One of the hottest nutritional supplements, health and beauty aids, and all around health-foodie-favorites these days is coconut oil. There are myriad uses for it, and you can now buy coconut oil at almost any grocery store. But what about breastfeeding and coconut oil? What are its benefits for nursing moms and babies, and is it even safe to use it? Breastfeeding and Coconut Oil - Uses and Benefits One of my favorite uses for coconut oil is to encourage healthy, soft skin. If you've had a baby with cradle cap, you know the frustration of trying to treat the crusty mess. Coconut oil not only moisturizes, but its antifungal and … [Read more...]

Breastfeeding has a lengthy list of benefits for both mother and child ranging from antibody protection to cancer prevention, but one not soon to be forgotten by new moms is the extra calories burned breastfeeding. Many women have asked, exactly how many calories are burned breastfeeding? Well, every woman who has nursed a baby knows that it is a physically demanding task, and all that extra energy expelled isn't going to waste. Each calorie-laden ounce of breast milk made to nourish your baby is burning extra calories for mom. While there are many reasons to breastfeed your baby, one that many moms find to be an added bonus is the extra … [Read more...]

It's funny how we have been given such idyllic images of the early days of breastfeeding, isn't it? Mamas and babies nestled together in nursing bliss. We're lead to believe that it's natural and normal and a good breastfeeding latch should just...happen. And then you actually have a baby and find out that this whole nursing process doesn't always come so easily and it definitely doesn't come without its fair share of discomfort and, yes, even pain. Many of us haven't been told that the breastfeeding relationship, while natural, is still a learned process for both baby and mama. Sure, babies have a sixth sense that leads them … [Read more...]

Most will not argue that breast milk is best for a new baby and that it is the most natural way of feeding your baby. We all hear about the benefits of breastfeeding and how it is not only good for baby, but for mom, too. But has it always been this way? Was breastfeeding always looked at as the better choice? Is it the natural thing to do around the world? What exactly are the benefits of breastfeeding for both mom and baby? Even after breastfeeding two kids and writing for this website for nearly a year, I am still learning new things about breastfeeding every day. So I thought I'd share with you some new things I've recently learned about … [Read more...]

A few weeks ago I asked women on our Facebook page what the secret to their success was. You know what the most common answer was? Spousal support. Yes, you heard me right. The number one thing that keeps women breastfeeding is a supportive partner. As a breastfeeding mother of two I happen to have had the pleasure of one badly supported experience and one really positive one. Though it's important to seek support and surround yourself with those who want to help you succeed, a negative nursing atmosphere doesn't always have to amount to failure. Because I personally understand how hard it can be to communicate the important things in … [Read more...]

As if being a new mama isn't exhausting enough, when you're a breastfeeding mama there are some added stresses that come along (but don't worry, the bonding far outweighs the few stresses). One of the common situations that a breastfeeding mother will come across is breastfeeding engorgement. Engorgement is a common problem for many lactating mothers in the first several weeks postpartum. Your body is doing something new (or something it hasn't done in awhile) and is going to town making milk to nourish your new, sweet bundle. While you may be feeding around the clock and doing everything right, sometimes we still just can't avoid dealing … [Read more...]