Recent years have shown that more and more mothers in most countries around the world have chosen to continue breastfeeding their young children from infancy until 3 to 4 years old. This is now becoming a common sight in most societies where toddlers, as much as their own mothers, enjoy the breastfeeding habit. When mothers and their young children, toddlers in particular, are seen still enjoying this habit, one must not try to stop it.

Before, it was widely believed that after six months of breastfeeding a nursing mother loses her milk’s natural nutrients and should begin to wean her baby from breastfeeding. This is not true at all. Even beyond six months, a mother’s milk still has the valuable protein, fat and other essential nutrients which babies or even toddlers need.

Breast milk, unlike processed milk found in commercial and drug stores, contains natural immune compounds or elements that can protect infants and young children from infections. These elements assist the immune system and other vital organs of a growing child to develop and mature fully well.

Studies among children in day care centers showed that breastfeeding children were proven to suffer significantly decreased levels of severe infections or diseases as compared to those who have since stopped breast-milk feeding. Also, a lactating mother stands to lose a smaller amount of work time if she prefers to continue her breastfeeding once she gets back to her regular work schedule.

So if you are a mother with an infant, it will be one very smart decision if you continue nursing your baby even past his or her six months of breastfeeding. Although many people believe that this is not necessary, breastfeeding will continue to be the best and most natural growth and development supplement for your baby or toddler. There is no better substitute for the health benefits breastfeeding can give you and your child. It is only when you and your child both agree to stop can you then begin to wean your child. No one else has to or can stop you from nursing your child for as long as you both want and enjoy it. The right time can tell you both if and when you feel that you have to stop breastfeeding. For now, just do it – for both your and your baby’s sake.

About the Author:

Abhishek is an expert Baby Shower organizer and he has got some great Baby Shower Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 117 Pages Ebook, “How To Have A Roaringly Successful Baby Shower!” from his website http://www.Childbirth-Guru.com/121/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Breastfeeding Your Toddler – Benefits Unlimited

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Breastfeeding is more difficult for women who have undergone cesarean deliveries due to a wide range of reasons like delayed access to baby, increased supplementary feeding, excruciating pain, maternal fatigue, separation from the baby, blood loss leading to anemia, interference medications, etc.

Less initiation – It is said that mothers who have just undergone surgery tend to initiating breastfeeding less as compared to mothers who have delivered normally. Most of the have planned to give breastfeeding a shot but after the operation, they change their minds and opt for commercial milk instead. This may be because the physical toll of the operation saps the mother’s emotional and physical strength. Either they feel groggy from the medication, exhausted from the labor, woozy with the pain or just to weak due to the blood loss. Breastfeeding suddenly becomes a very difficult and overwhelming task to do.

Stress – Stress is also a major factor why women who have had cesarean find it hard to breastfeed right away. A difficult labor or an unexpected cesarean operation can give too much stress to the mother. It is believed that when a mother is troubled, the stress interferes with the release of oxytocin which is the hormone responsible for milk ejection reflex. Studies show that stressed babies may be weaker and less active as compared to the healthy ones.

Delayed access to the baby – Women who have had cesarean cannot be with their baby right away. Nursing your baby after birth can jumpstart hormonal processes which are designed to ensure enough milk supply and to aid in the mother’s physical recovery afterwards. It is said that breastfeeding works best if it occurs on the first hour after giving birth. While a few are lucky enough to nurse their babies right after the operation, most moms patiently wait until they are brought into the recovery room. The delay in first nursing does not only interfere with breastfeeding but also with hormonal levels. It can directly impact the mother’s milk supply, delay the appearance of mature milk – all these can put the baby at risk for excessive weight loss after birth or of dehydration.

Anemia – When you undergo a major surgery, you may lose twice the amount of blood as those who have had vaginal birth. This may cause anemia. Anemia significantly interferes with milk supply.

If you plan on breastfeeding your baby, discuss the matter with your doctor as early as you can. He can make special arrangements so that the baby is brought to you sooner than usual.

About the Author:

You can find helpful information about cesarean risks and everything you need to know about cesarean deliveries at Aha! Baby.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Cesarean Risks: How It Interferes With Breastfeeding

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One of the challenges of having two babies is overcoming breastfeeding problems. Will they get hungry together? Will you have to feed them one by one? There are lots of breastfeeding questions lingering in the minds of new moms. Here are some ways to help you handle the task of breastfeeding twin babies.

Making A Breastfeeding Chart

Prepare a visual chart of breastfeeding. This will help you know the time to feed your baby, by just looking at her. In case of twins, you need to prepare two charts. You should talk to your doctor regarding chart preparation. In addition to this, you need to discuss about baby food and baby formula that is right for your baby. It is best to give your milk, instead of giving baby formula for the initial months.

Your chart consists of columns like feeing time, meals fed, amount fed, and other such important details. This way, you will get an idea of the frequency of meals and the time your babies are hungry.

Remember; as your baby reaches 7-12 months of age, she will develop her own taste in food. You have twins does not mean, both of them will develop the same taste. There are common cases where twin have contrasting tastes and behavior. One of them may suck more milk than the other, or have different meal timings. The chart will help you keep a track on your twins’ feeding.

Handling Twins’ Call Of Hunger

A smart mom will always prepare her baby food in advance. This way, your babies get food instantly when they call for hunger and need not wait and wail loudly. It’s a good idea to prepare baby food at home. It’s fresh and hygienic, plus loaded with nutrients. Besides this, the food is free of preservatives and is of good quality. If you don’t want to create a hubbub in the house by two screaming babies, prepare baby food in advance!

Take the help of your doctor or midwife regarding positions for breastfeeding. You can buy breastfeeding tops as well as breastfeeding cover to ease in this task. Read articles and books on breastfeeding twins and enjoy the task!

About the Author:

Breastfeeding twins is no problem, once you master the art of handling them. In fact, you will enjoy the task and have no breastfeeding problems. For more information visit pregnancy.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Breastfeeding Twins Can be Made Into an Enjoyable Task!

Technorati Tags: breastfeeding, breastfeeding multiples, breastfeeding twins

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All too often it is assumed that a breastfeeding mum will scurry off to do the deed behind a locked door and well out of sight. And God forbid she utters the phrase, “I’m Breastfeeding!” Men avert their eyes and women smile as they shuffle their feet and move the conversation swiftly along! So much for breastfeeding support amongst peers!

Most mums choosing to breastfeed their babies do so because they have been made aware of the lifelong advantages of breastfeeding. But when it comes to the task itself, many feel they have no-one to turn to for information and advice when things are not going as planned. For that reason, a lot of breastfeeding mums give up breastfeeding prematurely.

The World Health Organisation recommends exclusively breastfeeding babies for the first six months of their lives. But many are only breastfed for a few days or weeks.

It is vital that breastfeeding mums have a supportive and informative network of people to ask for help.

And that is where Breastfeeding Support Groups come into their own.

A well- organised breastfeeding support group will cater for a variety of women from varied backgrounds. It will educate women thinking about breastfeeding whilst they are pregnant and it will also cater for novice and more experienced breastfeeders.
Breastfeeding support groups allow women and their babies to come together in a relaxed atmosphere, to enjoy congenial conversation. Women are encouraged to discuss breastfeeding issues and, as a result, breastfeeding mums help one another to bypass barriers placed along the path.

Breastfeeding mums need to talk about breastfeeding in order to bring their experiences into the wider community. It is only by chatting about breastfeeding in an open and honest way with one another that it will become more acceptable. If more women are given the opportunity to access breastfeeding support groups then breastfeeding statistics will surely rise.

And who knows, maybe today’s breastfed babies will become confident breastfeeding mums of tomorrow, free of the hang-ups prevalent in today’s society regarding breastfeeding!

About the Author:

Sinead Hoben is the proud mum of three beautiful children aged 6 years, 3 years and 9 months old, all of whom were breastfed. A qualified teacher, she now runs her own website, http://www.breastfeedingmums.com, offering breastfeeding information and advice to both breastfeeding and expectant mums. Visit her blog, http://breastfeedingmums.typepad.com to read her musings about setting up www.breastfeedingmums.com and daily life as a busy mum!

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Breastfeeding Mums Need To Talk!

Technorati Tags: breastfeeding, breastfeeding help, breastfeeding support

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What’s even more remarkable than the visible changes or ones that you can feel are the extensive changes that are happening inside your breasts underneath the skin. A complex biological process is taking place that makes lactation possible and this is stimulated into action by a developing placenta causing the release of estrogen and progesterone into your body.

Prior to pregnancy, the larger portion of your breasts are made up of supportive tissue, milk glands and fat. Your swollen breasts have been preparing for reproduction for the entire time that you have existed!

By the time you were born your main milk dusts had already been formed. When you reached puberty a flood of the female hormone estrogen was responsible for causing your mammary glands to grow and swell. During your pregnancy these glands go into overdrive with the increased amounts of estrogen.

Prior to your baby’s arrival glandular tissue replaces the majority of your fat cells and this is what makes your breasts larger than before. Each breast may increase by up to one and a half extra pounds.

Among this mass of your fatty cells and glandular tissue is an intricate network of canals or channels which are your milk ducts. The hormones released during your pregnancy cause these ducts to increase both in number and size and these ducts branch off into smaller canals near your chest wall known as ductules.

A cluster of smaller sacs are located at the end of each duct which are known as alveoli. Each cluster of alveoli is called a lobule and each cluster of lobules is called a lobe. Each one of your breasts will contain around 15-20 lobes with one milk duct for each lobe.

Your milk is produced inside your alveoli which is surrounded by tiny muscles which squeeze the glands and help to push your milk out into the ductules. Leading on from the ductules are larger ducts which then widen into a milk pool directly beneath the areola.

These milk pools then act as reservoirs that hold your milk until your baby sucks it through the tiny openings in your nipples.

Amazingly, nature ensures that your complete milk producing system is fully developed around the time of your second trimester thereby ensuring that you are able to breastfeed your baby even if there’s an unexpected early arrival.

Author Resource:-> Breastfeeding is the recommended way to feed your newborn child. Get your free guide now – Complete Breastfeeding Guide at http://www.notjustbasics.com/breastfeed/guide

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The worst dietary offender is cow’s milk. Many times, a baby’s digestive tract isn’t mature enough to handle the proteins in cow’s milk which causes a gas builds up in the intestines. When this happens, your baby’s will scream in pain as his intestines go into spasms.

Eliminating dairy from your diet can make a tremendous difference in the level of colic your baby experiences.

Cow’s milk takes many forms and you need to be vigilant in reading the labels of food you consume.

Other names to look out for are:

Lactoglobulin
Casein
Lactalbumin
Sodium Caseinate
Whey

Many pre prepared items in the supermarket include some form of milk product.
These include, but are not limited to:
Batter Products: Waffles, Pancakes, Cakes, Cookies, Biscuits, etc.

Chocolate: Both milk and white varieties

Processed Foods: Bologna, hot dogs, pepperoni, salami, sausage (The exception to this is Kosher meat products because they are milk free)

Butter

Cheese
When you are trying to eliminate dairy from your diet, allow at least two weeks for your body to be dairy free. If after two weeks, you aren’t seeing a marked improvement, you can safely assume that your child is not sensitive to dairy products.

If after two weeks, you don’t see a significant change in your baby’s colic, you can pretty much assume that it isn’t the dairy products that are causing the colic.

The foods listed below can also cause reactions in your baby, but if you are eating a balanced diet and not eating too much of any one of these foods, they are probably not the cause of your baby’s colic. Every baby is different and what may cause a reaction in one baby, may be perfectly fine for another baby. If you notice that your baby’s colic acts up after eating a particular food, there is most likely a sensitivity issue for your baby. Avoiding consumption of this food in the future may be a good idea.

Other potentially colic inducing foods for breastfeeding moms include:

Onion
Chocolate
Eggs
Peanuts
Citrus fruits
Wheat
Corn
Soy
Tomatoes
Strawberries
Highly spiced foods
Legumes
Some vitamins
Artificial sweeteners
Caffeinated beverages
Licorice

Cruciferous vegetables:
Beet greens
Bok choy
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Chinese cabbage
Collard greens
Garden cress
Horseradish
Kale
Kohlrabi
Mustard greens
Radishes
Rutabaga
Swiss chard
Turnips
Turnip greens

If eliminating foods from your diet does not seem to make a difference, PLEASE seek the help of a Lactation Consultant or contact your nearest La Leche League group. Sometimes the support and guidance from someone a bit more knowledgabe and experienced in breastfeeding can make ALL the difference.

Author Resource:-> Vickie Barnes is a colic veteran of two colicky babies. Please visit her website ColicHelp.com, for more support and resources for dealing with colic.

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1. Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding, especially in the early days, offers mothers plenty of opportunity to be close to their babies and to build up a relationship of trust. More than simply providing nourishment to the baby, breastfeeding helps to build a bond due to the frequent close proximity and skin contact between mother and baby. Nursing babies derive more than physical nourishment from breastfeeding as nursing also offers babies emotional comfort.

Through breastfeeding, a mother can learn to read her baby’s cues and non-verbal attempts to communicate his (or her) need for food or comfort. Additionally, the act of breastfeeding triggers the release of hormones which affect mothers on an emotional level. The strong emotional connection between mother and baby involved in breastfeeding can be observed when a mother nurses her baby versus when a mother attempts to express milk with a breast pump. The letdown reflex (the process by which matured milk moves from the back of the breast to the front) often comes quite easily when the baby is suckling but can be quite difficult to achieve when expressing milk with a breast pump.

2. Feeding

For Dads and mothers who have opted to bottle feed their babies, it is still possible to build attachment with a baby, although the benefits of the hormonal reaction and the natural bond that forms between a nursing couple (the mother and baby in a breastfeeding relationship) are missed. Here are some practices that can help:

Cuddle baby during feeds. There is a tendency with bottle feeding to prop baby up with a cushion or pillow and offer the bottle from a distance. To build an attachment, touch and closeness is required. To help foster that requirement, hold the baby as if you were intending to breastfeed.
Increase skin to skin contact. Bottle feeding without a shirt on can help to mimic the skin to skin contact between parent and baby similar to the nursing situation.

3. Co-sleeping

It is a natural survival instinct for a baby to seek the close proximity of a parent. In the wild, infants who are separated from parents become prey to predators and the risk of death is very high. Babies aren’t born with the awareness that the environment around them is safe and naturally seek the closeness of their parents, even at night. Co-sleeping offers babies the comfort and feeling of security of being near a parent.

Sleep studies have also shown that co-sleeping mothers respond to the movements of their babies even while sleep. It is evident that co-sleeping not only allows mothers to provide comfort and security to their babies, but at the same time mothers are also unconsciously developing an attachment to their babies.

4. Baby wearing

Babies also need to be near parents during the day as a baby makes no distinction between day or night. One way to keep your baby close to you during the day without physically immobilising yourself is to “wear” your baby in a baby sling or carrier. Baby carriers and slings allow parents to cuddle their babies while leaving their hands free.

Having your baby’s face close to yours fosters communication (from parent to baby and baby to parent). Parents can share observations and keep baby updated about what is happening. This is more likely to occur when your baby is being carried than when your baby is lying in a pram. Imagine trying to talk to your baby through the noise and commotion in a shopping mall – it would definitely be easier for your baby to listen to you when being carried rather than when lying in a pram.

5. Talking and Singing

Babies respond most eagerly to the sound of a real person’s voice, and even more so if that voice belongs to a parent. Babies can recognise their parents’ voices having heard them while in the womb. Sometimes the sound of a mother or father’s voice can be enough to calm a stirring baby. Studies have also shown that babies can be soothed more easily with songs that they heard their mothers sing to them during the pregnancy.

Some first time parents find it awkward to ramble to a baby who doesn’t appear to understand them, but don’t underestimate your baby who is absorbing a lot more that you think. Babies who have been spoken to a lot during the early months often learn to speak earlier than their peers. Learning to talk and sing to you baby takes time. While uncomfortable at first, remember that practice makes perfect.

6. Playing

Babies love to play. Play is one of the ways that help them learn about the world around them. Play is a special interaction between parent and baby that involves touch, physical closeness, and laughter – all ingredients for fostering a strong attachment.
Games that parents can play with babies might be bouncing games on the lap, rolling on the bed, tickling, learning about hands and feet and features of the face. As your baby grows older, you can play games such as rolling a ball, shaking noise-makers, or exploring cloth books.

7. Primary Care Giver

Don’t underestimate the bond that is being built as you bathe your baby, change his (or her) diapers, and respond to his (or her) other physical or emotional needs. By being the primary care giver to your baby, you will inevitably build an attachment with your baby as you learn to read his (or her) cues, body language, and attempts to communicate with you. This is evident with babies who express closeness to nannies or carers who look after them while their parents go to work.

Summary

Building an attachment with your baby is like making friends with a person who only speaks a foreign language. At first you may find it difficult to understand what your baby needs but as you spend more time with him (or her) you will begin not only to understand him (or her) but to build an attachment. While you do not necessarily have to follow each and every suggestion above, all of them will assist you in forming an attachment with your baby. The most fundamental part of bonding, however, is time spent together. It takes time to build an attachment with another person, likewise, with a baby, the more time you can spend, the better.

Shen-Li is a stay-at-home-mum dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in parenting. She has a formal educational background and former work experience in healthcare. If you enjoyed this article, visit her blog Babylicious at http://figur8.net/baby and follow her as she learns how to raise a happy, confident and successful person.

Article Source: How Do You Build An Attachment With A Baby?

Technorati Tags: attachment, baby, bonding, Parenting

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So, how can you make the new arrival less of a threat to the family?


Firstly, acknowledge to yourself and to your other children that they may feel a bit displaced when the new baby is introduced into the fold. If you intend to breastfeed your new baby, then explain to your children that you may not have as much time to spend with them as usual but reassure them that a routine will eventually become established and things will return to normal.

Try to involve other siblings as much as possible in the day to day care of the baby. You could nominate one to fetch baby wipes and nappies whilst another may be allocated the job of getting the night-time baby-gro. Or perhaps let them help with bathing the new baby. This will allow your other children to feel involved and important.

When you are breastfeeding the baby explain to your children what you are doing. If they are very young perhaps show them pictures of babies being fed by their mothers, including baby animals. Remind them that they were once breastfed by you too, if that is the case.

Some children will mimic what they see their parents doing so try not to show surprise if you witness a child breastfeeding her favourite teddy bear. Instead encourage her to tell you all about her baby.

Don’t go into a different room to breastfeed your new baby as this implies that there is something wrong with what you are doing. Instead, as you breastfeed the baby, encourage your children to watch how the baby is drinking your milk and explain that it will make the baby healthy and strong. In so doing you will allow them to accept breastfeeding as normal.

Whilst breastfeeding you may find that very young toddlers crave your attention and may literally be hanging off you! Prepare for this by getting a few books or jigsaws ready in advance. When it is time to breastfeed the baby, read a story to your other children or encourage them to draw you a picture or do a jigsaw. This makes them feel valued and involved.

If siblings are bickering a lot with one another and you find yourself losing your temper with them try to take some time out. And when you have calmed down explain to them why you are tired. Ask them to understand that you are not really angry but that you need a rest.

Some toddlers vent their frustration on the new baby by nipping him or pulling his hair. You must explain in terms your children can understand why this is unfair and encourage them to do nice things instead such as helping to dress or bathe him or fetching some little toys instead.

If you are aware of how your children may react to a new sibling you can ensure that things progress smoothly by preparing them well in advance of the birth. Encourage your children to see the new baby as a family member who is looking forward to coming to live with you. Show them pictures of new babies and babies breastfeeding. If possible, bring them to visit someone who has a new baby and better still someone who is also breastfeeding.

Be careful to make time for other children in the family once the baby arrives.

Siblings can be hard work and sibling rivalry a nightmare, but you can make life easier for yourself and for them with careful advance preparations.

Want to find out about coccyx pain, broken coccyx, coccyx symptoms, sternum problems, broken sternum , sternum pain and other information? Get tips from the Health And Nutrition Tips website.

Article Source: The Effects of Breastfeeding on Sibling Rivalry

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However, before we can truly understand if birth control pills are indeed safe for breastfeeding mothers, first we need to know what they really are, what they contain, and how they work.

About Birth Control Pills


Birth control pills are oral contraceptives that are used to control pregnancy by inhibiting the normal fertility process. There are two types of birth control pills. The first type is the combination pill, which has two synthetic hormones, the progestin, and estrogen. The second type is the minipill or the progestin-only pill, which contains only the progestin component.

How They Work

The synthetic estrogen component, which is only present in the combination pill, works by preventing the ovaries from ovulating or releasing an egg. It also works by suppressing the body’s hormonal pattern.

On the other hand, the synthetic progestin component, which is present in both types of pills, works by inhibiting the egg from traveling through the fallopian tubes and suppressing the sperm’s ability in uniting with the egg. It also works by thickening the cervical mucus, which aids in hindering the movement of the sperm. One mechanism of action that is unique to synthetic progestin is its ability to alter the lining in the uterus, making it impossible for a fertilized egg to implant to the uterine walls.

Are they really safe to be used while breastfeeding?

Whether you choose to use the combination pill (estrogen and progestin) or the minipill (progestin only), they are safe for use in breastfeeding mothers. Both of these components have been approved by the American Academy of Pediatric (AAP).

However, it is recommended that contraceptives that contain estrogen (combination pill) should be deferred until the baby is six months old and has established well on solid foods because estrogen can cause loss of breast milk supply. On the other hand, minipills don’t cause milk supply to dcrease, making them the preferred choice for breastfeeding mothers.

The effects of birth control pills on the mother’s milk

The effects of these birth control pills differ due to the components present. For the combination contraceptive pills, since they contain estrogen, they suppress the mother’s milk production leading to a low milk supply. Not all breastfeeding mothers who take these kinds of pills experience a low milk supply, but it is only in very rare cases.

The minipills or the progestin-only pills do not cause any milk production problems if given at normal doses and if started after about 6-8 weeks after the birth of the baby. However, there have been reports made that these pills can also cause the same milk suppression issues.

Effects of birth control pills on the baby

There have been no evidences found that it can cause side effects and endanger the baby’s health. In fact, studies revealed that there have been no long term problems found in babies and children whose mothers have been taking contraceptive pills while still breastfeeding.

According to one study, the hormones caused a minimal decrease in the lactose, nitrogen, and protein content of the mother’s milk, which lead to fussiness in the baby. But once the mothers stopped taking the pills, a marked improvement of the degree of fussiness of the baby had been seen.

The best choices to make

Now that you know that these synthetic hormones can cause a suppression of the milk supply, it is best to wait until the baby is about 6-8 months before you start using the pill. You don’t have to worry because breastfeeding alone during the first six months can cause a delay in the normal ovulation process, a method called lactational amenorrhea.

Some alternative options that you can use

Other methods that you can use are the calendar method, cervical mucus awareness method, intra uterine devices (IUD), condoms, spermicides, diaphragm, cervical cap and injections such as depo-provera.

Kassie Charles is a lactation educator and contributing writer for Breastfeeding-Magazine.com For more breastfeeding tips and support, visit the site at http://www.breastfeeding-magazine.com

Article Source: Are Birth Control Pills Safe while Breastfeeding?

Technorati Tags: birth control, birth control and breastfeeding, breastfeeding, safety

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