Connie can only shake her head seeing how something as natural could provoke the most curious of looks.

Connie Wilson, 24, is mother to eight-month-old Connor, and way before her baby was born, Connie made the choice to breastfeed. Connie and her husband had long planned to give their newborn the best nutrition there is and that meant feeding her with mother’s milk for the longest possible time.

“I was lucky to get a six-month break from my work as human resources head, and I took all that time with my kid,” Connie says.

One glitch however is the fact that Connie had to breastfeed her baby Connor outside their home. She had no problems with that. But apparently, many do.

For instance, when Connor was three months old, Connie went to the neighborhood hairdresser to have her hair done. While waiting, she breastfed her baby at the reception area. Out of nowhere, a man swooped over and draped a big, black rubber cape over the baby.

“At first I thought he was prepping me up for a haircut, not knowing that I was finished. Then I. realized .he wanted to protect his other patrons, most of whom were women, from the sight of nursing a baby,” Connie narrated. “Imagine my baby eating lunch under a material that doesn’t breathe. So I told the man that it’s my baby’s food. I didn’t make a big production out of it, but I managed to politely send the man away.”

MOST IMPORTANT FOOD

There is no argument that mother’s milk is the most important food in sustaining good infant nutrition. This is the reason why the health sector is trumpeting how crucial breastfeeding is in promoting not only infant nutrition, but also the long-term effects on a person’s health.

International experts in breastfeeding and fertility management also recommend LAM or Lactational Amenorrhea Method as an excellent family planning choice for couples.

Because breastfeeding stops the production of hormones necessary for ovulation and fertility in mothers, LAM is proven to be 98 percent effective in avoiding pregnancy for up to six months from the birth of the baby.

However, LAM provides natural family planning protection against pregnancy only if all the following conditions are present: the woman is fully or nearly fully breast-feeding with her baby getting at least 85 percent of his or her feedings as breast milk: her menstrual periods have not returned and her baby is less than six months old.

Baby Nursing may also have psychological benefits for the infant as well, creating early attachment between mother and child. Many psychologists believe the nursing baby enjoys a sense of security from the warmth and presence of the mother, especially when there is skin to skin contact during feeding.

Ironically, as in the case of Connie and countless others, the noble decision to breastfeed the baby does not leave the most insecure of feelings.

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Although, in most cases breastfeeding a new born infant is the preferred option for all mothers, certain exceptions produce concern for health care experts and mothers about breastfeeding as an optimal feeding source for the child. One of these exceptions is a disease of the human immune system called Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome and it is caused by the virus Human Immunodeficiency Virus, also known as HIV. This is transmitted by the direct contact of a mucous membrane or blood stream with a bodily fluid containing the virus, and one of these fluids is breast milk.

Apart from breastfeeding, this virus can also be transmitted to the infant during pregnancy and delivery. In the absence of anti-retroviral drugs or any other intervention, between 15 to 30 percent of infants are infected with HIV during pregnancy or delivery; among all breastfed infants, around 10 to 20 percent will be infected because of it. So, two thirds of children of infected women will not be infected whereas, one third of infected children will have so through breastfeeding.

Even after a mother has been discovered to be HIV positive, there are certain choices that she can make, it is imperative that these choices be influenced by the accurate information of health experts, their support and counseling and the feasibility of the economic and social environment. It is recommended that if a mother knows she is infected and substitutes for breast milk can be provided for, along with clean water and proper health care facilities then, it is better to not breastfeed the child, as it would put the baby at a greater risk of virus transmission. On the other hand, in places where infectious diseases such as diarrhea and pneumonia increase infant mortality, proper hygiene and water are unavailable, breast milk substitutes are expensive or unhealthy and adequate health facilities are not available, then breast feeding is the best chance of survival for the infant.

HIV positive mothers wishing to breastfeed their infants can do so by considerably reducing the risk of virus transmission, however, this is recommended only when necessary. Unfortunately, many parts of the world make artificial feeding of an infant impossible due to economic and social factors. First of all HIV positive mothers choosing to breastfeed must do so exclusively for the first six months; adding other fluids or solids even water to the diet of the new born is not only unnecessary but also can increase the risk of transmission but contracting infections. Mixed feeding that is, breastfeeding as well as feeding other foods is highly discouraged since it can irritate the lining of the baby’s stomach, increasing risks of HIV transmission. Secondly, the HIV positive mother should try to limit the total duration of breastfeeding since the chances of transmission exist as long as breastfeeding does. So, if replacement methods of feeding become available and feasible, it is recommended that mothers discontinue to breastfeed. Thirdly, mothers should avoid problems such as oral lesions in the baby and breast problems such as sore nipple in the mother since they can increase risk of transmission. A lot of programs also advocate and strive to make common and encourage use of anti-retroviral drugs since these can be helpful in reducing possibility of transmission via breastfeeding. Alternate strategies can be adopted by HIV positive mothers; leaving expressed milk at room temperature or pasteurizing it can eliminate or reduce the chances of baby getting HIV. Milk can easily be expressed using manual or electric breast pumps like ameda breast pump. Information on pumps can be found online at www.trusted-breast-pumps.com. If lucky, mothers can also provide breast milk from alternate sources, possibly through HIV negative women, for their baby. It is important to note that in many cases, mothers are not provided with enough information and counseling to make the optimal decision; they must take special care of their own health while breastfeeding.

On a larger scale, measures have to be taken to support breastfeeding and implement ways to minimize risk of HIV transmission. Women should be helped to avoid the infection completely by promoting safer sexual behavior; reducing the number of sexual contacts, and condom usage can contribute in avoiding the infection. Health care providers and influential groups should have accurate technical information so that people are spared the consequences of misinformation. Confidential HIV testing and counseling for both men and women can help spread awareness and encourage people to communicate further the advantages of knowing one’s HIV status. For all women who are not infected, breastfeeding remains the optimal choice for feeding the baby since it fulfills the nutritional requirements and strengthens the baby’s immune system increasing its overall chances of survival.

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Mother nature set it up that breastfeeding would be the best way to give your baby it’s nourishment. There are many benefits to breast milk as opposed to bottle feeding. There are over a million newborn who don’t make it, each and every year, due to being fed with formula.

The mother’s milk is designed to give your baby all it’s nutritional needs. It has ingredients that help it to resist disease. From allergies to diarrhea, and all things in between (rashes and ear infections) it’s the best possible food for your newborn baby.

When they manufacture the formula that you buy, the base milk comes from cows. It lacks in certain proteins, has others it shouldn’t, and is missing many necessary nutrients that the Mother’s milk has.

Human bodies weren’t designed to process these foreign agents, therefore those little bodies break down from trying. What their bodies can’t break down, gets stored in fat cells. So while the baby gets fatter (which is mistaken for healthiness), it also gets sick more often. It’s been noted that there are around a hundred or so essentials found in breast milk that are missing in the formula.

Babies that are breastfed are given the same antibodies that the mother has. These are essential in fighting off disease and keeping the immune system strong against the attacks of worldy germ warfare. They have a much lesser rate of things like measles, staph infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, and many other maladies. Breast milk cells are around 80% geared toward destroying fungus and fight viruses and bacteria.

Another element of the pros of breastfeeding is that, many times women who bottle feed will let someone else enjoy the experience and feed the baby. It may seem nice, and is a nice gesture, but the baby is missing out on an excellent bonding opportunity. The more a woman breastfeeds, the more she holds her baby close, and the baby is getting nourished, and a bonding takes place. This is part of nature’s plan, and it’s sad when it’s passed over.

The only negative thing to be said about breastfeeding is that your nipples may be a bit sore at first. But with regular feeding you’ll overcome this and be just fine. With irregular feedings you may get some soreness from being too full of milk, so a good regular routine is good for both you and your baby.

Within one hour of giving birth, you may be breastfeeding. However, what comes out is called ‘colostrum’. It’s loaded with antibodies to help kickstart the baby’s fight against sickness. Newborns need feeding around every two hours at first, then they’ll settle into a more lax and normal routine.

If you’re a new mother, and you are able to breastfeed, you owe it to you and your baby to do it. It has everything your baby needs to start out on the right foot to a healthy and happy life.

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Breast feeding is the natural method for feeding a human infant. It should be commenced as early as possible after the child birth. Infant Formula is either made from cow’s milk or soybeans cannot be substituted for breast milk. Starting right will make breast feeding a pleasurable experience for both the baby and the mother.
Almost all the mothers are capable of a perfect breastfeeding. But many hospitals and health care centers are not taking enough care to promote breastfeeding. The early days of child birth is very important to establish a perfect breastfeeding pattern. The baby and the mother can manage it perfectly well even if it is not a perfect start.

Latching on Well

The baby latching on well to the breast is the most important factor in breast feeding. It is quite obvious that a baby who latches on well will get enough milk and those who don’t will have difficulty in getting milk. So the first thing to do is to teach both the mother and the baby to latch on well. For this the mother should take expert advice from the hospital itself. Many hospitals have experts who give advice in this area. Many who are already mothers may give you advice on latching, which is generally not useful because problems may vary from mothers to mothers. A bad latch will be painful for the mother and gives a sore nipple.

Sleeping with the Mother

It is better to take the baby to the breast within hours after the child birth, because it will begin a bonding between the mother and the baby. The baby should sleep with the mother because it will familiarize the mother with the feeding patterns of the baby and it will give more rest to the new mother. If the baby sleeps separately from the mother, the baby will cry when he is hungry and that will delay the proper latching to the breast and results in insufficient intake of the milk. The baby moves when he is hungry, before crying the mother can identify it when the baby sleeps next to the mother.

Colostrum

Studies say that the first milk that oozes out of the breast which is called the “colostrum”, which is thick and yellow, plays an important role in the health of the baby.
There are many cases when the baby was allowed to go to the breast immediately after the birth, the baby latches onto the breast and starts feeding. These babies won’t have any problem in breast feeding later. But some babies find it difficult to latch onto the mother’s breast properly and this may lead to inflicting pain to the mother. But it will be settled down in the due course. The mother and the baby will adapt a comfortable pattern in breast feeding very soon. But if the mother stops breast feeding at this point, it is not going to work out properly later, due to many reasons like lack of milk. So in the case of breast feeding it is better to start as early as possible. It is with out doubt that breast feeding is the best method of weaning a baby.

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Summary

For a new mother, it can be quite upsetting to have a hungry baby and not be able to satisfy the child’s hunger. As parents, we love and nurture our children and we strive to give them everything they need and then some. Learning to care for a new baby can be stressful enough. We don’t need the added stress of our bodies not producing enough milk to satisfy our little bundle of joy.

Below are 5 tips to naturally increase your milk supply, so the above scenario doesn’t happen:

1. Increase your breast feeding schedule.

By increasing the frequency of your breast feeding schedule, you will also be increasing your daily milk production. It may be difficult to increase how often your child is eating, especially if the child is already waking up frequently in the night. If possible, try to increase the number of feedings during the day. This may help promote more sleep during the night, which can also be extremely helpful for both mother and baby.

2. Express milk if your baby doesn’t want to increase his feeding schedule.

Sometimes a mother will attempt to increase the number of daily breast feedings, but her infant doesn’t want to eat that much. If this is the case, you can express the milk from your breasts either by hand or with the use of a breast pump. The mother shouldn’t worry about keeping or storing the expressed milk unless the infant is bottle fed by others (babysitters, husband, etc). Expressing milk will ensure high levels of milk production.

3. If possible, drain both breasts at each feeding.

It may not always be possible, but if you she can, the mother should drain both breasts by hand after each feeding. Of course, the mother should first offer the first breast to the infant before offering the second. Making sure that both breasts are drained will help the milk reproduce quickly.

4. Use herbal remedies that are safe for both mother and baby.

Herbs such as milk thistle and fenugreek are safe both the mother and the infant and can be used to increase milk production. Mothers open to alternative treatments should visit their local health food store to find milk thistle and fenugreek supplements. When taking regularly (according to product instructions), there will usually be a significant increase within just a few days.

If you’re concerned about taking something natural while breastfeeding, speak to an herbal expert to be sure. You may also speak to your doctor. Not all people agree that herbal supplements are safe and so if you feel at all nervous, I would not recommend going this route to increase your milk supply.

5. Avoid substitutes so that your baby feeds more vigorously at each feeding.

Avoiding pacifiers, sippy cups and other items that promote the sucking movement will help the child to feed more vigorously during each feeding, ensuring that more milk is drained from the breast. Babies who use pacifiers have to eventually stop by the time they are 15 months old or they run the risk of teeth and gum issues, so this is another benefit and reason not to offer a pacifier to your baby.

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Preparing your family for a potential disaster situation, whether it is natural or man-made, is always important. The September 11 tragedy and its implications bring this concern uncomfortably close to home. Our fears are not unfounded. Though it’s impractical to attempt preparation for every possibility, it’s a good idea to take some basic precautions in the event that our normal way of life is disrupted. One of the most important things you can do to prepare for a possible emergency situation is to breastfeed!

The term “breastfeed is best” never took on so much significance as it does in the event of an emergency. For one thing, a breastfed baby is virtually guaranteed a source of complete nourishment, even if food and water are scarce. Mothers who feed formula can stock up supplies in advance, but this is problematic. If we aren’t sure of the safety of the water supply, we must rely on bottled water or pre-mixed formula, which takes up a lot more space and is quite heavy to carry. And if we should need to evacuate our homes in a hurry, the stock becomes useless.

There is also the need to keep bottles and nipples clean, which may be very difficult, and uses up precious water that could be used for drinking. A breast fed baby’s food source is always sterile, and always available. However, you might want to pack some formula, water, and feeding supplies in your emergency kit as additional insurance.

Breastfed babies have other advantages, too. They receive antibodies through the breast milk, protecting them from many common illnesses and allergies, which is essential when medical care might not be readily available. True, breastfed babies get sick too – but who is to say how much more severe the illness might have been otherwise? If the quality of the water is suspect, the mother acts as a filter for the baby. An organism in the water that might cause an adult mild intestinal distress could be life-threatening to a baby.

Babies aren’t the only ones to benefit from breastfeeding. The act of breastfeeding generates hormones in the mother that promote a feeling of calmness, comforting her and giving her strength to deal with stress and fear. Breast milk has antibacterial properties, so it can be used as an eyewash, or in a pinch can even be used as a topical antiseptic for superficial wounds and rashes.

In a disaster, breastfeeding mothers also have an important gift for others. Consider the possibility that the supply route may be disrupted; formula might not be available. If you have a battery operated breast pump, pack extra batteries for it in your emergency kit. Supply will rise to meet the demand, and you might save the life of another baby besides your own!

Weaning a baby is almost always a one-way street; once you stop nursing, you can’t go back – at least not without a great deal of hard work. The decision to nurse your baby isn’t always a matter of convenience. In a disaster situation, it could very well be a matter of life and death for your child. And at the very least, it will certainly make coping with the situation easier and provide one less thing to worry about.

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Please read on Breastfeeding Problems Part 1 and Breastfeeding Problems Part 2 before you continue to read this last part of Breast feeding Problems.

Mastitis
Plugged ducts can sometimes lead to mastitis, which is a breast infection. If your breast soreness or lump is accompanied by a fever of over 101 degrees and flu-like symptoms, contact your physician immediately. You will probably be prescribed an antibiotic, and should begin feeling better within a couple of days. Continue breastfeeding as usual.

Nursing Strikes

Babies usually don’t self-wean before nine months of age, and do so gradually. If your baby suddenly decides he wants nothing to do with the breast, chances are he’s on a nursing strike. There are several reasons why your baby may go on strike, such as teething pain, an illness or injury that makes nursing uncomfortable. If you’re having severe stress or anxiety, the baby may be reacting to that. Or perhaps the baby bit you, causing a strong reaction, and the baby was frightened.

Romancing baby back to the breast can take patience and persistence, but it’s worth the trouble. Seek medical attention if an injury or illness is causing the strike. Take extra time to cuddle with the baby. Nurse in a quiet, dim room to minimize distractions, and try nursing when the baby’s sleepy. If you need to express milk, feed the baby with a cup or spoon instead of a bottle to avoid nipple confusion.

It’s quite possible to get through years of breastfeeding without having any of these problems. But if they do occur, these basic guidelines and tips should help you recognize them and know when to seek help. If you have any questions or need assistance with breastfeeding, contact your physician, a lactation consultant, or your local chapter of La Leche League.

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Please read on Breastfeeding Problems Part 1 before you continue to read this second part of Breast feeding Problems.

Thrush

One cause of sore nipples and painful breasts is Thrush, which is caused by the same fungus that gives women vaginal yeast infections. As well as making nursing painful for the mother, it can also cause the baby to be reluctant to nurse because of soreness in the mouth. Symptoms of thrush: red, flaky, itching nipples; cracked nipples; pain in the breast during or after feeding; a vaginal yeast infection; diaper rash; and white patches on the inside of baby’s mouth.

You can continue to nurse with thrush and while being treated. Prevent thrush by eating yogurt containing acidophilus cultures, avoiding unnecessary antibiotics, washing toys and all nipples and pump parts in boiling water daily, washing hands frequently, and cutting down on sugar consumption. Thrush can be treated with a topical application of acidophilus yogurt, gentian violet, or an antifungal medicine administered by a physician.

Plugged Ducts

If you experience a sore, tender spot or lump in your breast, and no fever is present, you may have a plugged milk duct. They usually come on gradually, and are sometimes caused by constrictive clothing (tight or underwire bras, for example), or can happen when the baby isn’t nursing as much as usual.

To treat a plugged duct, apply heat with a warm bath, shower, or heating pad and massage the affected area before nursing or pumping. Nurse or pump on the affected side first, changing positions occasionally to promote adequate milk drainage.

Please continue to Breastfeeding problem Part 3

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Please read the previous Part of Breastfeeding Myths before continue this Third Part:

+ Breastfeeding Myths Part 1
+ Breastfeeding Myths Part 2

One day while we were visiting my husband’s parents, I had a bottle of expressed breast milk to feed our daughter. (My in-laws were very uncomfortable with nursing, so I did it out of respect for them.) My father-in-law grabbed the bottle, held it up to the light, and exclaimed, “That’s not milk! It’s too thin! Here…” He went to the refrigerator, and brandished a half-gallon jug of milk in my face. “This is milk! No wonder that baby’s so skinny!”
It happens. Don’t let it get to you. Your baby is not a calf, and you don’t eat grass and moo.

“Breastfeeding mothers can’t eat certain foods.”

A nursing mother can eat anything she wants to, including spicy food and garlic. These flavors do alter the taste of the breast milk, but babies seem to enjoy the variety. Occasionally, babies do become sensitive to foods in the mother’s diet and develop uncomfortable gas or become restless and inconsolable. Common culprits include chocolate, caffeine, and dairy products, but there are others. A nursing mother should try to eliminate these foods from her diet before giving up and weaning the baby.

“You won’t have enough milk because your breasts are too small.”

Pre-pregnancy breast size usually has nothing to do with the ability to produce milk. Fatty deposits in the breasts determine their size, not the number of milk ducts. While breasts usually swell a cup size or two during pregnancy, you’ll be able to nurse just as well even if they don’t. Engorgement following delivery isn’t necessary, either.

“You’ll have to wean when you go back to work.”

Depending on your job, it’s quite possible that you can continue a wonderful nursing relationship even after you return to work. Many employers are becoming more supportive of breastfeeding mothers by providing breaks and areas for expressing milk, and there are effective, inexpensive pumps that make it easy to do so. But even if you can’t pump during work hours, nursing while you’re home with the baby can still continue. Your breasts will adjust to the schedule, and while you may produce less milk and not be able to satisfy all of the baby’s nutritional needs, he’ll still benefit from the closeness and comfort of nursing.

There are many other misconceptions about breastfeeding. If you have any concerns or questions, discuss them with your doctor, midwife, or a lactation consultant. La Leche League, an organization that supports nursing mothers and advocates breastfeeding, can provide information and direct you to a local support group.

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“You have to feed formula until your milk comes in.”

Breast milk isn’t usually present, at least not in quantity, immediately following the baby’s birth. Instead, the mother will produce a clear or yellowish fluid called colostrum. Should you supplement until the “true” milk appears? Certainly not! Colostrum is the perfect food for newborn babies. It contains antibodies and all the nutrition the baby needs. And the more a baby nurses, the faster “true” milk will come in! Mothers who supplement with formula or glucose water will often have trouble getting a sufficient supply of breast milk. More importantly, supplementing during these crucial first days can make the baby reluctant to nurse because getting milk from a bottle takes less effort.

“The baby’s always hungry because you’re not making enough milk.”

There will be days when the baby nurses more often than usual, and it can be exhausting. In most cases, however, this is not caused by insufficient milk and is not detrimental to the baby. It usually means that the baby is having a growth spurt and has a temporary need for more nutrition. The constant nursing helps to build up the supply. In other words, if you’re not making enough milk, keep nursing and you soon will be.

“There’s no way to tell if the baby’s getting enough to eat.”

Breasts, unlike bottles, don’t come with a measuring guide. Nursing mothers will never be able to say “he took eight ounces at his last feeding!” But that doesn’t mean there’s no way to know if he’s getting enough to eat. What comes in must go out. If the baby’s making lots of dirty and wet diapers, he’s getting plenty.

“The baby’s crying and uncomfortable because your milk isn’t good enough.”

All babies cry. Babies get gassy and uncomfortable, and sometimes suffer that dreaded condition called “colic” whether they’re breastfed or formula fed. But unless the mother is suffering from severe malnutrition, there’s no such thing as “bad breastmilk.”

Continue to BreastFeeding Myths part 3

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