drinking is also known to harm the imfant, as well as yourself. If you
are breast feeding, you should avoid alcohol or consume very small amounts at a
time.

The excessive consumption of alcohol by the mother can result in irritability,
sleeplessness, and increased feeding in the infant. Moderate use, normally 1 -
2 cups a day normally produces no effect. Therefore, mothers that are breast
feeding are advised to avoid caffeine or restrict intake of it.

By following a healthy diet and limiting your intake of the above, you'll
ensure that your baby gets the right nutrients during your time of breast
feeding. This stage of life is very important -- as you don't want anything to
happen to your baby.

Getting Started With Breast Feeding

When you hold your baby for the first time in the delivery room, you should put
his lips to your breast. Although your mature milk hasn't developed yet, your
breasts are still producing a substance known as colostrum that helps to
protect your baby from infections.

If your baby has trouble finding or staying on your nipple, you shouldn't
panic. Breast feeding is an art that will require a lot of patience and a lot
of practice. No one expects you to be an expert when you first start, so you
shouldn't hesitate to ask for advice or have a nurse show you what you need to
do.

Once you start, keep in mind that nursing shouldn't be painful. When your baby
latches on, pay attention to how your breasts feel. If the latching on hurts,
break the suction then try again.

You should nurse quite frequently, as the more you nurse the more quickly your
mature milk will come in and the more milk you'll produce. Breast feeding for
10 -- 15 minutes per breast 8 -- 10 times every 24 hours is an ideal target.
Crying is a sign of hunger, which means you should actually feed your baby
before he starts crying.

During the first few days, you may have to wake your baby to begin breast
feeding, and he may end up falling asleep during feeding. To ensure that your
baby is eating often enough, you should wake him up if it has been four hours
since the last time he has been fed.

Getting comfortable Feedings can take 40 minutes or longer, therefore you'll
want a cozy spot. You don't want to be sitting somewhere where you will be
bothered, as it can make the process very hard.

Engorged Breasts

Within the first two to three days after you have given birth, you may discover
that your breasts feel swollen, tender, throbbing, lumpy, and overly full.
Sometimes, the swelling will extend all the way to your armpit, and you may run
a low fever as well.

The causes Within 72 hours of giving birth, an abundance of milk will come in
or become available to your baby. As this happens, more blood will flow to your
breasts and some of the surrounding tissue will swell. The result is full,
swollen, engorged breasts.

Not every postpartum mom experienced true engorgement. Some women's breasts
become only slightly full, while others find their breasts have become
amazingly hard. Some women will hardly notice the pain, as they are involved in
other things during the first few days.

Treating it Keep in mind, engorgement is a positive sign that you are producing
milk to feed to your baby. Until you produce the right amount:

1. Wear a supportive nursing bra, even at night -- making sure it isn't too
   tight.
2. Breast feed often, every 2 -- 3 hours if you can. Try to get the first side
   of your breasts as soft as possible. If your baby seems satisfied with just one
   breast, you can offer the other at the next feeding.
3. Avoid letting your baby latch on and suck when the areola is very firm. To
   reduce the possibility of nipple damage, you can use a pump until your areola
   softens up.
4. Avoid pumping milk except when you need to soften the areola or when your
   baby is unable to latch on. Excessive pumping can lead to the over production
   of milk and prolonged engorgement.
5. To help soothe the pain and relieve swelling, apply cold packs to your
   breasts for a short amount of time after you nurse. Crushed ice in a plastic
   bag will also work.
6. Look ahead. You'll get past this engorgement in no time and soon be able to
   enjoy your breast feeding relationship with your new baby.

Engorgement will pass very quickly. You can expect it to diminish within 24 -
48 hours, as nursing your baby will only help the problem. If you aren't breast
feeding, it will normally get worse before it gets better. Once the engorgement
has passed, your breasts will be softer and still full of milk.

During this time, you can and should continue to nurse. Unrelieved engorgement
can cause a drop in your production of milk, so it's important to breast feed
right from the start. Keep an eye for signs of hunger and feed him when he
needs to be fed.

Breast Feeding Toddlers

Because more and more women are choosing to breast feed their babies, more and
more are also finding that they enjoy it enough to continue longer than the
first few months they planned on. Breast feeding to 3 -- 4 years of age is
common in much of the world recently, and is still common in many societies for
toddlers to be breast fed.

Because mothers and babies often enjoy to breast feed, you shouldn't stop it.
After six months, many think that breast milk loses it's value which isn't
true. Even after six months, it still contains protein, fat, and other
important nutrients which babies and children need.

The fact is, immune factors in breast milk will protect the baby against
infections. Breast milk also contains factors that will help the immune system
mature, and other organs to develop and mature as well.

It's been shown and proven in the past that children in daycare who are still
breast feeding have far less severe infections than the children that aren't
breast feeding. The mother will lose less work time if she chooses to continue
nursing her baby once she is back to work.

If you have thought about breast feeding your baby once he gets passed 6 months
of age, you have made a wise decision. Although many feel that it isn't
necessary, breast milk will always help babies and toddlers. Breast milk is the
best milk you can give to your baby.

No matter what others may tell you, breast feeding only needs to be stopped
when you and the baby agree on it. You don't have to stop when someone else
wants you to -- you should only stop when you feel that it's the right time.

Breast Feeding In Public

Babies that are breast fed are very portable and easy to comfort no matter
where your schedule has you going. Many women however, worry about breast
feeding in public. The worry of nursing in a public place is normally worse
than the actual experience and often times the only people who notice you
feeding are the other mothers who are doing the same thing.

Many women find ways to breast feed discreetly. You can ask your partner or
even a friend to stand in front of you while you lift your shirt from the
waist. When you breast feed, the baby's body will cover most of your upper body
and you can pull your shirt down to her face to cover the tops of your breast.
Some mothers prefer to put a light blanket over their shoulders as a type of
cover.

When you are visiting someone else's home, you may feel more comfortable either
leaving the room or turning away from people when you first put the baby to your
breast. If you would like more privacy, breast feed in an empty room, car, or
public restroom.

A lot of restrooms are becoming more baby friendly and they even have a
seperate are with a changing table and a chair. Several shopping malls now
offer special mother's rooms where the mom can breast feed her baby in privacy,
which will help sensitive babies who are too distracted by feeding to nurse well
in public. It won't take long at all though, before your baby will learn to
breast feed without any fuss at all.

An alternative way is expressing or pumping your milk at home and then offer it
in a bottle while in public. Keep in mind, offering bottles with artificial
nipples in the first few weeks can and probably will interfere with breast
feeding.

When breast feeding in public, you should always use what works best for you.
During the first few weeks, it will take some getting used to, as it will be as
new for you as it is for the baby. With some time, you'll have no problems at
all.

If you don't feel comfortable breast feeding in a certain location, then you
shouldn't. You should feel a certain level of comfort when you feed, as the
baby can tell when you aren't comfortable doing something. If you show your
baby that you aren't nervous -- you and your baby will be just fine.

Weaning From Breast Feeding

When your baby has stopped breast feeding and gets all of his nutrition from
other sources than the breast, he's actually considered weaned. Even though
babies are also weaned from the bottle as well, the term weaning often refers
to when a baby is stopped from breast feeding.

When weaning is a mother's idea, it normally requires a lot of patience and can
take time, depending on the age of your baby or toddler, and also how well your
child adjusts. The overall experience is different for everyone.

Weaning is a long goodbye, sometimes emotional and sometimes painful. It
doesn't however, signal fo the end to the intimacy you and your child have
developed during the nursing stage. What it means, is that you have to replace
breast feeding with other types of nourishment.

Starting weaning Your the best judge as to when it's the right time to wean,
and you don't really have a deadline unless you and your child are actually
ready to wean. The recommended time for weaning is one year. No matter what
relatives, friends, or even complete strangers tell you, there is no right or
wrong time for weaning.

How to wean

You should proceed slowly, regardless of what the age of your child may be. 
Experts say that you shouldn't abruptly withhold your breast, as they results can 
be traumatic. You should however, try these methods instead:

1. Skip a feeding -- Skip a feeding and see what happens, offering a cup of milk
   to your baby instead. As a substitue, you can use a bottle of your own pumped
   milk, formula, or a cow's milk. If you reduce feedings one at a time, your
   child will eventually adjust to the changes.

2. Shorten feeding time -- You can start by cutting the length of time your
   child is actually at the breast. If the normal feeding time is 5 minuts, try 3.
   Depending on the age, follow the feeding with a healthy snack. Bed time feedings
   are usually the hardest to wean, as they are normally the last to go.

3. Postpone and distract -- You can postpone feedings if you are only feeding a
   couple of times per day. This method works great if you have an older child you
   can actually reason with. If your child wants the breast, say that you'll feed
   later then distract him.

If you've tried everything and weaning doesn't seem to be working at all, maybe
the time just isn't right. You can wait just a bit longer to see what happens,
as your child and you have to determine the right time to wean together.

The First Six Weeks

Breast milk is the best food you can give to your baby. Breast milk is a
complete food source, containing all the nutrients your baby need -- at least
400 of them to be exact, including hormones and disease fighting compounds that
aren't found in formula.

The nutritional makeup in breast milk will adjust to your baby's needs as he or
she grows and develops. Aside from the brain building, infection fighting
benefits of breast milk, which no formula can match, nursing will also help to
build a special bond between you and your baby. When nursing, your child
thrives on the contact, cuddling, and holding -- which you will as well.

Since breast feedings can take up to 40 minutes or more, you should pick a cozy
spot for nursing. The atmosphere is very important, even more so in the early
days of breast feeding when you're still trying to get the hang of it. If you
get easily distracted by noise, go somewhere quiet.

You should always hold your baby in a position that won't leave your arms or
back sore. It works the best to support the back of your baby's head with your
hand, although which position you choose depends on what's more comfortable to
you.

When supporting your baby, a nursing pillow can sometimes be a big help. You
should never feed until both you and your baby are comfortable. Pay attention
to how your breasts feel when your baby latches on, as his mouth should cover
most of the areola below the nipple, and the nipple should be far back into
your baby's mouth.

While some women adjust to breast feeding easily, other moms find it hard to
learn. If you feel discouraged, always know that you aren't the only one.
Everyone feels different when starting, it all depends on the mother and the
situation.

Breast feeding will take practice. Therefore, you should give yourself as much
time as you need to get it down to second nature. Always take it one feeding at
a time. If you are having a bad day, tell yourself that it'll get better. Keep
in mind that any problems are temporary, as you'll be nursing like a pro by
your six week postpartum checkup.

The first six weeks will be both an adventure and training. You can't expect to
know everything when you begin, which is where training and practice will really
help you excel. The more you breast feed, the more you'll learn. You'll also
build a bond with your baby -- which is something you'll always have for the
rest of your lives.

Starting Solid Foods

Breast milk is all your baby will need until at least 4 months of age. There
does come a time, when breast milk will no longer supply all of your baby's
nutrition needs. Full term babies will start to require iron from other sources
by 6 -- 9 months of age.

Some babies that aren't started on solid foods by the age of 9 -- 12 months may
have a great level of difficulty accepting solid foods. It's actually a
developmental milestone when your child starts solid foods -- as he is now
growing up.

When to start The ideal time to begin solid foods is when the baby shows
interest in starting. Some babies will show interest in solid food when it's on
their parents' plates, as early as 4 months of age. By 5 -- 6 months, most babies
will reach out and try to grab the food. When the baby starts to reach for food,
it's normally the time to go ahead and give him some.

Sometimes, it may be a better idea to start food earlier. When a baby seems to
get hungry or once weight gain isn't continuing at the desired rate, it may be
good to start solid foods as early as 3 months. It may be possible however, to
continue breast feeding alone and have the baby less hungry or growing more
rapidly.

Breast fed babies will digest solid foods better and earlier than artificially
fed babies because the breast milk will contain enzymes which help to digest
fats, proteins, and starch. Breast fed babies will also have had a variety of
different tastes in their life, since the flavors of many foods the mother eats
will pass into her milk.

Introducing solid foods When the baby begins to take solid foods at the age of
5 -- 6 months, there is very little difference what he starts will or what order
it is introduced. You should however, avoid spicy foods or highly allergenic
foods at first, although if your baby reaches for the potato on your plate, you
should let him have it if it isn't too hot.

Offer your baby the foods that he seems to be interested in. Allow your baby to
enjoy the food and don't worry too much about how much he takes at first, as
much of it may end up on the floor or in his hair anyhow.

The easiest way to get iron for your baby at 5 6 months of age is by giving him
meat. Cereal for infants has iron, although it is poorly absorbed and may cause
your baby to get constipated.

Returning To Work

Once you return to work, you can continue to breast feed. If you live close to
work or have an on site daycare, you may be able to breast feed during your
breaks. If that isn't possible, you have 2 choices:

1. Keep your milk supply by using a high quality automatic electric breast pump
   to express milk during the day. Save your milk that you collect for your baby
   sitter.

2. If you don't want to or can't pump at work, you can gradually replace
   daytime feedings with formula while your at home but still continue to nurse at
   night and in the morning. The milk your body produces may not be enough to keep
   your baby satisfied, even if you only need enough for 2 feedings.

Advantages of pumping at work Pumping at work will help stimulate your
production of milk, so you'll have plenty available when it comes time to feed.
You can also collect the milk you pump, so your baby will have the health and
nutritional benefits of breast milk even when you aren't there. To make things
better, pumping can be an ideal way to feel a connection to your baby during
the work day.

Although it can seem like a hassle, many mothers find that the benefits of breast 
pumping far outweight the inconvenience.

To manage pumping at work, you'll need to have the following:

1. Breast pump, preferably a fully automatic electric pump with a double
   collection kit so you can pump both breasts simultaneously.
2. Bottles or bags for collecting and storing the milk.
3. Access to a refrigerator or cooler to keep the milk cold until you return
   home.
4. Breast pads to help protect your clothes if you start to leak.

Make sure that you get used to pumping before you return to work, so you'll
know what to expect and how it feels. You'll be much more confident with
pumping at work if you already know that you can produce enough milk.

At work, you'll want to have somewhere that's away from everyone else when you
pump, such as an empty office or empty room. This way, you'll be away from
everyone else and you can have the quiet tranquility you need to pump. In most
offices, this shouldn't be a problem.

For the time frame, you'll want to pump every 2 -- 3 hours if possible. If you
can't, every 4 hours or so will have to suffice. After you have finished
pumping, store the milk in the bags or bottles, clean yourself up, then go back
to work. When you return home, you can feed the milk to your growing baby.

Your Nursing Area

Once you've reached the third trimester, you'll probably start stocking up on
nursing bras, breast pads, and loose button down shirts for the coming months
ahead. While getting ready to breast feed, you can also create your personal
area, a custom designed breast feeding area for yourself.

Your nursing area should reflect your personality. If you like a loud, yet
friendly surrounding, you should consider setting in a corner of the living
room or family room. Keep an extra chair or two near you so family members or
even friends can keep you company.

If you prefer peace and quiet, a cozy study or empty guest room would be ideal.
You can close the door, dim the lights down, then take a few deep, calming
breaths while you breast feed.

Your own chair

No matter if it's a glider, overstuffed recliner, or desk chair with wheels, 
you should make sure your nursing chair is very comfortable. You'll be sitting 
in the chair for hours each day, so you'll want it to be very comfortable. 
You should always look for one that offers back and shoulder support, along 
with arm rests.

Support underfoot

You can use a footstool, low coffee table or a stack of pillows to elevate your
feet as you breast feed. If you raise your legs and feet to bring your baby to 
your breast, you'll avoid possible backache.

Pillows and more pillows

Your neck, arms, feet, and back will need as much support as you can give, so 
don't hesitate to surround your body with pillows. If you lay a pillow across 
your lap for your baby to lay on, he'll be very comfortable and that much 
closer to your nipple. For extra comfort, you can even purchase a specially made 
nursing pillow that will encircle your waist.

Table for one

You should always keep a small table or stand within arm's length of your breast
feeding chair. What you use should be big enough to hold a coaster and glass of 
liquid. Some women prefer to drink through a straw, while others prefer to drink 
from the glass.

You'll also want to keep healthy snacks on hand as well, such as fresh fruit,
nuts, or crackers and peanut butter to help you replace the energy you use
while you breast feed.

Distractions

If your baby is a slow eater or has a really big appetite, you may want to keep
yourself busy while he feeds. You can fill the shelves of a nearby cupboard or 
bookcase with your favorite books or crossword puzzles to occupy yourself until 
your baby is full. You should also keep a phone nearby as well so that you can 
talk to family or friends to pass the time.

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