Breastfeeding

Life with a newborn is wonderfully chaotic. Getting pregnant again is probably the last thing on your mind. While safe for your baby, birth control methods that contain estrogen can lower milk supply. But there are methods that are safe for baby...

When you're pregnant or nursing, you're eating nutrients for two. Your baby relies on what you eat for proper growth and development, so you need to consume more of certain nutrients. A healthy diet is essential. Snacks can be a great way to get...

The following problems are not uncommon during the get-acquainted phase of breastfeeding. Fortunately, such problems are usually worked out successfully before you leave the hospital or by the time your milk comes in abundantly. Don't be discour...

Having a newborn at home is work enough — pumping breast milk at work shouldn't add to your stress. If pumping is on your agenda after you return from maternity leave, follow these steps for a successful experience. ...

New Guidelines on Medication Safety for Breastfeeding Mothers Do you have concerns about breastfeeding while on certain medications? Good news: In the September 2013 issue of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) shares its revised...

Changes and Challenges in Breastfeeding Your BabyChanging Breastfeeding Patterns As you settle into nursing beyond the newborn period, you can expect your baby's routines to become more predictable. Gradually, he will have longer intervals betwee...

Introducing Your Breastfed Baby to Bottle-FeedingsSupplemental Bottles In an ideal world, every nursing mother-baby pair would constantly remain in one another's presence, and no breastfed baby would ever need to take a bottle. I had the privileg...

Starting Your Breastfed Baby on Solid FoodsStarting Solid Foods When my first baby was born, it was common practice to start solid foods in the first weeks of life-a time when nature intended for toothless babies to be fed solely breast milk. The...

Appetite and Growth Spurts in Your Breastfed BabyAn appetite spurt is the name given to describe a period of increased frequency of demand feedings by an apparently hungry baby. Other names for appetite spurts are "growth spurts" or "frequency da...

New Study Shows Breastfeeding Can Save Lives and Money According to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics, nearly 1,000 infant lives would be spared annually, and $13 billon in incurred health care costs saved, if most new moms breastfe...

New motherhood brings a bundle of joy — as well as a lot of prying questions, judgmental comments, and unwanted advice about raising a baby. We've compiled some awkward and awful real-life anecdotes from moms. Learn what topics call for caution...

Breastfeeding and the Law: Know Your Rights A Massachusetts law will go into effect in April 2009 allowing a mother to bring a civil suit against any "person or entity" who violates her right to breastfeed in public. Although breastfeeding in pub...

Your baby's first year is full of rapid growth and development, which require adequate amounts of calories and nutrients. One of the first decisions parents have to make about their new child's nutrition is whether to breastfeed or bottle feed. I...

Feeding Two or More Babies Feeding multiple babies is a challenging task, but it is one that can easily be taken on with a bit of knowledge and support. The key is preparation. Learn all you can about feeding multiples way before you are actuall...

Breastfeeding: Helping Your Baby Attach CorrectlyA baby is born with several reflex actions that help him learn to breastfeed. For example, an infant will automatically turn his head toward a stimulus that brushes against his cheek, a reaction kn...

This table tells you what to look for to ensure healthy breastfeeding. ...

Use this chart to record the number of minutes of suckling on each side, and the number of wet and dirty diapers your baby has each day. ...

Weaning Wisdom Weaning a baby can be your choice, or it can be baby's. It should not be your mother-in-law's, or even your husband's choice. I weaned my boy at eight months because he was growing so fast and nursed so much that I just got tired...