For a variety of reasons, you may find yourself in a position where stopping breastfeeding cold turkey is your only option. I have been in this position, and while nothing can quite exactly prepare you for it, there are tips on how to make the pain and engorgement manageable. After the birth of my firstborn, I found that breastfeeding was going well, but my daughter also took a bottle so I was not exclusively using the breast. I was feeling pretty good over all, until around 4 weeks postpartum when I had a terrible IC flare up. (If you have not heard of IC, here is a short description: Interstitial cystitis is a painful bladder … [Read more...]
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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.
Breastfeeding Snacks: Oatmeal Recipe Roundup
The first four weeks after my children were born, one of my favorite breastfeeding snacks was oatmeal. In many women, oatmeal is a galactagogue - a substance promoting the increased production of breast milk. Even though there is no definitive scientific evidence that oatmeal increases breast milk production, many women have personal stories about how their milk supply increased due to eating oatmeal. This could be due to the fact that oatmeal is a source of iron. If your iron levels are low, your milk supply can decrease. The other benefits of oatmeal are: it is high in fiber, helps lower cholesterol, and helps maintain a healthy … [Read more...]
The Unstoppable Breast: Leaking Milk
When it comes to breastfeeding, your breasts do some crazy things until a solid routine is established. Some women find themselves beginning to leak before their baby is born. Others simply have complaints months after their little one makes an appearance. As with most things related to child rearing, everyone is different. A breast leaking milk does not always have to mean anything other than your body is doing exactly what it's supposed to. Leaky Breasts Help Prevent Engorgement Engorgement is a terrible, horrible place to be. It's a problem that's quickly solved by getting rid of the stored up milk reserves. If you're unable to … [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...]
A Flexible Baby Weaning Schedule for Toddlers
So, your toddler has been eating table food and drinking from a cup for a while. Maybe you're expecting your next baby, or you're just ready to stop nursing, but your little one is still asking for the breast multiple times per day. What does a baby weaning schedule look like for a toddler? I have now successfully weaned two children during the toddler years. Both times I weaned because I was expecting a new baby and the pain from nursing was too much for me. I have a very flexible baby weaning schedule that I follow in order to wean my toddlers. I am not strict about weaning, and the process has always been very gradual for me, … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding, Essential Oils, and Safety
Essential oils are becoming extremely popular in both mainstream and natural health circles. Since it is a young field in the United States, it can be hard to find solid information. This can lead women to wonder how breastfeeding, essential oils, and safety mix. Essential oils are highly potent substances, and our nursing babies have immature systems that are still developing. The safety of breastfeeding essential oils is a really important topic to consider! There are many misconceptions about essential oils, so be sure to check the sources for any advice that you find on breastfeeding, essential oils, and safety. I've … [Read more...]
The Benefits of Breastfeeding Support Groups
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When you are a first time mom, there are so many things that you just don't fully understand or things that you simply do not know because you are new to all things parenthood. Many of these things will come to you naturally. Your maternal instincts will kick in and you will just follow them intuitively. Others will come because you have great examples to model--your mother, grandmother, friends, sisters. Sometimes despite all of this, you still may need or want a group of like-minded women to help you along the way. Sometimes you may find yourself with little support due to differing parenting ideals, lack of family nearby, or a … [Read more...]
All About Nursing Pads
I will never forget the first trip we made to the mall as new parents. We had our (nursing) newborn little boy in arms, and we were joined by visiting family who were less-than-familiar with the breastfeeding life. Of course, I myself was new to this whole breastfeeding thing, but leaky bosoms and all, I was determined to "get out" and enjoy time with family. When our little man began to fuss to be fed, I plunked down on a bench and tried to "be subtle" as we wrestled into position. Less than sure how to act about this new-to-them normal, my sweet family members headed off to a store to give us some space. When they returned, I was all … [Read more...]
Depression and Breastfeeding with D-MER: When Your Letdown Gets You Down
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The first few months of breastfeeding have been rough for me with each baby. I've struggled with depression and breastfeeding every time, lasting for the first few months. This depression is a bit different. It comes on very strong each time I have a letdown and lessens as baby nurses. It's not just depression. It has a name and it's real. It's called D-MER or Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex. And it's not fun. I had never heard of D-MER prior to starting a family. After my first, I was surprised by my feelings of intense anxiety and depression surrounding breastfeeding. I thought it was all in my head. I didn't talk to my … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding and Intimacy
It's no surprise that having a baby changes our lives. In a relationship, what is quickly noticed is the change in intimacy. It goes beyond the long six weeks that sex is advised against. Breastfeeding and intimacy may not always go hand in hand. But don't worry, it's not all bad. I recently asked many breastfeeding mothers how intimacy has been affected since having their baby. I must say, I am SHOCKED with just how much their love life has been affected. The obvious growth of breast size is the first thing they mention. Their partners just LOVE IT! Throw in the heightened sensitivity and you have a fiesta. Outside … [Read more...]
