Breastfeeding Baby Help » health http://breastfeedingbabyhelp.com Expert help for breastfeeding moms Wed, 26 May 2010 08:54:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Smoking and Breastfeeding http://breastfeedingbabyhelp.com/smoking-and-breastfeeding http://breastfeedingbabyhelp.com/smoking-and-breastfeeding#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:21:47 +0000 admin http://breastfeedingbabyhelp.com/?p=124 Is it safe for breastfeeding mothers to smoke cigarettes?

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]]> http://breastfeedingbabyhelp.com/smoking-and-breastfeeding/feed 0 Formula Fed America http://breastfeedingbabyhelp.com/formula-fed-america http://breastfeedingbabyhelp.com/formula-fed-america#comments Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:20:31 +0000 admin http://breastfeedingbabyhelp.com/?p=116 The lack of breastfeeding in America has turned in to a public health crisis. The rising statistics of childhood illnesses preventable by the act of breastfeeding are staggering as is the price tag of healthcare that goes along with it. Infant Formula or Artificial Baby Milk is a relatively new invention, originally intended for babies who could not breastfeed or mothers who did not have any milk and donor human milk is not available. Why than, are we ignoring our natural biological function of breastfeeding almost completely? Why are doctors, who more often than not agree that breastmilk is far superior to infant formula, so quick to prescribe it when a mother experiences difficulty in breastfeeding? Why do we continue to sexualize the breast and stigmatize what it is actually intended for? Why aren’t there more widely available human milk banks where a mother can go to get that precious liquid gold for her baby if she cannot provide instead of free cans of formula in our mailboxes? If infant feeding is a choice, why aren’t we making an informed one? This documentary will provide an insightful look in to our culture’s attitude towards the breastfeeding mother and it’s acceptance of infant formula. With change we can be come a Breastfeeding America.

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]]> http://breastfeedingbabyhelp.com/formula-fed-america/feed 0 3 Reasons Not To Follow a Low-Carb Diet When Breastfeeding http://breastfeedingbabyhelp.com/3-reasons-not-to-follow-a-low-carb-diet-when-breastfeeding http://breastfeedingbabyhelp.com/3-reasons-not-to-follow-a-low-carb-diet-when-breastfeeding#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:19:25 +0000 admin http://breastfeedingbabyhelp.com/?p=64 After a mother has given birth it is natural to be anxious to lose the weight that has been put on during pregnancy as quickly as possible. Popular diets include high protein and low carbohydrate diets such as the Atkins diet and the South Beach diet. Most of us are becoming more aware that breastfeeding, all other things being equal, is the best way to feed your newborn child but is breastfeeding compatible with one of these popular low-carb diets?

1. The first thing to address here is the mother’s anxiousness to lose weight after giving birth. As the weight was gained slowly it is generally better to lose it over a period of time too. Low-carb diets can promise weight loss of ‘14lbs in 14 days’ and such like but this is never normally a healthy option no matter who you are, whether you are breastfeeding or not. Breastfeeding actually helps mothers to lose weight anyway and medical research suggests that it is advisable for new mothers to not actively start trying to lose weight through dieting for the first 2 months and this should preferably be stretched to when your child starts solids at around 6 months.

2. The second thing to address is the health of the mother. Low-carb diets have a high potential to make you feel unwell as they are not balanced. These diets are typically low in fiber, minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium as well as antioxidants and folic acid as well as other parts of a balanced diet. They can also be high in protein and fat intake. Coupled with this a lot of the weight loss achieved by following these diets can be through water loss and so dehydration can be a risk if plenty of water isn’t drunk. It’s stressful enough after giving birth and taking care of your newborn can be exhausting until you’ve established routines with your baby. Why would you want to add the possibility of dehydration and not giving your body a balanced dose of required vitamins and minerals to help it recover after pregnancy and childbirth?

3. The third thing to consider is your baby’s health. There a few reasons as to why your baby’s health may be affected by a low-carb diet. Firstly some mothers have found that by following a low-carb diet their milk supply has decreased. Stopping the diet generally brings the milk supply back to required levels. By limiting your intake to certain types of food there exists the possibility that your milk will not have the required levels of vitamins that your baby requires. Low-carb diets usually place the body into a state called ketosis. It is unknown if ketones can be passed through breast milk to your child and the impact on health. The Atkins website advises mothers to start on the maintenance part of its dietary plan which involves a considerably larger carbohydrate intake than its starting point.

In summary, it is advisable for mothers to eat a balanced and healthy diet whilst breastfeeding and a low-carb diet should really be avoided. Like all things medical in nature there are always exceptions in certain circumstances and if you are unsure due to special circumstances a physician should be consulted.

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – 3 Reasons Not To Follow a Low-Carb Diet When Breastfeeding!

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]]> http://breastfeedingbabyhelp.com/3-reasons-not-to-follow-a-low-carb-diet-when-breastfeeding/feed 0 Iodine and Breastfeeding – Safe Or Dangerous Combo? http://breastfeedingbabyhelp.com/iodine-and-breastfeeding-safe-or-dangerous-combo http://breastfeedingbabyhelp.com/iodine-and-breastfeeding-safe-or-dangerous-combo#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:38:05 +0000 admin http://breastfeedingbabyhelp.com/?p=54 Iodine and breastfeeding – both are controversial subjects. In the world of breastfeeding there is a lot of controversy about what is best for you and your baby, and how long to breastfeed. The truth of the matter is that, there are some misconceptions regarding the safety of breastfeeding while taking iodine.

If your thyroid hormones are low and you are having trouble loosing weight, then there is good reason to believe you need more iodine.  Understanding how your body works is most important when taking any supplement while you are pregnant or nursing.

Are you struggling to maintain your milk supply even though you are drinking enough water?

Your body needs sufficient amounts of iodine for your milk supply.  This very important element is essential for you and your baby while pregnant and breastfeeding.  Studies have shown that infants you do not have enough iodine in their diets will suffer.  Some will even become mentally handicapped.

Are you happy with your energy levels?

Your energy levels, metabolism, hair growth, breast milk supply & thyroid function will all benefit from supplementing with iodine. There are few to no side effects to taking too much iodine. Many women who suffer from low milk supply while breastfeeding can tell within a couple days an increase to the milk supply.  If you think you may be seriously deficient, there is a test you can take that will determine how much iodine you need.  If you Google iodine loading test, you will find a couple companies that will help you find out what your iodine levels are and how much iodine you need.

Constance Matter is a natural pregnancy & women’s health expert with 30 years of experience in helping mothers design natural, safe, and healthy pregnancies. To learn more about the controversy of iodine and breast feeding, see The Breast Feeding Insider’s Guide

To learn more about pregnancy-related topics, see the free Natural Mom’s Bible.

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