Breastfeeding Problems and natural solutions

<p>Breastfeeding:<p>Breastfeeding is the act of naturally feeding an infant with milk produced in the mother's breast. This has unlimited amounts of benefits for the baby not only breast milk is healthier but the action of feeding the child is a moment of love in which the baby learns to bond, smell and caress with the mother as she gives nourishment and affection.<br>Without a doubt breast milk is the best food for a newborn, nothing comes even closer to provide all the nutrients that the baby will need later in life. Breast milk is much easier to digest then any formula in the market, at the same time it provides protection against infections, prevents future food allergies, helps the growth of healthy teeth, and most important it improves brain development. Studies had shown that breastfed babies are more intelligent than formula fed babies.<p>However, many mothers stop breastfeeding after the third or fourth month switching to formula and later to cow's milk, this certainly robs the baby of the special qualities that breast milk offers. Infants that stop nursing before the forth month are at risk of developing asthma, food and respiratory allergies, intestinal bacteria, and oral weaknesses (poor teeth development).<p>Sometimes a mother can not breastfed her baby due to a number of reasons, such as, low quality of milk, breast pain, infection, etc. That's when herbs come into play, many midwifes have used them for years to improve quality and quantity of milk, to fight infection and much more, take a look at the following conditions and the natural ways to treat them.<p>Low quality or quantity of milk<p>Low quality of milk can be cause by medications or a poor diet, many antibiotics contaminate the milk and a diet high in caffeine may cause colics and sleeping problems for the baby it is very important the the mother keeps eating a well balance diet after giving birth, and preferably foods with no traces of pesticides these poisons become highly concentrated in the milk.<p>The use of a breast pump may inhibit the production of milk, lowering the amount available to the baby, this gives the false idea that the infant should be change to formula in order for him to be satisfied, when in fact the problem is the quantity of milk that the mother is producing.<p>Herbs can help with both of these common problems.<p>We recommend<p> Eat alfalfa or take it in capsules, it stimulates lactation, improves quality and quantity of milk.<p> Chaste tree Increases flow of milk, by affecting pituitary's prolactin secretion.<p> Chinese use an herb called codonopsis to increase lactation and strengthen the blood.<p> Goat's rue this herb is been used by midwifes for hundreds of years to improve breast milk production by as much as 50 %.<p> Vervain encourages milk secretion and flow, it also increases absorption of nutrients from food and helps with postpartum depression.<p> Milk thistle promotes production of milk and decreases pesticide residues in breast and milk.<p>TIP: Did you know that tight bras may stop the milk production and cause plugged ducts?.<p> Cumin helps increase milk production.<br> Caraway, aniseed, dill, and fennel promote flow of best milk. It can be taken in form of teas or infusion.<p> If you are prone to chills while breastfeeding and have poor quality of milk use calcarea.<p>Engorgement<p>Breast engorgement is a very common problem that start affecting the mother in the first two or three weeks after delivery and is more annoying to women with poor skin elasticity. Engorgement is due to milk excessively filling the breast together with blood and fluid retention in the same area.<p>Usually the breast feels full, hard, tight, tender, painful, the breast feels hot to the touch and a fever may develop, the baby may have a hard time to latch on and suck.<p>We recommend<p> Take a handful of Confrey leaves and steam them for a few minutes wrapped in a gauze and placed on the breast are very helpful relieving engorgement.<p> Take the homeopathic remedy Belladonna 6X.<p> Soak a towel in hot water and place it on the breast ten minutes before feeding.<p> Poke root reduces swollen breast and pain. Use under doctor supervision.<p> Elder is used to reduce swelling of engorged breast.<p> Chamomile help control inflamed breast.<p> Give your baby frequent feeds on both breast 10 to 15 minutes each.<p> Use a pump to extract milk between feedings to control engorgement.<p> Massage the breast while feeding to help milk flow easily.<p> Mix 2 quarts of boiling water.<p>2 tsp. of vitex berries.<br>2 tsp. of blessed thistle leaves.<br>1 tsp. of nettle leaves.<br>1/2 tsp. fenugreek seed.<br>1/2 tsp. anise seed.<br>Let it steep for 30 minutes, strain and drink 2 cups a day.<p> Bryonia reduces swollen and hard breasts.<p> Pulsatilla and calcarea is very helpful reducing the size and hardness of engorged breasts.<p> When the production of milk is excessive and produces engorgement a cold compress using peppermint oil should be used.<p> A compress of marshmallow and slippery elm often reduces engorgement.<p>Plugged duct<p>This is a problem that occurs when the baby does not empty the breast completely on each feeding, the milk remaining in the duct hardens and blocks the duct eventually plugging it. Tight bras can cause plugged ducts as well. If the breast feels sore it might be a sign of plugged ducts. A plugged duct should be taking care of as soon as possible, if not so it can develop into Mastitis.<p>We recommend<p> Castor oil helps with inflammation and pain.<p> Elder is used to reduce swelling of plugged breast ducts.<p> Queen's delight Clears congestion of lymphatic vessels, stimulates white blood cells to react to infection.<p> Check your nipples everyday, if you see dry milk on them or dark dots remove them with a cotton and warm water and feed your child as soon a s possible from that breast.<p> Place the baby in different positions every time, this will ensure that all ducts are being used.<p> Place hot towels on the breast or run hot water over them in the shower.<p> Massage the breast in the direction of the nipple to try to get the milk to come out.<p>Mastitis<p>Mastitis is a condition that results when a plugged duct becomes infected, the breast swells due to a bacteria that enters through tinny cracks on the nipples. The breast infected with mastitis becomes red and painful with pus secretion other symptoms are fever, fatigue, vomiting or nausea.<p>We recommend<p> Take poke root this helps mastitis. Use under doctor supervision.<p> Queen's delight Clears congestion of lymphatic vessels, stimulates white blood cells to react to infection.<p> Place hot towels on the breast or run hot water over them in the shower.<p> Elder is used to reduce swelling of breast infected with mastitis.<p> Rest as much as you can.<p> Drink lots of water or alfalfa juice.<p> Coat your nipples with breast milk after feeding.<p> There are antibiotics that are safe for nursing mothers and their babies, see your doctor if your case is very severe. However we recommend that you try to avoid antibiotic as much as you can.<p> Wash your hands before and after feeding, to prevent bacteria contamination.<p> Dandelion is very helpful and popular herb to treat mastitis.<p> The chinese use gentian to cure mastitis.<p> Madder root is useful in relieving mastitis.<p>Cracked nipples<p>Cracked nipples can develop when the baby is being position wrongly or by using damp breast pads. The nipple becomes irritated, red, and painful in some cases bleeding may develop.<p> Calendula cream will soothe and encourage the healing of cracked nipples and is safe for the baby to swallow.<p> The homeopathic remedy called chamomilla helps heal cracked nipples.<p> The homeopathic remedy called pulsatilla helps heal cracked nipples.<p> Sulfur is also helpful for cracked nipples.<p> Apply vitamin E to sore and cracked nipples.<p>None</p>

Breastfeeding Myths

Breastfeeding is ideal for both the infant and the new mother. Breast milk is the nature's creation to perfectly match your newborn baby's sensitive digestive system. It is perfectly balanced in water, protein, carbohydrates and fat, enormously rich in vitamins, minerals and antibodies. Even the temperature is ideal for the soft mouth of your baby. This is the secret formula, prepared by the nature to keep your baby healthy and ensures her proper growth and development. The perfectly balanced ingredient in breast milk builds up baby's resistance against chronic diseases. The close contact between the baby and the mother during feeding time leads to strong emotional bond between them.

A good start with breastfeeding is the first step for the culmination of wonderful mother-child relationship. But breastfeeding at first appears to be dreadfully difficult to most of the young mothers. Then in every culture, the new mothers are exposed to countless myths relating to breastfeeding that only adds to the complexities. But with the help from the experts, the difficulties can be easily overcome to make it smooth. In fact, breastfeeding proves to be an enjoyable experience for both the mother and the child, and not a boring tiresome procedure for the mother. Here we have tried to clear confusions relating to some common breastfeeding myths that tend to make breastfeeding experience unnecessary complex for the uninitiated mothers. Many women do not produce enough milk and that supply of milk during the first 3 or 4 days after birth is insufficient are two commonly believed myth, which have little scientific base. The complain that in spite of being in the breast for a considerable time, the baby is still hungry, is not the effect of insufficient quantity of milk, but the poor latching of the baby on mother's breast. For this reason, the proper breastfeeding starts with the learning of proper way of latching on the baby.

As contrary to the myth that a baby should be on the breast for fifteen to twenty minutes on each side, there can be no such fixed time. If the baby is actually sucking the milk for more than ten minutes, he may not need to drink from the second side. If the baby does not drink and only nibble or goes to sleep within minutes on the first side and repeat it on the second, it indicates, the baby is not properly latched on and not getting the flow. In such cases mothers are advised to compress the breast to create an increased flow of milk.

The myth that the nursing mother should be selective in her diet is not at all true. At the best she should aim at getting a balanced and healthy diet. Neither does she needs to avoid particular foods, nor does she need to consume more of a particular type of food. As contrary to popular belief, the colic or air in the baby's stomach is not the result of what the mother eats.

The milk supply does not also depend on the quantity of the mother's food intake. The common belief that nursing mothers need around 500 extra calories per day simply lacks universal base, as there are instances of women taking low calorie diet produce milk that is sufficient for the child. It is generally recommended that the mother's food intake should be determined by her appetite.

Nursing mothers' milk cannot dry up suddenly. Milk production can vary during various times of the day, but it can not stop abruptly. With the baby growing there occur certain changes that make it appear that the flow of milk suddenly dropped drastically.

In such cases, the baby needs to be breastfed more frequently than before and within a few days the flow will be normal once again. You can also help your baby to get more milk through breast compression.

Sometimes the mothers are advised against resuming breastfeeding after a few days gap because of the belief that it turns the milk sour. It is an absolutely wrong conception.

Even a century ago, breastfeeding until 3 or 4 years of age was a normal part of life in many cultures. But in modern days, breastfeeding for long receives criticisms from many blocks of the society. But the mothers should always remember that there is no alternative for mother's milk for building a happy and healthy future for your child.

BABY FOOTPRINTS

Everyone loves sweet baby feet, and baby footprints are a classic symbol of a newborn. The first year of a child's life is a time of remarkable growth and development.

Now you can preserve a piece of your baby's first year forever with easy-to-use kit, which captures a perfect impression of your child's tiny foot.

Anyone can make cute cards with a cherished reminder of baby's adorable feet and hands.

Parents and grandparents will think this is the best baby shower gift.

For thank you notes or baby announcements after baby has arrived, use his/her real footprint or handprint.

Lena Hilltorp is a freelance publisher based in Sweden. She publishes articles and reports and provides Baby footprints resources on www.baby-footprint.net

 

Breastfeeding - A Ladder For Good Health

Mother's milk is one of the best foods for babies that anyone could think about. It contains ample amount of proteins and nutrients which could beat any other health drink for your child. The usefulness of this milk becomes more important because it protects the baby from some of the worst health problems.

There is no substitute for breast milk so providing this milk to your child would be the best thing to give to your child. It has been studied that children who have been breastfed grow faster and are healthier than the ones who have not been breastfed.

Breast milk contains lactoferrin which helps in absorption of iron and protects the intestine from any harmful bacteria. The other component called lipases helps in digesting your fats which helps in baby's growth and development. It not only serves the purpose of providing nutrients to your child but also in serving the purpose to quench to your baby?s thirst and fill-in your baby's stomach.

The IQ of the child also increases by providing breast milk. It saves lot of time and money as you don?t have to sit up late night and mix the formula for your baby. The cost baby food is also cut which gives more time for the mother to be with her baby.

It creates a bond between the mother and child which binds them together. Nursing helps the mother to loose the extra pounds which she gained during her pregnancy. It burns out lot of calories which helps in bringing back the original size. If there are any chances of bleeding after child birth it lessens due to breast feeding. The risk of breast and ovarian cancer is minimal.

Some common remedies to help breastfeeding

-To arouse lactation for better quality and quantity, consumption of alfalfa is very useful

-To remove the hard feeling from your breast place a wet towel on your breast for 10 minutes which has been soaked in hot water

-Use of chamomile helps in controlling inflamed breast

-To minimize pain and inflammation, use of castor oil is very useful

-Having the baby in different positions for feeding also helps

-Consumption of fennel tea and almonds helps in increasing the milk production

-To relieve pain massaging Vitamin E oil on your breast is very good

-Having good amount of yogurt or curd helps in keeping the bacteria and other infection at bay

Positioning Baby Properly For Breastfeedings

Proper positioning of your baby for breastfeeding is one of the biggest keys to preventing many feeding problems. The first few weeks of breastfeeding can be tough. Between the frequent feedings and just trying to find the best technique of breastfeeding can be exhausting. You may also experience painfully sore nipples and/or possibly nipple infections. Don't dispare, it gets better!

Below are some positions you can try: -Cradle Hold. This is normally the most common breastfeeding position. To start, lay baby on his/her side across your lap. Now rest babys shoulder and hip level with his/her mouth, this should be level with your nipple. It helps if you use pillows, (a nursing pillow is best) to lift baby to your nipple height. You can rest your elbow on the pillow for support. With your hand, support your breast by forming a "U" shape or a "C" shape, cupping your breast. Using this position, baby's head should be resting on your forearm and your baby's back should be along your inner arm and your palm. Looking down toward your baby, you will be looking at his/her side. When baby starts to latch on, his/her mouth should be covering about a half of an inch of your areola. Baby's ear, shoulder and hips should be in a straight line in your lap. During the first few weeks of using this position, baby's head and bottom should be level with each other. The above position works very well for most mothers but it's also important to vary your position.

Another good variation: -Cross-Cradle Hold. You should be able to use this position with the same ease of the cradle hold, but this position will give you much more control during a feeding. In this particular position, you will support your baby with a pillow across your lap. Remember, a nursing pillow that is specially made is very helpful throughout your entire breastfeeding process. The pillow will help bring the baby up to your nipple level. The pillow will also help you in supporting the weight of your baby, normally your arms will get tired long before the feeding is complete. With the cross-cradle hold, if you are planning to feed baby with your left breast, you should use your left hand for support and form a "U" and cup your breast. You will then be supporting your baby with your right hand. You need to place your entire hand behind your baby's ears and neck. Baby's neck should be resting between your thumb and your index finger, with the rest of your palm between baby's shoulders. Once you're ready, be certain your baby's mouth is close to your nipple. When your baby opens his/her mouth, push baby forward. Like the cradle hold, your baby's mouth needs to cover about half an inch of your aerola.

Both of the above holds, the "cradle hold" and the "cross cradle hold" are the most popular for early nursing positions and most new mothers are very comfortable using them. Note that there are a number of other nursing positions you can also try. The "clutch hold" or "football hold" and the side lying positions. If you encounter any problems getting your baby positioned correctly, don't hesitate to contact a lactation specialist. They can help you figure out which position will work best for your and your baby.

Before you know it you'll be a PRO!

Carlie Edwards publishes online articles & useful information for Women. For info on Breastfeeding visit Breastfeeding Guide For a variety of related topics visit Health-And-Beauty-Worx.Com.

Breastfeeding And The Working Mom

The good ole days are gone when women left their employment to raise their children when they found out they were pregnant. Sad but unfortunately true. In today's socio-economic climate, it is almost always a necessity that women return to the workplace once their maternity leave is over. Of course at this point one of the problems new moms face is how to continue to breast-feed their newborn baby. Many Moms will find that breast-feeding then becomes a luxury that many nursing mothers are not able to manage due to the problems associated with both working and being able to breastfeed their new babies.

If you have to go back to work after having your baby it doesn't automatically mean you have to give up breast-feeding. Normally with a little contemplation and ingenuity, it can work out quite nicely.

You may find that many of today's firms and/or employers are becoming increasingly aware of the problems new mothers face when it comes to breast-feeding, and to be fair to their employees, the firm/employer will furnish the facilities needed for the working mother to express her milk via a pump which she can then fed to her baby. Unfortunately these types of employers are still way too few and far between, and the reality is that majority of nursing mothers will give in to defeat and start their baby on formula milk. Be diligent and pursue!

If you are lucky enough to be able to express your milk while you're at work, you will want to give prudent thought to how you are going to do it successfully.

Here are a few suggestions you may want to consider when shopping for supplies and/or equipment needed for expressing your milk at your place of work.

* A breast pump is clearly a necessity. This is your most significant piece of equipment. Don't be afraid to spend some money on this! Make certain you buy an electric pump, (this is highly recommended) and you are confident of how it works.

* You will require a cooler bag or tote to place the milk in after it's been expressed.

* Have lots of baby bottles (important... don't forget the lids). You will of course need to be sure they have been sterilized to ensure your baby doesn't get an upset tummy.

* It's also an excellent idea to have a hand breast pump just in case of any emergencies that may arise.

* Use a marker to put the date on your feeding bottles.

* Try to wear the appropriate clothing for breastfeeding. This will make the task so much easier for you.

* Have a supply of disposable pads so you don't have to worry about leakage.

You may be a high profile businesswoman, or you may be working in a factory, it really doesn't matter. What does matter is that your clothing is appropriate for both work and pumping your breast milk. The last thing you want is to go into a meeting after expressing your milk with stains on your clothes be sure you are wearing a top that is buttoned down the front; it's also a great idea to keep a napkin or tissue accessible in case you have some spillages.

Another important piece of clothing... a good maternity bra. Maternity bras open very conveniently in the front and are perfect for breast-feeding. Don't forget those breast pads in case of leakage.

All your efforts to breast-feed your baby while working will pay off in the long run. Breast milk is the most wonderful thing you can give your newborn!

Carlie Edwards publishes online articles & useful information for Women. For info on Breastfeeding visit Breastfeeding Guide For a variety of related topics visit Health-And-Beauty-Worx.Com.

Breastfeeding an Adopted Baby

Yes, it is often possible to breastfeed an adopted baby! The way you go about breastfeeding an adopted baby depends on many factors which have to do with your personal situation, the baby's age and life history. It's usually more challenging than breastfeeding your biological offspring, since establishing

Here are some suggestions that might help: If you are already nursing a baby or child, don't wean her or him. If your child continues nursing until you get your next baby, you'll have a strong milk supply ready. If she or he is old enough to understand it, explain that you want her or him to keep nursing so you'll have milk for the new baby. This might even help your child in accepting the new sibling (feeling that they are able to help in a real way means a lot to children). Of course, don't force your child to keep nursing if she or he does not want to. Finally, don't worry; it's OK to nurse both your older child and your new baby at the same time. In fact, it is likely that this reduces sibling rivalry.

If your child weans her- or himself before the new baby comes, pump your breasts regularly (preferably with a hospital-grade breastpump) to keep your milk supply. You can freeze the milk you collect for later use; it is usable for about six months. (Many breastfeeding books will tell you not to keep breastmilk frozen for longer than two or three months because it starts to lose its nutrients by that time. However, it is still better than formula; do keep it if you would otherwise have to give your child formula, and if your freezer is cold enough to keep ice cream hard.)

If you are not lactating at the moment, start trying to induce lactation a few months before you expect to get your baby.

If you have been pregnant in the past into the third trimester, it is very likely that you'll succeed in inducing lactation now (regardless of whether or not you breastfed in the past).

Even if you have never been pregnant before, you nay be able to induce lactation. However, you might not be able to. Accept this so you don't get disappointed too badly if you can't induce lactation.

If you induce lactation without being pregnant (especially if you've never lactated before), you probably won't produce enough milk to feed the baby on an exclusively breastmilk diet. You'll need to supplement with formula (of course, you can and should use whatever quantity of milk you've been able to freeze before your baby arrives).

Here is how you go about inducing lactation:

Get the best quality breastpump you can get. These are quite expensive. You can buy one if you are sure you can sell it when you're done using it. Otherwise, rent one. Start pumping for a few minutes a few times a day. Gradually work up to about eight to ten times a day, for about fifteen minutes each time.

You may start getting milk in a few weeks or a few months.

Adjust the suction level and length of pumping so your nipples don't get sore or bleed! After the baby comes:

It is likely that your baby has been bottle-fed up to now. Consult the page on nipple confusion for information on how to get a bottle-fed baby interested in the breast. Nurse on demand, so you can increase your milk supply.

Continue pumping. You need all the extra milk you can get, and your breasts can use the extra stimulation, which tells them to produce more milk.

Don't forget to supplement if you need to (you probably will, unless you were still nursing another child when you got your new baby). See the page on supplementation to get some ideas on how to supplement breastfeeding without jeopardizing your milk supply too much.

Consider the Supplemental Nursing System or a similar device. These let you enjoy the closeness of breastfeeding and allow your breasts to get extra stimulation while you feed your baby with supplements (which may include breastmilk that you have pumped). Use this device for a while even if you have not been able to induce lactation before your baby arrives. Sometimes, just holding, smelling, and kissing a baby will do wonders with your hormone levels, and you may find that you start lactating soon after the baby comes. If you are unable to nurse your adopted baby, don't blame yourself. Your body was designed to lactate after pregnancy to feed your biological child. You can bottle-feed and still be a good mother (or father!). See the page on how to make the best of bottle-feeding.

I was raised in the Asia Pacific after being born in the United States. My parents were in the military and I went to college in the United States to become an accountant. After being an accountant for 10 years, I met my husband and decided to be a Stay at Home Mom and raise my kids. It's been a very rewarding experience and I continue to be a stay at home mom here in Dallas, Texas.

Breastfeeding - A Ladder For Good Health

Mother's milk is one of the best foods for babies that anyone could think about. It contains ample amount of proteins and nutrients which could beat any other health drink for your child. The usefulness of this milk becomes more important because it protects the baby from some of the worst health problems.

There is no substitute for breast milk so providing this milk to your child would be the best thing to give to your child. It has been studied that children who have been breastfed grow faster and are healthier than the ones who have not been breastfed.

Breast milk contains lactoferrin which helps in absorption of iron and protects the intestine from any harmful bacteria. The other component called lipases helps in digesting your fats which helps in baby's growth and development. It not only serves the purpose of providing nutrients to your child but also in serving the purpose to quench to your baby?s thirst and fill-in your baby's stomach.

The IQ of the child also increases by providing breast milk. It saves lot of time and money as you don?t have to sit up late night and mix the formula for your baby. The cost baby food is also cut which gives more time for the mother to be with her baby.

It creates a bond between the mother and child which binds them together. Nursing helps the mother to loose the extra pounds which she gained during her pregnancy. It burns out lot of calories which helps in bringing back the original size. If there are any chances of bleeding after child birth it lessens due to breast feeding. The risk of breast and ovarian cancer is minimal.

Some common remedies to help breastfeeding

-To arouse lactation for better quality and quantity, consumption of alfalfa is very useful
-To remove the hard feeling from your breast place a wet towel on your breast for 10 minutes which has been soaked in hot water
-Use of chamomile helps in controlling inflamed breast
-To minimize pain and inflammation, use of castor oil is very useful
-Having the baby in different positions for feeding also helps
-Consumption of fennel tea and almonds helps in increasing the milk production
-To relieve pain massaging Vitamin E oil on your breast is very good
-Having good amount of yogurt or curd helps in keeping the bacteria and other infection at bay

Sharon Hopkins, webmaster for sites like www.home-remedies-for-you.com provides treatments for common illnesses and diseases. Home Based cure for Breastfeeding. Common home remedies to help you while breastfeeding.