JMS09

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.

You’re probably aware that breast milk is the best food for your newborn child and it is widely known that breastfeeding until a normal weaning age provides significant health benefits to both of you. However, continuing to breastfeed until this time requires some planning and preparation. Also, resuming parts of your lifestyle will be important to regain some balance in your life. There will no doubt
be times when either you intend to be away from your child for a period or when breastfeeding would feel uncomfortable.
Expressing milk for later use is a way that you can spend some time away from your child or choose not to breastfeed while still providing your child with breast milk and those significant health benefits.
Using a breast pump is a skill, just like breastfeeding, that needs to be learnt. It is normal when using a breast pump for the first time for mothers to be only able to express a few drops of breast milk so don’t worry if this happens to you. However, with some practice and the right knowledge you can quickly become more efficient at using a breast pump.
The following is the best way to prepare to use your breast pump.

1. Firstly make sure that you read and understand all the instructions carefully.
2. You will need to ensure that every part of the breast pump has been properly sterilized before using it.
3. After using your breast pump you need to ensure that all of the parts have been washed thoroughly. This is best done by washing with warm soapy water and then rinsing completely in hot water before being dried by draining on a clean towel. You must then allow sufficient time for it to drain and dry completely.
4. You can if you wish, or your doctor advises, sterilize the whole thing every day.
5. If you opt to start with an electric breast pump you should start with the lowest available suction level.

Almost all women don’t have a problem with producing enough milk to breast feed. The ideal way to make sure that your baby is getting enough milk is to be sure that he’s well positioned, attached to the breast, and feed him as often as he gets hungry. Some mom’s that are breast feeding will stop before they want to, simply because they don’t think they have enough breast milk. There are signs that might make you believe your baby isn’t getting enough milk. If your baby seems hungry or unsettled after feeding, or if he wants to feed often with short pauses between feedings, you may think he isn’t getting enough milk -which are often times not the case.

There are however, two reliable signs that let you know your baby isn’t getting enough milk. If your baby has poor or really slow weight gain, or is passing small amounts of concentrated urine, he’s not getting enough milk. All babies will lose weight within the first few days after birth. Babies are born with supplies of fat and fluids, which will help them keep going for the first several days.
Once your baby regains birth weight, he should begin putting on around 200g for the first four months or so. To get back to their birth weight, it normally takes a few weeks.
If the weight gain for your baby seems to be slow, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or nurse to observe you breast feeding. This way, they can make sure that your technique is right and if they think your baby is breast feeding often enough. To help you with your breast feeding, here are some ways that you can increase your supply of milk:
1. Be sure that your baby is positioned correctly and attached to your breast.
2. Let your baby feed for as long and often as he wants.
3. If you feel that your baby isn’t breast feeding enough, offer him more breast feeds.
4. During each breast feed, make sure you feed from both breasts.
5. If your baby has been using a dummy, make sure you stop him.
6. Some babies may be sleepy and reluctant to feed, which may be the cause of problems with milk supply.

By following the above tips, you’ll do your part in making sure you have enough milk when it comes time to breast feed. If you are uncertain or have other questions, be sure to ask your doctor, as he can answer any type of question you may have.

Many women find that they can eat whatever they may like during breast feeding. Even though it’s true that some strongly flavored foods can change the taste of your milk, many babies seem to enjoy the varieties of breast milk flavors. Occasionally, your baby may get cranky at the breast after you eat certain foods. If you notice this happening, simply avoid that particular food. The most common offenders during breast feeding include chocolate, spices,citrus fruits, garlic, chili, lime, gassy vegetables, and fruits with laxative type effects, such as prunes and cherries.

You can have a cup or two of coffee a day, although too much caffeine can interfere with your baby’s sleep and even make him or her cranky. Keep in mind, caffeine is found in many sodas, tea, and even over the counter type medicine as well. It’s okay to have an alcoholic beverage every now and the, although having more than one drink can increase your blood alcohol level, putting the alcohol into your breast milk.
If you are planning to have more than one drink at a time, it’s best to wait two hours or more per drink before you resume any type of nursing or breast feeding. There is no need to pump and dump unless your breasts are full and its time to feed your baby. While breast feeding, any type of heavy drinking should be avoided.
Before you actually omit any foods from your diet, you should talk to your doctor. If you avoid certain foods and it causes a nutritional imbalance, you may need to see a nutritionist for advice on taking other foods or getting nutritional supplements.