So let's clear one thing up first mamas: your baby can't be exactly allergic to your milk. Your milk is made especially for them! However, there are things within your milk or things about a baby's health that can cause "allergies" or issues with their ability to happily digest your milk. Symptoms of a food intolerance while breastfeeding can be tricky to judge because these symptoms can also be symptoms of other issues. A food intolerance that your baby may have is simply fixed by dietary changes on your part. However, this can be frustrating and exhausting at times. Solving the mystery: food intolerance or something … [Read more...]
Please Note: This post may contain sponsor, affiliate, and/or referral links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Disclaimer: The information in this post is for educational purposes only. I am not a doctor. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. None of the opinions are meant to diagnose or treat any disease or illness. You should always consult your healthcare provider.
What Do You Need to Breastfeed a Newborn?
It is easy to be a little overwhelmed with everything that you need for a new baby as well as yourself when you become a new mom. Registries, blog posts and magazines show you all of these fancy things that look so darling, but do you really need them? What do you need to breastfeed a newborn? Breastfeeding as basic as the task is (meaning you really just need boobs and a baby), can also come with a ton of "accessories" so the question is there: do you really need all of this stuff? How many nursing bras should you have? How many breast pads should you have? What is the best nipple cream? There are so many brands and products … [Read more...]
Breast Pump Review: Ameda Purely Yours
When it comes to breastfeeding products, there's a ton of different types and brands out there to choose from. Whether you're looking for the perfect pair of nursing pads or the prettiest nursing cover around, chances are you might feel a bit overwhelmed with all of the choices you have. The same is SO true for breast pumps: a device that is perhaps the most coveted product among breastfeeding mamas. There are numerous brands and types of pumps available for mamas to utilize and try and there are likely a ton of reviews out there (that's a great thing!). Today we are going to take a look at the Ameda Purely Yours Double Electric Pump with … [Read more...]
Guidelines for Breast Milk Storage
As if breastfeeding, pumping, and waking up every three hours or so isn't exhausting enough, sometimes we have to tack on the hassle of keeping up with the dates and times that our milk was pumped, fed, warmed, refrigerated and/or frozen. There's many different guidelines for breast milk storage, but most are pretty consistent with little variations. Sometimes people get overly paranoid about what's best when it comes to storing breast milk and keeping up with dates and times, but quite honestly breast milk is pretty good at holding up to its end of the bargain. Guidelines for breast milk storage all seem to be about the same no matter … [Read more...]
Normal Problems While Breastfeeding Your Newborn
Okay mamas, let's all face it, breastfeeding really isn't the easiest thing in the world. Sometimes breastfeeding is so difficult in those first several weeks that once you overcome it you feel like you deserve a medal, twenty four hours worth of uninterrupted sleep, and a glass of wine. But let's get real here, there's no breastfeeding medals or trophies, the idea of uninterrupted sleep is laughable, and wine doesn't exactly mix well with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can be difficult those first several weeks primarily because of the problems that can come up. So what are normal problems while breastfeeding your … [Read more...]
Choosing Bottles for Your Breastfed Baby
Deciding on the right time to introduce a bottle to your breastfed baby is not only a tricky situation, but also sometimes a scary situation. Will my baby prefer the bottle over me? Will my baby never latch on to me again? Will my baby like this particular bottle? What if my baby never takes a bottle? These are just a few of the questions that you might have when you decide it's time to attempt to give baby a bottle of expressed breast milk. Choosing bottles for your breastfed baby is actually a tad bit harder than it sounds. But it is doable! Here are some basic tips. You Don't Need A Lot of Bottles At First While … [Read more...]
Weaning to Get Pregnant – and the Guilt We Feel
The breastfeeding relationship between a mother and a child is perhaps one of the most beautiful and sacred of bonds. It's an experience like no other, but like most good things, there is eventually an end to it. Weaning is the sad end to that beautiful journey. It isn't easy - and weaning to get pregnant isn't any easier. Trying to wean a baby who shows no signs of truly wanting to wean is one way to really make a mama feel guilty. I know because I have been there. Most mamas set a goal for the breastfeeding relationship, say one year for example, and other mamas have no goal. I was the mother with the goal; I thought a year sounded … [Read more...]
Ways to Increase Breast Milk Supply
By 1 Comment
When it comes to breastfeeding, one of the biggest fears that a mother can have is whether or not she will make enough milk to nourish her baby. Sometimes it is hard to know whether or not we are making enough, especially if there is no pumping involved in the breastfeeding relationship. Chances are, you're making just what your little one needs. However, there are some instances and scenarios where you may feel the need to increase breast milk supply. Aside from low milk production in general, mothers can run into unforeseen problems that can cause a dip in milk supply. Anything from catching a bad cold or the flu to taking certain … [Read more...]
Bottle Feeding Breast Milk to Baby
By 1 Comment
Deciding on when to begin bottle feeding breast milk to your baby is a hard decision. Some mothers are unsure about whether or not they want their child to receive milk from a source other than mother's breasts; and then some are nervous that attempting to bottle feed may interfere with the nursing relationship. When it comes to bottle feeding breast milk to your baby, you should first consider why you are wanting to do it in the first place. Rather than bottle feeding breast milk because of outside pressure, have a good idea of why you want to offer breast milk bottles to your baby. Some Reasons for Bottle Feeding Breast Milk To … [Read more...]
Brewers Yeast, Breastfeeding and Cookies
What if someone told you that a few simple ingredients inside of a warm cookie or a delicious smoothie could actually help you make more mommy milk for that sweet baby of yours? Enter brewers yeast: breastfeeding moms' new friend! There are several ways you can increase your milk supply while breastfeeding, which includes everything from drinking water and Gatorade to taking supplements designed for lactating mothers. Sometimes though, we need an extra dose of yummy goodness to help us get through our busy and hectic day as a new mom. So how about some cookies or a refreshing smoothie? Brewers yeast is a highly nutritious … [Read more...]
