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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.


Can Breastfeeding Cause Eczema?

Babies encounter all kinds of minor problems outside the womb:  diaper rash, stuffy noses, and cradle cap, just to name a few.  Their bodies take some time to adjust to "life on the outside", and that transition can be challenging.  One of the more common problems for newborns is eczema.  Can Breastfeeding Cause Eczema? Eczema is a red, itchy rash that is often seen in patches.  It can be scaly in appearance or even blister when it is severe.  Anyone can have eczema, not just babies, although it is common to see it in babies and young children. Eczema is not contagious or life threatening, but it can absolutely be a nuisance and can … [Read more...]

Medications and Breastfeeding: A Chat with a Lactation Pharmacist

Breastfeeding mamas are daily faced with the daunting task of figuring out how to care for their bodies without harming their nursing little ones.  This task makes most medications seemingly off-limits, which can be frustrating.  I had the chance to chat with Leslie Southard, a Lactation Pharmacist.  Leslie is working to support nursing mothers by providing accurate information about medications and breastfeeding.  She helps mamas find nursing-safe options to treat their illnesses. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to treat or diagnose any illness or disease. Please talk to your doctor about your … [Read more...]

The Nursing Toddler: Extended Breastfeeding with Confidence

Breastfeeding a toddler comes with its own set of worries and challenges. Enjoy your nursing toddler and find confidence in your unique breastfeeding story with these encouraging tips! As I held my daughter in my arms, I couldn't help but feel nervous. My 13-month old had been walking since the week before her first birthday. She wasn't just toddling. The girl was running! And climbing. And dancing. She had officially rock and rolled her way into toddler-hood. She was thriving. And there we were for her one-year checkup. So why was I so nervous? Because I knew what the pediatrician would say. "You know you can switch her to … [Read more...]

Can I Take Medicine While Breastfeeding?

One of the most asked questions from new moms is, “Can I take medicine while breastfeeding?” It’s understandable. After all, if spicy foods can alter your breast milk, what on earth might an antidepressant or cold medication do? Let’s look at what happens when you take medicine during lactation. Can I Take Medicine While Breastfeeding? Well, it depends. Pretty much all medications are transferred into breast milk to some degree. But, not all medicines are found in clinically significant amounts in a mother’s milk. To put it another way, it's probable that your baby is hardly getting any of your medicine at all. Sometimes it … [Read more...]

Breastfeeding With the Flu

In this post, I’m going to share what I’ve learned about breastfeeding with the flu. We all dread it, don’t we? The aches, chills, nausea… everything about the flu is terrible. It's normal to wonder whether you should breastfeed while you're so sick. It’s a very serious thing for a baby to catch the flu. If you suspect your baby may have been exposed to influenza, call your doctor immediately. Keep Yourself Healthy The CDC recommends the following people in a baby's life be vaccinated against the flu: Both parents, siblings, other household members, grandparents, and caregivers. However, the flu shot isn't always as effective … [Read more...]

When You’re Tired of Breastfeeding

I was totaling up the other night how many years I’ve spent nursing my children. After four children, it’s just under seven and a half years and counting. Our youngest is 18 months old and still loves to nurse, showing no interest in weaning. After that long, I feel like it's okay that I'm tired of breastfeeding! I’m fully committed to breastfeeding past one year. The physical, emotional, and mental health benefits are incredible, and I believe it’s good for moms, too! However, I wouldn’t for one moment lie that breastfeeding is always full of fuzzy, lovely, rose-hued moments, especially at this point in the game (for me). Sometimes I … [Read more...]

Foods That Help Breast Milk Production

Are you worried about your milk production? That’s a pretty common concern for new moms. No need to stress out, though. We’re here to help. But first, are you sure your milk production is not sufficient? Moms who use bottles to feed their babies know exactly how much they’re drinking. When you’re breastfeeding, not so much. Wouldn’t it be great to have clear breasts with ounce marks on them? Not sure how that would look in a swimsuit, but it would sure make feeding our children a lot less stressful. (Before we go any further, if you’re really feeling panicked about whether baby is getting enough breast milk, talk to your doctor.) A … [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...]

The Truth About Twiddling While Nursing

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...]