Congrats to Nicole from Maple Shade, NJ who won last month's featured product, an organic baby wrap from Solana Baby Wear.
Top stories this week
Sore Nipples while Breastfeeding
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.
Breastfeeding: How to get the Perfect Latch
Most breastfeeding problems can be solved by perfecting your baby's latch. Here's how:
by: Nancy Ripton
Breastfeeding Latch
- Breast milk changes throughout feeding so a good latch is important to ensure your baby gets a full range of milk.
- Nipple soreness almost always means the latch is poor.
- 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.
- Waiting too long to get a good latch may result in a reduced milk supply.
Breastfeeding sometimes takes work," says Dr. Jack Newman, head of The Newman Breastfeeding Clinic in Toronto. Getting the right latch from the beginning is important for two reasons: to ensure your baby is getting sufficient milk throughout the feeding (breast milk is fattier towards the end of a feeding) and to prevent pain for the mother. "If your nipples hurt, most of the time it's because of a poor latch," says Dr. Newman.
To help you prepare for breastfeeding, follow this step-by-step guide for getting the right latch. If you continue to have problems, visit a lactation consultant – and don't… To view the full story click here.
