I’m going to share some breastfeeding facts that I think may surprise you. Some are fun, some are interesting, and some are important to know. If a list exists to rank the most wondrous things a human being can do, nursing a baby has to be in the top 5. Women can make people and then feed them - with no help from anyone. It’s miraculous, isn’t it? Take a look and let me know if these breastfeeding facts taught you anything new about nursing your child. I hope so! Breastfeeding Facts 1. Breastfeeding saves the average American family about $2000 to $4000 a year because they aren’t buying formula. 2. It takes around 1000 calories … [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.
Top 10 Breastfeeding Products
If you're new to the world of making breast milk, it can be pretty overwhelming! Some say it's completely natural, but a walk down the nursing-accessory aisle at the baby store can certainly say otherwise. So which breastfeeding products do you really need? Well, I'm gonna say none. I know, I know. Breastfeeding really is natural and usually doesn't require anything other than breasts and a baby (or babies - I nursed triplets!). But sometimes it's fun and even helpful to have some of these items on hand. Other times it becomes a necessity to have some of these (or similar products). And you know what? That's okay! You may be a … [Read more...]
Exploring the Ingredients in Similac Infant Formula
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Were you aware that one of the ingredients in Similac Infant Formula is a pesticide? Most of the ingredients in Similac Infant Formula are not easy to read which makes it difficult to decipher which ones are beneficial or harmful. It is crucial to think about the overall effect that ingredients used to make formula will have on your baby. Not to mention that many of those ingredients are highly processed, man-made, or genetically engineered. Let's explore the ingredients in Similac Infant Formula to determine what is really in this product. Similac Infant Formula - Do Your Research During my pregnancy I didn't think to research about what … [Read more...]
7 Rules to Delay Your Period While Breastfeeding & Postpone Fertility
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After delivering your little bundle of joy, you may begin to wonder when you will be fertile again. Some women don’t get their period back for a while, and others seem to resume their period like clockwork shortly after baby is born. What causes a delay in resuming your period while breastfeeding? Why do some women become fertile very soon after delivering a child while others can’t get pregnant for a months? In talking about fertility and breastfeeding, it seems that there are two major schools of thought, neither of which is fully accurate. Many women believe that any amount of breastfeeding prevents pregnancy, and are surprised to … [Read more...]
How to Apply Gentian Violet Without the Mess
Gentian violet is a plant-based dye. It stains anything it touches a lovely shade of purple. Before you use it to cure your child’s thrush, or anything else, keep reading. The information I’m going to share will explain how to apply gentian violet to save yourself a ton of trouble, and hopefully prevent a mess! If you haven’t read my story about using gentian violet to cure my baby’s thrush, you should. I found it to be incredibly effective when even antibiotics weren’t working. Before you make the decision to use gentian violet, talk to your doctor. Although GV is available over the counter, that doesn’t mean it’s completely without … [Read more...]
5 Amazing Things You Should Know About Extended Breastfeeding
Do you feel awkward when your year-old toddler wants to breastfeed when you are in public places? Are you trying to wean him off this habit? You’ll be surprised to know that doctors and researchers will advise you differently. Extended breastfeeding has numerous benefits for mothers and babies. The World Health Organization (WHO) encourages mothers to nurse their babies until they are at least two years old or continue as long as the mother and toddler desire. This encouragement for extended breastfeeding comes after developments in research that claim benefits for both mother and toddler. Here are five interesting benefits from extended … [Read more...]
The Truth About Twiddling While Nursing
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What is Twiddling? The dictionary says that to twiddle is to, "twist, move, or fiddle with (something), typically in a purposeless or nervous way." So what does that mean when it relates to breastfeeding? The truth about twiddling while nursing is that, across the board, moms seem to have a love/hate relationship with it. That is because when a nursling twiddles, it typically means that they are poking, pinching or playing with the nipple opposite the one they are nursing on. Why do Babies Twiddle? Interestingly, it's very difficult to find any literature about the physiological reason for twiddling. A google search will find you … [Read more...]
Vicodin and Breastfeeding: Will it Pass Through My Milk?
Having a baby is no easy task. Most women are very tired and some are sick afterwards (I actually threw up after a few of my births). And unless you are Super Woman, chances are you have some pain and discomfort after delivery - no matter how you gave birth. Depending on how much pain you experience, you may wonder, "Is taking Vicodin and breastfeeding safe?" I had three vaginal deliveries and three c-sections, and each of my recoveries has been different. At times I felt great, and sometimes I felt like I was dying! My pain tolerance is fairly high, but with some of my births I did require some pain medication to use as a last resort. I … [Read more...]
Everything You Need to Know About Gentian Violet
If you’ve heard of gentian violet but aren’t sure exactly what it is or what it’s used for, this is for you. I’m going to tell you everything you need to know to decide if gentian violet is right for you or your kids. When the doctor prescribed my 13-month-old son an antifungal for thrush, I didn’t love the idea of putting a prescription medication in his mouth. I did it anyway in the hopes of eradicating the fungus. Cut to two months later and me continuing to battle thrush with no success. That’s when my lactation consultant suggested gentian violet. It worked like a dream. Read my story here. Now I want to share what I've … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding and Thrush: How to Beat the Yeast Beast
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In our post, "Foods to Avoid While Breastfeeding," we discussed some common triggers for a colicky baby. If your baby is fussy or has a reaction after nursing please check out that post to learn more about common threats to a breastfeeding relationship and how to keep a food journal. Breastfeeding and thrush is its own kind of special situation. Thrush is essentially a yeast infection on and around your nipples and inside the baby's mouth. There is a yeast naturally found in your body called candida, but it can cause problems when the yeast grows out of control. Thrush can be a beast (I call it the "yeast beast") and hard to get rid … [Read more...]
