Deciding When to Wean Your Baby
Once mother and baby get past the initial stages of breastfeeding, which can be tricky and uncomfortable, the act becomes so easy and natural that giving it up might seem unappealing. Breastfeeding is quick and easy, while bottles and, later, solid food come with learning curves and many unique difficulties. Yet weaning has to happen sooner or later. When exactly it should happen is up to each family, though, and it is a major decision that warrants careful consideration.
Many things enter into the decision of when to wean, but what should be kept at the forefront is Continue reading
Do I Have Infectious or Non-Infectious Mastitis?
If your breast tissue is red, swollen and painful it could be Mastitis. It most commonly occurs in breastfeeding women and is also known as puerperal mastitis or lactation mastitis. You can have the condition and not be breastfeeding but it is rarer and mastitis typically affects just one breast. If you are suffering from this condition you may be experiencing flu-like symptoms like a high temperature, chills and aches.
Posted in Bottle Feeding, Breastfeeding, Development, Feeding, Feeding Products, Food Allergies, Health, Misc, Moms, Nanny, Nutrition, Solids | 
Leave a commentWhat to Do When Your Baby Rejects the Bottle
After several months of breastfeeding, many babies are understandably reluctant to change. Breastfeeding is warm and comforting, it brings mother and baby close together, and it comes easily and naturally. So when it comes time to introduce the bottle and your baby does not take to it right away, do not be frustrated. The plastic nipple takes some getting used to, and the temperature of the milk in the bottle can be difficult to regulate. Plus, if you are introducing formula at the same time, this adds another element of difficulty.
Posted in Bonding, Bottle Feeding, Breastfeeding, Feeding Products, General Health, Health, Illnesses, Learning, Moms, Motor Skills, Newborns, Nutrition | Leave a commentThe Bare Necessities for Newborns & Parents
Preparing for your newborn baby arriving can be overwhelming so here is a guide to getting the essential gear required for those first few weeks. The list can seem endless once you think about what you might need; pushchairs, cots, nappies, blankets. Here I will try and cut through the confusion and give you a guide to the top ten necessities as chosen by mothers and in a budget friendly way.
Posted in Bottle Feeding, Breastfeeding, Care, Dads, Feeding, Moms, Nanny, Newborns, Nutrition, Sleep, Sleep Care, Twins - Multiples | Leave a commentThe Perils of Meconium
Meconium is your baby’s first poo! It has the consistency of treacle, it is odourless and unlike later offerings it is sterile. It is very dark and almost impossible to wipe clean. Meconium consists of water, mucus, amniotic fluid, lanugo which is downy baby hair and also intestinal epithelial cells. For most babies it is just their first poo (one of many!) and means a very gooey first nappy but in some cases it can be a cause for concern.
Have You Heard of Nipple Confusion?!
Nipple confusion, hmm . . . this term can be somewhat misleading. It does not mean that your baby is perplexed as to what your nipple is for. It is a term to explain when babies are hesitant to feed from the breast and seems to prefer or find it easier to bottle feed milk which has been expressed.
Posted in Breastfeeding, Development, Feeding, Feeding Products, Food Allergies, Newborns, Nutrition | Leave a commentAdvice for Successful Breastfeeding
Once you have established breastfeeding there is no other easier or better way of feeding your baby. During breastfeeding an intense bonding and closeness is felt which enhances your baby’s feelings of security.
Posted in Breastfeeding, Moms, Nanny, Newborns, Nutrition, Preemies, Sleep, Sleep Care | Leave a commentBreastfeeding Basics: Answers to Five Common Questions
Most new mothers who choose to breastfeed discover almost immediately that little instruction is required. The act of nursing is instinctive for both mother and baby, and even without outside help the process usually goes relatively smoothly. But even when things go relatively smoothly, it is common for problems to arise. If you are encountering breastfeeding problems or are worried about issues you may face in the future, here are some of the most common questions that might arise.
From Milk to Formula to Solids: Helping Baby Transition
By Lisa Pecos
All major American pediatric and health organizations strongly recommend breastfeeding babies for at least the first six months of life. The American Academy of Pediatrics, one of the preeminent authorities on such issues, recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months and regularly breastfed for the first year or as long as it is comfortable for both mother and baby. There is abundant research showing that breastfeeding is the healthiest way to nourish an infant. And though formula can be good, the mother’s body naturally produces the right milk for the baby throughout the stages of early development.
Posted in Bottle Feeding, Breastfeeding, Feeding, Feeding Products, Newborns, Preemies, Solids, Twins - Multiples | Leave a comment4 Common Nursing Problems, Plus Solutions
By Eirian Hallinan
Nursing a newborn is not as simple as it may seem. Veteran moms are usually able to make it look easy by the time they get to their third or fourth child, but for new mothers, the simple fact is that breastfeeding can be challenging in numerous ways. Remember, it is not just the mother who is learning this new feeding method; it is also new to the baby, who of course cannot read books or take instructions from lactation consultants. This makes learning doubly difficult. But it is important to remember that most new mothers experience difficulties initially, and most soon get the hang of it.