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Top parenting stories this week
Breastfeeding 101: How to get the perfect latch
Getting the right latch is the key to having a positive breastfeeding experience. Here's how to make sure your baby's latch is perfect.
by: Nancy Ripton
Breastfeeding Latch
- Nipple soreness is almost always a sign of a bad breastfeeding latch.
- Skin-to-skin contact calms your baby and encourages her to take the breast on her own.
- When latching on, the baby's chin should touch the breast, but her nose should not.
- Your baby should cover more of the areola with her lower lip than with her upper lip.
- Watch your baby for hunger cues; if you wait until she cries, it will be harder to get a good latch.
reastfeeding may be natural, but that doesn't mean it's always easy. One of the biggest complaints from new moms is nipple pain. "If your nipples hurt, it's usually because of a poor breastfeeding latch," says Dr. Jack Newman, head of the Newman Breastfeeding Clinic in Toronto. Getting the right latch from the beginning is important for two reasons: it ensures your baby is getting sufficient milk and it prevents nipple pain. Here's how to get the right latch to increase your odds of breastfeeding success. To view the full story click here.
The Breastfeeding Detox
How to cleanse your body when you are breastfeeding
by: Nancy Ripton
Detox
- Toxins can build up in the body and contribute to disease and aging.
- Juicing fruits and vegetables will make your body more efficient at eliminating toxins.
- Nursing women need solid foods to keep their energy elevated and to take care of their baby.
- Eating pure foods helps you lose weight.
raditional detox diets don’t work if a baby is counting on you for nourishment. If you’re feeling sluggish you can still give your baby a boost. Here’s how to cleanse your body when you’re breastfeeding: To view the full story click here.
Breast Milk Pumping Facts
Everything you need to know about breast milk pumping and how to choose the best breast pump for you.
by: Nancy Ripton
Pumping Breast Milk
- Unless medical needs dictate otherwise, it’s important to establish breastfeeding before you start to pump.
- It’s best to pump in the morning, when your breasts have the most milk, to help save time.
- If you’re going to be pumping every day for months, it’s worth making an investment in a quality breast pump.
- When it’s time to wean your baby, put the breast pump away.
t’s hard to believe, but prior to 1996 double-electric breast pumps weren’t available for at-home use. Now, pumping technology is so advanced moms can express their milk almost anywhere. To view the full story click here.
Sore Nipples while Breastfeeding Baby
Nipple pain is the most common complaint among breastfeeding women. Here’s a look at what could be causing your discomfort and how to get relief.
by: Nancy Ripton
Nipple Pain
- It's important to seek help as soon as you begin experiencing sore nipples in order to prevent the situation from getting worse.
- Nipple pain caused by a poor latch is usually immediate and often subsides during feeding.
- If the pain is burning or stabbing and does not decrease as feeding progresses, you may have a yeast infection known as Candida or thrush.
- Vasospasm of the nipple occurs when the nipple turns white and there is a burning or throbbing pain immediately after feeding.
- Chronic nipple pain can be a sign of a new pregnancy.
espite your best intentions, the stabbing pain in your nipples may make you want to give up on breastfeeding. Nipple pain is the most common complaint among lactating women, but nursing should not be a painful process. "Prolonged stabbing or irritating nipple pain is not normal," says Dr. Christina Valentine, medical advisor for Neonatal Nutrition and Lactation at Columbus Children's Hospital. The earlier you catch a problem, the easier it is to fix. To view the full story click here.
Weaning Your Baby
Here's how to make the weaning process go as smoothly as possible for both mom and baby.
by: Nancy Ripton
Weaning
- Remove one feeding every two or three days so your milk supply will diminish naturally. (If you become engorged, you can express a little milk–just don't overdo it or your body will only produce more.)
- Replace your baby's least favorite feeding first (usually a daytime feed when there are other more interesting things going on).
- If your baby is under one year and you aren't pumping breast milk, switch to formula. Once a baby has reached 12 months, she can go directly to whole milk.
- Try feeding your infant a little food before her bottle to take the edge off her hunger and increase your chances of success.
- If your baby is over six months, you can skip the bottle and try going directly to a sippy cup.
eaning can be an emotional time for both mom and baby and isn't always an easy process, no matter when you decide to do it. We went to our experts for tips on how to make weaning easier for you and your baby. To view the full story click here.
