Women’s Health Blog

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The length of feeding time will vary. Regardless
of the duration of feeding time, it’s important
for mothers to be comfortable. The following are
positions you can use:
1. Upright – The sitting position where
the back is straight.
2. Mobile – Mobile is where the mother
carries her baby in a sling or carrier while breast
feeding. Doing this allows the mother to breast
feed in the work of everyday life.
3. Lying down – This is good for night feeds
or for those who have had a caesarean section.
4. On her back – The mother is sitting
slightly upright, also a useful position for tandem
breast feeding.
5. On her side – The mother and baby both
lie on their sides.
6. Hands and knees – In this feeding position
the mother is on all fours with the baby underneath
her. Keep in mind, this position isn’t normally
recommended.

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

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The sole purpose of breast compression is to continue
the flow of milk to the baby once the baby no longer
drinks on his own. Compression will also stimulate
a let down reflex and often causes a natural let
down reflex to occur. This technique may also be
useful for the following:
1. Poor weight gain in the baby.
2. Colic in the breast fed baby.
3. Frequent feedings or long feedings.
4. Sore nipples for the mother.
5. Recurrent blocked ducts
6. Feeding the baby who falls asleep quick.

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

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

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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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