Upsetting news

Hi dear readers,

I often get in touch with new mummies and always enjoy the news of pregnancy and the process of being pregnant. As my pregnancy was such a joy. And I simply love to share my breastfeeding experience and hope I can help all new mummies to a certain extend. Or just encouraging them makes me happy.

Recently I heard from my best friend who is also my partner in this Mumsfairy business, that she had a miscarriage. And that she wanted a break from this Mumsfairy business.

Although she is not a mother yet, she adores children and hope to have her own too. It must be a blow to her. Hope she can get well soon.  

I can understand why she needs a break from the business as its bringing her memories of this little one, not born to this world. But I hope she can come back to Mumsfairy team soon.

Successful Breastfeeding Prepare Yourself!

Sinead Hoben

Im going to breastfeed, is a common refrain amongst pregnant women. But what many women dont do is to prepare for breastfeeding beforehand. They simply make the statement and then put it to the back of their minds. The next time the issue arises is often in the delivery suite when the new mum has just gone through the ordeal of childbirth.

When presented with her newborn, the new mum may be exhausted and the last thing she wants is to have anyone else poking at her. The result? All her good intentions to breastfeed become overshadowed when a bottle is produced and the exhausted mum is told that she can try to give a breastfeed later on in the day!

To stand the best chance of successfully breastfeeding, pregnant women need to prepare during their pregnancy.

Successful breastfeeding results from careful planning. And the most important way to successfully breastfeed is to give the newborn baby a breastfeed within half an hour of her birth! Not later on!

Being committed to breastfeeding, but not placing too much pressure on oneself, can work wonders! If a new mum pressurises herself she is likely to end up feeling stressed and, as a result, will be more like to give up breastfeeding early. Having a new baby is stressful enough! By preparing to breastfeed whilst you are still pregnant, you will feel more relaxed about it when the baby is born.

The following will certainly aid you in your breastfeeding experience:

Join a Breastfeeding Support Group to chat to new and experienced breastfeeding mums. Ask questions about breastfeeding and enquire if you can watch some babies being offered the breast.

Observe how each baby is put on the breast.

Look at how different mums hold their babies. Getting the right position is essential to avoid early problems.

Also ask for advice about breastfeeding friendly shops and changing facilities!

Read books, magazines or online articles, to find out as much as you can about breastfeeding successfully.

Get measured for a nursing bra when you are around 38 weeks pregnant. Many baby stores now offer this service. Try a few different styles to find one that is comfortable. Also purchase a couple of night-time nursing bras.

Nursing pads are essential for absorbing leaks and avoiding embarrassing stains!

Nursing shells can be very useful on nights out, as they will catch leaks. Or you can use them during breastfeeding to collect milk from the breast not being used, storing the milk for later use.

Nipple Creams can help soothe sore nipples.

Front-opening or Nursing Nightdresses or Pyjamas can make it easier to breastfeed at night.

Loose- fitting tops can be comfortable during the day. Try layering so that your back is not exposed when you are feeding. Or use a poncho or wrap if you feel anxious about breastfeeding in front of other people.

A Breast-pump is a fantastic investment as it can be used to collect milk for bottle feeds, making up first solids or when you are away from the baby to prevent engorgement or ease mastitis. Ask other mums to recommend one they liked.

A V-shaped Cushion can make breastfeeding more comfortable as it offers good support for mums back. Or a Nursing Pillow can be used to raise the baby up to a more comfortable height for mum.

A Steriliser is a compact way to keep baby utensils and breast-pump attachments clean and sterile.

Some mums find a Gliding chair very useful, particularly for night feeds.

If you are well prepared for breastfeeding there is no reason why you should not succeed.

Breast-milk is natures diet for babies; perfectly balanced for a great start to life!

About the Author:
Sinead Hoben runs her own website, http://www.breastfeedingmums.com offering breastfeeding support and advice to pregnant and breastfeeding mums. Or visit BreastFeedingMums Blog http://breastfeedingmums.typepad.com

Submitted at: Content-Articles.com - WebSite Content and Article Directory

Expressing Breast Milk

Robert Miller

You know breast milk is best for your baby, yet sometimes you need to use a bottle. Expressing milk from your breasts and storing it in baby bottles can be difficult for many mothers. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be. Following the preparations below may aid you in this process:

1. Choose the time of the day when your breasts are at their fullest to express your milk. Morning seems to be the best time for most women. Expect to collect milk about every 3 hours for about 30 minutes each time.

2. Thoroughly wash all of your breast-pumping equipment as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Make it a habit to clean the equipment immediately after each use. This helps keep the items easier to wash each time.

3. If you are new to expressing breast milk, it may help to select a quiet and comfortable place that has few distractions. You will want privacy, so, if you are at work, be sure that you have a private room that you can use.

4. Drink a full glass of liquid before beginning each time. Milk, water, soup, tea — all of them work fine. Warmer drinks may more beneficial in stimulating your milk to let-down. Although alcoholic drinks are not indicated for use before expressing, if you need help relaxing they may be an option for you. If this is the case, then be sure to consult your doctor.

5. Meditation or a relaxation technique of your choice can help relax your body. It is helpful if you do it immediately before extracting the milk. Even watching TV or listening to calming music is helpful.

6. If you are having trouble stimulating a let-down, then you may want to view something that puts you in mind of your of your baby. Look at a photo of your little baby, have your baby in the room with you, etc.

7. Some women have difficulty in getting pumping results. If this is the case for you, ask your doctor about an nasal spray containing oxytocin. This spray helps to induce a let-down.

Expressing your breastmilk does not have to be an ordeal. Just follow these simple steps. If you still have trouble expressing breastmilk after you’ve given these a try, consult your physician or a trained breastfeeding consultant.

About the Author:
Robert Miller contributes articles to several popular web sites, on wellness and health and health tips themes.

Submitted at: Content-Articles.com - WebSite Content and Article Directory

Breastfeeding Your Toddler

William Jones

Think that when you deliver your baby, the hard part will be over? Once the baby is born, the new challenge that presents itself is raising the infant. Breastfeeding can begin within moments of giving birth as long as there are no problems with the baby and the mother. Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first 6 months of the baby’s life, but can continue for up to one year, or until such time as your pediatrician feels the baby can handle other liquids.

Some people question ending breastfeeding that early, and believe that breastfeeding can continue on until the baby becomes a toddler. It has been shown that children who continue to be breastfed tend to get sick fewer times and recover more quickly from illness than children who are no longer breastfed.

This is because breast milk has just the right concentration of protein, water, fat, sugar and antibodies. These protect the toddler from harmful bacteria and viruses, and defend against disease and infection better than any medicine available in the market. Other benefits of breastfeeding are:

1. Breastfeeding helps burns calories, helping the mother shed the excess pounds gained during pregnancy.

2. It provides time for the mother to bond with the baby, building a sense of security, warmth, and comfort, and strengthen the relationship between mother and child.

3. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of cancer in the breasts and the ovaries.

4. It helps stop the post-partum “Period” women get, and helps the uterus return to its original size.

5. Breastfeeding until the child chooses to wean promotes emotional growth. Parents and pediatricians have seen these children grow up to emotionally secure and independent.

6. Toddlers who have been breastfed score higher on IQ tests than kids who were not.

7. Breastfeeding helps the toddler grow normally and avoid becoming overweight or obese in the future.

Breastfeeding can be awkward for mothers when their baby becomes a toddler. If this is the case, one can still continue breastfeeding with an aid of a breast pump. This can cost a little or a lot depending on the model of breast pump you buy and if you choose to pump manually or electronically.

Choosing a what kind of breast pump to get depends on the lifestyle of the mother. If she only needs it to go shopping for a few hours without the baby, then a manual pump is enough. However, if the mother goes back to work after the child is born, then it is best to get an electronic breast pump.

You can purchase breastfeeding equipment from a department store, a baby specialty store, or from the hospital. You can also rent if you don’t want to buy. A breast pump can be ordered off of the internet and shipped to you in just a few days.

Feeding breast milk in a bottle is still okay for the baby since the child is still able to get the correct nutrients for his or her growth and development. As the baby gets bigger, solid foods can be used in conjunction with breast milk.

Whether expressed with a pump, or taken directly from the breast, breast milk is the healthiest thing for your baby to drink. And with the great breast pumps available these days, you can give your child breast milk even longer than ever.

About the Author:
William Jones contributes to several well-known web magazines, on family and home and recreation tips subjects.

Submitted at: Content-Articles.com - WebSite Content and Article Directory

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