Increasing Your Breast Feeding Supply

A first time mother sometimes may face a problem of breast feeding supply. This means that, no matter how much you breast-feed your baby, the baby asks for more milk. What should one do in this situation and how do you increase your breast feeding supply of milk? We suggest that you give yourself a few days and concentrate only on increasing your milk supply using various methods. Some of the methods are as follows:

Nurse frequently

Nurse your baby as frequently as possible. You should nurse your baby for at least one to one and a half hours a day and three hours a night, even if it means waking your baby up to nurse it. Nursing is better than pumping your breasts, because it stimulates breast milk production better. Also, allow your baby to feed on both breasts.

You May Require to Pump Your Breasts

If your baby does not nurse frequently, use a pump to pump out the milk. Each session should last for ten to fifteen minutes.

Allow the Baby to Suckle Your Breasts

You must also allow the baby to suckle at your breast, to meet all it breast feeding requirements. Do not put a pacifier in its mouth at this time.

Avoid Giving the Baby Supplements

Avoid using supplements as a part of the baby’s diet. Do not feed it formula or juices. Only breast feed the baby.

The Right Foods

Eat foods rich in protein and calcium.

Take Enough Rest

You must also take as much rest as possible along with your baby, so that the skin-to-skin contact encourages nursing.

Eat Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a herb that enhances breast milk supply. You can obtain fenugreek capsules at a natural store or your chemist. You will notice an increase in milk supply in a day or two after eating the capsules. You may also notice that your perspiration and urine smell like maple syrup. This is perfectly normal, and fenugreek suits most people, but if you get asthma symptoms or your glucose level changes or you get diarrhea, you must stop taking the pills immediately.

Those were some ways to increase breast feeding supply. If you have any doubts, we suggest that you read more on the topic in good books and health magazines. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Breast Feeding Questions And Confusions Cleared

When you are breastfeeding for the first time, there may be many doubts and questions in your mind. Here are some breast feeding questions answered.

Will the Milk Be Enough for My Baby?

You may often wonder, if the milk your breasts produce will be enough for the baby’s needs. You should know that, if the baby suckles the mother’s breasts correctly, and is allowed to nurse for as often and as long as it likes, your breasts will begin to produce a hormone that creates milk. Those babies, who do not gain weight while breast-feeding, are probably not suckling correctly.

What if My Breasts are small?

Some mothers feel that because they have small breasts, they will be unable to produce enough milk for the baby’s needs. This however is not true, as women with small breasts can produce adequate milk to feed their babies. It is in fact women with larger breasts, who sometimes find it difficult to get their babies to suckle correctly.

Mothers often ask, whether it is all right to feel pain in the breasts while nursing. While nursing, if your baby latches on correctly, you should feel a tugging sensation. Paying attention to positioning can prevent soreness of the breasts. Alternating between breasts can prevent tenderness and soreness. If you feel pain, get in touch with your health care practitioner. You may have a yeast infection.

Should I Give My Baby Water?

In hot weather, if the baby becomes irritable and cranky, you can give it some water, however the mother’s milk provides the ideal mix of nutrients, including water. It is advisable that you drink a lot of water instead.

How Will I Know That My Baby Has Finished Breast feeding?

Your baby will indicate you that it has finished feeding, by leaving the breast.

Is Breast Feeding Better or Formula Feeding?

Breast feeding is any day better than formula feeding. The benefits of breast feeding are many. The mother’s milk contains antibodies that prevent a baby from falling ill. It builds the baby’s immune system and helps in mother child bonding. It also ensures better growth and development and a higher IQ in the child.

We hope those breast feeding questions and answers cleared the air quite a bit. We wish you and your baby, happy bonding. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Breast Feeding Problems And Tips On Nipple Care

Sometimes, the picture of a mother contentedly breast-feeding her offspring is just a picture, when actually you could be facing breast-feeding problems. You could be facing the condition of sore and cracked nipples that begin to bleed or run dry, when you put your baby to your breast.

Causes of Sore Nipples

Usually, sore nipples do not last for more than a few days. The most common cause is when the baby is not able to suckle at the mother’s breast properly. If this is not the reason and your baby latches on properly, you may be experiencing an infection called thrush. The other reasons could be blisters, nipple pain, nipple cracking, or bleeding. You must seek advice of a lactation consultant or a specialized doctor, to help you with these problems.

Taking Care of Your Nipples

Find the most comfortable breast feeding position for yourself. Change positions often. Use pillows to prop up your baby, so that tugging and pulling is less.

Breast feed your baby as often as it likes. If your baby is not left hungry for long periods, then it will not feed at the breast as vigorously. Also, always feed the baby on the less sensitive breast first.

Rub your nipples with ice before breast-feeding, to numb them.

Do not use soap on your nipples, as it dries the skin. Keep your nipples dry, avoid dampness, and expose them to air frequently.

There are other breast feeding problems, such as plugged ducts and mastitis. These can be prevented by taking good care of your nipples. However, if the problem persists, you must visit your health care practitioner.

You should also read a lot of good books and health magazines of medical advice on breast feeding problems. The more you learn about your condition, the better informed you will be, and being well informed is the first step to better health. For more information visit pregnancy period.

Breast Feeding During Pregnancy- Is It Safe?

Breast feeding during pregnancy raises these two questions. Is it alright to breast feed the baby during a pregnancy or will the nursing baby rob the nutrition of the baby growing inside the mother’s womb? The second question is, could the suckling of the baby stimulate contractions and cause a miscarriage? According to medical experts when you are pregnant, breast milk supply decreases, this is nature’s way of feeding the growing fetus in your womb. However there is no reason for your baby to discontinue feeding if the baby is content with the milk supply. You may also start feeding it a supplementary diet.

If you are Going through a High Risk Pregnancy

If you are going through a high risk pregnancy you must consult your doctor about breast feeding the new born baby. You may want to wean away the baby because the suckling could cause contractions, and this can be dangerous for the baby inside you.

Points to Remember while Nursing and Pregnant

You need a lot of rest if you are pregnant with child and nursing at the same time. Consider child proofing your room with a mattress on the floor so you can catch a nap while your baby is at play.

If your nipples are tender at this time and you also feel restless while nursing, try to feed your infant for shorter periods and ask it to nurse gently if possible. Also follow the breathing techniques that you learnt in parent craft classes. These will help reduce stress while feeding.

You may try weaning away your baby by the ‘don’t offer, don’t refuse’ approach which has worked well with many mothers. However wean your child slowly. If it asks to be nursed you can distract it and give it a supplement instead. Avoid sitting on your favorite nursing chair. And remember to match up the weaning process with a lot of hugs and affection so that weaning is not so difficult for the baby.

We wish you lots of love and care while breast feeding during pregnancy and we hope you appreciate these tips that we have given you on the topic. Don’t forget to read about breast feeding during pregnancy in good books and magazines. It will help you stay well informed and thus in better health.