There is no such thing as infant sleep, there is no such thing as breastfeeding, there is only breastsleeping. Have you ever hesitated to answer for a moment when asked whether baby is sleeping through the night? Or whether you co-sleep or use a crib? Do you worry that you'll have to explain or justify your nighttime parenting style? It's no secret that bed sharing (also called co-sleeping) is a controversial topic. Sleep decisions are often made stressful by the official recommendations of organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics which forbid any kind of same-surface sleep with infants, and the contradictory cultural customs … [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.
Tips for Breastfeeding an Adopted Baby
I remember when my dear friend Shelby was expecting her first adopted baby. She had breastfed her other children and wanted to nurse this baby too, for both health and bonding. Among her many questions as she walked through the nursing journey was, "Can I breastfeed my adopted baby?" She wanted to do everything she could to prepare for this new little one. Because so many moms not only don't have adequate resources and many don't even realize it's possible, I wanted to share tips for breastfeeding an adopted baby. Tips for Breastfeeding an Adopted Baby Breastfeeding an adopted baby IS possible, and it has beautiful and powerful benefits! … [Read more...]
How to Find the Best Bottle for a Breastfed Baby
So far, I have breastfed three children over five years. In my experience, finding the best bottle for a breastfed baby has been a process! My first two breastfed babies did not take a bottle at all! There are so many bottles on the market, and you can really spend a lot of money trying to choose the right bottles. I do have a few tips to help you find the best bottle for a breastfed baby. I'll also tell you my absolute favorite bottle for my breastfed baby! How to Find the Best Bottle for a Breastfed Baby Start with only one or two choices. I suggest you only buy one or two types of bottles to begin with. As I mentioned, my first … [Read more...]
How Placenta Consumption Can Boost Breast Milk Production
The placenta is one of the most wondrous things about birth. Once baby is born, many people sigh relief and move on, signaling the end of the giving-birth experience. But that organ that nourished your baby for their entire life until he or she came earth-side can help mama, too. Among other things, placenta consumption can boost breast milk production. Placentaphagy: the act of placenta consumption It's not as weird as it sounds. Many mammals consume the placenta after birth. Human placentaphagy has been around for hundreds of years, typically used in Chinese medicine for healing. These days there are more ways to consume your placenta … [Read more...]
How to Make Your Own Nursing Tank Top – a Tutorial
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DIY Nursing Tank Tutorial With a breastfeeding lifestyle comes the need for a slightly different wardrobe than a woman who isn't breastfeeding. I didn't really realize this before I had my first baby, but now I understand it all too well! My clothing choices are based on what items are easy to nurse in. Just pulling any ordinary top up and out of the way works. However, I quickly realized that I didn't like exposing my stomach, especially when nursing in public. A nursing tank is the solution to that problem! However, buying ready-made nursing tanks can get expensive, especially since I need a fresh one every day--and sometimes more than … [Read more...]
5 Tips for Breastfeeding After a C-Section
Breastfeeding after a c-section can present many challenges. Particularly if you were not planning to deliver by c-section, plans may not have been in place as to how to implement nursing under these changed circumstances. With a little help and the right support, you'll be off to a great start for breastfeeding after a c-section! Breastfeeding After a C-Section: 5 Tips 1. Arrange for skin-to-skin as soon as possible. This is an important subject to broach with your obstetrician or midwife during the course of your pregnancy, since even women who are planning for vaginal deliveries can wind up delivering via cesarean. Many hospitals … [Read more...]
10 Eco-Friendly Breastfeeding Accessories (including disposable breast milk storage bags)
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It can take some extra effort to look for eco-friendly breastfeeding accessories, but the good news is that there are plenty options. Surprisingly, there are even biodegradable disposable breast milk storage bags. 10 Eco-Friendly Breastfeeding Accessories Disposable Breast Milk Storage Bags 1. Honeysuckle Bags - Honeysuckle disposable breast milk storage bags are the only biodegradable bag on the market. I first heard about these bags from the Mothers Milk Cooperative, which is the first milk bank that pays mothers for their breast milk. 2. Lansinoh Bags - Lansinoh's disposable breast milk storage bags are not biodegradable, but … [Read more...]
What Not to Eat When Breastfeeding
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When you were pregnant, you had to keep a close eye on your diet. Now that you've had baby, you may be wondering what not to eat when breastfeeding. Eating and Drinking: What Not to Eat When Breastfeeding Alcohol: You won't hear many practitioners advocating alcohol when you're breastfeeding. However, new research says you should be fine with a few drinks - as long as you're capable of caring for your baby, you should be ok to breastfeed. If you're still concerned, however, you could just wait to drink right after you've breastfed your baby. Fish: Although the rules on fish and breastfeeding are a bit more lax than they were with … [Read more...]
15 Tips for Curing Thrush with Gentian Violet
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Does your baby have white patches on their tongue or the inside of their cheeks? Do they have a diaper rash that just won't go away? Are your nipples sore? It is possible that you and your baby have thrush, a yeast infection that is easily passed back and forth between mom and baby. Thrush can be very difficult to get rid of. My son was diagnosed with thrush when he was 13 months old. My doctor recommended an anti fungal medication. I hesitated, but ultimately decided to give my son the prescription. Several times a day I had to rub the medicine all over the inside of his mouth. To make a long story short, two rounds of medication and … [Read more...]
What You Should Know Before Giving Up Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is no simple task. As an onlooker and a non-parent it may come off that way, but trust me when I say that even as a huge breastfeeding advocate I've had those moments when giving up breastfeeding seemed like a completely viable option. There are many factors to consider when making the decision for your family. The benefits of breastfeeding should not be ignored in moments of frustration, exhaustion, or weakness. Here are some facts to keep you going. Breastfeeding saves you money. The cost of formula for the first year is around $1,700 depending on the brand you use. This cost will vary depending on how long you … [Read more...]
