Breastfeeding

  • Help Baby Breastfeed Before It's Born

    A growing body of research reveals profound connections between a woman's birth experience and her ability to get breastfeeding off to a good start. Lactation consultant Linda Smith asserts that common obstetrical practices, including medical, technological, and surgical interventions, can create problems. Read "Help Your Baby Breastfeed Before It's Even Born" to learn more.

  • All Purpose Nipple Ointment (APNO)

    We call our nipple ointment "all purpose" since it contains ingredients that help deal with multiple causes or aggravating factors of sore nipples. "Good medicine" calls for the single "right" treatment for the "right" problem, true enough, but mothers with sore nipples don't have time to try out different treatments that may or may not work, so we have combined various treatments in one ointment.

  • Nipple Shields

    The point is to get a baby well latched. We believe a nipple shield does not allow for this. Unfortunately, it is still true in our opinion that it is often not best practice to use a nipple shield and it is the considered opinion of our clinic and institute that nipple shields need hardly ever, if ever, be used.

  • Finding A Breastfeeding Support Person

    Finding a Lactation Consultant or breastfeeding-support person may seem like a daunting task but it is well worth the effort. A good IBCLC will save you money in the long run by keeping you and baby breastfeeding and off expensive formula.

  • Starting Solid Foods

    Many health professionals suggest starting solid foods at four months of age; many now say you must not start before six months of age. However, most babies do fine with exclusive breastfeeding to six months of age or even a little longer. Read "Starting Solid Foods">/a> to learn more.

  • On the FDA and Domperidone

    As a pediatrician who deals now only with mothers and babies who are having difficulty with breastfeeding, I am very concerned about the warning about domperidone which was issued by the Federal Drug Administration in the US on June 7, 2004. It warns breastfeeding mothers about getting domperidone to enhance milk supply because it conceivably can cause cardiac arrhythmias.

  • Breastfeeding the Premature Baby

    Many hospital routines make it difficult for mothers and babies to breastfeed successfully. When the baby is born prematurely, mothers may have even more difficulty with breastfeeding, and this is unfortunate because premature babies need breastmilk and breastfeeding even more than healthy full term babies. Read "Breastfeeding the Premature Baby" to learn more.

  • Breastfeeding the Premature Baby

    Too often mothers have preventable problems with breastfeeding. Many hospital routines make it difficult for mothers and babies to breastfeed successfully. When the baby is born prematurely, mothers may have even more difficulty with breastfeeding, and this is unfortunate because premature babies need breastmilk and breastfeeding even more than healthy full term babies.

  • Illness and Breastfeeding

    Very few maternal illnesses require the mother to stop breastfeeding. This is particularly true for infections the mother might have, the most common type of illness for mothers are being told they must stop. Read "Illness and Breastfeeding" to learn more.

  • Early Difficulties Breastfeeding

    by Melissa D. Jaramillo

    You've made the decision to breastfeed your baby. Good for you! It can be a very wonderful experience for you both, along with providing your infant with the best nutritional start possible. This does not mean that it always comes easy and most women will experience some discomfort and even pain during the early postpartum days.

    Here are some of the more common problems and methods for coping:

    Engorgement

  • How Can I Ramp My Milk Supply?

    QUESTION

    Dear Lactation Consultant,
    I am nursing my second child and did not have any serious milk supply issues with the first. With the second, he is beginning to outpace me - he's drinking 14-18 ounces per day at day care (I work full time) and I produce 12-15 via the pump. The only differences are that I am taking Ortho Micronor and that my job is more intense (and more enjoyable).

    Over the weekends, I do not pump at all -- I feed him. I would prefer not to supplement. Do you have any suggestions to ramp up my supply?

    Thanks.
    Joelle

  • Breastfeeding; Running Hurts!

    QUESTION:

    Dear Fitness Expert,
    I did fine during pregnancy. I kept jogging until about the last 7 weeks. Then I walked. I assumed I could just pick up again once the baby was here. I have the okay from the doctor to start jogging again, but here's the problem. I'm breastfeeding and my boobs HURT when I run.

    What can I do to lessen the pain? I am really looking forward to being on the go again.

  • Colostrum: Is it Really Gold?

    It is not uncommon to hear a nursing mother refer to her colostrum as "liquid gold". But why do they refer to it as such? The reference is made because it is deemed so precious that it can be compared to gold just for its value to the infant. Read "Colostrum: It's Yellow but is it Really Gold?" to learn more.

  • My Milk Is Gone. Can I Relactate?

    QUESTION

    Dear Lactation Consultant,
    My name is Amy and I went to my OB/GYN for my annual and I asked her was there anything I could take to reestablish my milk supply. It's been a 3 ½ month break since I nursed my son (he's 5 ½ months) and she stated once the milk ducts dry up its not possible to relactate. Is this true or not? I just want piece of mind while I start this quest because others say that it is possible but the professional that I'm putting my trust in says no. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

  • Domperidone: Getting Started

    Domperidone (Motilium™) is a drug that has, as a side effect, the increasing of milk production, probably by increasing prolactin production by the pituitary gland. Prolactin is the hormone that stimulates the cells in the mother's breast to produce milk.

  • Increasing Your Milk Supply

    by Anne Smith, IBCLC

    Nearly all nursing mothers worry at one time or another about whether their babies are getting enough milk. Since we can't measure breastmilk intake the way we can formula intake, it is easy to be insecure about the adequacy of our milk supplies. The "perception" of insufficient breastmilk production is the most common reason mothers give for weaning or early introduction of solids or supplements. Although there is a very small percentage of women who can't produce enough milk no matter what they do, this is very rare.

  • Continuing Breastfeeding When on Medications.

    Over the years, far too many women have been wrongly told they had to stop breastfeeding. The decision about continuing breastfeeding when the mother takes a drug, for example, is far more involved than whether the baby will get any in the milk. Read "You Should Continue Breastfeeding (Drugs and Breastfeeding)" to learn more.

  • Why Would Breasts be Leaking 8 Month Later?

    QUESTION

    Dear Lactation Consultant,
    Hello. I have a small concern. Last week I had a longer lasting than normal period. Now this week, I still have all the physical aches and pains that go along with menstruation. I also noticed that I have a liquid that sure looks like colostrum leaking from both breasts. I weaned my son eight months ago. Do you know what could be causing this? Any help you could give me would be appreciated.

  • How Good is Breastfeeding, Really?

    Human milk contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins and trace elements. So does infant formula. But the bioavailability (the amount of a nutrient that the body can actually absorb) of the nutrients in each fluid differs markedly.

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