During pregnancy, mothers usually have to buy certain items such as clothes to accommodate the physical changes in the body. Similarly, during lactation, mothers can purchase gear that can assist and make the breastfeeding period much more convenient. Although, there is a vast range of breastfeeding products available in the market, mothers do not necessarily [...]

Role of health care professionals in supporting breastfeeding
Health care professionals and pediatricians can make the difference between mothers choosing breast milk for their babies and mothers choosing formula milk for their babies, that is, the role they play in this area can indirectly affect the baby’s long term health. The presence of properly educated and [...]

A mom asks:
“My baby fusses and sometimes pulls away from the nipple while nursing. What does this mean and should I be concerned?“
This is fairly common and there are several things that could be going on here.
First, nursing babies have different personalities. Some babies are quite relaxed at the breast. Others are more finicky. Not [...]

As a new lactating mom, I remember wondering how often I should nurse my baby and I don’t think I ever received a definitive answer. Some people told me to restrict how often or how long my baby ate and others said to nurse on demand. Back in the early days, breastfeeding was such a [...]

In the last couple of days I’ve read several blog posts commenting on an article written by Hanna Rosin, entitled The Case Against Breastfeeding.
In the article, Rosin mentions several reasons why, in her opinion, the benefits of breastfeeding are overstated. She also concludes that breastfeeding takes too much time and asks:
“…is it this generation’s vacuum [...]

Is nursing baby to sleep a good idea? I mean, we mothers know that babies
often go to sleep nursing.
After all, the breast is a great source of comfort to them and is a place they feel safe and familiar—all of which add up to the perfect environment to succumb to sleep.
And we all know [...]

Few things strikes fear in the hearts of new parents than unusual looking baby poop.
The truth is, there is a wide range of normal for breastfed baby poop so it doesn’t pay to get too worked up about it.
The Poop on Breastfed Baby Poop
In the first few days, a breastfed baby’s poop will be black [...]

Research has shown that many couples who choose natural family planning do so because it has no worrisome side effects.
Although for some avoiding birth control is a religious decision, for many others it’s a health consideration.
Breastfeeding moms may not want to take birth control pills because they can affect milk supply, and there is [...]

photo credit: Sellers Patton
Breastfeeding has countless benefits for mom and baby. However, one of the so-called disadvantages of breastfeeding is the perception that mothers are tied to their babies or to the nursing chair all the time.
Unless you’re good with a breast pump, you can’t just drop your baby off with the sitter when [...]

When I hear stories like this one, about a mom who persevered through breastfeeding premie twins, I’m filled with admiration! Many of my challenges with healthy full term babies pale in comparison.
One of the themes that stands out is the sheer determination of these moms, and how at the end, they were happy they stuck [...]