When my second child was born, I was determined to breastfeed. I ended up purchasing a Lansinoh Affinity double electric breast pump to be able to pump occasionally so she could have a bottle if I wasn't going to be around. Once she was born, I struggled with finding time to pump because I was feeding her all the time. When I did pump and try to have my husband feed her in the evenings, she refused the bottle. I gave up pumping and just breastfed her. It was a wonderful experience, but it made going to appointments for myself difficult during her first year. With my next two children, I didn't even try to pump. That backfired when my … [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.
Why is my breastfed baby smaller than formula fed babies?
Women's bodies are amazing when it comes to growing infants. We create tiny human beings within our own bodies, are capable of immeasurable strength to birth them, and we can nourish a growing infant with milk from our own breasts. Our breast milk typically has everything our babies need. Then why is it that a breastfed baby is sometimes smaller than formula fed babies? Why is My Breastfed Baby Smaller than Formula Fed Babies? Normal Weight Loss and Gain Babies lose weight immediately following their birth. They then have ten days to gain that weight back. Weight gain is expected to slowly increase as babies grow. Typically, … [Read more...]
6 Ideas for Helping a Postpartum Mom
During pregnancy, mothers frequently hear offers of help after the baby comes. Sentiments like "Call me if you need anything!" are frequently heard. While the people who say this generally have the best of intentions, it is sometimes difficult for mothers to ask for help after they've had a baby. Often, "help" looks like someone coming over to hold the baby (the fun, easy part!) while the freshly postpartum mother cleans the house and does the laundry! Our society has a very strong mindset of "do it yourself," and mothers may not feel comfortable asking for help. Even if they do feel comfortable asking, they may not even know what they … [Read more...]
Myth Busters: Nipples Need to be “Toughened Up” Before Birth for Breastfeeding
It's shocking to me to hear that doctors and well-meaning relatives still sometimes recommend doing specific things to toughen or rough up nipples before birth to prepare for breastfeeding! Not only is that not evidence-based medical advice, it has potential to be harmful. Myth Busters: Nipples Need to be Toughened Up Before Birth for Breastfeeding Your grandmother or mother may have told you that it's best practice to rub your nipples with a wash cloth to get them used to the friction they will be experiencing. People sometimes suggest that it's helpful for building up callouses. Or it might acclimate the sensitive tissue. However, … [Read more...]
Myth Busters: Breastfeeding Will Take Over Your Life
By 1 Comment
Mamas, have you ever felt like breastfeeding was going to take over your life? Sometimes it seems like baby wants to eat constantly. Or you have to stop what you're doing to nurse so often you never get anything done. Or baby insists on only eating in quiet, dim places, so you can't go anywhere when there's the slightest chance they might get hungry. Does being a breastfeeding mom mean you have to give up everything--or what feels like everything--until your baby weans? It definitely does not! Far from being something that might take over your life, breastfeeding can become a precious part of your life: your new life as a … [Read more...]
Myth Busters: Does Frequent Nursing Mean Baby isn’t Getting Enough?
It seems like when a woman has a new baby, she is suddenly presented with an onslaught of people who want to be helpful by offering their advice! The problem is that not all of their input is very educated! It doesn't matter if it's a friend who is trying to be helpful, her mother or mother-in-law, or Great Aunt Sue. One of the most frequent things a new mom hears when putting her baby to breast is, "Again?! He just ate a half hour ago! Your frequent nursing must mean you don't have enough milk." When pregnant moms picture caring for their infants, they often picture the baby waking up to nurse every three to four hours, and dozing off … [Read more...]
Myth Busters: Breastfeeding After the First Year Doesn’t Have any Benefits
A common misconception about breast milk is that it has no significant value after the first year of a baby's life. This couldn't be further from the truth! Not only does breast milk still provide a considerable portion of babies' nutritional and caloric needs after their first birthday, extended breastfeeding provides other benefits as well that make it a healthy choice for mom and baby. Breastfeeding After the First Year: Nutritional Benefits Even for babies who are learning to eat "table food," breast milk still provides many of their nutritional needs. According to Dewey (2001), cited by Kelly Bonyata, In the second year (12-23 … [Read more...]
Myth Busters: Dad and Grandma Can’t Bond with Baby Unless You Use Bottles
Feeding a baby is a very bonding experience. Whether a baby is fed by breast or bottle, feeding involves closeness, touching, and eye contact. Because of these benefits, many parents worry that exclusively breastfed babies won't be adequately bonded to caregivers in their life other than their mothers. Fortunately this need not be a concern! Fathers, grandmothers, and other caregivers involved in baby's life can bond beautifully with the baby, despite not giving bottles. So without further ado, here are some ideas to help others bond with baby without feeding! Ways for Others to Bond with Baby Diaper duty! Though it is probably the … [Read more...]
Myth Busters: Pain During Breastfeeding? You Must Be Doing Something Wrong!
I sat in my bedroom cradling my four-day-old baby. She screamed and cried and rooted and tried to suck her hands. I was crying, too. This was my first breastfed baby and my nipples were in so much pain I couldn't bear to latch her again. The lactation consultant had reassured me I was latching her correctly, so I couldn't understand why I was in so much pain. Through tears I called her again, and got some great advice that allowed me to continue breastfeeding. I ended up with a prescription cream and I pumped for a day or two until I could handle latching her on to my breast again. Since that time, I have breastfed three other children. … [Read more...]
Myth Busters: Will Pumping Show You How Much Breast Milk You Have?
(Editor's Note: During the month of May, Breastfeeding Place contributors will be sharing posts that address common breastfeeding myths. We sincerely hope this will be an enlightening and helpful series!) It is common for new breastfeeding moms to question whether or not they are making enough milk for their baby. Breast milk is so mysterious. The new baby is breastfeeding for the first time and he or she may not give you all the information you need to gauge satisfactory output. However, pumping is not an accurate measurement method. Clues That Baby is Getting Enough The number one way to tell if your baby is … [Read more...]
