You may have been told by a friend or medical professional that breastfeeding is better than bottle feeding and just accepted the statement at face value. You should understand just how much better it is for both you and your baby as initially breastfeeding is hard work and can be very tiring. Without proper understanding of the real benefits you may be tempted to give up nursing your child quite quickly when your baby could receive a real helping hand by you continuing.

Research has shown that babies fed on HMR (Human Milk Replacement) formula are generally sicker more often and more seriously than those children that are breast fed. They have also been found to suffer more from ear and respiratory infections. This can be especially true if your family has a history of allergies as when you breastfeed your baby antibodies are passed on through your breast milk which help to protect against illness and allergies. Initially your newborn child is incapable of producing his or her own antibodies which is one of the reasons that breastfeeding early on is absolutely crucial.

An added bonus of breastfeeding is that this will help keep your bills down. To start with you won't need to buy formula and due to the increased health of your child you should be able to avoid expensive medical bills.

When your baby sucks on your breast this helps with the development their jaw alignment and the development of their cheekbone. Obviously this means that there is likely to be a requirement for orthodontic work for your child when he or she is older.

Breast milk is really an amazing substance. It contains exactly the right amounts of vitamins and minerals that your growing baby needs and unlike formula, breast milk is always ready, always available, convenient, and always the right temperature for feeding.

You'll be glad to know that choosing to breastfeed your baby will also offer a number of benefits to you as well. Your baby sucking at your breast will cause contractions right after birth which should mean less bleeding for you and this will also help your uterus regain its shape more quickly.

Most moms are anxious to lose the extra weight gained during pregnancy as quickly as possible. Breastfeeding actually burns calories so you'll be delighted to hear that you should lose weight much faster than if you feed your baby with formula.

Breast feeding will also create a special bond between you and your baby - which is one thing formula simply cannot do.

As well as breastfeeding being advantageous for the baby, there are many advantages of breastfeeding for the mother. Regarding breastfeeding, mothers often think about what is best for their baby, however below are the main advantages to the mothers themselves.

The hormones involved with breastfeeding enable the womb to more quickly return to its original size and the normal bleeding after childbirth (lochia) stops sooner.

The mother burns off more fat, 500 k calories per day, providing the milk, and so gets back to her pre-pregnancy weight and shape more quickly.

It is convenient and always available where ever you are. No equipment is necessary by way of bottles, teats etc. and no sterilizing procedure is necessary.

It is more convenient during the night not having to get up to prepare and warm bottles of formula milk.

Wherever the breastfeeding mother and her baby are, the milk is there at the right time and at the right temperature.

The knowledge and satisfaction for the mother knowing that she is providing her baby with what nature intended.

It can help to space pregnancies as when a mother is fully breastfeeding she is less likely to ovulate and have periods.

Breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer and some reduction in the rate of ovarian cancer. This effect increases with an increase in the total time in life, that the mother spends breastfeeding.

It is an ideal way for the mother and baby to bond. The baby at birth can only focus on things 10 inches away from himself, which is in fact the distance between the mother's eyes and the baby's eyes whilst he is being breasfed. Nature has got it right!

For women who are concerned about the environment, breastfeeding reduces the demands made on it by the reduction of waste and pollution.

It is generally more economical as it can be unnecessary to purchase formula milk and bottles. The calories used in producing breast milk usually come from the reserves that the mother has laid down during her pregnancy, though she may need to eat more.

If breastfeeding gets underway successfully, and with the right knowledge and support most mothers can breastfeed, then these are the many advantages of breastfeeding for the mother.

Food is vital for child development, especially in the first year of life. Pediatricians emphasize the nutritional benefits of breastfeeding in the first six months of baby's life. Breast milk is specially formulated for baby's digestive system and is rich in antibodies, which are designed to fight against bacteria and viruses. In the course of child development, mother's milk changes its composition to suit baby's nutritional needs.

Breastfeeding should be continued even after the baby starts eating solid foods, usually at six months. Doctors believe that child health has won if the baby gets a mixture of breast milk and solid foods between 6 months to a year.

Although mother's milk is considered the best option for the child's health, not all mothers can/or will - to feed babies in this way. Option available is to use formula milk.

But while the formulas are created to mimic breast milk in terms of composition and nutritional value, they do not have all its qualities. The milk formulas contain vitamins, minerals and iron. Consult your doctor to find out which is the recommended formula for your baby.

Cow's milk is not recommended for children under 12 months because it is difficult to digest and does not provide sufficient nutrients.

Breastfeeding is a learning process that takes time, for both you and your baby. Although in the first days of life the infant seems more interested in sleep than sucking, do not let this discourage you. The first days of breastfeeding are just beginning a great experience for you and baby.

First steps in breastfeeding are more difficult for some mothers than for others, but the joy it brings this experience is worth every effort.

In conclusion, breast milk is ideal food for infant feeding, covering all energy needs in the first six months of life.

It is very important to focus on your nutrition while breastfeeding, both for your health and your baby's! Here are my top 4 tips to follow while breastfeeding your baby:

1) Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables

2) Take a whole food prenatal vitamin (I take "Super Nutrition" Simply One Prenatal)

3) Drink enough fluids so that you are never thirsty

4) Avoid caffeine and alcohol

You should build your own nutritional plan based on the tips above, however here is an idea of what I eat. You will see that I follow a mostly raw vegan diet.  If you are not currently raw and vegan, it is not really a good time to switch to this diet while you are breastfeeding. This is because your body may go through detox and you want to avoid releasing any of these toxins through your breast milk. It won't hurt to add extra fruits and veggies to your current diet though!!  My average daily menu is below. 

My Mostly Raw Vegan Breastfeeding Meal Plan

Upon waking (in this order)

Tall Glass of Lemon Water (with stevia)

Fruit (usually some papaya)

Bowl of Raw Granola (Sprouted and Dehydrated Buckwheat Groats and Sunflower Seeds, almonds, walnuts, and whatever else I crushed up and threw in that batch)

About 2 hours later

Big green smoothie - frozen bananas, leafy greens (I mix this up but a combo of spinach, kale, celery, sprouts, or any leafy green), chia seed gel, stevia. Those are the standard, but sometimes I will add raw carob, dates, blueberries, or some spices)

About an hour later if I am hungry

Fruit (usually an apple or some mango) and/or some dehydrated buckwheat groats

Around Lunch Time

A Salad (I usually have some sort of chopped salad prepared; if not, a greens with carrots, celery, asparagus, tomatoes and nutritional yeast)

About 3 hours later

Another Green Smoothie or Sprouted Buckwheat with a little granola depending on my mood

Around dinner time

Something more substantial like a nori or flax wrap sandwich full of sprouts and veggies or a raw burger.

I have recently started to eat cooked grains like quinoa, brown rice, and kasha. I season them with Himalayan Sea Salt.

Dessert

I know you should eat your fruit before anything else, but I like to finish off my dinner with a sweet treat like frozen banana ice cream. If you look at one of my earlier blog posts you will see that I have a recipe for this with carob powder. Sometimes I will sprinkle granola over it with some raw agave nectar for a heavenly treat!

Snacks

Yes! I eat all day so sometimes I am snacking on Raw Brazil Nuts, Frozen Grapes, a dehydrated bar that I might have made, carrot and celery sticks dipped in guacamole.

It is perfectly natural for mothers to want to breastfeed their children. Many new mothers swear by it for their children, but when is it time to stop breastfeeding your child? Are there any long-term effects for breastfeeding a child into early childhood?

Each baby is different, and depending on the situation, many mothers breastfeed their child into 5 or 6 years old. The common age to begin weaning them away from the breast and over to the bottle is about 2 ½ years old. However, some babies will wean faster and take a bottle sooner than 2 ½ years. Some may take longer, even up to 7 years. When nursing, studies have found that the baby's heart rate and stress levels drop, as they are close to their mom and feel safe. So it may be difficult to have your baby adjust from being away from their comfort zone to a bottle. The older the child, the longer it will take to wean them away from breastfeeding.

With that in mind, you also do not want to stop breastfeeding when the child is too young. Studies have found that this could have long-term health effects on the child including leukemia, juvenile diabetes, lower IQ, SIDS, ear infections, and more.

Because every situation is different, and every child is different, it's important to understand that determining the right age for your child to stop breastfeeding is not an exact science, and every child should be handled differently. Consider speaking with your physician for further advice.

Many breastfeeding moms have concerns about exercise. Sadly, these concerns may prevent them from working out and enjoying a big advantage in shedding postpartum pounds, building functional strength and accelerating their postnatal recovery. Here are some common issues for breastfeeding moms and what to do about them.

Sleep Deprivation

Breastfeeding mothers are usually sleep deprived, from having to feed their newborns every 3 to 4 hours. This fatigue may lead to a decreased desire to exercise. When you're getting a few hours of sleep a night who feels like exercising?

Janet Currie, Ph.D. recommends exercising in the morning. She states that it may be more convenient for the mother to exercise before a regularly scheduled feeding. Sleep is also recommended for the new mother to properly recover from workouts. Short naps taken during the daytime while the child naps can offset the nightly sleep interruptions.

Fall Asleep Fast With "Triple Four" Breathing
Moms who are trying to cram in 15 minute naps need every second asleep. Here's a technique to put you on the fast track to dreamland and make every nap second count. It's called Triple Four breathing.

Get comfortable, close your eyes, relax and slowly inhale for a count of four - 1...2...3...4... Then hold for a count of four - 1...2...3...4... now exhale slowly for a count of four - 1...2...3...4... Repeat a few times and you'll improve your odds of falling asleep fast. Even if you don't fall completely asleep, your brainwaves will move closer to a theta pattern leaving you refreshed and energized when you open your eyes.

Top Heavy

Breastfeeding moms may find an increased weight in their breast tissue due to the hyper-activity of the mammary glands and production of milk. This may cause discomfort while exercising.

It's extremely important to wear a supportive bra when exercising. During the breastfeeding period, a specially fitted sports bra is recommended to prevent over-stretching of the breast ligaments. Nursing sports bras designed specifically to meet the needs of nursing mothers are a good choice.

Sour Milk?

One concern of breastfeeding mothers is that the lactic acid produced during exercise may affect the quality of their breast milk. They fear their breast milk may have a sour taste and that the child may reject it.

A study conducted at the University of New Hampshire examined the effects that both a maximal and moderate intensity bout of exercise has on the amount of lactic acid in the milk and the infant's acceptance of the breast milk.

The study found the amount of lactic acid in breast milk did increase with maximal exercise, but did not increase in with moderate exercise. In both cases the child accepted the mother's breast milk one hour after exercise. It is recommended that breastfeeding mothers wait 30-60 minutes after exercise before breastfeeding. However, if this is not possible you still have options.

Use RPE to insure quality breast milk.

The key to insuring your breast milk is not affected by exercise is to workout at a moderate intensity level. An easy way to measure this is by using a Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale.

Here's how it works. The difficulty level of an exercise can be given a number between 1 and 10. 10 being exhaustion or maximal intensity (you can barely breathe and are close to having to stop the exercise). The scale then drops as you lower the intensity. It ultimately ends at 1 or an exercise effort you can barely feel.

To ensure your breast milk is unaffected by exercise, your workout intensity should be no greater than a 7 on an RPE scale of 10.

So to wrap things up - if you're breastfeeding and have your doctor's approval, please start or keep exercising. To make the fitness development process easier for you - remember to keep your workout intensity at a moderate level, wear the proper breast support and try to steal naps at every opportunity.

You may also consider the following recommendations from the American College Of Sports Medicine's Health and Fitness Journal with regard to breastfeeding moms:

1. Participate in moderate exercise 3-4 times per week

2. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after to maintain fluid for milk production

3. Weight loss recommendations for the first 6 months

a. normal weight mothers = 2-2.5 lbs/ month (1 kg)

b. overweight mothers = 4-4.5 lbs/ month (2 kg)

References

1. Currie J. and Rich M. Fit and Well: Maintaining Women's Participation in Pre- and Postnatal Exercise. ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal. 2004: 8(4): 12-15.

2. Quinn TJ and Carey GB. How Do Diet and Exercise Influence the Amount of Lactic Acid in Breast Milk? Nutrition Research Newsletter. March 1999.

3. Wright KS, Quinn TJ, and Carey GB. Infant Acceptance of Breast Milk After Maternal Exercise. Pediatrics. 2002: 109(4): 585-589.

It can happen when a Mom least expects it: a nursing strike. One day baby is nursing happily and the next day, baby is fussy and refusing the breast. What happens?

Breastfeeding strikes can be caused by a number of things: illness or teething pain in the baby, change in routine such as while vacationing, a shock such as a move or sudden change of caregivers, a reaction from Mom when baby bit, or even a reaction to perfume or laundry detergent Mom is using. A nursing strike is not weaning. Weaning is gradual, strikes are sudden. The baby wants to nurse but something is stopping her, and baby and Mom are both miserable.

Here's a typical scenario:

Day One

Your 9 month old baby wakes up from a nap feeling feverish. She is refusing food and also won't breastfeed. It takes Mom several hours to realize what is happening since baby is busy playing and being distracted by family members. By this time, Mom realizes she is engorged and uncomfortable. Her attempts to get baby to take the breast end in frustration. Baby is obviously in discomfort but won't be comforted by the thing that usually makes her feel better. Mom uses a hand pump or hand expresses for comfort, but not before she begins to feel the tell-tale beginning signs of mastitis: a slight fever, soreness in the breasts and a "clumpy" feeling like grape clusters in her chest. Mom takes a dose of an over the counter pain reliever and takes a hot shower to help with the discomfort.

Day Two

Baby is still acting ill and unhappy. By this time Mom has taken her to the Pediatrician, who diagnosed Tonsillitis. Mom realizes that the nursing strike is probably caused by the pain she's experiencing from sucking and swallowing. Mom does her best to get baby to take fluids and has to experiment with many different things. She finds that baby will accept refrigerated, cold expressed breastmilk in a cup. She concludes that the cold milk must feel better to baby's throat. Mom is still attempting to woo baby back to the breast with lots of skin to skin contact, wearing baby more in a sling, offering the breast at naptimes and bathing with baby. She is able to latch baby on a couple of times when baby is sleeping. Mom and baby are both comforted!

During this time Mom finds herself a bit sad and weepy due to the hormonal changes this partial weaning has brought on. She contemplates her feelings about breastfeeding the baby and concludes that she is not ready to wean, at least not in this abrupt fashion. She realizes how breastfeeding has become a large part of how she mothers her baby and an important tool in her mothering toolbox.

Day Three

By this time Mom is feeling better since baby nursed some through the night. Baby is acting like her old self again and latches on like a champ. They go on to have a happy breastfeeding relationship for many more months!

Many mothers wean before they and baby are ready because they don't know the signs of a nursing strike. A breastfeeding strike can be difficult but it can be overcome. It doesn't have to mean the end of breastfeeding.

Denmark is a relatively small Nordic country with 5.5 million habitants. It's a modern country with a high standard of living and a high level of education. Breastfeeding is seen as a necessity to newborns, yet hardly appropriate in public places.

The Danish Board of Health recommends that the infant is fed milk from the mother exclusively from the mother for the first six months. 98% of all new mothers that leave the maternity ward are breastfeeding, while only 60% continue breastfeeding after four months.
Up until 2002 The Danish Board of Health recommended mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding until the child's fourth month. While they have now changed their statement, following the trend of other leading health organizations, many mothers still in their daily lives, feel pressured into feeding their baby pap and porridge long before baby has lived a full six months.

The pressure stems from relatives, friends, misinformed health personnel and even mother-to-mother support groups. Many new mothers believe, that their milk is simply not enough to fill the tiny tummy of their infant, and others fear that a too dependent relationship to their child, will make it difficult if not impossible for them to enjoy other child-free activities. I have witnessed and witness these cultural and attitudes first hand as a new mother, and these opinions can easily be observed in current books in use about breastfeeding, and in internet forums mother-to-mother or health personnel-to-mother Q&A's.

Two bottle feeding mothers spurred a debate in the Danish media recently, when they on their website flaskebarn (bottlechild) for "women who can't, wont or can't cope with breastfeeding", started accusing the leading breastfeeding advocates in Denmark- Videncenter for Amning - for running a "campaign of fear" while encouraging breastfeeding through the Baby Friendly initiative presented by WHO and UNICEF in 1991, and for "pressuring (breastfeeding) mothers to endure long, painful course with starving children, painful breasts and massive stress".

This debate coincides with another debate about whether or not it is appropriate to breastfeed in public places. Many cafés in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, have recently prohibited breastfeeding on their premises, although this is against the law. Breastfeeding mothers often feel intimidated and humiliated and forced to stay at home in order to breastfeed their child appropriately.

A danish web forum - ammenet - for "you who loves breastfeeding", has written an online petition to members of the Danish Parliament to accept and install a law allowing mothers to breastfeed in all places where small children are allowed to be. So far only 2676 individuals have signed the petition.

A very common question during cold and flu season.

When you become ill many people head to the medication isle at the drug store for relief. But when you are breastfeeding you must consider all medications potential effects on you, your milk supply and the baby.

Most cold and flu medications contain antihistamines and decongestants. Antihistamines are the medications that will remedy a runny nose. Decongestants are medications that remedy sinus or nasal congestion. Unfortunately for cold and flu sufferers, neither of these medications are recommended while breastfeeding. Why you ask? Because, they have both been known to negatively affect your milk supply. Your runny nose may dry up, but your milk may too.

So what can you take? Over the counter analgesics: acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain. Zinc supplements to help shorten the duration of the virus. Guaifenesin (cough suppressant) is safe to use while breastfeeding. Use if the cough is not allowing you to sleep. Saline or Afrin nasal spray for nasal congestion. Humidifier in the room. Drink lots of fluids. Eat a healthy diet.

Some things to consider about cold and flu symptoms. Fever is the body's way to turn on the immune system. Fevers under 104 degrees are not dangerous, they are beneficial, they help to fight the infection. A runny nose is the body's way of cleansing the sinus passages of the virus germs. A productive/wet cough should not be stopped with medications. If you stop the cough, the mucous can get stuck in the lungs and could develop into a bacterial infection. Most cold viruses cause a fever for 2-3 days, nasal discharge for 7-14 days and a cough 2-3 weeks.

What about the flu vaccine and Tamiflu while breastfeeding? Both are considered safe while breastfeeding.

Is there anything you can do to prevent getting sick?

1. Get plenty of rest.
2. Wash your hands frequently; refrain from touching your face with dirty hands.
3. Blow your nose often. (this is often where the viruses first enter)
4. Gargle with salt water and wash nasal passages with salt water. (consider using a asana irrigation system to wash your nasal passages)
5. Eat a healthy diet, choose foods rich in Vitamin C and zinc which are natural immune system boosters.
6. Drink warm fluids; wash those germs right into your gastrointestinal tract where they don't stand a chance!

In summary, prevention will save you much discomfort with a cold or flu. But if you do develop a cold or flu, remember to check all over the counter medications with a lactation consultant or physician. Many moms assume over the counter medications are safe while breastfeeding. This is not the case. It is recommended to check with your lactation consultant or pediatrician before ingesting any medication.

Liz Pevytoe, RN, IBCLC is a board certified lactation consultant. You may submit medication questions to her through the link below.

There is a general understanding that breastfeeding helps new moms to lose their baby weight faster than non-nursing moms. The underlying concept to this idea is that nursing burns enough calories to effect weight loss. Is there any truth to this?

Myth #1 - Breastfeeding burns fat faster than regular exercise.

Fact: While body composition changes quickly after a mother gives birth, the extra fat gained during pregnancy does not disappear any more quickly for women who nurse, as opposed to those who don't. Studies show that fat is gained by moms that nurse in certain areas of the body where non nursing moms don't gain. Overall, moms in both groups lose weight at approximately the same rate with body composition become more toned for non-nursing moms a little faster.

Myth #2 - Breastfeeding moms burn more calories than non-nursing moms.

Fact: More active mothers burn more calories than more sedentary moms. Breastfeeding moms are less likely to be active. Allowing your body to recover from childbirth is necessary, but there is evidence that smart exercise enhances recovery and restores your body to a pre-pregnancy state faster than remaining sedentary. While all new moms should ease into diet and exercise to allow time for their bodies to recover from childbirth, non-nursing moms can start to diet earlier than nursing moms. As early as three months after birth, non-nursing moms can begin to restrict calories to facilitate faster weight loss.

Myth #3 - Breastfeeding replaces exercise.

Fact: An appropriately rigorous exercise program and judicious diet helps new moms to lose the extra 25 pounds that most women gain during pregnancy. Exercise also has the benefits of reducing the chances of developing post-partum depression. Exercise after pregnancy boosts your mood and increases confidence. These are important factors when taking into account the stress of caring for a newborn. The fact that exercise also increases energy is important as new moms face fatigue. Breastfeeding should be carefully considered by every new mom but deciding to nurse based solely on the hope to lose weight faster is not advised.

Myth #4 - Nursing moms can eat whatever they want and not gain weight.

Fact: Only a balanced diet can help you to lose or maintain weight. Junk food, excessive calories and too much sugar will cause you to gain weight, whether you are breastfeeding mom or not. While nursing does burn calories, it is still true that you must burn more calories than you take in to lose weight.

Breastfeeding is the best gift a mother can offer her newborn baby. The benefits of breastfeeding are numerous. Among others, breastfeeding have the advantages of: contributing to baby's brain development, is easier to digest, provides powerful antibodies and stimulates the baby's own immune system, favors bonding with the mother, etc

Breastmilk is also very economical, always ready and has the perfect composition for the developing baby. Breastfeeding is also environmentally friendly as it does not require bottles and does not create wastes of any kind.

Breastfeeding does require a more important involvement from the mother as she is the only one who can provide the baby's milk. New mothers are often discouraged by the amount of time breastfeeding requires from them and tend to abandon breastfeeding in the first week after birth.

There are many tricks that can make breastfeeding a lot easier. Here are the top ten secrets to a successful breastfeeding experience:

1) Breastfeeding when seen as an occasion to spend quality time with the baby becomes easier and a joyous moment in a new mother's day.

2) There are many other tasks the father can help with besides breastfeeding thus relieving the mother. The father can prepare meals, change diapers, burp the baby, go for a stroll with the baby while the mother rests or takes a nice shower, etc

3) A sure way of not feeling overwhelmed by breastfeeding is to give up on trying to have the perfect house and letting go of the obsession to dust or vacuum.

4) A breastfeeding mother should rest as much as she can and enjoy a well-deserved nap whenever her baby is sleeping.

5) A breastfeeding mother should keep herself well-hydrated and drink plenty of water. Alcohol and stimulants such as coffee or soft drinks should be avoided as much as possible as they can be passed to the baby through the breastmilk.

6) Learning to understand her baby's feelings will greatly help a breastfeeding mother.

7) Reading the appropriate books and documentation on breastfeeding will help the new nursing mother. Furthermore, taking part in a breastfeeding support group will prove of immense help.

8) A breastfeeding mother should respect her baby's rhythm more than any clock. After all, there will be days when her baby will grow more rapidly and will need more frequent feedings.

9) A breastfeeding mother should always have the support of her entourage in her venture. Having to hide to be able to breastfeed or defend one's choice to nurse her baby can drain a lot of energy from the new mother.

10) A nursing mother should trust her capacities, accept all the help and support people are offering and know that she is giving her newborn baby the best possible gift.

Modern women are being made to believe that pumping is a necessary part of the breastfeeding experience. This has not always been the case. At one time, these were expensive and large electric machines that were rented out to mothers who had sick infants or medical conditions that prevented them from breastfeeding for an extended period of time. Human milk was obtained and fed to these premature or sick babies and their mothers were able to maintain a milk supply until direct breastfeeding could be done. Milk banks collected extra donor milk to benefit those infants whose mothers were unable to breastfeed them.

Over the past two decades sophisticated and portable devices for removing breastmilk have become widely available. Many Lactation Consultants now actively promote and sell them to breastfeeding mothers. A subtle shift in thinking has taken place which suggests that using a pump is now necessary rather optional to ensure breastfeeding success.

Unfortunately, pumping can have a negative impact upon a mother's experience.

1. It Creates Worry about the Milk Supply. If a mother pumps and gets what she considers to be a small amount, she may be more likely to supplement with formula. Worse yet, she might completely abandon her breastfeeding fearing that she has an insufficient milk supply.

2. Results Obtained will Vary Greatly. Some mothers seem to have an endless supply of milk that they can extract at will. However, the majority of breastfeeding women will get inconsistent results. What they are able to get depends upon whether they have recently breastfed or are even breastfeeding at all. In some rare cases, a mother may get virtually nothing when she pumps, but will be able to fully breasteed. All of this variability is due to design limitations of the machines currently on the market; they only seem to be able to access and extract milk that has already moved forward in the breast.

3. It Removes only a Percentage of the Available Milk. No machine exits that can remove milk as well as a breastfeeding baby. Areas of congestion in the mother's breasts may develop as a result. If actual breastfeeding is being combined with pumping, the storage capacity and comfort of the breasts can be affected.

4. It Ties the Mother Down. The breastfeeding mother is the only one who can pump her milk or breastfeed her baby.

5. It can be Uncomfortable. Most women get used to the way a pump feels. It is significantly more comfortable to breastfeed well, than it is to use even the most deluxe machine. Both the nipples and the breasts feel better when the mother puts the baby to her breast with a deep latch.

6. It is Time Consuming. It adds extra work to an already full day of feeding and caring for a new baby. Breastfeeding well removes milk more quickly and efficiently while allowing the mother to spend quality time with her baby.

7. The Milk is a Pooled Sample. Expressed milk often includes more water than fats and may leave the baby less satisfied if given in smaller amounts. In addition, there is always air in a bottle. Bottle feeding the mother's milk can change the behavior of the baby at the breast; it may impact both the quality and amount of breastfeeding being done.

"Conscious Breastfeeding" moms understand that there is a time and a place for pumping. They have a paced rhythm to their breastfeeding which enables them to be available for feedings and rely less on relief bottles. They can readily see that their baby drives the milk supply and only pump if absolutely necessary. They often do not need to extract their milk unless they are working outside of the home or needing to be away for an extended period during any given day

To learn more about this mother-led breastfeeding approach and to get your free Mini Conscious Breastfeeding Course, visit us at The Breastfeeding Salon. Join our vibrant unique community of moms at the Conscious Breastfeeding Space.

There is only one published hoodia gordonii study at this time. This study was performed at Brown University Medical School in Rhode Island. The participants in this hoodia gordonii study were rats. Questions concerning the safety of using hoodia and breastfeeding have not been addressed by the scientific community. However, it is important for mothers to remember that anything she eats or drinks or allows to enter her bloodstream in any other way will show up in her breast milk and will be passed along to her infant. If the current speculation concerning hoodia gordonii as an appetite suppressant is correct. This could mean that the baby's appetite would be affected as well.

Any reputable manufacture makes the following statements concerning the use of hoodia. Even though there is only one hoodia gordonii study and clinical research has not been completed by Phytopharm, who is licensed to develop the patented p57 molecule, consumers should consult their doctors before use. It is not recommended to combine hoodia and breastfeeding. Dieters should be in reasonably good health. It is not recommended to use hoodia during pregnancy. Drug interaction factors are unknown. Use by diabetics has not been formally studied. In fact the only information that is currently available is a simple statement by Phytopharm which indicated that results of their studies indicate no health risks and confidence in safety is high enough to continue research. Results from Phytopharm research and the other hoodia gordonii study have been promising enough to interest health supplement manufacturers and many hoodia products are available for purchase, but the potential for law suits is not as high in the health supplement industry as it is in the pharmaceutical industry. For this reason and others Phytopharm will not release its hoodia product until clinical research is complete. One hoodia gordonii study is not enough.

Everyone knows that one of the things concerning new mothers is taking off the extra weight they may have gained during pregnancy. But, using hoodia and breastfeeding simultaneously is not the answer. Breastfeeding mothers should not use any form of appetite suppressant. Breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctors before using any over the counter meds or health supplements. Breastfeeding is considered the best way to insure proper nutrition and psychological bonding for infants, but mothers need to be very careful about what they eat or drink. Proper diet and reasonable exercise will have to suffice while breastfeeding. There may never be a hoodia gordonii study involving hoodia and breastfeeding.

For more information about the published hoodia gordonii study, visit the Hoodia Info Blog at http://hoodiainfo.blogspot.com.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding lingerie - was it something you thought about when you first discovered you were pregnant? The list of things you need in preparation for the arrival of your baby, be it the first or not, always seems a little daunting. The good news is there are now breastfeeding bras, which make at least that side of things a little easier. In fact, a lot easier if you choose well!

Why can't I use my regular bra?
Pregnancy is a time of many changes, both physical and emotional. I believe that if you can ensure the physical aspects are as pleasurable as possible, the emotional ones are easier to cope with. Your body does change. Your breasts become fuller at the end of your first trimester in preparation for breastfeeding. Wearing a well fitted, supportive and yet gorgeous breastfeeding bra is very important. The differences from your regular bra are in both the construction, the shape, fabrics and ability to cater for size fluctuation. Look for cotton lining for breathability and no chafing, six rows of eyes at the back, supportive, comfortable and adjustable straps, microfibre fabrics and soft laces and detailing which won't irritate, but will enhance! Most maternity bras are suitable for pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Can I get away with wearing my regular bra?
No. You will probably notice an increase in your bust size at the end of the first trimester. If you wear a larger cup size, you may have a bra with underwire. This is not recommended in breastfeeding bras. The milk ducts can become blocked both during pregnancy and after when you begin to settle in to your breast feeding routine. A lot of improvements have been made to maternity lingerie, which includes the amount of support now possible in non underwired breastfeeding bras. If you have a smaller bust with no underwire in your regular lingerie, you will be needing the support of a beautifully designed and constructed breastfeeding bra as your breasts become fuller.

How many will I need?
On average women buy two to three maternity bras, one at the end of the first trimester and again at the end of the third trimester in preparation for breastfeeding. Regular bras do not cope with the amount of washing and stretching through size fluctuation. In addition is the need for maternity clips to allow ease of feeding. Choose a bra with one-handed maternity clips - you might not always have two free!

Can I still find maternity lingerie which will make me feel gorgeous?
Yes! Just because you're pregnant or breastfeeding does not mean you have to wear dull, beige and un-flattering lingerie! In the past pregnancy and breastfeeding lingerie was an extension of mainstream lingerie brands. These days there are companies specialising wholly on maternity lingerie alone. Some even offer affordable, chic stylish designer collections. These days the choices are diverse and cater for all facets of a woman and her desires. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are the most feminine times in your life - revel in it and wear what suits your mood, your figure and your needs.

If a pregnant woman is thinking about breastfeeding her baby it is helpful for her to have some understanding about the anatomy of the breast and how breastfeeding works. This will enable her to feel more confident about breastfeeding and to trust her body's ability to provide milk for her baby.

The non-pregnant breast is largely made up of fat and it is during pregnancy that the milk producing glands increase in size and a redistribution of the fat occurs. The milk producing tissue is divided into fifteen to twenty lobes in each breast. Each lobe of the breast resembles the leaves, branches and trunk of a tree. Every lobe has the glandular tissue and branching milk ducts which ultimately open at the nipple. The glandular tissue is made up of the alveoli which look rather like a bunch of grapes. The alveoli secrete and store milk until it is ejected out of the breast. Behind the nipple each duct widens to form a kind of reservoir, the ampulla.

From about the third month of pregnancy the breast begins to produce colostrum which is the first milk that flows after the baby's birth and up until approximately the tenth day. Progesterone which is present in large amounts during the pregnancy, prevents the breasts from producing the mature milk through inhibiting the action of prolactin, the milk producing hormone.

After the birth of the baby and the expulsion of the placenta the progesterone levels in the mother's body decrease substantially and the prolactin released by the anterior pituitary can then begin to take effect and cause the milk glands to secrete milk. At this stage the mature milk is produced. The next step is that the milk has to be made available to the baby. When the baby is put to the breast, the stimulation to the nipple causes the release of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary which results in the contraction of the little muscles around the alveoli. The contraction of these little muscles causes the milk to be squeezed and propelled down the ducts and to be made available to the baby. This is called the let down reflex and to a greater or lesser degree the milk will leak or drip from the nipple. The baby at the breast then obtains the milk through a milking action by its tongue and jaw.

The let down reflex may be felt as a tingling sensation inside the breast or the mother may be aware of it by the sound of the contented gulps from the baby as he drinks the milk.

The above is an outline on how breastfeeding works and articles will follow that explain how to position the baby at the breast.

Breastfeeding is good for babies up to six months (for some, even older!). However, most mothers do not know which is proper and not proper for their baby's needs. Well, here are some tips on food types that may cause problems in breastfeeding and jeopardizing your baby's health. The following will inform you about breastfeeding food problems.

1.) Spicy foods

Spicy foods are also transferred to your breast milk. Since you are breastfeeding, this can cause gastrointestinal problems in your child. Anatomically speaking, the GI tract of your child is still immature which can therefore cause discomfort and gastric irritation.

2.) Hyperallergenic foods

These include foods such as freshwater fish, garlic, eggs, chocolate and other products with caffeine. The same with spicy foods, oftentimes, they cause gastric irritation among babies.

3.) Spoiled milk and dairy products

Your breast milk is primarily composed of calcium. Everyday, mothers are giving their babies approximately 250 mg! Since these are drawn out from you, you must therefore compensate for the loss. Daily intake of milk will ensure both your baby as well as yourself. Just make sure that those products are not spoiled. This rule also applies to other food types.

4.) Low oral fluid intake

Water is regarded as the best liquid you could ever drink and be worry-free about. Since you need rehydration every now then due to breastfeeding therefore making you susceptible to fluid loss, you must make sure that the fluid lost in your body is replenished. Never ignore drinking water. Never ignore your thirst. Besides, if you ignore your thirst, it will give you a difficult situation like constipation.

5.) Low intake of vegetables and fruits

Vegetables are not only good, it also gives off the kind of nutrients that your baby needs for bone development: Vitamin D. Let me walk you through it. When your baby takes in calcium via breast milk, your baby cannot convert this calcium for bone storage. Vitamin D will help the conversion of this calcium to an absorbable type which are then stored in the bones. Vitamin D rich foods are fish, milk, eggs and butter. But, the highest content of Vitamin D rich foods are found in fish oil and most of all, good old sunlight. So you better add more veggies and fruits to your grocery list.

To avoid breastfeeding food problems [http://breastfeeding-problems-solution.blogspot.com/2007/09/breastfeeding-facts-and-tips.html], always take note of the things I mentioned above.

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You've read the breastfeeding books and browsed the breastfeeding websites. You know that breastfeeding is good for your baby and for you. But don't think you know all the breastfeeding benefits just yet. Below are little-known breastfeeding benefits that infant formula companies hope you never learn about.

1. Exclusively breastfed babies have pleasant-smelling poop

Think changing your baby's diaper is awful? Try changing the soiled diaper of a formula-fed baby! The difference is enormous and you will realize that your exclusively breastfed baby's poop isn't bad at all. The breastfed baby's poop and spit up wash out much more easily, too.

2. Traveling with a breastfed baby is much easier

First of all, you don't need to pack bottles and rubber nipples or worry about sterilizing them or bringing enough infant formula. So not only do you worry about fewer things but you can travel much more lightly. Secondly, it's easier to soothe a breastfeeding baby who becomes cranky and fussy while traveling. For example, if baby has stuffy ears in an airplane, simply breastfeed and the ears will clear up right away.

3. More sleep for Mommy

It's a myth that breastfeeding Mommies are more sleep-deprived than formula-feeding Moms. Breastfeeding Moms who know how to nurse while lying down and keep their babies close hardly need to wake up in the middle of the night. When baby wakes up, the breastfeeding Mommy only has to lift up her shirt, latch baby on, and both go back to sleep. Sometimes Mommy wakes up so lightly that she doesn't remember waking up at all.

4. Mother and baby have to stay together

Believe it or not, this is a benefit. Mother and baby belong together and breastfeeding makes sure that this happens more often than if the mother is formula feeding. If the family is serious about making breastfeeding successful, they can come up with creative ways to keep Mommy and baby together. For example, they can find ways for Mommy to stay at home or delay going back to work. Or they can figure out how to bring baby to Mommy's workplace or bring Mommy's work to the home. These are just some ways that Moms have made breastfeeding possible in their own special circumstances. And as long as Mommy and baby are together, then...

5. The breastfeeding Mommy and her baby are disaster-proof

Did you hear about the family whose car got stuck in the snow for days? Their infant survived on Mommy's breastmilk alone until rescuers found them. In an emergency, even if the mother is traumatized or starving, she can continue breastfeeding her child. In contrast, formula-fed children who do not receive a steady supply of formula will starve. If clean water and sterilizing equipment are not available - and they usually are not - then the formula-fed baby will be prone to life-threatening diseases.

There are breastfeeding benefits that few people know about. Above are five little-known benefits of breastfeeding. These benefits show how breastfeeding can make life so much more pleasant, convenient and safer than formula-feeding. Remember these breastfeeding benefits when considering how you will feed and nurture your baby.

Most moms don't know when to stop breastfeeding. They have trouble knowing when weaning starts and when they should be stopping breastfeeding. Some moms are confused and scared to even begin.

Why do moms wean baby? Here are three of the usual reasons:

1. Mommy has to go back to work. This is the most common reason why working moms stop breastfeeding. After giving birth, they are usually allowed just a month or two of working leaves before they go back to the office. Some continue by either bringing baby to work or by expressing milk and storing them in baby bottles. But most moms can't take the pressure so they just completely stop lactation.

Now, stopping lactation - if done abruptly - will have possible bad effects not only on baby but also the mother - that is especially so if the mom has excessive milk production. Stopping cold turkey is not advised because if it is not done gradually, the mom may develop mastitis - an inflammation of the breast caused by calcium (from breast milk) deposits that have calcified (hardened) in the milk ducts, causing much pain and suffering.

2. Mommy has a medical problem. After giving birth, there are times that the mother contracts an infection. Sometimes, doctors find a lump on the breast (although it rarely happens). Whatever the reason, if the mother is suspected to have a medical condition, doctors would immediately ask her to stop breastfeeding her child. Breast cancer, HIV infection and even alcohol or drug addictions are possible reasons why breastfeeding is put to a halt. When this happens, weaning to the bottle is imminent, and formula may be given to the infant at an early age. This is to arrest and stop infecting the child with whatever the sickness is.

3. Mommy is pregnant ... again. Sometimes, women come back to their doctors for a regular, routine check-up only to find that they are pregnant yet again. Hence, the third reason why women stop breastfeeding. Although there is no known side effect to breastfeeding while being pregnant, society dictates that it shouldn't be done. Since there are no medical studies showing mother and fetal harm while breastfeeding, then if the mother wishes, she can still continue to do so.

While these are all valid reasons, most women forget that the most important reason why weaning should start is if the baby exhibits signs that he is ready to be weaned to food and substances other then his mother's breast milk. This usually involves a baby's physical development. As long as the baby can hold his head without support, sit down for longer periods of time and develops teeth, then the weaning process can already be tried.

Of course, remember that breast milk is still best for babies. So if you don't have any medical condition, then it is best to wean while still giving baby your breast milk to help him fight off infections and illnesses.

Breastfeeding is a smart choice for several reasons -- for both baby and mom.

Today, I'd like to write about the economical, psychological, and, finally the medical benefits breastfeeding can have for new moms.

Why breastfeeding is a smart option economically

For obvious reasons, one of the primary benefits of breastfeeding is that it is completely free. A well-nourished mother provides a perfect source of nutrition for her baby, and nature's gift is that it comes with no additional cost above feeding the mother.

As if that's not enough, another concern a new mother might have is getting pregnant too quickly. Fortunately, an added benefit of breastfeeding is that it is nature's way of naturally delaying pregnancy. The act of breastfeeding can easily delay a woman's period for six months or more. According to scientists, this effect - referred to as the "lactational amenorrhea method" -- is virtually 100% effective during this time period.

Why breastfeeding is a smart option psychologically

Breastfeeding helps forge a strong bond between a new baby and his or her mother. The body-to-body contact, combined with the mother's peace of mind in knowing that she is the only source of nutrition for her new baby can't compare to any other feeling.

Additionally, while she is breastfeeding, a new mother's body releases prolactin. This hormone brings with it a demeanor of contentment and calmness, which is a helpful source in staving off postpartum depression, which is a notorious problem for new mothers.

Psychologists have also determined that this psychological calmness permeates a breastfeeding mother's entire lifespan. She will have higher levels of oxytocin present in her system through the rest of her life, which keeps psychological issues at bay.

Why breastfeeding is a smart option medically

When a new baby suckles, it releases oxytocin in the mother -- and this initiates the production of breast milk.

This chemical also begins to contract the size of the new mother's uterus. Since it will return the uterus back to its pre-pregnancy size, it also aids in eliminating the risk of hemorrhaging.

As mentioned earlier, breastfeeding also should stave off a woman's period from coming back for a period of roughly six months. This is advantageous from a medical standpoint because it allows a woman's body to keep its levels of iron high, which simultaneously prevents anemia.

One of the most welcoming benefits of breastfeeding is that it also aids in losing weight a woman gained during her pregnancy.

It takes approximately 500 calories per day to produce breast milk.

One medical study recently concluded that women who choose not to breastfeed will, on average, keep an extra 7.5 centimeters of fat on her waist.

Looking more long term, breastfeeding lowers a woman's blood sugar levels. After breastfeeding, many women have better blood sugar levels than she did even prior to being pregnant. Breastfeeding may also lower a nursing woman's chances of catching diabetes when she is older.

Along similar lines, a breastfeeding woman also has higher levels of HDL, which is the good cholesterol. Combined with the lower levels of blood sugar, this lowers a woman's risk of contracting heart problems. This is an important point because one of the leading causes of female mortality is heart disease.

Breastfeeding also lowers a woman's risk of osteoporosis, as well as cancers pertaining to her breasts, uterus, and ovaries.

It can be disappointing to some, and devastating to others, when breastfeeding doesn't go as planned. In the quest to provide better support and education to new mothers, many breastfeeding advocates understandably focus on the goal of success, especially with a healthy baby that seems to be nursing well. After all, most breastfeeding obstacles are temporary and brief. For a small minority of women, however, there are obstacles that no amount of time or effort can overcome.

Insufficient glandular tissue, or IGT, is a rarely-discussed condition in which a mother has underdeveloped glands that are thus less capable of producing milk. While many women with this condition also have small breasts, it is important to note that breast size in and of itself is not an indication of IGT, and that most women with small breasts produce sufficient milk. Rather, IGT is most noted by breast hypoplasia (asymmetry or underdevelopment that can be evaluated by a physician), and many women diagnosed with IGT later report little or no breast change during pregnancy and lactation. Photographic record documenting breast hypoplasia often displays visually obvious underdevelopment in one or both breasts, but variations in breast shape can vary dramatically from woman to woman, and the condition is not always visually obvious.

The good news is most women with IGT can successfully nurse, though in most cases, supplementation is required. Some women experience only delayed lactation, and with sufficient stimulation and temporary supplementation can later go on to exclusively breastfeed. In a few extremely rare cases, a mother with must use formula exclusively.

Here are a few tips if you suspect you might have IGT:

o If you are still pregnant, prepare yourself emotionally, and inform your doctor of your concerns. One of the biggest difficulties for women with IGT is the disappointment experienced during the postpartum rush of emotions. Many women experience feelings of anger, guilt, or inadequacy, especially with the lack of information about IGT. The more you can prepare yourself, the better off you are.

o If your baby is already born - don't panic. Remember that most problems with breastfeeding, even those related to poor weight gain, can be resolved and are not, in fact, IGT. Contact a lactation consultant to evaluate the possibilities and get advice as to how to maximize your potential for milk production.

o Keep a detailed feeding and diaper log. This information will be valuable to you and your child's caregivers in order to evaluate when and if supplementation is needed.

o Always remain in contact with your child's pediatrician.

o Discuss your concerns about possibly having IGT with your OB-GYN and/or lactation consultant. Many women who are diagnosed with IGT report that no one discussed the issue with them prenatally.

o If you advised to supplement with formula, do so with confidence. While formula is second-best to breast milk, it is a nutritious alternative that babies not only survive on, but thrive on.

o Most babies can adapt to feeding at both the breast and the bottle, especially after the first few weeks. If you are concerned about nipple confusion in a newborn, there are many ways to supplement besides the bottle, including a dropper or SNS (supplemental nursing system.)

o If you wish to continue breastfeeding, remember to always nurse first and thoroughly before providing your baby with a supplemental bottle. Some physicians may also advise using a hospital grade electric pump to pump following each feeding, to assure the breasts have been thoroughly drained. As long as nursing sessions are as frequent and thorough as a woman without IGT, you will maximize your milk production.

Finally, if you do have IGT, stay calm and move forward. Whatever you decide, it is important for a mother to feel confident and positive about her circumstances and her feeding choices. Many mothers with IGT go on to have successful and fulfilling breastfeeding relationships. Breastfeeding with IGT does have its own challenges, however, as you cannot enjoy the full advantages of either breastfeeding or bottle feeding, and there may be a range of physical and emotional burdens that only you can assess. If you find supplementing is too impractical for your circumstances and choose to bottle feed exclusively, do so liberated from any feelings of inadequacy or guilt. As a whole woman and a whole family with diverse circumstances and needs, only you can decide on a practical feeding plan for your baby that not only nourishes your child, but creates a family situation that is calm, balanced, and content. Your baby's greatest need isn't just breast milk, it's you.

Thinking of using the withdrawal method as a means of birth control? Think again for this method is unreliable and risky as I pointed out in my previous article.

Even if the man withdraws on time, he must make sure that every drop of semen is far away from the vagina as possible. That's because a few drops of semen contain thousands of sperm. If one of them finds its way on the lips of the vagina, that could result in pregnancy.

Another point against the withdrawal method is that even if the man controls ejaculation, he may not feel the semen leaking out of his of penis prior to withdrawing. This is true especially when the sexual need is intense or sexual excitement is prolonged. Thus, pregnancy is a great possibility.

"Only about 50 percent of men ejaculate in one single burst; others expel semen sporadically or in a slow stream. Many men do not know exactly when they should withdraw, since there may have been a small ejaculation of semen prior to actual orgasm. Even a small ejaculation can contain millions of sperm, each one capable of fertilizing an ovum," said Dr. Niels Lauersen, a diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Steven Whitney in "It's Your Body: A Woman's Guide to Gynecology."

What about breastfeeding? Can it really prevent pregnancy? The benefits of breastfeeding are well-known. Aside from being highly superior to infant formula, breast milk requires no special preparation, can be done anytime, and protects the child from infectious diseases. It also strengthens the physiological bond between the mother and infant.

But there's more: Some women resort to breastfeeding as a means of birth control. This is true in countries where contraceptives are unavailable or in women whose religious beliefs prevent them from using pills or other family planning devices. Are these women on the right track? It all depends on how long they've been breastfeeding.

If breastfeeding is done regularly and frequently, it stops the release of a woman's eggs and delays ovulation and menstruation. This effect is produced when the baby suckles at the breast and nipple. The act of suckling stimulates nerves in the mother's breasts which interfere with ovulation. Therefore, the more you breastfeed, the less likely ovulation will occur.

"Regular breastfeeding does interfere with the release of a woman's eggs. The infant's stimulation of the nipple triggers increased production of prolactin, a chemical that suppresses the hormones necessary for menstruation and ovulation. No eggs, no pregnancy," explained he editors of In Health magazine.

"For the first six months after giving birth, if a breastfeeding mother hasn't resumed menstruation and the baby feeds often and only on mother's milk, breastfeeding can provide pregnancy protection that rivals accepted contraceptive methods - close to 99 percent, according to one study," In Health added.

There are, however, some problems associated with this method. If breastfeeding is prolonged or done for more than six months, ovulation could occur before menstruation starts. This means that a woman's missed period could actually be a sign of pregnancy. Pregnancy is also a possibility in those who supplement breastfeeding with an infant formula.

Then there are side effects to worry about. Frequent breastfeeding for a long time can lead to hair loss, skin changes and hot flashes. It also increases the demand for calcium, iron and protein in the mother. (Next: Barrier methods of birth control.)

Women are very anxious especially if it is their first time to be mothers especially when it comes to breastfeeding. With this, a lot of women ask information about the whole concept of nursing and breastfeeding since it is a first time experience for them. So if you are a first time mom, the following are the information that will help you to be free from worries.

Breastfeeding is the way for you to feed your newborn baby. Your breast will lactate milk that will be the baby's primary source of nutrients. It is important for you to know that there are a number of things you may need during the course of breastfeeding your baby. Examples of these are breast pads that will take care of inevitable breast leaks, cloth for spit ups made by your baby once you let him burp and cover in order to be discrete while breastfeeding your baby in the public.

Nowadays, you can also find a lot of clothes that are made especially for breastfeeding. Designers now consider breastfeeding moms needs in terms of fashion. With this, they developed the latest design for breast feeding moms' tops, swimwear, dresses, active wears and even business attires. This will make them look presentable and free from the regular looks of nursing moms.

Bras are also important for women. Some designers made these clothes to be made of comfortable material and non-binding design. This type of clothing will stop the occurrence of nipple cracking or even clogging the milk ducts in the breast. These types of breast problem are the major contributing factors in breast infection. There are also softcup or underwire bras for breastfeeding moms and bras that can hold nursing pads for sleeping at night.

In terms of diet, it is important for these nursing moms to take in the best food in the right amount. Remember that it is important for you to eat healthy since all the nutrients will also be passed on to your baby just like when you are pregnant so it is vital for you to eat the right food.

And if you are a working mom and cannot tend on their baby's nursing needs every time, what you can do is to use a breast pump to get the milk out of the breast and keep it stored in deep freezer. In this way, your baby will have your milk even if you are not there all the time.

Some of the best reasons to breastfeed are the most obvious. Breast milk is free, packed with the right nutrients for your baby, already at the perfect temperature, and boosts your baby's immune system. But there are several extra benefits to breastfeeding that are often overlooked when decided whether to breastfeed or use formula.
Your body burns calories producing milk, and it can help you lose some of that baby weight. You burn an additional 200 to 500 calories per day, which equals about 30 minutes of high intensity aerobics or an hour of walking Feeding is much easier on the go. You don't have to pack formula and bottles before you leave the house and then search for a place to heat the bottles when your baby gets hungry. Plus, all those bottles can get bulky in your diaper bag. You'll save money above and beyond the cost of formula. Bottles, nipples, drying racks, sterilizers, and other feeding accessories can really add up. And the more convenient the option, the greater the expense. For example, disposable liners make bottle feeding even easier, but the cost is quite a bit more than just washing plastic bottles. Breastfeeding can help with your emotional state. Prolactin, the hormone responsible for making milk, is believed to have an overall calming effect on nursing moms. Breastfeeding guarantees that you will have frequent periods of rest through the day, which can really help you recharge. Plus, you can use this time to read a book or magazine or do another relaxing activity that you might not take the time out of your busy day to do otherwise. I actually started looking forward to the nursing sessions so I could get back to whatever book I was reading without feeling guilty that the housework wasn't getting done.

Breastfeeding can be challenging at first, and some days it can be frustrating to be constantly on call. However, the benefits to both mom and baby make it a worthwhile option and I encourage you to at least give breastfeeding a chance before you consider using formula.

Abnormal usage of drugs during breastfeeding causes a phenomenal damage to the health of the child as most of the drugs tend to pass to the child through breast milk. The extent of the damage depends on the drug. Mothers should be aware of the dangers involved in using drugs during breastfeeding.

Quite a number of factors are involved while determining the safety of drugs for breastfeeding women. Route of administration determines the concentration of the drug in the breast milk. Medicines administered through intravenous and intramuscular route accumulate in higher concentration. Orally administered drugs take longer to reach the breast. Topical administration routes like inhalation and eyes reach the breast milk in very low and insignificant amounts. Other factors that influence include the amount of the drug and the dosage time interval in relation with breast feed interval. Infants find it difficult to clear the toxins from their body due to underdeveloped liver and kidney. Also, babies breast fed once or twice a day tend to receive lower concentrations of the drug.

However, there are certain tips by which babies getting exposed to drugs through breast milk can be minimized. Women should take pills only when they are absolutely necessary. One should avoid drugs that are based on sustained drug release principle as these drugs tend to last in the body for an extended period of time. Mothers can schedule the dosage interval so that lowest amount gets into the milk at the time of feeding. It is better to take the drug at night after feeding the baby.

It is important to note whether the baby develops any side effects such as rash, drowsiness, diarrhea and cough. It is important to consult the doctor immediately in such situations.

Weaning your child from breastfeeding is not the easiest thing
to do. As I understand it, weaning a baby from breastfeeding is
like quitting smoking or giving up chocolate. It's best not to
quit cold turkey. It's not easy for you or the baby, but it has
to be done. You can wean baby to a bottle or a cup. I
recommend weaning baby to a sippy cup. Some babies will make it
easier on you the mom, and start to lose interest in
breastfeeding usually around nine months or so, and some babies
need their nightly night cap, making it close to impossible for
you to wean your baby. Well for all you moms out there, whose
baby needs their nightly night cap, here are some tips to help
make it easier for you to wean your baby from breastfeeding.

-Long before you even try to start weaning your baby from
breastfeeding you should get baby used to drinking from an
alternative source, a cup or a bottle; preferably a cup as
mentioned earlier. Still continue to breastfeed but give baby
either water, juice or breast milk from a cup. Try this at
mealtimes when feeding baby solids or when giving baby a snack.

-For the stubborn baby who refuses to take a cup or bottle, it
can be a good idea to skip a breastfeeding session once daily
usually after breakfast or lunch, and only offer him/her what's
in the cup. This may be hard for three or four days, but after
that baby will get the idea. Once baby is used to drinking out
of a cup once daily, you can skip another breastfeeding session
and drink what's in the cup. Do this until you are only nursing
once at night before bedtime.

-Wait at least a week in-between skipping a breastfeeding
session, so both your baby and your breasts get used to the
changes.

-If baby is sick or there is another event such as a move or a
change in daycare postpone weaning baby for a couple weeks to
ensure baby is okay and ready to wean.

-The last feedings to go are usually the morning and the night
time feedings, I recommend cutting out the morning feeding
first. Your baby will be hungry and will eat a good nutritious
breakfast.

-When it is finally time to wean baby from the night time
feedings, it is easier to have your breasts out of sight.
Having your spouse put baby down for bed can make this
transition easier. Tell your baby goodnight and hand baby off
to dad. It takes a good week of dad putting baby to sleep for
baby to get the hang of it. Before you put baby to bed make
sure baby is full. Give baby a nighttime snack and a full cup
of milk. When the week is complete go back to your regular
bedtime routine only replacing breastfeeding with milk.

This isn't the easiest thing to do and it takes quite a bit of
time, but with some patience it will happen for you and your
baby. Good Luck!!

Nursing mothers are responsible for keeping their infants healthy by keeping themselves healthy. You might wonder what foods not to eat while breastfeeding and what's makes a healthy diet for breastfeeding mothers anyway. The following are lists of food that breastfeeding moms need to consume more or less of.

More Fluids
Water, natural fruit juice, and low-fat milk are some of the choices that should form part of a healthy diet for breastfeeding mothers.

At least 8 cups of fluid or water intake is required per day but moms should drink to satisfy their thirst. Drinking more than the daily requirement is recommended although doing so does not guarantee an increase in the milk supply; however, this ensures proper hydration.

Calories
Breastfeeding can be treated as a free pass to women who dread counting their calorie intake. Why? Because lactating moms are encouraged to consume calorie-rich foods like whole grains, lean protein sources, fruits, low-fat dairy products, and vegetables. This is a rare time for women to eat as much food as they want because it is healthy for them and for their baby. A lactating mom's daily caloric intake should be between 1500 to 2500 calories daily, which is around 500 more calories than she would normally consume.

Protein

Protein is an important part of a lactating mom's breastfeeding diet because it is an essential component in building the tissues and muscles of a newborn.

A daily serving of six ounces of protein from lean meat or meat alternatives is recommended for most women but an additional 25 grams (around 1 ounce) of protein is needed to complete the diet of nursing mothers.

Nursing moms who are vegetarians or vegans may need to take vitamin D, vitamin B12, calcium, and iron supplements to guarantee that their breast milk contain adequate amounts of these crucial vitamins and minerals.

DHA
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid.

These "good" fats help control inflammation in the various parts of the body. It is also essential in the development of a newborn's nervous system. Breast milk naturally contains DHA but it is also found in other food sources like soy products, walnuts, and cold-water fish.

When speaking of fish and breastfeeding, salmon is one of the best options because of its low mercury content. To increase the level of DHA in their breast milk, breastfeeding women should incorporate salmon in their diet.

Less Caffeine
While caffeine is not disallowed in most breastfeeding mothers' diets, the intake of caffeine -rich food and beverages should be limited.

Depending on the infant's tolerance, a new mom can drink 1-2 cups of caffeinated drinks per day. Mothers of infants who are prone to irritability and edginess might want to take less because the caffeine might be adversely affecting the babies.

Alcohol
A small amount amount of alcoholic drinks, like wine, is allowed but since alcohol passes to the breast milk directly, it might be best for a lactating mom to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages before her child is weaned.

There is no strict guideline about what foods not to eat while breastfeeding. Some sources indicate that foods like chili, spices, citrus fruits, and gassy foods should be avoided. However, it all depends on the infant's reaction. Mothers should discontinue consuming foods that produce negative effects on their babies like restlessness and irritability.

Infants depend on their mothers for sustenance. Therefore, it is a mother's duty to have a nutritious diet to ensure that she and her baby will be healthy and well.

If you're interested in learning more about the role omega 3's play in the health of your baby, please visit my website, where I share what products I have personally been using daily for several years.

I went on a lactation consult recently where a mom complained of severely sore nipples. While I was observing the latch she yelped out in pain. Sometimes sore nipples is an easy problem to fix; sometimes not. When ever mom is experiencing that much pain I usually look at the anatomy of the baby's mouth to rule out other causes. I look for a short tongue being restricted by a thin membrane that may or may not be seen. I look for an extremely high palate (roof of the mouth) which can interfere with comfortable placing of the nipple in the baby's mouth. Currently, I am finding a lot of babies who have a thin membranes underneath their top lip attached to the upper gum which restricts a tight seal at the breast, causing the unfortunate outcome of sore, cracked, beat up nipples.

These challenges can be a little trickier to fix than just putting a pillow underneath baby to help with positioning or teaching the baby to keep their lower lip down. These mothers struggle with getting their baby to breastfeed and, occasionally, there isn't a simple solution. Instead of a wonderful bonding moment, these moms have a baby who may cry a lot, while seeking more food, and finding that "right position" at the breast. Or mom is crying from the pain while struggling to get their baby to eat successfully. In trying to get food into the baby, she may also be pumping, finger feeding, bottle feeding or cup feeding, all the while dealing with healing her damaged nipples. It can be further discouraging when she sees other women have no pain, no struggle, no pumping, no "special techniques" - just mom, baby and breasts.

It is hard to convince every mom that she will need to do 5 extra things on top of all the other things she has to do in life in hopes that she can get through the storm, and hopefully leading to successful nursing. In MOST cases, if she is diligent, have found the right support for her specific situation, the baby will breastfeed. Some don't have the time or hope to wait it out. And in reality, who can blame these mothers?

Will this mom I saw in a recent consult breastfeed? I hope so. The best thing for a mom to do when having any difficulty is to get a supportive lactation consultant and a knowledgeable (in breastfeeding) pediatrician who can give the mom medical intervention if necessary. Just a glimmer of hope: MOST breastfeeding hardships that receive the "right intervention" and early on, resolve over time. Don't wait longer than a few days in hopes that things get better without some kind of professional involvement.

For those special circumstances when a mom needs to pump, I offer Medela's Pump in Style Advanced and Original breastpump at a 10-20% discount.

Almost every new mom looks forward to being able to breastfeed her newborn. The main factor for this is they feel it is a special bonding between them and their baby and rightly so. There are many benefits to breastfeeding beyond the bonding for both mom and baby.

What Does the Baby Benefit?
From the baby's point of view there are some great benefits as nothing really can replace the mother's milk.

o It seems that the babies that are being breastfed do not split up as much and their bowel movements do not have as much of a foul odor to them as those babies that are on formula. There is more consistency in the baby's bowel movements so you are not dealing as much with bouts of diarrhea and constipation.

o It is believed that the contents of the mom's milk reduces a lot of the common problems that often occur with babies. Conditions such as recurrent diaper rashes or other skin breakouts including excessive drying of the skin is not as prominent in breastfed babies.

o There has been evidence to show that there is less learning disabilities and fewer behavior problems with breastfed children.

o It has now been discovered that it can help to protect against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as well as leukemia and some of the childhood cancers. Even juvenile diabetes poses less of a threat with the breastfed babies.

o For the common illnesses such as infections, cold, and viruses it would appear that these babies don't get them as severely or as often as babies that are fed with other milk.

What Does Mom Benefit?
There is no doubt that breastfeeding moms derive many benefits

o Any Mom that has had a baby with colic will tell you that breastfeeding makes a major difference if they have been able to do the comparison with a formula fed baby.

o Moms seem to be the least apprehensive when breastfeeding and have a much calmer nature. The babies seem to quite enjoy the taste of the milk so there is no fighting them to get them to eat.

o There isn't near the work of preparing and sterilizing bottles. It is also a great cost saver when one considers the cost of formula nowadays.

o From a medical point of view it has been shown that moms that breastfeed have less risk of some types of cancer such as breast or ovarian cancer. This is because the estrogen levels are very low when mom is breastfeeding. This also creates a delay in the menstrual period. Some mothers that are new to breastfeeding panic when they don't get their menstrual cycle. This is only because the estrogen levels are low, but there is still the possibility of becoming pregnant.

What Are the Downsides to Breastfeeding?
There is no doubt that the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh the disadvantages but there a few downsides.

o Mom never gets the chance to rest properly when she is using this method of feeding.She is the one that has to feed the baby so she will not be able to get someone to give her a little time off to get some much-needed sleep. There is a solution to this though if she has a breast pump to pump the milk and bottle it.

o The moms tend to feel a little more tired because it takes up a lot of energy for the body to produce and manufacture the milk.

o It can be a bit overwhelming and frustrating when first teaching the baby to take to feeding.

o In a sense it seems to leave dad out of the picture and he doesn't get the opportunity to bond in a similar way as the mom that is breastfeeding does.

1. Breastfeeding hurts. The degree varies, but even good latches can be, at best, uncomfortable. Aside from Lansinoh, build up a stash of wound gel pads (the hospital lactation consultant should be able to give you some). They are lifesavers in the early weeks. You may also want to use Neosporin on any open wounds (in fact it's more effective than Lansinoh if you do have wounds), but remember to wash it off before you breastfeed.

2. Don't rush the latch. Take the time to get the latch right no matter how heart wrenching your newborn's cries are.

3. Babies can mess up a good latch no matter what you do. It takes two to breastfeed and not everything is in your control. Sometimes, you'll just deal with a bad latch because you'll know if you pop her off that she's just going to konk out and then she won't eat at all. Despite what the LC's preach, you can't always fix a bad latch. Breastfeeding isn't perfect all the time.

4. Newborns are really sleepy. It's a fine art to wake them up enough to eat. Try blowing in their face, nudging them under the chin, stroking their heads, tickling their feet, and putting cold hands on their feet.

5. The football hold is the best one to start out with. Be familiar with it and don't worry about the other positions until later.

6. Boppies are, depending on your height, hard on your back and neck. Test your boppy. If it doesn't sit just below your breast, it is too short. You will either end up breastfeeding like the hunchback of Notre Dame or need a bazillion pillows to get the baby up to your breast. Try a My Brestfriend pillow instead. While it's a bit of a pain because you have to fasten it around your waist, it does allow you to control the height and customize it for your frame.

7. Due to number 6 above, you can expect more than your nipples to be sore. Remember to relax your shoulders and neck and don't contort your hands into weird positions. Have your spouse give you backrubs on a regular basis for the first few weeks.

8. If your hospital/area has a breastfeeding support group run by a Lacatation Consultant, go. Usually they have scales so you can weigh your baby and be sure your supply is on track. Ask the LC while you're in the hospital about hospital run lactation support groups, they'll fill you in on when and where. La Leche League is another place to find support.

9. Newborns eat frequently. Expect to do almost nothing but breastfeed the first six weeks. It's important that you make the breast available on demand during the initial newborn period as this is what establishes your milk supply. Stock up on movies and books (if you can manage to read and breastfeed) because you are going to be sitting a lot. Try to remember that this is temporary. It will pass and you'll gain more freedom as time goes on.

In addition, just when you think you can't take it anymore, keep in mind the more your baby eats, the faster they gain weight and once they hit ten pounds, most babies tend to sleep longer at night. So, you're not just feeding your baby, you're working toward a good night's sleep.

10. Keep in mind growth spurts when planning trips and other events. Growth spurts can be so demanding that you spend more time with your shirt off than on. In fact, you'll wonder why you even bothered to get dressed. So, avoid big plans for the third and sixth week of your baby's life because, you're already booked.

11. Take a breastfeeding class before the baby comes and have good reference books on hand. Breastfeeding is an art as well as a learned skill and you will have lots and lots of questions. Education and support is the key to a successful breastfeeding experience.

12. Always change your baby's diaper before a feeding as newborns tend to fall asleep on the boob and you don't want to wake them up with a diaper change. Especially at 2 am.

13. Know the signs of low milk supply. It's rare, but, of all breastfeeding challenges, this is one to keep an eye on because your milk can dry up fast and you don't want the baby to become dehydrated. If you are at risk for low supply (i. e. you have PCOS) at least buy some Fenugreek and have it on hand. Time is of the essence when it comes to low milk supply. Not every store carries Fenugreek and you won't have time to go looking for it.

14. Drink lots of water. Water makes breast milk. Proper hydration ensures a bountiful milk supply. Aim to drink half a liter of water every time you sit down to nurse.

15. Rest as much as you can. The bulk of breast milk is produced primarily at night while you are asleep, so don't stay up late cleaning the house (or engaging in other such tomfoolery) while your baby is sleeping. Naps are also important. Rest, rest, rest, and drink, drink, drink your water

16. If you or your baby were given antibiotics while in the hospital, ask the hospital LCs about your risk of thrush (a type of yeast infection). Ask them to evaluate your breasts and baby for signs of thrush. Thrush is painful and can be difficult to eradicate, so catching it early is important. Both mom and baby must be treated even if one or the other shows no symptoms. OBs are not terribly familiar with thrush and you may have to be a bit firm when communicating your needs.

17. Before you sit down to nurse, make sure you have everything you need. A burp cloth. A drink. The remote. Nothing is more frustrating than to realize you've forgotten the remote after you've started nursing.

18. Set up a nursing station. A small bookshelf to keep basic necessities within arm's reach is a lifesaver. Put a laptop on the bookshelf for one-hand internet surfing while nursing. Be sure to stock tissues and other necessary items like Lansinoh and nursing pads. More importantly, a nursing chair that not only rocks and reclines, but also swivels will come in handy because, no matter which side you're nursing on, you can always spin around to grab a tissue (or continue surfing the net) with your free hand.

19. Pumping is a whole different learning curve. Not quite as difficult as breastfeeding, but it has its own set of rules and equipment and know how. If you're going to be pumping at work, take some time to read up on the subject.

20. You can do this. Don't give up. Take it one day at a time. Difficult is normal, so don't assume, if you're having a hard time, that you can't breastfeed.

Lets discuss some weight loss solutions that will work quickly without any health risks. Does that exist? In this article I'll talk about some common concerns for you to be aware of, weight loss tips to get you started and things you should definitely avoid while breastfeeding. I'll also suggest a safe option for those of you who are interested in a plan that works.

COMMON CONCERNS

How soon is too soon to start dieting?

Some experts feel that you should wait at least 2 months before starting any diet plan. This should give your body enough time to recover and establish a good milk supply. This is a very safe recommendation that applies to most women. However, everyone is different, and the best answer is to listen to your body. You are the best person to judge when deciding the time to start your weight loss plan. That said, I've seen women safely lose their pregnancy weight within 6-8 weeks! A more realistic expectation would be more like a few short months.
What's the average weight gain during pregnancy?

Well that's a tough one to answer without damaging some egos. Usually 30-40 lbs. is average. The good news is that women can lose up to 20lbs of that weight during childbirth and in the first weeks that follow! Don't feel bad if you've gained more than 40 lbs. If anything, your baby is better off for it! Much of the weight you gained was vital to the health of your baby as it developed.
What if I lose weight too quickly?

This is a valid if not uncommon concern. In most cases of rapid weight loss it is not the quality or quantity of the breast milk that you should worry about but the overall nutrition and health of the mother. (Although excessive dieting can diminish milk supply). Usually 1-2 lbs. a week is the most you should be losing.
WHAT TO AVOID

Steer Clear of "Quick-Fix" Diets.

Most experts if not all will agree that "fad" or "rapid" weight loss programs should be avoided like the plague when you are breastfeeding! Here is a list of reasons why:

Fat-soluble environmental contaminants and toxins are stored in body fat. When caloric intake is severely restricted, these toxins are released into the milk. Ok so what is "severely restricted? I don't know the exact definition of "severely restricted", as I'm sure it is different for everyone but I would expect it to be significantly under 1500 calories per day. Mothers with poor diets deplete their own energy levels and run a risk of becoming anemic. The mother's bodies will pull nutrients from the their own energy stores in order to continue producing the milk their baby needs. This depletion will cut into your lean tissues (your muscles), and your bones causing you to lose muscle tone and bone density. This can have a lasting effect on overall health Accelerated attempts to lose weight while breastfeeding can put your baby's nutrition at risk, as your body will begin to produce substances called Ketones that could potentially make your breast milk unhealthy. You should not be taking any weight-loss drugs, following a liquid diet or cutting your calories below the recommended amount for your height and build.

Don't take advice from the so-called "experts" at the gym. It's probably safe to assume that they are neither doctors nor breastfeeding experts. They get paid to sell you the supplements that their gym offers and are very good at telling you what you want to hear in order to get you to buy their products. Some of the manufacturers of these products clearly state that pregnant or nursing mothers should not take them. Most of these products are made up of a combination of various ingredients, some of which can affect your milk and consequently your baby. It's not worth taking any chances.

QUICK TIPS

Here are a few TIPS to get you started.

No More "3 squares a day"

Avoid eating 2-3 large meals a day and instead eat 3 smaller meals with snacks between. You want to "graze" all day-no gorging. This will keep your body out of "starvation mode" and it will be less likely to store fat. Small snacks like nuts, fruit, string cheese and whole grain crackers make great snacks that are easy to take on the go. Most women in this country don't suffer from a lack of food, but from eating too much of the wrong foods.
Watch What Goes In:

Try to keep your fat intake to 20-25% or less of the total amount of calories you consume. Avoid lowering your protein intake as this can lead to a depletion in muscle mass. Lean muscle mass burns fat and calories so the more you have the easier it will be to lose weight. It's recommended that nursing mother's intake about 65 grams of protein daily for the first 6 months.
Moderate Exercise:

Light resistance training will help you build lean muscle and speed up your metabolism. This will help you burn more fat and calories-even when resting.
SUGGESTED SAFE OPTIONS

Aside from those who choose to lose weight with sheer strength of will and unrelenting determination, most people prefer to have a plan. A guide or structure of some kind has proven to be the most effective route to losing weight. Unfortunately like people, all diet plans are different and consequently what works for one may not work for another. Most experts agree that the only truly effective way to lose and maintain a healthy amount of weight is to have a custom plan made to work just for you.

As I've stated already, there are plenty of options out there to choose from. I have researched many of them and can say that there are as many good as there are bad. Unfortunately it seems that you have to look a lot harder for the good ones. Of all the research I've done, there is one product that I think far surpasses all the rest.

It is a plan called Strip That Fat. In many ways it is like other diet plans out there but there are a few key differences that make it special. Strip That Fat allows you to create a personal diet plan made just for you based on foods that you like to eat. It will generate a unique plan designed specifically to work for you and you alone. This feature by itself is the most valuable part of the whole program but there are many other advantages that I will discuss as well. This is a downloadable program that provides instant access to all the resources you need. It will also create a printable shopping list and diet outline for you. As well, you can generate as many unique diets as you want. And there are no recurring fees, it is not a subscription based plan and you will receive any and all future updates to the software for free once you start

There are way too many advantages in the plan to list here. To learn more about Strip That Fat, visit another article I wrote about safe weight loss after pregnancy by clicking the blue "HERE" link below.

CONCLUSION

Here is some good news: women who breastfeed will actually lose weight faster than those who do not.

Research shows that increased weight loss after pregnancy can be directly attributed to both more frequent breastfeeding and breastfeeding for longer than six months. So keep up the good work and don't give up until you find a solution that works for you. It's out there, I promise!

Fad diets, liquid diets, crash diets, weight loss medications, and any other plan that promises quick weight loss are dangerous to you and your baby. They can cause your body to release contaminants into your bloodstream like PCB's and pesticides that are stored in fat. This increases the odds that these toxins will be present in your milk.

It's no help that you may be hungrier while you are breastfeeding. This is an internal mechanism to make sure that your diet is rich in nutrients. But hunger is not your enemy, bad nutrition and a poor dieting plan is. With the right plan you should be able to eat the foods you love in combination with a moderate exercise routine and safely lose all the baby weight you want.