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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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

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.

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

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

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.

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.