Breastfeeding Basics: Answers to Five Common Questions

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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. Read More

Communicating With Your Baby in the First Six Months

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By Jamell Andrews During the first six months of a child’s life, parents go through virtually every conceivable emotion, from elation, to frustration, to hope, to terror. But there is one that stands above all the rest: The pure elation you feel when you begin to truly communicate with their little one. During the very early weeks of the baby’s life, parents are busy taking care of all the baby’s needs, but it is not until a little later that the back-and-forth, loving communication becomes tangible. And when this happens, it is one of the highlights of any parent’s life. Read More

Breastfeeding Nutrition

Jesse Fulton
breastfeeding

by Alicia Kenny

So you’ve decided to breastfeed your baby! You’ll want to make sure that both you and your little one are getting all of the nutrients you need to stay healthy and strong. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, nursing mothers need to eat about 300 calories more each day than they normally would and at least 1500 calories every day. Your daily food consumption should consist of a variety of healthy foods with extra protein, calcium-rich foods and plenty of water. In addition to these general guidelines, you should also:

  • Pay attention to feelings of hunger. Eat until you’re satisfied and consume plenty of nutrient dense foods such as whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables.
  • Monitor your baby’s reactions. If you notice that he or she is consistently colicky or develops gas after you eat certain foods, then you may want to decrease your intake of those foods or eliminate them entirely while breastfeeding.
  • Expect that you may be especially thirsty during the first few days after delivery as your body sheds excess fluid accumulated during pregnancy. Increase your consumption of fluid that isn’t filled with empty calories in order to prevent dehydration.
  • Limit your intake of caffeinated beverages as they may make your baby jittery or irritable and even make it difficult for him or her to get to sleep. Consider drinking caffeinated beverages right after you nurse in order to minimize negative effects on the baby.
  • Continue taking your prenatal vitamins unless otherwise directed by your physician.
  • Make sure to eat foods that are rich in zinc as it enhances a baby’s ability to produce antibodies. Some food sources of zinc are hamburger, chicken breast and whole wheat bread.
  • Limit your consumption of wine to 2 or fewer glasses per week.
  • Be aware of food sensitivities that can result from common allergens such as cow’s milk, eggs, shellfish, wheat, nuts and peanuts. Some signs of food sensitivity are diaper rash, skin rashes, chronic runny nose, diarrhea and excessive fussiness.

Unless you are severely malnourished, your milk will provide all of the nutrients your baby needs, so if there is something lacking in your diet it will most likely be you and not Baby that suffers. For your own well-being, do your best to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. That’s the best way to ensure that you have the stamina and strength you’ll need to be the best mom you can be!

Baby Care Options for Working Mothers

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By Jamell Andrews Many new mothers like the idea of being around to give their babies full-time care, but this is simply not realistic for most modern families. Some parents are able to find jobs that let them work from home, and some families can work out situations where one parent can be home at all times. But for most, it eventually becomes necessary to explore childcare options. There are many issues that go along with this. While everyone wants the best care for their children, there are pros and cons to every option, and the choice is not always easy. Read More

From Milk to Formula to Solids: Helping Baby Transition

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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.

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Infant Napping: Everything You Need to Know

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By Jamell Andrews Everyone knows that babies spend a great deal of time napping, but many new parents are surprised by just how much of their time and energy will be devoted to fostering the baby’s naps. Getting a baby to nap regularly and on a set schedule is an immensely appealing idea to new parents who want a little predictability in their lives. But unfortunately, given that newborns’ sleep patterns tend to be unpredictable and may stay that way for several months, it is important to accept that it may be quite a while before your baby has set nap times. Read More

Flying With an Infant: How to Avoid Disaster

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By Marc Courtiol

Having a newborn can be stressful enough without leaving the house, so it is easy to understand why so many new parents are reluctant to travel. Babies need constant care, they are unpredictable, and their crying is sometimes difficult to stop. All of these things work against travel, which requires as much predictability as possible. The good news is that many infants fall right to sleep as soon as the plane starts moving, but you just cannot know beforehand. Plus, nobody wants to be those poor parents stuck on an airplane with a baby who refuses to be quiet. That is no one’s idea of a fun vacation.

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How to Play with a Newborn

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By Lisa Pecos

First-time parents are often surprised by just how little their newborns are capable of doing. In the first few days of life, babies can hardly focus on their parents’ faces, let alone participate in play activities. And for weeks afterward, it is difficult to get newborns to focus on toys, look at books, or even pay attention to one thing for more than a few seconds. But despite these factors, newborns are more capable of learning than one might think, and they really can enjoy play. All you have to do is enter the baby’s world, rather than expecting her to come into ours just yet.

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Infant Crying: The Secrets to Silencing an Upset Baby

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By Lisa Pecos For new parents, there is just no way to prepare for the onslaught of crying that you will be dealing with in the coming weeks and months. In their first few days of life, newborns spend most of their time either sleeping or in a quiet state of near-sleep, but this is just the calm before the storm. Once you get your baby home, he or she is likely to cry progressively more and more until the habit peaks at anywhere from six weeks to three months. So if you are reading this as an expectant first-time parent, remember not to draw any conclusions from those first few days. The crying almost always picks up by around week two or three, and that is when things may get rough for a while. Read More