Disadvantages of breastfeeding? Really? We're going to talk about this topic on a breastfeeding site? Yup. I was recently asked to write a guest post for The Humbled Homemaker and chose to write on this topic. Originally, I thought it was this website was a better platform...because I certainly couldn't write about this topic on a breastfeeding website, right? Wrong. One of the reasons I wanted to write this post is because I know—thanks to companies like Google—hundreds of women are searching for information about the disadvantages of breastfeeding. Women want to know what the disadvantages are. I probably wouldn't typically call them … [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.
20 Tips for Pumping Breast Milk
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Expressing breast milk can often seem like an impassible mountain. Once you get the hang of it, though, you'll be able to pump in your sleep! Here are some tips for pumping breast milk. Keep in mind you can usually spend less time pumping with a hospital-grade pump but may end up pumping for longer periods of time with a consumer-grade pump. Also, it's highly recommended to use a new consumer-grade pump if you end up going that route (I recommend this one). It's tempting to borrow from a friend, but most consumer-grade pumps have internal parts that cannot be sterilized. This can contaminate your breast milk! Ew! Additionally, most … [Read more...]
Alcohol and Breast Milk: How much gets passed on to the baby?
Not long ago, I blogged about the question "Can you drink alcohol while breastfeeding?" Today, it's time to dive deeper and talk about alcohol and breast milk: how much gets passed on to the baby? Last time, I dispelled the fear that drinking alcohol while nursing would harm the baby. I mentioned that very little alcohol actually passes through into the milk—not near enough to cause baby any problems. It's time to break down the actual numbers so you can make an educated decision about whether or not drinking while nursing is for you. First of all, we need to define what a serving of alcohol is. A serving is a drink that contains .6 oz of … [Read more...]
Do Herbs Increase Breast Milk? 5 Lactogenic Herbs and Their Benefits
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Have you ever wondered how herbs increase breast milk supply? Lactogenic herbs are very popular among breastfeeding moms who worry about their milk supply and whether or not their baby is getting enough milk. Aside from practices like constant nursing, skin-to-skin contact, and relaxation, there are many nursing mothers that use lactogenic herbs to increase breast milk supply. Herbs should be taken in moderation to avoid any potential side effects that would make you and your baby feel uncomfortable. . Fenugreek Fenugreek is one of the most common remedies used to increase milk supply and has been used for centuries. It may take a few … [Read more...]
Thank You for Breastfeeding in Public (with free printable)
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A small baby's angry cry filled the tiny coffee shop as the mom struggled to bring the baby to her breast. The cafe was busy and the first time mom sat at a table in the center of it all. As soon as I saw her holding her baby beneath a nursing cover I knew I wanted to say something. I wanted to tell her, "You are awesome! Thank you so much for breastfeeding in public!" Yet I was with four of my girl friends, and she was with her young husband. What would they all think? We ended up chatting after her husband offered to take a picture of me and my friends. Their adorable baby boy was just three months old. Last year on vacation they … [Read more...]
Celebrating 600 Likes on Facebook! {Chevron Nursing Cover Giveaway}
Yesterday I shared a way to make your own nursing cover. It's quite simple, but there isn't always enough time in the day to whip something up no matter how easy it seems. Luckily for you I'm giving away the lovely chevron nursing cover featured in yesterday's tutorial! Here at Breastfeeding Place we support mothers nursing wherever they are comfortable. To show our gratitude for making our Facebook page a fun place to discuss all things nursing, we've launched this giveaway. One winner will win the hand made nursing cover made by me. This giveaway is open to residents of the continental U.S. and runs until 11:59 EST on September 18, … [Read more...]
How to Make Your Own Nursing Cover
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There's a lot of chatter out there about whether or not a breastfeeding mother should cover up while out in public. In my opinion, it is strictly optional. But if you're going to do it, do it in style. Make your own nursing cover! Now there are several companies out there that offer fashionable covers in various shapes and sizes to suit your needs. But if you're harder to please (or just plain crafty) then I've go the cure for you! I'm no professional seamstress, but today I'm going to show you how to make your own nursing cover. This project is very easy and you will need the following items: Fabric in your choice of color or … [Read more...]
Breast Milk Freezer Storage: Your Question Answered
Dear Rando, I've got some questions for you. I am preparing to go back to work and my plan is to pump while I am at work. I have a ton of questions on breast milk freezer storage - how to pump at work, how can I store it, can I freeze it? Thanks, Confused and Overwhelmed Dear Confused and Overwhelmed, First, thanks for writing to me. You are my official first write-in question posting here on the BreastfeedingPlace.com. I'd love to talk to you about storing your pumped milk and what I am going to tell you is the process that I used myself to store my own. A little back story for ya. I went back to work when my … [Read more...]
Features of a Good Breastfeeding Pump
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The features of a breastfeeding pump are important factors when deciding which one is best for you. There are a variety of breast pumps ranging from hospital-grade, personal electric pumps, and manual breast pumps. Choosing a breastfeeding pump depends on your specific needs. Are you planning on returning to work? Will you only need to pump occasionally? Here are some breast pump features to consider. . Portability Manual breast pumps are very easy to store and take with you. If you plan on pumping milk less frequently or if you plan on traveling, a manual breast pump is the best choice for you. You can easily pack it in your suitcase or … [Read more...]
Can I Diet While Breastfeeding?
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Many mamas want to begin exercising and losing the weight gained while pregnant once the baby is born. Can you diet while breastfeeding? Here's some information for you about this. A breastfeeding mother needs on average 2,000-2,500 calories. They also need to drink when thirsty, making sure they are getting enough fluids, especially in the hot summer months. While breastfeeding we need to make sure we are eating healthy and eating enough of the right foods such as vegetables, fruits, and proteins. Also, it is not recommended to start any weight loss program until at least 8 weeks postpartum so that your breast milk supply is well … [Read more...]
