Iron: Making Sure Your Baby Gets It

We’ve all heard that breast is best, but one of the drawbacks of exclusively breastfed babies is that they are at risk for iron deficiency. Although formula-fed babies get iron through fortified formula, breast milk does not contain adequate amounts. The LA Times reported that “Studies have shown that 4 percent of 6 month olds, and 12 percent of 12 month olds are iron deficient. Children between the ages of 1-3 years of age have rates of iron deficiency between 6-15 percent. Preterm infants, infants who are exclusively breastfed and infants who are at risk for developmental disabilities seem to be at higher risk to develop iron deficiency.” So what’s the big deal? A lot, actually. Dr. Frank Greer, co-author of a Read More

What to Eat When Breastfeeding

By Lisa Pecos

During pregnancy, new moms have to worry about everything they put into their bodies. And while there are many ideas about what is best for a developing baby when it is in the womb, there is widespread agreement about the things that definitely should be avoided and what foods are healthy for the unborn child. But when it comes to post-birth health, the answers are not so clear-cut. The good news is that if you just eat healthy you should be fine, but there are additional concerns to keep in mind.

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Improvement Needed in U.S. Breastfeeding Rates

By Lisa Pecos

Thanks to widespread educational efforts, most modern mothers are very aware of the importance of breastfeeding their babies, and research indicates that we have come a long way in the past generation. However, according to the most recent CDC Breastfeeding Report Card, we still have room for improvement, especially among certain subgroups in the U.S. Because breastfeeding has huge benefits for young children, we need to continue working on this issue to bring the numbers higher.

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New Health Reform Gives Breastfeeding Moms a Break

breastfeeding, pumping, expredssing milk, breastfeeding and going back to work, expressing milk in the workplace, obama, obama's new health reform laws, nursingWhen I was working my first job after college (in other words, I was in my young 20’s), there was a mom who had just had her second baby. She had gone back to work a mere six weeks after her baby was born, and she was breastfeeding. I probably would’ve never paid much attention to this, except for the fact that we had one bathroom in the office, and it seemed as if every time I had to use it she was in there pumping. At the time, it was an annoyance. Looking back now, after I’ve had two children that I breastfed, I can’t believe she stuck to it. I think there may have been five females in the entire office; this, coupled with the fact that we were in a male Read More

Basic Guidelines for Feeding Babies

By Jamell Andrews

Babies are generally able to start eating solid foods between the ages of 4 to 6 months. While most parents believe that they need to carefully feed babies very bland foods such as plain pasta and flavorless cereals, recent research has indicated that most babies are perfectly able to handle foods that not only contain some flavor, but some much needed nutrients as well.

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When to Wean Baby

Weaning really begins from the time additional nourishment apart from breast milk or formula is given to baby. It is a process rather than an event. There is no best time to wean baby. Most mothers do it when it suits them and their child. Babies are usually started on solids at around six months. As the baby gets older, he or she will want more solid food and often the need for milk then diminishes over a period of time. Read More

How to Prevent Baby from Becoming a Picky Eater

Eating a wide variety of foods to gain the best possible nutrition is the goal that most mothers aim for once it is time for solid food. Most babies accept what food is offered eventually, though as they get older and like to feel they are in control of their eating, they may refuse a food simply because it is being offered by mum. Read More

Breastfeeding a Preemie

Breast milk is very nourishing and contains valuable antibodies to help ward of illness and so is especially beneficial to a premature baby. Even if your preemie cannot feed properly at the hospital, breast milk can be frozen and stored ready for when feeding commences. Or it can be given via the feeding tube. Even if you had not planned to breastfeed, expressing milk for a little while will really help your baby to avoid illness and give him the best possible start in life. Read More

Teaching Baby to Feed Himself

Most babies want to try and feed themselves before too long. A toddler’s natural curiosity will make him want to hold a spoon and imitate the movements his mother makes with it. At first he will usually miss his mouth and may wipe food in his hair or ears, but parents should not stress about this messy time. The more baby is allowed to do it, the quicker he will learn the skill of actually getting that spoon into his mouth. Read More