Breast Feeding Shop

Breast Feeding Information For The New Mother

admin — Sun, 08 May 2011 22:41:23 +0000

Author: Michael Brooks

Cementing the bond between a mother and child through breastfeeding

Breast Feeding for New Mother

There is a lot to learn when it comes to breast feeding for the first time. The process isn’t complicated. It is a natural instinct for both mother and baby. The breast is a large gland that acts as both the reservoir and pump for the production of milk for the baby. Size doesn’t matter when it comes to the quantity of milk produced.

Breast Changes During Pregnancy

Cells inside the breast called aveoli create milk as a reaction to the hormone prolactin. A hormone Oxytocin makes small muscles composed of myoepitelial cells contract around the aveoli to move milk through small tubes that lead to the areola and nipple. The network described is called a lobe and there are approximately 20 per breast ending in the nipple.

Baby formula manufacturers try to match the chemical makeup of human breast milk but it cannot contain all the hormones and antibodies that infants need. Breast milk composition changes over time to give the baby what it needs. During pregnancy and right after birth the breast milk is usually thick and yellow, this type of breast milk is called colostrum, it contains all the nutrients and antibodies that newborns need to build up their immune system. This colostrum (also known as beestings, bisnings, or first milk) is lower in fat and higher in protein than normal breast milk. Around about day three or day five it thins out and begins to look white.

The First Breast Feeding

The process of latching can sometimes be an issue for new mothers. If the latch is painful then it is best for the woman to break the latch by placing a clean finger in the corner of the baby’s mouth. The baby can then relatch by pointing the nipple toward the back of the baby’s mouth. You can also try placing the base of the nipple as far from the bottom lip as possible. After feeding the nipple should not be flattened or compressed in any way, the nipple should either be the same as before feeding or long and rounded. Babies have a natural instinct to latch and should take to it instinctively.

The first time you feed your child you may experience a little discomfort. This discomfort should disappear after a few feedings. Breast feeding shouldn’t hurt. If the discomfort turns to pain you should consult your doctor as there may be another issue such as mastitis which is an infection in the tissue of the breast. Breastfeeding should be a comfortable experience that brings a woman her child closer to one another. It is best to breast feed as soon after the baby is born as possible. If the woman gives a natural birth then it is best for the woman to breast feed immediately after and delay any procedures that don’t need to take place immediately. This will create the miraculous bond between mother and child that will last a lifetime.

A mother should learn her child’s signs of hunger as early on as possible by keeping the baby in the room with her while she is in the hospital. It is not uncommon to initially breastfeed your baby every couple of hours. Babies will become more alert and active when they are hungry. They will put their fists to their mouths or move their head around searching for a breast, crying is a critical sign of hunger.

Many mothers find that they truly enjoy the process of breastfeeding their babies and look forward to feeding time as it reinforces the mother and child bond.

Great Video on Latching Techniques

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:07:11 +0000

Latching Technique video

The following video illustrates the various techniques you can use in successfully latching your baby to your breasts.

Here are some techniques and tips to make latching-on easy and successful.

The five minute video provides a combination of instruction and demonstration of breastfeeding including correct latching on and positioning tips and guidance. Easy to understand and follow, it is a great resource for breastfeeding mothers for quick and easy access to accurate help should they need it when they return home after birth.

IFRAME Embed for Youtube

If these techniques above do not help, your best bet is to seek the help of a lactation consultant to identify specific breastfeeding problems you may be having and suggest other latching on positions that could solve your latching problems.

Guidelines On Breast Feeding

admin — Sun, 08 May 2011 22:35:29 +0000

Guidelines For Breast Feeding

Author: Janet Fische

The advantages of Breast Feeding

There are many advantages of breastfeeding that benefit both mother and child. There is no substitute for human milk.

As of lately there have been many clinical trials on the disadvantages of serving cow’s milk to babies. There are fewer complications associated with breast milk than with cow’s milk also. There is also the economical factor of not having to purchase formula or cow’s milk for the baby.

How long should you continue breast feeding?>/h3>

That is truly a personal decision but it is recommended that babies are breastfed for the first six months even up to two years. So why is breast milk so beneficial for the baby?

Only breast milk contains colostrum which is essential for the baby to take. Commercial formula milks cannot simulate colostrum made by a mother. Colostrum is provided to the baby throughout the first few feedings and the colostrum contain natural antibodies and immune globulins which are responsible for keeping the baby free from illness for the first few months of your babys life.

When breastfeeding the baby’s feces tend to not be smelly and they don’t have any difficulty defecating compared to when a baby drinks only cow’s milk.

The process of producing breast milk is called lactation.

There are several exercises you can use to prepare your breasts for breastfeeding. One of these exercises would involve routinely pinching the nipple. Another is taking a soft toothbrush and rubbing the toothbrush back and forth across the nipple.

Personal hygiene is extremely important when breastfeeding. Mothers should avoid the use of soaps and lotion on your nipples. If you do need to use lotion due to cracking, your nipple should be wiped using a soft cloth soaked in clean water to make sure your nipple is clean before your baby feeds from it.

It takes a little practice to allow your baby to properly latch on to your nipple. Correct latching is when your baby’s mouth covers the entire areola and not just the nipples and there is no discomfort. Correct latching stimulates the “let-down reflex” of your breasts so that the milk will begin to flow down the ducts and out your nipple.

You can make use of your baby’s natural ‘rooting’ reflex to latch on. You can stimulate your baby’s cheek by placing your nipple near their mouth and their head will automatically turn towards the stimulation. Their mouth will open and be ready for receiving your nipple.

Once you have finished feeding your baby you break the latch by inserting a clean pinky finger into the side of their mouth and propping it slightly open. Your baby will stop sucking and you can remove your nipple.

You should time your feeding sessions and allow your baby to feed 10-15 minutes on each breast. Time will depend on your baby’s appetite as well as their age. If your feeding sessions are not entirely empting your breasts you can use a pump to remove the excess milk and store it in bottles.

Let your baby feed from the last breast he or she fed on the next breast feeding session, This will completely empty the milk on that breast before you move on to the other breast.

© 2011 – 2012, www.breastfeedingshop.com. All rights reserved. On republishing this post you must provide link to original post.

How To Deal With Sore Nipples While Breastfeeding

admin — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:52:53 +0000

Author: Gail Mattingly

How breast feeding is beneficial for your baby

Breast feeding is a great way to ensure your child gets all the nutrients and vitamins essential to healthy development. There is no substitute for the bonding that occurs when a mother breastfeeds her child.

If you are a mother that breast feeding her child, congratulations! You are providing your child the best start to their life that a mother can give.

Sore nipple while breast feeding?

If you are reading this article, you are either curious about sore nipples or you are looking for a way to ease those sore nipples. We will discuss ways to deal with this minor problem effectively.

When breastfeeding sore nipples can develop. There are several reasons this can occur. The most common reason why this happens is because positioning is not correct when the child latches. Should this occur evaluate the position you are using and the relationship of your baby’s mouth to your nipple. You can try different positions. The most common position is the cradle position where you cuddle your baby in your arms. You can try sitting and using a pillow to elevate or change your baby’s position.

Breastfeeding sessions are typically around 15 minutes per breast. You should not experience discomfort during these sessions. Just as you experience discomfort your baby can also experience discomfort if the angle of latching is awkward. It is not uncommon for a new mother to start to experience soreness after 4 or 5 days of breastfeeding as she learns correct latching.

Over time this discomfort should subside as you learn the best positions and what your baby enjoys. Should you continue to experience discomfort after a couple of weeks you should see your doctor as there could be an underlying medical reason.

Latching technique while breast feeding

Latching is a natural process the baby instinctively knows. Having said that, it may take two or three tries to get a correct latching. Don’t become discouraged if it takes multiple times over a few weeks for this to happen. It is a learning experience for both mom and baby. If you get an incorrect latching simply break the latch by inserting your small finger in the corner of the baby’s mouth and remove your nipple. Eventually your baby will learn what you want for a correct latching. Never pull your baby off your nipple. Break the latch first.

Breastfeeding is not a speedy process. It takes time to complete each breast session. If for some reason you get frustrated attempting latching just take a few moments off and let your baby suck on their pacifier or one of your fingers. This will not affect your baby’s appetite.

You cannot use any type of ointment on your nipples during breastfeeding. Lotions that are petroleum based should be avoided or at a minimum thoroughly cleanse the nipple prior to breastfeeding. Lotions with natural occurring Lanolin are recommend for sore cracked nipples. A product called Lansinoh contains 100% pure Lanolin with no allergens or additives. You can purchase Lansinoh from http://www.llli.org/.

If you have cracked or bleeding nipples, you need to put peroxide on your nipples with a cotton tip swab so no infection will occur. Peroxide is safe and does not need to be remove from the nipple before breast feeding.

Breast Feeding Or Breast Milk Myths Exposed

admin — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:49:32 +0000

Author: George Jensen

Breast Feeding or Breast milk Myths

Do You Know that 80% of the world’s mothers breastfeed ?

Benefits of breast milk to infant:

Breast milk is provided at exactly the right temperature and it has all the correct nutrients your baby needs as your baby grows. Being the human milk is provided at the correct temperature it is easily digestable.

The first Breast milk

Colostrum or first milk is high in protein and is produced during pregnancy in the first two to four days of life prior to the milk ‘coming in’. This is rich in antibodiesand proteins to help protect your new baby from infections and build up the immune system.

An additional benefit is that Colostrum also aids in the smooth passage of meconium (sticky dark stool that has been in the bowels of your baby during pregnancy) through the bowels.

Breastfed babies tend to suffer fewer infections in their first year. Infections include those to the eyes, ears, chest, urinary system, skin and gastrointestinal system etc.

Common myths of Breast feeding:

- Breastfeed changes the shape of the Breast:

Breastfeeding will not change the shape of your breasts. Once you wean your baby off of nursing your breasts will return to approximately their pre-pregnant size.

- Formula feeding is better:

Breast feed provides all the protein and antibodies needed by your baby but women can switch to formula feed when lactating is a problem or there is insufficient milk. There are two formulas on the market that have the essentials along with necessary trace elements. They are Similac and Enfamil.

- Breastfeed leads to irregular periods:

When breastfeeding your hormonal balance will change and as a result your periods may not return to regular for up to a year. This is nature’s way of keeping the gap longer between children. This benefits both mother and infant.

So, breast milk is very important for your baby.