Many restrictions that existed during pregnancy still exist, to some degree, when breastfeeding. Cigarette smoking is universally unhealthy for both mothers and infants, and should be avoided. Babies who are exposed to cigarette smoke have higher incidences of respiratory distress, ear infections, eye irritation, croup, colic and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Breastfeeding A Baby
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5 AnswersA
See All 5 AnswersIf you plan on breast-feeding your baby, the recommended length of breast-feeding is 1 year. A young mother needs to set her own goals with breast-feeding. Breast-feeding is very individual for every person, and sometimes it goes well, and sometimes it doesn't. To get the most benefit out of breast-feeding, it is recommended to do 6 months of pure breast-feeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends breast-feeding until the child is 1 year old. However, again it varies from mother to mother -- what the mother can do and what works for the child.
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1 AnswerA
As your baby grows, he'll need more nutrition and your body will automatically produce more and richer milk to satisfy him. If you notice that he still seems hungry after a feeding, or the time between feedings is not stretching out, you may not be producing as much milk as you could or he wants. The best remedies for this are sleep and plenty of fluids. If you can't catch enough z's, at least try to relax and put your feet up as much as possible—now is not the time to start training for a marathon or even doing your usual amount of running around. Make sure you are getting enough healthy foods in your diet; don't pressure yourself to lose the baby weight quickly. Also, avoid antihistamines, diuretics, and other medications that dehydrate you. Fenugreek, an herb available as tea, is said to help increase milk production.
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1 AnswerA
It may be difficult, but many women are able to breastfeed adopted children. If you have been pregnant before, that may make it easier. The help of your doctor and a lactation consultant may be necessary. The stimulation of the baby feeding may cause your body to produce milk, and the more the baby nurses the more milk will be produced. However, you may need to discuss hormone supplementation with your doctor to get the process going. If you can, prepare by pumping every three hours around the clock (for eight sessions each day) a couple of weeks before the baby arrives. If you are unable to produce enough milk for the baby, consider an at-breast supplementer; these devices enable the baby to get more milk, either formula or donated breastmilk, while feeding at your breast. Don't be discouraged; even if you are unable to give the baby enough nutrition on your own, it is still a wonderful way for baby and you to be close.
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See All 3 AnswersImmediately. In the first hour after birth most babies are wide awake and making smacking sounds with their lips. They are looking for that first taste of mother's milk. If a newborn is held and the mother's breast gently touches the newborn's cheek, the baby will open its mouth seeking out the breast nipple. Majority of babies quickly latch onto the breast during this immediate post birth period.
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See All 2 AnswersThe current recommendation for the daily value of vitamin D by the American Academy of Pediatrics is 400 IU. This is the one component that breast milk somewhat lacks. For this reason, it is recommended that if an infant is exclusively breastfed, he should also receive a daily supplement of vitamin D. This can be obtained from your doctor by a prescription, or you can buy it over the counter at drugstores. -
11 AnswersA
HealthyWomen answeredSee All 11 AnswersStudies find that breastfed infants have a reduced risk of infections, including ear and respiratory infections, diarrhea, meningitis, sudden infant death syndrome, appendicitis and allergies. Also, children and adults breastfed as infants are less likely to develop childhood lymphoma, leukemia and multiple sclerosis, as well as diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, childhood obesity, overbites and celiac disease.
Plus, human milk enhances cognitive development, antibody response to routine immunizations and a child's visual development. Breast milk continues to provide immune system benefits to infants well beyond two years.
Breastfeeding also has benefits for the mother, with studies finding that women who breastfeed may have a lower risk of premenopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer and poor bone mineral density.
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1 AnswerA
St. David’s HealthCare answeredIf you are having problems with breastfeeding, consider getting help by calling a lactation consultant for any of the following reasons:- nipple damage
- pain in the breast or nipple when feeding
- nipple or breast infections
- baby losing excessive weight
- managing medical supplementation and preserving your milk supply
- problems with milk supply
- pumping and going back to work
- how and when to introduce a bottle
- support, support, support!
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1 AnswerA
“As a pediatrician, I tell patients the benefits of breastfeeding, but it’s really the mothers choice,” says Anju Bhatia, MD, of Good Samaritan Hospital. Watch this video to learn about other alternatives to breastfeeding. -
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Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answeredSee All 2 AnswersBreastfeeding is one of the best things you can do for a sick baby. You will be sharing your antibodies with him, which helps him fight infection. Breastfeeding will also help your baby stay hydrated. That's important because when babies are sick, they need more fluid than when they are well -- and breast milk is better for a baby than any other fluid.