Is That Glass of Wine TOO Much When Breastfeeding

For nine long months, you gave up your body for the sake of your child. You avoided your favorite Cokes, made sure you did not intake too much salt, stayed away from shellfish and resisted that beautiful glass of red wine that you used to enjoy with your bubble bath each night. And all of this was okay, because you knew the end result; a healthy baby was worth it. Now, you are holding your precious baby – struggling to get 8 hours of sleep and are excited to have your body back to yourself. Except for you have decided to take the road to health and breastfeed. Doctors and books are now telling you again what you can and cannot eat or drink in order to not compromise your baby’s health. Alcohol, of course is one of those things.

But recent research and information provided by the La Leche League is now trying to help nursing mothers to understand that they breastfeeding is not all about self-sacrifice. Scientific research into the effects of alcohol and breastfeeding has even indicated that having a beer or glass of Chablis while you are breastfeeding is not going to hurt your baby. Here’s why.

Alcohol enters the breast milk in the same way it does the blood stream. Similarly, when the alcohol has left the blood stream it is also out of the breast milk. Your milk might be left with a sour after taste from your drink of choice, but the effects of alcohol are no longer a threat to your baby. What many nursing mothers do after indulging in an adult beverage is pump and dump their breast milk like a mad woman, ridden with guilt and worried that they will intoxicate their baby. Research suggests that this not necessary. In fact, what they do recommend is that you pump milk prior to drinking so that your baby will have fresh, untainted breast milk while you are enjoying your favorite wine or mixed drink. Then, to flush your body with plenty of fluids and allow the alcohol to leave your blood stream and breast milk.

Now obviously, this is not to suggest or recommend that breastfeeding mothers now have the right to become alcoholics or over indulge in alcohol. This is simply talking about having a drink in moderation. It is also about the realization that just because you are breastfeeding, does not mean that you are necessarily greatly restricted as you were during pregnancy. For many women, the choice to not breastfeed is due to the fact that they do not want to be restrained from enjoying things that they enjoy in life, such as a cold beer or glass of wine. Being tied down to your baby for feedings can be compounded when you are also limited about what you can enjoy.

What you should know if you are breastfeeding is that during the first two months of your infant’s life, their liver is underdeveloped. This means that drinking and breastfeeding CAN hurt your baby. But as mentioned above, once the alcohol is out of your blood stream and breast milk, your baby will be fine. If you are still concerned, then you should go ahead and pump and dump your milk after wards so that you will not feel guilty after having a drink.

If you have chosen to breastfeed, you should be careful what you eat and drink. Spicy foods can cause stomach upset that is more debilitating than what a glass of wine would cause. The key is to keep things in balance. You should never breastfeed your baby while you are in the midst of drinking, because this would ensure that they would get some alcohol content from your breast milk. Also, if you are planning to drink make sure that there is someone sober to watch your baby. But the bottom line is that sometimes a small drink in the evening as you spend some time with your spouse can really take the edge off of life and make you feel like an adult again. If you are skipping out because you are afraid that you will hurt your baby, don’t! Breast feeding is a huge sacrifice and one that you will never regret, but you don’t have to feel that you have to avoid all the things in life that you enjoy.

David Beart runs the Professors House.Our family based site covers everything from marriage advice and dating to caring for babies.

What to Look For in Breastfeeding Tops

There are 3 things new mums should look for when buying breastfeeding tops. Functionality, or how well the top allows the mother and child to feed. Comfort, referring to the comfort of the mother and child while feeding. And mum’s personal style, or how the mother can incorporate fashion into her breastfeeding clothes. Above all else, the new mum needs tops that make her feel and look good.

After you have made the big decision to breastfeed your child, it’s time to begin thinking about how you will look while you do it. The perfect time to shop for breastfeeding tops is while you are still pregnant, but it’s hard to tell just how functional and comfortable a top will be while you are still carrying around your baby-bump. Breastfeeding tops should allow you to get the job done, and to look good doing it. This might be a difficult choice when browsing clothes racks and online catalogues. There are three things a woman should look for in her breastfeeding tops; functionality, comfort for baby and mum, and personal style.

Functionality refers to the top’s ability to allow you to properly breastfeed your child, but it also means that the top lets you freely do other mum things. The top should stretch with you and provide coverage where you need it and easy access for your child when it’s time to feed. Most tops are layered in a way that even when your child is feeding, your back and tummy remain covered, which makes public feeding much more discrete. The stretchiness of the fabric will provided another function, as well. Breastfeeding tops can actually do flattering things to your midsection.

Comfort is another factor that plays into selecting the right breastfeeding top. Your comfort is important and so is your baby’s, so look for tops that either have scooped necklines for access or a layered top with a vertical opening. These kinds tops are designed to let the child feed in a natural position without having the mum position herself awkwardly. Tops with high waistlines, just under your breast, are likely to give you the most comfortable fit. These styles of tops give you more room around your tummy without a baggy or sloppy appearance.

The final thing new mums should consider when shopping for breastfeeding tops is how they can still express their fashion sense while they show off the new baby. In the past, breastfeeding and maternity clothes were easy to spot due to their plain and frumpy styling. Today’s mums have much more freedom when selecting their post-partum wardrobe. Maternity stores and online sellers now offer breastfeeding tops in just about every color and pattern. Retailers have tops in many different fashionable cuts that are sure to fit your frame and make you look stunning. Being a mum is sexy, so choose the clothes that make you feel delighted to be a mum.

There are 3 things new mums should look for when buying breastfeeding tops. Functionality, or how well the top allows the mother and child to feed. Comfort, referring to the comfort of the mother and child while feeding. And mum’s personal style, or how the mother can incorporate fashion into her breastfeeding clothes. Above all else, the new mum needs tops that make her feel and look good.

Find out more information about Breastfeeding Tops at Frugi

Breastfeeding Tips That Can Help You and Your Baby

You want what is best for your baby. You feel like there is not enough you can do to provide everything you can to your baby. In fact there is one thing you can do that is ideal and this is breastfeeding. If you can breastfeed the baby, rest assure that you are doing the right thing and that your baby will get everything needed.

Breastfeeding is designed by nature and is the normal thing to do. If you are healthy and you don’t have any problems, you can breastfeed the baby for as long as you like. Our society today puts pressure on new moms to use a bottle to feed their children. However, breast milk contains everything your child needs and is good for you, too. So don’t hesitate to try even if all of your friends have used a bottle and their children didn’t have problems eating.

Breast feeding is easy as long as you take care of some things. First of all, you should ask the doctor to tell you the approximate time of feeding for your baby according to the age. This will help you calculate the meals as you can’t really keep track of the amount of food the baby consumes. If you see that the baby is still hungry after this time, you should check the amount of milk that you have. Maybe the flow is slow and you will need some more time to feed the baby. Don’t worry about that, it is normal to have minor problems at the beginning. The opposite can also occur. A baby that is full before the average recommended time should stop eating. The stomach is small and the digestive system is not developed and so the baby requires frequent smaller meals.

Babies that breastfeed are calm during the day and sleep better. This is mainly because they come in contact with the mother. Babies need to feel their parents’ presence and hug and smell is a way to do that. When you breastfeed the baby, your arms and your smell make the baby calm and secure. This feeling is vital for the baby to develop. It will also keep your baby calm and happy during the whole day and night, which is actually what you need to get some rest.

Breastfeeding has many advantages for you, too. First of all, it strengthens your immune system as well as the baby’s. Secondly it allows you to lose weight. Fat is absorbed by the milk and the weight gained during pregnancy is gone. Another thing that is good for you is that you don’t have to prepare the meals. The baby eats every three hours at the early stages of life and if you spend time preparing the meals, you have no time left.

So after all that, you should try to breastfeed to make the baby calm, make the immune system strong and bond together. Your baby will show gratitude in many ways.

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4 Common Nursing Problems That Confront New Mothers

Breastfeeding your baby can be an incredibly rewarding experience. The time you spend with your little as she nurses forms an instant and lasting bond between both of you. Moreover, breast milk is easier for her to digest and protects her immune system, giving it a chance to develop properly. The problem is, millions of new moms experience problems that can make breastfeeding difficult, if not impossible. Stories abound regarding the challenges – some of them painful – that mothers confront.

In this article, we’ll reveal four of the most common issues new mothers cope with while nursing their infants. We’ll also provide a few helpful suggestions for resolving the problem and enjoying the experience.

#1 – Low Supply

A low milk supply is best gauged by whether your little one is receiving enough for her needs. There are ways to determine whether this is the case. For example, following the first week, she should be wetting up to eight diapers and eliminating twice each day. Also, check to see whether she appears to be latching properly and seems content after nursing. If these things are true and you’re breastfeeding her seven or eight times daily, she’s likely getting enough.

That said, many women simply produce too little milk for their babies. This can occur due to many reasons, and should prompt you to speak with your pediatrician. He or she can recommend strategies to improve your supply, such as more frequent nursing, dietary changes, and other measures.

#2 – Mastitis

Caused by an infection, mastitis is usually uncomfortable and often painful. The infection can form for a number of reasons. For example, bacteria that enter the breast through a cracked nipple. Or, if the breast is not emptied as frequently as it should be, milk remains within and begins to stagnate. Plugged milk ducts can also contribute to mastitis. When it is painful, this problem can make enjoying the experience of nursing your baby practically impossible.

Again, consult your pediatrician. He or she may recommend antibiotics (taken orally), use of a warm compress on the area prior to nursing, and an ice pack afterward. It is important to let your doctor know about the problem. If the infection isn’t treated, it can cause more serious issues in the future.

#3 – Clogged Milk Ducts

Milk exits the breast through pores in the nipple. These pores can become clogged and prevent milk from leaving. When this happens, the area will become sensitive and even painful to the touch. This, of course, makes breastfeeding your baby very difficult.

One of the problems many women experience with clogged milk ducts develops when they neglect to inform their pediatricians. The clogs eventually lead to mastitis as milk is allowed to stagnate.

Here too, doctors usually recommend using a warm compress before nursing and an ice pack afterward. Your pediatrician may also suggest trying different positions while nursing, and feeding more often to help empty the breast.

#4 – Latching Issues

Some babies are unable to latch on properly. They fail to take in a sufficient amount of the breast and instead, latch onto the nipple. This results in discomfort and soreness. With enough time, it can lead to cracks in the nipple, which sets the stage for bacteria and infection.

If your baby is having difficulty latching properly, make sure she is fully awake prior to feeding. Then, make sure her mouth is wide open right before latching on. This will help her take more of your breast in rather than latching directly onto the nipple.

For many women, nursing is an important part of strengthening the bond that exists between them and their babies. If you experience challenges while breastfeeding, speak with your doctor. Often, a few simple changes are enough to resolve the problem.

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Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding: should you do it?

Its known by everyone that Breastfeeding is best for babies. There is no disputing the evidence of this fact because of the enormous amount of research that proves it to be true.

However there are many mothers who don’t breastfeed and rely on formula milk due to time constraints and either a lack of opportunities to breast feed, or a simple desire to not submit themselves to breast-feeding their baby.

Therefore the mother should make up her mind before her baby is born how exactly she will be feeding her baby. She can’t start to bottle feed and then change her mind, because the supply of milk soon diminishes if it is not used.

If breastfeeding is not possible …

Despite the numerous advantages for breastfeeding, there are still some mothers who either choose to not breast feed, or are unable to do so for specific reasons.

• They may not produce enough milk to satisfy the baby. Some mothers can’t produce enough milk and though they may want to breastfeed their baby, their milk supply forces them to stop

• There are some mothers who hate the pain of the suck reflex when their baby is feeding. Their nipples may swell and become sore because which makes it even more painful.

• Many women go back to work soon after delivering their baby; this means they are unable to feed their baby even if they wish too. Very often pumping milk becomes a chore and they opt for formulae.

• The mother may become ill or have a specific disease that prevents her from feeding her baby; she may be taking specific medicines, which would be dangerous for her child.

Whatever the reason, it’s important that mothers are not made to feel like second-class citizens if they do decide to bottle-feed their child.

Healthy Breastfeeding Tips For You And Your Baby

We’ve all heard the debate. Breast Feeding vs Formula. But why do most people say breast feeding is the best for your baby? Because this natural mother’s milk is genetically the best food for your baby. This is the way GOD designed for things to work.

Want a more scientific reason? Okay, for one, the complex fats that are abundant in human breast milk are vital to brain development and may have an effect on your baby’s intelligence as they grow older.

Breastfed babies are ten times less likely to be hospitalized with gastro-enteritis in the early months than babies who are fed formula.

Breastfed babies also gain immunities from a host of other infections.

Here are some terms you may not already know. "Foremilk" – the thinner milk that first comes from the breast when you begin feeding your baby. This is for quenching the baby’s initial thirst. "Hind milk" – is the milk that comes later during the feeding of your baby. The hind milk is much more filling and contains all the nutrients your baby needs to stay healthy.

Breastfed babies rarely need other drinks and supplements, because their mother has already given them what nature intended for them to have and need.

What’s in it for me as a Mom? There is nothing to compare the bonding and closeness with your baby that is caused by your choice to breastfeed. It is a great feeling to know that you are doing what is best for your baby.

Babies need to be close to their mothers. They need physical contact. Breastfeeding is one of the best types of physical contact you can have with your baby.

It’s also a whole lot easier than bottle-feeding! No feeds to mix, no bottles to warm or sterilize. Your breast milk is always available, already sterile, and already just the right temperature for your baby.

Here is a real favorite among all women who breastfeed. Many women lose weight more easily after the birth if they choose breastfeeding over bottle feeding.

Another big issue is that there is evidence that breastfeeding reduces your risk for breast cancer.

What if I am having problems breastfeeding? Either your pediatrician can help you or there are breastfeeding counselors you can find in your area or online that can help you with any problems you may have.

If you have sore nipples or your baby isn’t getting enough milk, it may be your positioning. Your baby’s mouth should cover all of the areola, especially the part just under the areola. Sucking on just the nipple will keep the baby from getting enough milk and will make your nipples very sore.

Can I give my baby a bottle at times and breastfeed at other times? It’s not recommended. Bottle nipples are easier for the baby to suck on and they will obtain bad breastfeeding technique which in turn will cause them to be less hungry or not get enough milk from breastfeeding.