Women’s Health Blog

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

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

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

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

How to wean
You should proceed slowly, regardless of what
the age of your child may be. Experts say
that you shouldn’t abruptly withhold your breast,
as they results can be traumatic. You should
however, try these methods instead:
1. Skip a feeding – Skip a feeding and
see what happens, offering a cup of milk to your
baby instead. As a substitue, you can use a
bottle of your own pumped milk, formula, or a
cow’s milk. If you reduce feedings one at a
time, your child will eventually adjust to the
changes.
2. Shorten feeding time – You can start
by cutting the length of time your child is
actually at the breast. If the normal feeding
time is 5 minuts, try 3. Depending on the age,
follow the feeding with a healthy snack. Bed
time feedings are usually the hardest to wean,
as they are normally the last to go.
3. Postpone and distract – You can
postpone feedings if you are only feeding a couple
of times per day. This method works great if
you have an older child you can actually reason
with. If your child wants the breast, say that
you’ll feed later then distract him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Childbirth results in changes in a woman’s body.  Many women gain a significant amount of weight.  While a doctor recommends a weight gain of about 25-35lbs throughout your pregnancy, you may gain a whole lot more than that.  Many women are distressed and wonder, “why didn’t I lose weight after childbirth?” We hear stories of women fitting into their jeans two weeks after a baby’s born and can feel distressed if that’s not happening to us.

If you’re wondering, why didn’t I lose weight after childbirth? You’re not alone.  Many women have trouble shedding their pregnancy weight.  While it would be nice if the weight just melted off after our babies are born, it usually requires a few little things to happen.  Those things are related to time, effort and diet.

Why Didn’t I Lose Weight After Childbirth? Time…

It took nine months to gain that weight, it would take at least a little bit of time to come off.  Many women don’t start to see results until at least the six-month mark when your body starts to lose its reserves.  If you are breastfeeding your system will reserve a certain amount of weight to ensure that you are able to make the milk your baby needs.  Many women see a change in their body after their baby reaches six months old.  While not everyone will see that change, the vast majority finds that a lot of excess weight just starts to disappear.

Why Didn’t I Lose Weight After Childbirth?  Effort…

It’s going to take a bit of effort to lose the weight.  A healthy weight loss is between one and two pounds of weight per week.  If you are busy at work and with your child, you may lose this on your own after childbirth.  If not, you can take up a mild to moderate exercise routine and expect to see results.  Walking, swimming bicycling, yoga, aerobics or visiting a gym can all helps you meet your weight loss goals. 

Why Didn’t I Lose Weight After Childbirth?  Diet…

When we’re pregnant we’re often under the impression that it’s a free for all with food.  Women can eat excessively when they’re pregnant.  After the baby arrives, if you’re breastfeeding your body will still require extra calories in order for you to make milk so by the time you’re ready to shed your pregnancy weight, it may be just  a matter of retraining yourself on how to eat.  You may want to look at counting calories or reducing fat in your diet.  It may just take a few changes to reduce your caloric intake enough to result in reaching your pre-pregnant weight.

If you’re a busy Mom on the go, it can be hard to eat right but eating healthy, sensible meals will result in your coming closer to your weight loss goals.

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There are many benefits of breastfeeding your baby. Not only is it a natural and beautiful thing, it allows a mother to provide her new born baby with everything that he or she needs for a healthy start to life.

There are many benefits of breastfeeding and nearly no consequences. Babies that breastfeed are found to have a healthier body weight and are less susceptible to illness.

Breastfed babies, although they love to nurse, will stop when they are fill. And breastfed babies also take in essential antibodies from their mothers’ milk that fends off infections and other illnesses that can be very harmful to a developing baby. The benefits of breastfeeding are practically endless.

The benefits of breastfeeding also include the absolutely essential mother and baby bond that is developed during the first few months of life. If a mother does not spend this one-on-one time with the baby, experiencing such close and personal contact, the mother and baby could experience emotional distress.

Every baby deserves a healthy start and the many benefits of breastfeeding are absolutely essential to a baby’s health. If you’re pregnant and you want to breastfeed your baby, you should know that it is an easy way to give your baby the healthy start that he or she deserves.

Following are some simple instructions to teach you how to properly feed your baby.

First, sit in a comfortable position with your back straight and your lap flat. If you wish, you can position a pillow on your lap to support your baby during breastfeeding.

Now to position your baby properly during breastfeeding, turn your baby’s body toward your stomach. In this position, your baby’s bottom should be resting on your elbow and your baby’s head, neck and shoulders should be supported by your forearm and hand.

To begin breastfeeding, position your baby’s nose directly in front of your nipple. Allow your baby’s head to tip back gently and slightly. Then gently rub your baby’s lips against your nipple until his or her mouth opens very wide.

At this point during breastfeeding you should quickly bring your baby’s bottom lip and chin against your breast. In this position, your baby can breathe easily. You should be able to feel the baby’s mouth on a large portion of your breast.

You may need to support your breast to make your baby more comfortable during breastfeeding. It is also important that you are comfortable. You should be relaxed and you should be able to hear your baby swallowing softly.

If it doesn’t feel right, you should stop and start over.

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