We quite often have a birth plan, and in the process of making this birth plan, we decide this. Unfortunately, we can’t see the future, and so we don’t really quite know the outcome of this. Sometimes our bodies don’t quite cooperate with our minds and what we think is right.

There are many situations that stipulate what we as women will choose. Multiple births tend to lean towards the bottle feeding, but some mom’s do both. Single births, depending on complications as well, will help with the decision whether or not the mom is going to breast feed.

Another situation is if the baby is born premature. The mother may be going through way to many things to be able to breast feed, or in some instances, the milk may not even come in, or the baby may not have his or her sucking reflex and the mother will have to pump to provide the milk for her baby. My son was born 8 weeks premature, and I had to get my milk to come in by constantly pumping. He didn’t quite have his sucking reflex yet, so he couldn’t stimulate my milk to come in normally. I wanted him to have my milk because of the antibodies in the breast milk.

Although breast milk was the best for my son because of his prematurity, and the antibodies would ward off any extra germs that he could have picked up, if I had chosen formula to feed him then he would have gotten stronger faster and gained weight faster. This is not necessarily true for all cases, but for mine it was because for some reason, my breast milk did not have enough fat in it to help him gain weight. So, I ended up having to add more calories with a substance called human milk fortifier, supplied by the hospital. And, he also had to have liquid vitamins on top of all that, producing extra work for me. But, at the time he was my only child and so I could devote all my time to him.

And devote my time I did. He had such a sensitive tummy when he was little. I would pump for him, then I would bottle feed him the breast milk (mind you, it took him an hour to drink 1 ounce) and sometimes he would throw up everything and I would have to start again. I only gave him my breast milk at the time because I believed that breast is best. Not all moms who have other children will have time and patience to do this.

My other two children were easier in a sense because they were born full term with a suck reflex. I nursed my second son for 9 months and my daughter for 11 months. In that process, I had mastitis tons of times and that is very painful. I think that if I had known all the complications involved in nursing, I may not have done it.

Formula today has come a long way. Sometimes mothers choose it over breast feeding because of its convenience. Breast feeding can be convenient too, but not when you are going out and want to leave the little one with someone else.

I think that the best thing for this day and age is for the mom to be able to do both, breast feed and bottle feed the baby. That way the baby can have the breast milk, and the mom can take a break and give the baby a bottle as well. (Time for bonding with Dad!!)

Some women may not be able to breast feed and I think that it is okay. These moms need to stop being frowned upon because they choose to formula feed their baby. There are tons of medical cases and reasons why they choose to bottle feed and formula feed, and I think that it is a matter of choice. The baby is still being fed, and is happy and just as healthy as the breast fed baby.

So whatever you choose to do, take day by day. Don’t let anyone tell you that you did the wrong thing, or made the wrong decision. You as a mom know what is best for your baby, and for yourself.

If you are like me, my baby comes first, but it does not stop you worrying about what folk may think because you might have heard some people commenting on the act of breastfeeding in front of folks. You may still do it with privacy by pumping milk and stored in bottles for the baby, but this may lead the way on to colic.

According to doctors and therapists, breastfeeding develops a mutual understanding between you and your baby and if you’re shy to go in public, nursing shirts can be your friend and they are definitely a practical solution.

They enable discreet breastfeeding and you can go anywhere while wearing them. The baby can be nursed through the convenient openings and you can cover your sides and stomach at the same time. Try dressing in layers since it will allow you to feed the baby underneath the layers. Nursing shirts ensure the privacy that you want and need.

You can buy slings to hold the baby so you can move freely and do your work outside of the home. This will make you more confident and confirm when you are at home, practice holding the baby in front of a mirror. You will get better at settling the baby and it will surely improve your system. When breastfeeding in public you can try some tricks.

Try using some props and pretend to use them while breastfeeding your baby.

As an example, try holding a paper or a magazine while nursing the baby and in restaurants , you can use the menu in the same manner.

There are trendy nursing shirts available in the market. You can also order from net stores that have nice designs.

Choosing nice patterns would make the shirts look more engaging. Many new mums are worried about their looks after birth and the cool nursing shirts that have been invented can save you from these worries. When checking internet stores, ensure clearance sales or end of the season sales are available. These are great in saving money while getting quality products. Check what sort of fabric they use and choose the most snug one for you. Bright colored shirts may scale back the feeling of warmth.

Wearing nursing shirts shows that you have the confidence to do what’s right for your baby, even if it is’s in public. You love your baby and you may do anything to meet their wants. You should not be embarrassed about nursing in public, particularly now that there is a solution for it.

Give it a try…

Another plus is that it is so much more convenient. Better to just take baby out of his cot in the middle of the night and be able to feed him immediately. Formula feeding means you have to heat up a bottle, be sure its the right temperature, (mother nature automatically ensures that breast milk is the perfect blood temperature!) whilst you are doing this he could well be screaming the house down. This will not make for a relaxing middle of the night experience.

Although plenty of women take to breastfeeding really well, there are some that suffer breastfeeding issues. There are a lot of common issues and these are easily overcome if you know the right thing to do.

Thrush – a harmless yeast infection which forms in the baby’s mouth. Although a normal part of the digestive system, an infection will set in if an overgrowth occurs.

If you have pains in your breast or nipple, or they are very sensitive or itchy, then its quite likely you have developed Thrush. It needs to be treated as soon as symptoms appear, as you can have a continual circle of it passing between baby and mother.

Mastitis – Bacteria is present in the milk ducts, causing the breast to become hard, red and inflamed. Antibiotics will cure mastitis and your GP will ensure they prescribe an antibiotic that will not affect the baby so you can still breastfeed.

Fast Milk Flow – Some women will find that the milk flows really fast when they first start to feed their baby. The result of this is that the baby can seem to be choking on the milk and that of course is quite scary. Try siphoning off a small amount of milk from each breast before you start to feed, and also keep the baby a bit more upright for the first minute or so of feeding.

Baby Has Gone Off Feeding – This could well be down to what you are eating or drinking. Fresh orange juice and spicy foods are well known for dramatically changing the taste of your milk. Although its good to have a varied diet, so that your baby gets used to different flavours via your milk, you need to keep clear of anything acidic or spicy. Also ensure you drink plenty of water.

Is Baby Taking Enough? – Bottle feeding Mums know exactly how much milk their baby is taking. But how much is the right amount? If your baby feeds well at the breast and is growing and healthy, then do not stress. Babies let you know when they are hungry and will take exactly what they need.

Breast augmentation, like all surgical procedures, can have side effects. Your ability to safely breastfeed does have a chance of being of affected, but it is more than likely that you will be able to breastfeed normally. There are choices that your surgeon can guide you through that will minimize the possibility of breastfeeding being affected.

The incision along the crease underneath the breast is called the inframammary incision, and does not divide any milk glands or ducts. For women planning on breastfeeding, this incision reduces the risk of complications in breastfeeding. Some of the milk glandular tissues will be divided when doing an incision around the nipple, which can slightly increase the risk, however safe breastfeeding is still very likely with either one of these incisions.

The risk to babies breastfeeding from breasts with implants has been the focus of many studies. To date there has been no evidence that there are any risks. I can safely say that it breastfeeding with implants is safe for you and your baby.

Pregnancy can cause a natural droop of the breasts, and some women with breast implants decide not to breastfeed for fear that it will have a negative effect on the results of their surgery. About three years ago a study suggested that breast were affected by pregnancy regardless of whether the mother breastfed or not. My experience suggests otherwise.

Women who would like to enhance the shape or size of their breasts will more than likely not have their ability to breastfeed be affected by their surgery, although there is a possibility. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and together you can make choices that will minimize the risks while enjoying the results.

Well, I decided I could have both! I would take on the role as a freelance 2-3 days a week and still be at home with my baby most of the time. But then I cam across another hurdle I hadn’t even thought about. How was I going to keep feeding her? I didn’t want to stop breastfeeding, but I don’t think my new boss would be too impressed if I brought my baby to work.

THE BREAST PUMP! (One of the best inventions ever!):- I would suggest investing in an electric breast pump. Before doing so I asked around friends etc about pumps and while most of them owned a manual one, they also all said they wish they’d bought the electric one. They do cost about twice as much, but I can say it was a good investment. My husband tried to talk me out of it, but when I suggested if he was going to help me do it each day, there was no more discussion.

PRACTICE PUMPING:- Before you get back to work – it’s important your baby will actually take a bottle, so practice for a few weeks prior. (Possibly even a month) Pumping can get a little taking used to for you and the baby, so don’t rush it – take your time and make sure both of you are happy. There’s no point going back to work when your baby is upset, it’ll only stress you and the bubba out. You also may want to start letting other family members or friends feed the child, so they don’t freak out the first day you’re not there.

STOCK THE FREEZER:- All women are different when it comes to how much milk supply we have, so it’s best to see how much we have and then start freezing some. You can pop them in little plastic containers or use ice cube trays or plastic resealable bags. You can even go to your local baby store and find specific milk freezer containers with measurements on them. I also used spare bottles which costs a bit more, but means they are ready and easy to use.

APPROACH THE BOSS:- This can be uncomfortable sometimes, but a necessary step to make sure you’re all on the same page. You need to explain to them honestly how many times a day you will need to go and express, how long it’s going to take and ask for a private area that’s comfortable. If he says go to the toilet, explain that milk production depends on factors such as emotions, so if you’re uncomfortable stuck in some cubicle then it’s going to take a long time and not exactly make your return to work a smooth transition. If you are happier while you are able to express milk and keep your baby happy then you’ll also be a happier and more productive person at work!

WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING:- There’s nothing more embarrassing than having a co-worker point out wet patches on your top! I had a close call one day when I forgot to wear BREAST PADS, but used some tissues, but that meant I had to keep checking and changing all day. Also wear clothes that are easy to access your breasts so that you’re not fumbling around and are not left red faced if someone needs you urgently.

MAKE SURE IT’S THE RIGHT DECISION FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY!:- I went back to work with an attitude hoping this would work out smoothly for all parties involved … me, my baby and my workplace. But then again, if it didn’t no big deal. If you find that your baby is not settling well to you being away for long periods of time or it doesn’t like the bottle then don’t stress yourselves out. Take a break and try again in a month or so. Maybe find a job that’s a bit more flexible to your family set-up. Working from home or shorter hours could be a better option.

Personally, what I thought was my dream job didn’t turn out so perfect in the end, so I ended up starting my own business from home. I’m glad I had a go, but now I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Before you begin using your new Avent Pump, you must sterilize the milk containers. Boil some water on the stove in a large pot, and put the bottles, caps, nipples, and all other parts in the water for at least 5 minutes of boiling to kill any and all bacteria and viruses. After youre done, its best to let it all either air dry or to wipe everything clean with a CLEAN, NEW cloth or towel. Once all the parts are clean, youre now ready to begin pumping. Remember, its critical that you find a RELAXING, CALM place to pump. If youre anxious, the milk wont come, and youll be frustrated quickly.

Thankfully, the Avent Duo Isis Breast Pump makes it easy for mothers to pump and to have it feel similar to their infant feeding. Because the pump lets you control the sucking speed and pressure, you can change the settings to be as fast, as slow, as gentle, or as insistent as your newborn sucks. It is recommended that you try to mimic your infants pattern of feeding, as this will ensure you express the most milk.

You dont have to keep the milk refrigerated unless you are planning on storing it for more than ten hours. When refrigerated, the milk can last up to eight days before it spoils. If you put the milk in a freezer, the milk can last for months. Its a good idea to keep some in there for emergencies or when you arent around to pump. It can usually thaw in about 24 hours in a refrigerator. Never thaw breast milk on the stove or in the microwave. It could dangerously change its properties. You can quickly thaw it by running it under hot water and shaking the container to make sure that the heat is evenly distributed. Also, you should never refreeze milk that has been thawed.

You have the option to store milk in specially designed bags, called CSF (collect, store, freeze) bags. They come with labels, on which you can write the date of the milk. They are made with a special sterilized plastic that prevents the cells of the milk to stick to the sides, making it healthier for the baby and cleaner for you.

Pumping takes time to get used to, and you should not get discouraged if it is difficult at first. Often, it takes two or three weeks to get the hang of it. The Avent Duo Isis breast pump makes the adjustment very easy, because it feels like the real thing. It gives you the flexibility of bottle-feeding, as well as the nutritious benefits of breastfeeding. You have the best of both worlds with the Avent pump.

Getting off to a good start with breastfeeding can be a challenge, but it is well worth it. Breastfeed your baby as soon as possible after the birth, preferably within one hour. Hold your baby skin-to-skin; this will encourage him to latch on, among many other benefits. Make sure your baby is latched on well from the start – don’t be afraid to ask for help from your nurse, doula, midwife, lactation consultant, or experienced friend. You should not be separated from your baby, “rooming in” is better for both mother and baby. Do not give artificial nipples to your baby or allow anyone else to do so. Nurse your baby as often as he is hungry, for as long as he wants to suck. Supplements are rarely needed, and most of the time when supplementation is recommended, there are alternative feeding methods that can be used to maintain exclusive breastfeeding. Contact a good lactation consultant if you have questions about what you are being told.

Breastfed Babies and Milk Supply

How can you be positive that your child is getting the nutrition that they need from your breastmilk? Many mothers worry that they are not producing enough breastmilk because it isn’t exactly something you can measure. While this is a natural concern, you can always talk to a lactation specialist or your midwife to see if they have any suggestions or helpful information. But for now, here are some suggestions you can think about as you breastfeed.

In Week One, your baby should have one wet diaper per day for the first 6 days. Example: 1 diaper on Day 1, 2 diapers on Day 2, and so on until Day 6 when he should have at least 6 wet diapers per day from then on.

From Week Two to about One Month, your baby should have 6-8 wet diapers per day, and at least 2-3 stools per day. Some babies pass BM with every feeding, but this pattern may begin to change after 21 days.

At One Month and Beyond, you can expect 6-8 wet diapers per day. Exclusively breastfed babies start having BM’s less frequently, 4 to 15 days or even longer between times can be normal as long as baby’s behavior patterns are normal and his abdomen is not hard.

When you are breastfeeding, you also need to consider weight gain. A baby’s weight can fluctuate greatly in the first couple of weeks. They will lose a great deal of their birth weight right away but will gain it all back within about 2-3 weeks. After that, you should expect to see a 4-7 oz. gain every week. Your pediatrician will supply you with a weight chart so you can make sure your child is on track.

This information is intended to be merely supportive in nature. Please contact your physician or a lactation consultant for treatment recommendations and/or diagnosis.

Modern breast pumps are stylish, quiet, compact, and very light so they can be carried around without too much trouble. Now mothers can go back to work quicker, and even let other family members feed the new baby and bond with them and still provide breast milk to the baby.

Jaundice – The 1st week of an infant’s life is precarious and critical. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of infants are prone to jaundice. The number one way to combat jaundice is natural sunlight, but an extremely important sidekick to sunlight is breast milk. Did you know that the first “milk” that a mother produces is a thick, sticky substance called colostrum? Colostrum is THE most nutritious, jaundice and other disease-preventing substance for infants on the planet. Even if you never breastfeed after the 1st week, it is critical to get the colostrum to the baby any way you can, especially if it’s easy to do using an electric breast pump.

In the United States, mothers have the ability to have their labor and delivery closely watched to ensure both their and their baby’s safety. So how do people survive infanthood in 3rd world countries? Breastmilk. It is the primary way to feed a baby all around the world, and it helps fight off infant diseases and sickness like jaundice.

INFECTION AND DISEASE Breastfeeding develops the strongest protection for babies against respiratory problems, ear infections, inflammatory bowel diseases and diarrhea. All these appear to be less acute but can seriously damage organs and body system of infants. Again the first milk is the best natural medication for all these conditions. As you continue with breastfeeding, the contents of the milk will help your infants body fight back against the germs attacking the immune system. The immune system built during the first two years of a babys life will have lifelong effects.

The Skin – an infant has much thinner and less resiliant skin than an adult. The skin is our most important organ (yes, it’s an organ) to prevent disease. A baby’s skin is very sensitive and fragile, and temperature and environmental changes can seriously hurt a baby, but here again, breastfeeding comes to the rescue in helping the skin be healthy.

One of the first places infection in babies turns up is on the skin. When the immune system is weakened the first place it stops protecting is the skin. This is the major reason so many newborns suffer from eczema. Many breastfeeding moms will use a breast milk pump to extract some milk and rub into the babys skin where its irritated. This would be one incident where using a manual breast pump would come in handy. Many holistic doctors say this is the best treatment for baby eczema.

Nothing can replace mothers milk. There is no substitution when it comes to the way nature intended. Many moms are discovering the vast array of benefits and reasons for providing breast milk for their babies whether naturally or with a manual breast pump or electric breast pump. It helps cure jaundice, fights away infections and disease and helps keep the skin moist and protected from our harsh world. There are many resources that can be found at your OB office or hospital on the benefits of breastfeeding your baby. Take some time to educate yourself and have your eyes opened to one of natures best gift to mom and baby.