When normal and natural methods to increase breast milk do not work, herbal supplements may be just the answer for you. Although some mothers report that it does not work, a lot of breast feeding mothers are satisfied and attest that the herb’s action of increasing milk supply is nothing short of amazing. Currently, Fenugreek is the only herbal medicine that is FDA approved for lactation. This means that this herbal supplement is safe to consume, but still with caution. Discussion of the side effect of Fenugreek will be discussed later in the article.

Fenugreek is originally used as a spice for food. Used as such, the effect is not felt for the dosage is not that potent to produce an effect. For faster results, a 610mg capsule must be taken at least 3 times a day to boost your milk production. The effect varies from mother to mother. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, this comes purely from a natural resource. Problem with herbal remedies is that dosage is not exact in each leaf or seed. A leaf may have lesser potency, while the other leaf from the same plant would be twice as potent, and the same can be said for seeds. This is probably why the effect of the drug is not the same for each mother. Others have reported immediate results after taking in just one dose, while others need to take the drug for a slightly longer duration and higher dosage to experience the effects.

HOW TO TAKE

Fenugreek comes in different dosages. The higher the dosage, the lesser the frequency the 580-610 mg tables, as stated is taken 2-4 capsules 3 times daily, for a total of 6-12 capsules consumed in a day. If you have bought 1200-2400 mg capsules, it is taken 3 times daily. The dosage may seem quite high. You need about 3.5-7.3 grams of Fenugreek per day to make the supplement effective. 500mg ca

There are also other forms of Fenugreek available. A lactating mother can drink it as tea, but the same effect will not be achieved quite as dramatically as the capsule form. Seeds can be bought in an Indian spice store or the grocery. Place a 1/4 teaspoon of the seed in a cup of water and bring to a boil. Once the water boils, turn the heat off and let it steep for 15 minutes to produce a concoction. Afterwards, you can drink the concoction and eat the seeds. It is not commonly done by mothers for some report dislike of the bitter taste of the seeds. Others, however, do not mind the bitter taste or report not noticing it. You have to drink the concoction twice a day: once in the morning and another before going to bed.

The duration of taking Fenugreek is highly dependent on the preference of the mother. You can take it for as long as you would like, or you can stop taking the supplement the moment you produce adequate milk supply. Some mothers take it for 2 weeks only and maintain their milk supply by constantly feeding and pumping. Feeding and/or pumping must be done every 3-4 hours for several minutes or until your milk supply for the session is finished. It is recommended that you empty your breast with each feeding and pumping to prevent overloading. If after feeding you are still full, then by all means use your breast pump to expel milk.

SIDE EFFECTS

Although Fenugreek is among the Generally Recognized As Safe list of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it still has some side effects and some precautions that you have to consider.

One common side effect of Fenugreek is the change in aroma of urine and sweat. You and your baby will end up smelling like maple syrup or pancakes as long as you take the drug. Because of this, you and your baby might be falsely diagnosed with having maple syrup urine disease.

Some mothers report loose stools, both for them and for their baby. It is not known if the baby experiences loose stools because of the Fenugreek or because of the increased ingestion of foremilk. Although the loose stool is of no great concern, you may want to limit changing of breast during feeding. That is, instead of alternating between breasts by interrupting your baby’s feeding after 5-10 minutes, let your baby get satisfied with one breast. On the next feeding, switch to the other breast without interrupting again. This way, your baby will have an adequate ratio of foremilk and hind milk.

Others report having gastrointestinal upset with the supplement such as indigestion, gas, and distension. Headache may ensue, but some find that taking Tylenol or drinking more water than usual commonly eliminates the problem.

ALL THESE SIDE EFFECTS WILL EVENTUALLY LESSEN OR FADE AWAY WHEN YOU LESSEN THE DOSE OR STOP TAKING THE FENUGREEK

CAUTION: diabetics taking oral hypoglycemic and insulin must use Fenugreek with caution. Fenugreek is a natural herb commonly used to lower glucose and cholesterol levels. Depending on the potency of the drug, you may need to regulate your medication accordingly to prevent hypoglycemia. Lactating mothers taking in anti-coagulants and thrombolytics (i.e. heparin, coumadin, aspirin, streptokinase) must also use the Fenugreek with caution. The supplement increases the potency of the drug, leading to increased risk of bleeding. If you have a history of peanut and/or chickpea allergy, avoid using Fenugreek. This herb has similar characteristics and can trigger an allergic reaction. History of irregular menstruation, migraine and asthma warrants increased caution in taking the Fenugreek for it can worsen the said conditions. Pregnancy and history of cardiovascular disease (personal or from relatives) are contraindications for Fenugreek.

Further information on dosage and side effects can be seen in Kellymom, one of the best resource sites for breastfeeding and lactating concerns. Remember that this article is just a resource material for information about Fenugreek. It is advised that you consult with your doctor before taking the supplement, especially if you have the medical conditions stated. The label of each brand and type of Fenugreek must be carefully read and understood before taking the supplement.

Babies will get diaper rash once or twice in their baby life. Even if a mother has done every precautionary measure against it, her baby will eventually have one. Usually, the onset diaper rash begins when your baby has started eating solid food.

SIGNS

To help know if your baby has diaper rash, note the following conditions:

Red, tender botches on your baby’s skin usually located at your baby’s bottom, genitals, and between the thighs.
Fussiness especially during diaper change

See the doctor if you observe:

• Bright red botches with Weepy discharge or pus.
• Persistent tenderness that does not go away with standard diaper remedies.
• Fever in the absence of any other medical conditio

The duration of these signs vary from days to weeks, depending on the cause of the diaper rash.

CAUSES

There are a number of factors that can cause the formation of diaper rash:

• Medication
• Diarrhea – the constant increased frequency of stool contact irritates the sensitive skin of your baby
• Allergy – some food or formula can cause some irritation
• Poor hygiene – not washing the baby every diaper change or not changing the diaper immediately when it’s full or with stool
• Sensitivity to a particular brand of diaper or baby wipes – alcohol can irritate the sensitive skin of your baby
• Too much friction from changing or baby carrier – too much rubbing can cause some raw areas or scrape the surface layer of your baby’s skin.

TREATMENTS AND REMEDIES

There are many treatments that you can employ to help cure your baby’s diaper rash. Usually, the treatment is directed towards the cause.

If diarrhea is the cause, always wash your baby’s bottom with running water. Do not use a face towel or baby wipes and do not rub the area heavily. Some mothers wash their babies with Lactacyd Baby Wash to prevent the onset of diaper rash.

Never wipe a baby’s bottom when he has diaper rash. The friction will only aggravate the condition. Just pat dry your baby’s bottom and then let the remaining moisture air dry before you put on the diaper.

Let your baby go al fresco for a several minutes a day. This is the cheapest and the actually potentiates the effect of any diaper rash treatment that you have.

Consider changing your brand of diapers. As much as possible, buy a breathable one that has no plastic covers on the outside.

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste is much loved by many mothers for it works fast aside from being safe for baby’s sensitive skin. You can buy this in Babies R Us for $16.99

Have a food diary whenever you feed your baby any solid food so you will know which food caused your baby’s diaper rash. This way, you can either avoid the food or desensitize your baby by giving him small amounts of that food until he’s grown accustomed to it.

In the presence of diaper rash, do not consider the use of talcum powder or cornstarch as these can be a perfect medium for bacterial or yeast growth that can infect and worsen your baby’s condition.

Choosing how to feed your baby is not as easy as some would think. It is a choice much pondered on by mothers for they are naturally concerned with their baby. There are a lot of reasons why a mother would opt out of breastfeeding. One reason is that the mother has tried breastfeeding and realized it is not working for her. She might be feeling discomfort over being exposed, or she cannot tolerate the sensation of having baby suck milk from her breasts. Some cannot breastfeed because of a present medical condition that is preventing her from giving her breast milk to her child. A current drug therapy may also be preventing the mother from breastfeeding for some drugs are passed through breast milk and can harm the baby. A common reason is also because the mother has to return to work, and thereby unable to be personally there to see to her baby’s feeding. For whatever reason, still the choice is plainly up to the mother. No one should cause her to think otherwise and she should be comfortable with her choice.

What to consider

Bottle feeding can be quite expensive, especially when a baby has allergic reactions to common brands. There are several types of formula milk that can make a mother quite confused in choosing just what brand to buy. Most brands, the common ones can be affordable. Special formula milk like the ones made for babies with allergy (hypoallergenic) or suffering from diarrhea can be twice as expensive as the other brands. Choose formula milk that is right for your baby’s age. Written on the label is the recommended age for a milk formulation, and should be carefully followed. Only use formula milk that is best for your baby and not cow’s milk that you buy in containers.

You may also need to stock up with several bottles for you to cope up with the day. An average of 10-12 bottles can be a good amount to keep up with the frequency of feeding without having to wait for bottles to be ready. Every three months, you may also need to change the size of the bottle, from 2 ounces, to 4, then 6, leading up to 9 or 12 ounces. This is to make sure that your baby’s feedings grow in accordance to his age. Nipples are also needed to be considered. The nipples have various shapes, cuts, and sizes that are recommended for your baby’s age.

As your baby grows, his need for formula milk also grows with him. This table is the average milk consumption of babies, although it may differ from one baby to another.

Age                               Amount                  Frequency          (based on a 24-hour feeding)
0-3 months                  2-4 oz                         8-10
4-6 months                  4-6 oz                         4-7
6-12 months               8-10 oz                       3-4

Do not force your baby to consume that very last ounce if he does not want to. The best indicator to check if your baby is getting enough is through number of diaper changes in a day and body weight. Your baby should change at least 10-12 times during the first few months, slowly and gradually changing to 6-8 diaper changes when he is taking in solid food.

Feed the baby the same way as you normally would during breast feeding. Hold him close to you with one arm and prop him up so that his head is higher than his chest. This way, he would easily swallow the formula, and the risk of aspiration will be less. It would also enable you to bond with your baby by allowing him to feel, smell, and see you. Talk to your child as you normally would if you’re breast feeding. The bottle should be kept upright as much as possible to prevent your baby from sucking in too much air while feeding. Burp baby after each feeding to expel the air that he has ingested while he was feeding.

Tips

When changing milk formula, it is best that you consider your pediatrician’s advice. In patronizing a brand, you also have to make sure that it is AA/DHA-enriched formulas. This micronutrient ensures the optimum brain development of your baby.

Watch out for any digestive or allergic reactions. Diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion can be indicators for need to change milk formula. If your baby develops rash all over the body, stop feeding and see the pediatrician immediately for remedy and to see if another brand or type of formula will eliminate the problem.

Never let a formula stay too long in room temperature. Doing so will promote bacterial growth that can cause harm to your baby. You may prepare formula in advance, but keep it in the fridge for no longer than 24 hours. It is to be stored inside the shelf and not in the vegetable tray or fridge door.

Water is an option and not a necessity in formula feeding. Generally, your baby is getting the water that he needs from formula milk. If you are concerned, check first if he’s perspiring heavily before giving him an ounce of water. Never give water before feeding for it would deprive him of the necessary nutrients that he can get from formula milk.

Medical experts advise against propping the bottle for baby or putting the baby to sleep with a bottle. The risk for aspiration is high, as well as development of ear and tooth problems.