Anne Smith

  • Breast Infections and Plugged Ducts

    A plugged duct is a sore, tender lump or knotty area in the breast. It occurs when a milk duct is not draining well, and inflammation builds up. There are many reasons for these problems, but treatment is essentially the same.

  • Flat or Inverted Nipples

    Mother's nipples come in many shapes and sizes. While most nipples protrude and are easy for baby to grasp, there are some variations in size and shape that make it difficult for them to nurse successfully.

  • When Breastfeeding Doesn't Work Out

    There are very few medical problems that prevent a mother from breastfeeding her baby. There are some situations where nursing must be temporarily interrupted, but if you maintain your milk supply by pumping, you can almost always resume breastfeeding when the medical problem is resolved.

  • Is This a Normal Pattern For Post-Weaning Periods?

    QUESTION

    Dear Lactation Consultant,
    I am living in West Africa and don't have access to specialized medical care or anyone I feel comfortable talking with, so I am hoping you might have a moment to help me.

  • How Can I Tell If My Newborn Baby Is Getting Enough Milk?

    One of the biggest concerns that new mothers have is wondering if they will have enough milk for their babies. This concern is the most common reason for starting formula supplementation, and also for early weaning. You can be assured that nearly all mothers can produce an adequate milk supply for their infant.

  • Oversupply: Too Much Milk

    Although concern about not having enough milk is the number one reason that mothers wean their babies early, having too much milk can also be a problem. When you consider the fact that a small percentage of women don't have the capacity to produce enough milk for their babies no matter what they do, then having too much milk is a relatively good breastfeeding problem to have...

  • Teething and Biting

    Many new mothers tell me that they plan to nurse their babies for six months, or until they get teeth. With the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) now recommending nursing for at least a year, it makes sense to re-examine our ideas about breastfeeding babies with teeth.

  • Nursing Strike

    You and your baby have been happily nursing for several months. You have overcome the common problems nursing couples have in the early weeks, such as sore nipples or engorgement, and things are progressing nicely. Suddenly, he begins refusing the breast and seems quite unhappy about it.

  • Nursing Discreetly

    While my personal belief is that nothing in the world is more natural than breastfeeding, and therefore every nursing mother should feel comfortable pulling her shirt up or off and nursing anywhere at all, I understand that we live in a society where this just isn't possible.

  • Returning to Work or School

    Once you successfully make it through the early weeks of breastfeeding, and manage to overcome any problems you may have had in the beginning (soreness, engorgement, hormonal rushes, etc.) you usually experience a "honeymoon period".

  • How Can I Tell If My Newborn Baby Is Getting Enough Milk?

    One of the biggest concerns that new mothers have is wondering if they will have enough milk for their babies. This concern is the most common reason for starting formula supplementation, and also for early weaning. You can be assured that nearly all mothers can produce an adequate milk supply for their infant.

  • Nursing Tips for the Large Breasted Mother

    All during my adolescent years I dreamed of having larger breasts, and my best friend and I (both six feet tall and bearing a striking resemblance to Olive Oyl) even did those silly exercises bust building exercises that never worked but just made us feel silly...

  • Flat or Inverted Nipples

    Mother's nipples come in many shapes and sizes. While most nipples protrude and are easy for baby to grasp, there are some variations in size and shape that make it difficult for them to nurse successfully.

  • Nursing Discreetly

    While my personal belief is that nothing in the world is more natural than breastfeeding, and therefore every nursing mother should feel comfortable pulling her shirt up or off and nursing anywhere at all, I understand that we live in a society where this just isn't possible.

  • Nutrition, Exercise, and Weight Loss While Breastfeeding

    Most mothers are highly motivated to eat a nutritious diet during their pregnancies. Assuming that you ate an adequate diet while you were pregnant, you can produce plenty of milk for your baby by keeping up this motivation and making sure that you continue your healthy eating patterns during lactation.

  • Breast Infections and Plugged Ducts

    A plugged duct is a sore, tender lump or knotty area in the breast. It occurs when a milk duct is not draining well, and inflammation builds up. There are many reasons for these problems, but treatment is essentially the same.

  • Oversupply: Too Much Milk

    Although concern about not having enough milk is the number one reason that mothers wean their babies early, having too much milk can also be a problem. When you consider the fact that a small percentage of women don't have the capacity to produce enough milk for their babies no matter what they do, then having too much milk is a relatively good breastfeeding problem to have...

  • Returning to Work or School

    Once you successfully make it through the early weeks of breastfeeding, and manage to overcome any problems you may have had in the beginning (soreness, engorgement, hormonal rushes, etc.) you usually experience a "honeymoon period".

  • Caregiver's Guide to the Breastfed Baby

    There may be times when, for a variety of reasons, nursing mothers need or want to leave their nursing baby with a caregiver. This may be a "once only" event, or a regular daily arrangement. The following information is intended as a guide for the caregiver of a breastfed baby...

  • Teething and Biting

    Many new mothers tell me that they plan to nurse their babies for six months, or until they get teeth. With the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) now recommending nursing for at least a year, it makes sense to re-examine our ideas about breastfeeding babies with teeth.