What is engorgement?

Engorgement is the feeling that you have when your boobs are so full of milk that you feel like they may explode.

Usually, this feeling happens a few days after delivery, between two to four days. In those first couple days, you will be producing thick, yellow colostrum. When you hit to the two to four day mark, your body will start producing milk and this is when it can occur.  It’s normal for your breasts to get hard, swollen, or painful and this is not just from milk. Read More

Some common questions

Here are a few common questions that most mothers have, especially if it is their first pregnancy.

Your due date is set to help you gauge your potential delivery date. The baby can be born any time around this day, which is usually within 10 days. Only one in twenty babies are born on their exact due date. A full-term baby is usually born 280 days from the last period to delivery. Read More

Simple tips

These simple tips can help any mother who wants to try breastfeeding. Every new mom knows breastfeeding can be tough at times and very time consuming. It is a hard skill to learn, but don’t get discouraged. Keep practicing and you will get the hang of it. 

You will need to start research on breastfeeding before giving birth and caring for the baby. Some good places to get this information is through breastfeeding classes, talk to other breastfeeding mothers, La Leche League, clubs, and lactation consultants.  Read More

When to Switch Breasts

Knowing when to switch breasts while breastfeeding is important for both you and your baby. Letting your baby finish one breast before moving on to the other one is key. This gives the baby all the fat and calories it needs. It also helps to keep up your supply.

The best way to know when you will need to switch, is to watch your baby. Your baby will give you subtle cues to let you know when it is done, like any pauses or breaks. Read More

When You Should Start Breast Pumping

Breast pumping requires a lot of work and time. Knowing you are giving your baby the best nutrition and food for your baby makes it worth it. Best time to start pumping and building up your supply, is a few weeks before going back to work. Pump in the morning when your supply is at it highest. Start pumping at least an hour after you fed your baby and an hour before your baby will need to be fed again. Read More

Medications can help women stay healthy while they are pregnant and also breastfeeding when it is more likely that they could get themselves or their baby sick. We are going to provide a list of medications that you can use for a variety of symptoms and illnesses. All of these are safe for you and your baby, but still look at the labels for corrects dosages. If you have any questions it is best to contact your physician with more questions or concerns. Read More

Why try breast pumping?

Breast pumping is one of the most common ways to increase your milk supply when you are not with your baby and need to have a supply on hand for when someone else is with the baby. This is especially important if you are planning to go back to work. If you want more information on pumping at work, specifically, you should check out our post by clicking this link, Great Breastfeeding Options and Ideas for Working Mothers. Read More

Breastfeeding can be a challenge at times for a lot of mothers, between work, activities, and the daily hassles of life. But, when it comes to the benefits your baby will receive, it makes all the work worth it. Below you will find a list of health benefits your baby will have if you choose to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding Health Benefits

• Cholesterol and other types of fat in human milk helps to support the growth of nerve tissue in infants.

• Visual acuity is higher in babies fed with breast milk.

Breastfeeding is a Personal Choice

The choice of breastfeeding your baby or not is all up to you and it is your decision. Breast milk is very beneficial for your baby, because there is no other food that matches the health benefits that your own breast milk can’t give. This can be hard to continue doing for working mothers, but here are some good tips on how you can still give your baby the nutrition it needs while working during the day. Read More

Morning Sickness and Feeling Nauseous

Feeling nauseous in the first few months during your pregnancy is something that most women go through while pregnant as well. Fortunately there are ways to prevent the nausea from even happening or at least making it less severe and frequent.

Natural ways to prevent nauseous symptoms.

• Before getting out of bed, try eating crackers, some dry cereal, or a piece of toast. Make sure these are close to your bed, so they are easy to access in the morning.

What foods should be avoided?

Determining what foods to avoid while pregnant or breastfeeding is at times difficult and confusing. We hope to help clear up some of the unknowns, by providing a list of some foods that you should stay away from all together or consume in moderation.

Raw Meat

• Cut out any form of raw meat from your diet. This includes undercooked seafood, beef, and poultry. They can get contaminated by bacteria, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella.

Fish with Mercury

• Fish that contain high levels of mercury can also be harmful.

Here are some popular breastfeeding positions that you could try to find what is most comfortable for you and your baby.  Below you will find step by step instructions for each position, along with an accompanying picture to give a visual of what it should look like.

Cradle Position

1. Place a pillow or two in your lap to support your baby
2. Place your baby’s head in the crook of your arm
3. Make sure your baby is turned towards your chest at breast level

Cross Cradle Position

This position is ideal for early breast-feeding. Read More