Positive & Negative Aspects of Breastfeeding

Is Breastfeeding for You?
By D Adkins

Although medical views on breastfeeding tend to change like trends over the years, a new mom simply has to weigh pro against con in deciding if breastfeeding is the right choice for herself, her family and her new baby. Every mom and every situation is different. In this article, we’ll put together some thoughts that might assist in making such a decision, but remember, it’s very personal and you shouldn’t let anyone influence you to do something you really don’t feel is right for you. An unhappy breastfeeding mom is soon bound to find the reason why breastfeeding just isn’t possible for her, and there can be a lot of guilt attached to that kind of negative decision making. So ultimately, when people are putting pressure on you one way or another, try to gently remind them that you’ve weighed all the facts about breastfeeding and have decided the best option for you.

A few positive benefits of breastfeeding your baby:

1.) It’s medically agreed that the fluid colostrum, secreted from the post-partem breast before the milk comes in is a high-density brain food for baby which builds immunities naturally. Its typical during this time for older generations, extended family and even some doctors to tell the new mother that she’s not producing enough milk to feed her baby and to advise bottle/formula feeding. They often attribute every little whimper from the newborn as a cry for being hungry. This is very worrisome for a sometimes anxious new mom and most often, it’s simply not true. The fact is, this status of the breast providing little or not so noticable quantities of clear fluid during nursing can safely remain for several days. It is the act of sucking on the breast that causes the milk to come. A relaxed you and your baby will make it happen with a little persistance. Meanwhile, you can rest assured your baby is being fed a nourishment that he/she’ll get only once in a lifetime.

2.) No muss, little fuss. No heating, washing, or carrying bottles. No measuring and mixing formulas. No watching and worrying about ounces taken in by baby. No accidentally too hot or too cold temperatures of the formula. When your baby is hungry, all you have to do is think of her/him and your milk will come down the breast, ready to feed. Perfect amount, perfect temperature. No danger of bottle tooth decay. No high fat cow’s milk, no allergic reactions, no lactate or soy intolerances, all of which can contribute later to child obesity and complicate other illnesses. Your breastmilk is perfectly designed for your baby, will change as your baby’s needs change, adding nutrients, having thirst quenching qualities or hunger satisfying qualities as needed. In addition, breastfeeding is all natural, and waste-free, therefore a completely environmentally friendly process.

3.) The perfect food provided by breastfeeding also produces less smelly diapers. Yes, soiled diapers are unpleasant when compared to flowers, but comparing formula fed and breastfeed babies’ dirty diapers, the smell of breastfed babies excrections, both diapers and spit up residue are significantly less offensive to the nose than that of formula fed babies. Breastmilk contains the exact right nutrients for your baby. Unlike any other food on earth, breastmilk guards the newborn against stomach bacteria, aids in digestion and allows for fulfillment of your baby’s potential in optimal physical and mental development. Babies who are breastfed have been shown to have higher IQs than formula fed babies. Breastfed babies also have the emotional advantage of skin-to-skin contact with mother, which enhances bonding and is not the usual practice of bottle fed babies.

4.) Breastfeeding mom’s recuperate from childbirth faster. Carrying your baby to term and the process of giving birth has likely left your body retaining fluid, and the uterus stretched out. Don’t be alarmed at the menstral like flow and cramps you’ll experience during the first couple of weeks while you breastfeed. The very act of breastfeeding causes the repeated release of a chemical in your body called oxytocin, which causes the uterus to contract back to its pre-pregnancy size and prevents hemorraging in the first 48 hours after giving birth. Sustained and exclusive breastfeeding is also an effective birth control method.

Milk production can take up to 500 calories a day, which assists new moms in more rapid and steady weight loss than formula feeding moms. Women who breastfeed their children are at significantly less risk for breast, ovarian and uterine cancer, as are, amazingly enough, their breastfed children.

Negative aspects of breastfeeding your baby and some solutions:

1.) There is an initial period of time when your nipples can be very tender and sometimes even painful. As your baby’s sucking toughens up your nipples, you may also find that your nipples actually crack and bleed. Just as your nipples begin to heal, its time for the next feeding and these wounds can be re-opened and painful. This is a natural process and you don’t need to worry about baby getting a little bit of blood during nursing sessions as your nipples heal. Remember, not long before this, you shared a bloodstream. But this is a very challenging time for mother as she may be insecure about breastfeeding and now have pain during the process. On the other hand, this is a short lived problem for mothers who really want to breastfeed, so hang in there if it happens to you. The nipples will heal and the breastmilk will aid in this. The baby will learn how to suck with your helpful free hand guiding the nipple toward proper positioning, and breastfeeding will soon be a joy for moms who can withstand this temporary difficultly. Most hospitals offer nursing assistance or some sort of counselling to get you started in helping baby suckle properly. There are also many breastfeeding manuals you can read for perfecting this art.

2.) For breastfeeding moms, dads may feel a little left out of the process. Dad will not be able to enjoy the strong and effortless bonding that occurs during feeding time. So, breastfed baby’s daddy will need to make an extra effort to find other ways to bond with newborn. Daddy can lay quietly next to breastfeeding baby and mom, stroking and encouraging them both. Daddy can take baby immediately after baby is finished feeding, to burp, interact and cuddle or play. For the working mom who uses a breast pump and saves her milk for supplemental bottle use (recommended only for older babies, not newborns learning how to breastfeed), Daddy can feed baby this ultra-healthy substance himself. Remember, quite often breastfeeding itself takes place in the life of a baby and a family for only a matter of months. Soon, baby will be taking solids as well, which Daddy can provide.

3.) Mom must take all the night time feeding responsibility, this is true. But Daddy can pitch in during these early months by taking the baby from sleepy mom after the feeding and rocking, diapering or comforting as needed. Here’s a good place to remind all those conscientious parents who are advised never to bring baby to the spousal bed. Yet, there is no easier way to cope with sleep depravation than to bring the infant to the family bed, nuzzle him to the breast and go blissfully back to sleep. Watchful Dad can then enjoy the pleasure of being close during this process or take fulfilled baby back to the crib, making night feedings a family effort. Don’t be shy. Don’t leave this all up to Mom. This is Daddy’s lovely baby too and no one is more creative than a loving, attentive Daddy, singling out the needs of his new baby and his breastfeeding wife.

4.) Restriction of certain foods and medicines must be taken into account when breastfeeding. While foods like peanut butter and broccholi may cause gassiness in babies and for some breastfeeding mom’s should be avoided, for other breastfeeding mothers, these foods may cause no problems for baby. Substances like caffiene and alcohol can be hidden in even some over the counter medications so be mindful, these are not good for baby. Certain foods can also alter the taste of the breastmilk and may cause the baby to fuss, so breastfeeding mom’s should remain sensitive to diet at all times while breastfeeding. In addition, of course all medicines and alcohol will have the potential to penetrate into the breastmilk, so moms who have to take certain medicines for their own health should always consult their physicians about how this will effect a decision to breastfeed.

Some parents may be concerned that breastfeeding can become too restrictive in terms of being able to leave their baby with relatives or sitters to get out for a night or go back to work. Consider breast pump options as a possible solution when you are ready to become more independant of the exclusive breastfeeding. Carefully and patiently introduce bottles containing the familiar ‘breast food of health’ can give mom more freedom to get away, especially when baby is getting older.

In conclusion, there are certainly many other factors that weigh in on making this decision for you and your baby. It’s important to do your own research, know the facts and myths of breastfeeding before you take mis-informed advice out of guilt or obligation. Everyone will offer an opinion, but in the end, its you and your family that will carry out and live with the decision whether or not to breastfeed, so make it a comfortable one that you and your spouse have seriously contemplated and feel sure its the right choice for you.

Article written April 2007 by HD Adkins for Organic Baby Store - http://www.HerSweetBaby.com

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Breastfeeding and Smoking

By Robin OBrien

Smoking is one of the hardest habits to break. Whilst it is in your baby’s best interests to stop smoking, this isn’t always possible for some mothers. It is especially hard to give up an addiction at a time of stress or major disruption, which having a baby undoubtedly is. Should you find yourself unable to stop smoking but still wish to breastfeed here are some points to consider.

Do your best to cut back. Any reduction in your in-take of nicotine is of benefit to your baby; if you smoke, certain levels of your nicotine are passed onto your baby through smoke inhalational and breast milk. You should also be aware that studies show that smoking reduces milk supply, so any reduction in smoking will help your milk supply. To help keep levels high enough to satisfy your baby’s needs, feed on demand as frequent feeds helps to encourage milk production.

Always smoke AFTER you’ve breastfeed your baby. It goes without saying that you should smoke in another room from your baby. Never smoke in enclosed location with your baby. Smoking outside helps keep your baby from inhaling second-hand smoke – a risk factor for SIDS and life-long respiratory problems. Also, smoking after breastfeeding your baby will help to reduce the amount of nicotine in your blood supply and, therefore, breast milk.

Consider using nicotine patches as these can reduce your blood and milk levels of nicotine. Your baby also gets the benefit of not having to inhale smoke. Do not use both cigarettes and nicotine patches as you will be adding further chemicals into your baby’s milk supply than from smoking alone. Nicotine gum is also beneficial. Like smoking, nicotine levels go up and down, so ensure that you use the gum AFTER you’ve breastfed your baby.

There are other things you should be aware of when you breastfeed. Others - and your baby - may be able to smell nicotine in your expressed milk. You baby is certainly able to taste it and may, therefore, take to breastfeeding less easily than babies whose mothers don’t smoke. You baby’s blood stream will contain nicotine passed on through your breast milk. His urine will also contain traces of nicotine.

So, should you breastfeed at all if you smoke? The answer is yes. Breast milk, unlike formula milk, contains your antibodies and your nutrients that will help your baby fight off infection and help its immune system: something formula milk does not have and is not able to do.

Robin O’Brien is a successfully webmaster and founder of breast-feeding-information.com. He provides help, support and advice on any breastfeeding problem a mother may have.

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Can you Breastfeed while Pregnant?

By Stacelynn Caughlan

Can you breastfeed while pregnant? In most cases, yes. You should check with your doctor or midwife, however, if you are at risk of premature labour or have any pain or bleeding during pregnancy. Breastfeeding (nipple stimulation in general) induces the production of the hormones oxytocin, which produces milk, and prolactin, which causes the uterus to contract. Neither hormone should be a problem during a normal pregnancy.

By about the fourth month of pregnancy, your breasts will start to produce colostrum in preparation for the new baby. Some toddlers may not mind this change in texture and taste, while others may naturally wean themselves. Colostrum has a laxative effect and might soften your child’s stools. Be aware that the nutritional content of colostrum differs from your regular milk and you should pay closer attention to your toddler’s other sources of nutrition.

For most women who are nurturing two children at once, the primary concern will be getting adequate enough nutrition. Lactation requires an additional 500 calories (even for mothers who are nursing children who are on solids) and pregnancy requires approximately 300 cal/day. You will need to supply a total of 700-800 calories in addition to the food you normally require for your body size and activity. For most women this will be somewhere in the range of 2600-2900 calories!

Water intake should also be watched closely. Both pregnancy and lactation require ample amounts. Try to get a minimum of 2 litres daily. This may sound like a lot, but you will notice a difference in your body when you consume less than this.
Include herbal teas and unsweetened, diluted fruit juices in your daily total, but not soft drinks or caffeinated beverages (both should be avoided now anyway).

Choosing healthy foods and eating regularly throughout the day will help you get the nutrition you need. Now may be a good time to seek advice from a nutritionist on how to maintain a healthy diet during this critical period.

Stacelynn Caughlan is a Clinical Nutritionist and Certified Herbalist who specializes in pregnancy, birth and childhood. She is currently the editor of http://www.motherandchildhealth.com an online source of advice on nutrition, herbs, and natural healing for pregnancy, birth, and childhood. It includes parenting advice, articles, experts, and a variety of resources that help support natural lifestyle choices.

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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

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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.

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