One common problem a lot of mothers face during breast feeding is having sore nipples. This can come from several instances, improper latching being the most common. To help soothe your sore, cracked, nipples, a lot of remedies you can do to help you solve this problem.

After each feeding, manually express breast milk and rub it on your nipples. The anti-bodies found in colostrum helps fight infection, and acts as a natural moisturizer for your nipples. Bear in mind that this cannot be done when you have thrush.

Try to correct the latching of your baby. Support your breasts underneath by stretching the areola with your thumb and middle finger while pushing the tissue towards your chest. With your forefinger, depress your baby’s chin to make sure that his lips are fully open and flat against your breast. If you still have some problems with latching, consult a lactation specialist with your baby to see how you can position your baby to solve this.

Switch between nipples during feeding. Start with the nipple that is the least sore before changing to the next. Your baby will spend less effort sucking on the sore nipple for he’s no longer that eager for sustenance, and just sucking for comfort.

Do not let your baby grow hungry by feeding him every 2 hours or just before he starts to ask for food. The less hungry he is during feeding, the less eager he would be in sucking.

Use only the thinnest and the softest artificial nipple that you can find, and use it for a short duration only. This will help protect the tissue from being constantly injured as it heals. Be warned that this must be used for a short period of time as it can cause nipple confusion in babies which can further aggravate latching-on problems.

Never dry your nipples with a blow dryer. The dry air will only increase the sensitivity of your nipple through cracks on the surface.

While bathing, do not use soap on your nipples for it can only dry them more. Avoid rubbing your nipples dry after bathing. Instead, softly pat them dry with the use of very soft, absorbent cloth.

Pat off excess moisture from your nipples after feeding and allow them to air dry. Less contact and friction allows the tissues to repair themselves naturally.

You can use ointments only after feeding. Do not use Vitamin E on your nipples as they can be absorbed by your baby and cause toxic reactions. Ask your pediatrician what creams can be used to help you sooth your nipples.

Do not “pop” your baby off a breast. This will result to your baby stretching your nipple tissue, causing sensitivity and soreness. Insert your clean little finger at the corner of your baby’s mouth and to the gum line to slowly ease the sucking.

Wear proper-fitting bra’s and make sure they are of natural material that absorbs moisture.

Don’t use breast pads, especially synthetic ones, as they can only increase your nipple’s sensitivity by trapping in heat and moisture.

Place a warm tea bag on your nipple after feeding. A lot of mothers find this soothing, and the herbal elements in tea promote healing of the tissues.

If all these elements fail, you must consult a specialist for other treatment options. If worse comes to worse, you may have to opt out breastfeeding for a while. Just be prepared for some latching problems and possible nipple confusion if you have postponed breastfeeding for a long time. Still, pump your breast to maintain your milk supply and to make sure that your baby still receives natural breast milk.

Once you have a new baby, you will need to spend more money. That’s not a myth. baby food is definitely one of the big monthly costs, but there are ways that you can cut down on the cost of baby food without sacrificing your baby’s health.

The best way, in the beginning, to cut down on cost is to breastfeed your baby. Not only is this basically free food for your baby, but it’s the healthiest for them in their early development stages. The baby not only gets valuable nutrients and a boost to their immune system from their mother’s milk, but also also allows for a closer bond for mom and baby early on.

What if you need to be away from baby for a few hours a day because of work, appointments, or other scheduling? Well, Mom just needs a breast pump so she can store a reserve. Mom can pump bottles of breast milk and freeze enough to provide her baby with enough breast milk to last the hours that she’s away. The cost of the breast pump far outweighs the cost of having to buy formula on an ongoing basis.

What if you can’t breastfeed or simply choose not to? That’s ok, you can still save money. There are tons of coupons available by big brands who want you to use them over their competitors. If you make it a habit to look for promotions, you can often snag yourself a lot of free stuff in the process. This is even easier if you have Internet access and are able to take the time to sign up to the countless free promotions that are available.

Don’t forget to make your own baby food if you have the time. When your baby is a bit older and eating solid foods, you can puree fresh fruits and vegetables in a blender for baby food.  Not only will this save you money, but it’s much healthier for your baby than the packaged stuff.

Every one is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new addition in the family. Numerous people will come to visit you to have a peek on the little one and see how you are doing. It’s important to have a house prepared for anything that may happen that can upset what should be a perfect first day.

Before going home, you must make sure that the house is ready to receive you. Get the nursery (or your room if you’re rooming in with your infant) ready for the needs of your baby. Have the necessary supplies for diaper change ready within reach. Extra clothes should be already laid out in case accidents happen. Have you husband do a little pep talk with your older children. Have him tell the children what to expect like a tired mom who is still excited to see them and misses them. They must be informed not to do too much activity that can over-stimulate both mother and baby. If they wish to touch the baby, they must be clean and gentle when they do so. Make sure that the entire house has been cleaned thoroughly. Get those dust bunnies out from under the sofa, clean any dog hair that may be found in between chairs. You may want to have your dog on a leash or keep him in his dog house if you have forgotten to prepare your pet for the new member of the family. Once you get home, make sure that you hug and kiss your toddler and other kids. They will definitely be demanding attention for they are threatened by the little one and thinks they have to compete for your affection.

What time are you going home? Is lunch or dinner ready? You may wish to ask friends to cook some food for you that you can just heat in a microwave. Make sure your fridge is stocked so you can have some food to give to your family and visitors. Nothing can be more stressful than having your baby cry to have some food and your older children demanding the same thing with an empty fridge. Plan a grocery list ahead of time and order them online. Arrange to have them delivered a day before you and your little one get home. If you don’t have the energy still to prepare food, don’t force yourself to do so. You can always order for take-out or delivery.

If you have delivered via c-section, make sure that you have your medication for pain. Your husband can take care of it for you, and remind you to take it on the prescribed time. Any other medication that you have must be ready so you won’t fret over missing a dose. And also, regardless of the type of delivery that you had, you must have your maternity pads handy so you can change whenever you have to.

If you have some medical condition that prevents you from breastfeeding the baby, your feeding bottles must be cleaned and sterilized before your husband has left to pick you up from the hospital. Have your baby’s formula already prepared in measured dispensers so you can conveniently feed your baby whenever he needs it.

Planning can help you get through a chaotic day with ease, and give some necessary actions to any perceived problems that may come. However, do consider that even if you have planned everything carefully, some mishaps will still happen. If it does, don’t let it disturb you. Just enjoy and get that much needed sleep after a long, eventful day.

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.

In order for your baby to have as much nutrients as she can without causing you much discomfort, she must latch on your breast properly and securely. An improper latch can cause you much pain due soft tissue injury on your nipples. Here are ways to help you and your baby get a proper latch during breast feeding.

Position is always a prime consideration during breast feeding. You and your baby have to be comfortable and relaxed during feeding. See which hold is best to help your baby feed comfortably. The best position for most mothers is to have the baby face her body turned on the side, with baby’s chest and stomach facing or touching the chest of the mother. This way, your baby is totally facing the breast, and does not need to crank or turn her head in an awkward manner to latch on. If you’re doing the football hold, the baby should be on her back, with her face right at the front of the breast. In all positions of feeding, what’s important is that the lips are directly in front of the nipple.

Once the baby has latched on, the rule is to have as much nipple and areola in the baby’s mouth. A tip of the nipple is not enough for your baby to suck out milk causing her to suck on it excessively. If you have a large areola, letting your baby suck in about an inch is just right for proper latching. Mothers will small areola will have to let her baby suck in a bit of the surrounding breast surface.

Hold your baby as close as possible without suffocating her. The chin should be causing a small dent in the underside of the breast, with her nose lightly touching or resting on the upper breast area. This would ensure that your baby will suck in as much breast surface without causing much discomfort on your part. If you notice that the breast is not making contact with the nose and breast of the baby, unlatch the baby and re-do the process all over again.

Your baby’s lips should be rolled out or flanged. Some call it “fish lips,” for lack of better analogy. This ensures that the baby is sucking on breast tissue and not on her lips. A noticeable pink margin should be seen surrounding the breast. Your baby’s tongue must also be over the lower gum line. This will aid in supporting the nipple while the baby feeds. It may be difficult for you to see if the tongue is indeed out, so you might want to ask someone to check it for you. They can check this by gently pulling the lower lip of your baby. You can support your breast by cupping underside of your breast with your thumb and middle finger while gently using pressure to push your breast towards your chest. Support the lower jaw of your child with the use of your forefinger. What you should hear is your baby swallowing milk and not a clicking, slurping type of noise. Your baby’s cheeks should also appear full and not sucked in.

Breastfeeding is something that both you and your baby should learn. Good latching is achieved through massive trial and error, so don’t feel too bad if you have to try and try again. If your baby is not latching properly, put her off the breast by placing your clean small finger through the corner of her mouth. If you still have problems with latching, consult a lactation specialist to pinpoint and correct the problem.

One of the things that mothers worry about when taking care of their baby is having enough supply of breast milk. It’s a natural fear for a baby’s diet is purely of breast milk for the first 4 to 6 months of life. A mother would be increasingly concerned when her baby is a voracious eater.

Certain circumstances can cause your breasts to decrease milk production. These circumstances can include stress, illness, lack of nutrition, dehydration, or going back to school or work. The best way to maintain and increase breast milk is through constant feeding and pumping. Normally, breast milk is produced when your body and your baby is in sync. You will notice that you would experience breast tenderness whenever you see your baby, whenever your baby cries, or (if your baby is highly structured) when it is time to feed. The more you feed and pump, the more your breast will produce milk. Try to pump your breast in between feedings. If you have time, pump each breast for 5-10 minutes after each feeding. A hospital grade, double motor breast pump will be just perfect for it pumps your breast in the same frequency as your baby. If you’re at work, steal time to pump your breasts so that when you go home your breasts are still able to produce milk for your baby.

Eat right and drink right. Proper nutrition and hydration ensures plentiful milk supply. A nursing mother needs to consume about 1,800-2,200 calories per day. Empty calories are not advisable (i.e. doughnuts, junk foods). What you need would be foods rich in calcium, vitamins, and protein. As much as possible, unless otherwise indicated by a medical condition, drink 2 liters or more of water. The more water you consume, the more milk your breasts would be able to produce. Eating oatmeal daily also increases milk supply. Exactly how oatmeal increases milk production is still unknown. However, a lot of mothers have found success with eating oatmeal daily.

Try to relax before and during breast feeding. Tension and stress can lessen milk production. Lounge on your sofa, watch TV, read your favorite book or listen to music to relax your muscles. If you’re sleep deprived, have naptimes with your baby. Consider co-sleeping so you and your baby will get adequate sleep.

Don’t give your baby water or juice in between feedings. If your baby’s stomach is full to capacity, your baby will not be spending too much time getting milk from your breast. This would result to decreased milk production. Similarly, don’t give your baby too much sucking time with a pacifier. Your breasts will serve as one if your milk supply is dwindling. Because of increased sucking time, your breasts will be stimulated to produce more milk.

If all the above options fail, have an appointment with a lactation consultant. Bring your baby along with you so that she can assess if feeding technique is the problem (positioning, latching). Latching problems can come from using artificial nipples, alternating feeding of breast to bottle, or having too much sucking time with a pacifier.

There are herbal remedies that are claimed to help increase milk supply. Fenugreek is increasing in popularity as an herbal supplement that can increase milk supply for short and long term basis. Caution is advised when taking this supplement and a doctor’s approval is needed before you undergo the regimen. Mothers with diabetes or taking anti-coagulants are not advised to take this herbal supplement.

Photo by jessicafmOne major concern for mothers when they go home from the hospital with their baby is how often and how much they should feed the little infant. One common mistake of hospitals after discharge is not teaching first-time mothers how much the baby would demand breastfeeding and why.

Breastfed babies need more feedings compared to formula fed babies because breastmilk is digested faster than formula milk. This is because the protein molecules in breastmilk are made by nature to be smaller in structure to help your baby’s tiny and underdeveloped digestive system to break down and absorb. You will notice the difference when you see compare the poop of a breastfed baby to that of a baby who is formula fed. The poop of a breastfed baby is loose compared to the poop of a formula fed baby.

Breast-fed babies usually feed every 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours. Unless your baby has a medical condition, your pediatrician will tell you to breastfeed your baby on demand. At night time, you must make sure that your baby does not go beyond 4 hours without feeding. You must also need to consider the stomach capacity of your baby. At the first day of life, your baby can take only about 1 teaspoon per feeding, and by day 5, your baby will be able to take in about an ounce of breastmilk. Every two to three months, the capacity will increase by an ounce or 2. However, your baby will be the one to determine if she’s full or not. Don’t force her to feed more than she would need for she may vomit the excess milk. If you change wet diapers 6-8 times, with stool of 2-3 times a day. Your baby should be steadily gaining weight, and will look content after each feeding. If you wish to help your baby gradually increase her stomach capacity, feed your baby in a quiet environment free of distractions. Research has it that babies consume an extra 25% of normal stomach capacity when her concentration is centered in feeding.

Premature babies are to be fed in a different manner. You need to stick to your pediatrician’s advice on when to feed your premature baby. Premature babies are as they are: premature so the reflexes and cues normally seen in hungry and full-term babies are not observed. They need to be stimulated and even awaken at night in order to feed. You can stimulate them by coaxing them with a finger or a nipple rubbed at their cheek.

It is important to take into consideration how to properly feed your baby. This would ensure that your baby is well fed and will develop properly. This would also ensure that any possible eating problems in the future will be avoided.

Having a new baby in the house is a huge adjustment on it’s own, but when you have to prepare to take your baby out for the day or travel with him for an extended period, it can be overwhelming to say the least.  Often, the biggest reason that new parents feel stressed about that scenario is that they are not used to planning ahead. Doing so can save time, stress and money for the whole family.

Now that you have a baby, things are going to change when you are on the go and want to stop and eat out a restaurant on a whim. When you have a baby or small child, you are going to need to have food on hand that is appropriate for them to eat.

If you have a young baby, then obviously milk or formula will be fine, but if you have an older baby that is on solid foods, you might have to carry a few extra things with you.

You’re going to want to carry a durable, insulated bag, to keep store your cold milk and formula. Try to use baby bottles that have disposable liners if possible, so that clean up is easy and painless on the go.

If you breastfeed and are going to be away from home for more than a day or two, then it’d be a good idea to bring the breast pump and extract breast milk in the night when baby is sleeping. This way you have bottled breast milk to last the day.

Traveling on a plane is something that needs extra preparation as well. As with some adults, the changes in altitude can be irritating for babies, so it is best to schedule feedings beforehand to be sure they get their daily nutrients with problems. You don’t want to be 30,000 feet in the air and stressed out because your baby didn’t eat yet that day. Also, it’s more likely that they will sleep through the plane ride if they have already eaten. There’s one less thing to upset them.

As with everything to do with being a new parent, traveling with your baby will get easier. If you remember to take the time and plan out the trip well, then you should be fine.