Moms, this can be either good or bad news depending on your fitness level: Exercising does not interfere with breastfeeding. Since I love working out, this is great news. I have the green light to work out as much as I’d like without it affecting my milk supply. Cool.

But, if going to the gym sounds as exciting as going to the dentist, this news may come with mixed feelings. Now you don’t have an excuse for not exercising!

Whatever your feelings are, there are some guidelines to follow when you do start exercising:

Breastfeeding and Exercise: Tips

- You may find it more comfortable to nurse before you hit the gym. Engorgement is painful, especially if you’re running or taking a step class.

- Make sure you have a supportive, properly fitted running bra. This will help prevent issues with mastitis or plugged ducts.

Such as:
La Leche League High Impact Softcup Nursing sports bra

La Leche League Low Impact Softcup Nursing sports bra

- Drink plenty of water and don’t overdo it.

- If your baby gives you the cold shoulder when you return from the gym, he may just be reacting to your sweat. (Can you blame him?) Rinse off and he should nurse just fine.

* Always consult with your health care provider before starting an exercise routine.

Book Recommendation:

Eat Well, Lose Weight, While Breastfeeding: The Complete Nutrition Book for Nursing Mothers

But what about breastfeeding your baby to sleep or nursing throughout the night? Will this practice also destroy your baby’s precious new teeth?

Well, the answer depends on who you ask. Not all pediatricians will give you the same answer. According to board-certified lactation consultant Kelly Bonyata, a valid link has not been made between breastfeeding and tooth decay.

Many breastfeeding experts believe that cavities happen DESPITE nursing, not because of it. Certainly the evidence points to breastfeeding being best for baby’s teeth and oral development. Breastfed babies need less orthodontia as they grow older. In one study, teeth were placed in a container of water, and another in a container of breastmilk. The tooth soaked in breastmilk showed less signs of decay than the one in plain water!

Formula wrecks havoc on teeth because it pools in the mouth, bathing teeth in sugar, which just sits there throughout the night. Breastmik is not thought to pool in the mouth the way formula does since baby has to work hard to “milk” the nipple, drawing it back onto the soft palate, where it goes down the throat. Breastmilk enters a baby’s mouth beyond the teeth where it can’t cause so much harm.

Keep in mind that some babies are genetically predisposed to cavities and will develop caries much more easily than others. Whether your baby is exclusively breastfed or eating some solid foods, make sure to clean his teeth twice a day. All you need to do is lightly wipe the teeth–no toothpaste necessary.

Book Recommendation:
Cure Tooth Decay: Prevent, Heal And Prevent Cavities With Nutrition

Breastmilk is a hundred times better than chicken noodle soup for a sick little one. It contains antibodies created specifically to fight the baby’s illness and is easily digested by even the fussiest tummies.

If your baby is congested, keep her as upright as possible when nursing. Wearing her in a sling or baby carrier and nursing in a semi upright position may help her manage breathing and nursing.

Breastmilk is not a “dairy product”. You may have been advised by your baby’s doctor to keep him or her away from dairy, but breastmilk is just fine, in fact it’s just what baby needs to help her heal.

Nurse often and drop some saline drops or drops of breastmilk into her stuffy nostrils. Nursing in a steamy bathroom may help clear her nose. Unlike cow’s milk, breastmilk does not increase mucus production.

If your baby refuses to eat, offer him expressed milk in a cup or in a spoon. You can even make “momsicles” by freezing your breastmilk until it’s slushy and letting baby eat it with a spoon (like a sno-cone!).

If your little one has diarrhea or vomiting, keep nursing. Sick children need more frequent feedings to prevent dehydration and hasten recovery. Even if the milk seems to come up quickly after it goes down, likely some of it is already digested, giving baby much needed nutrition.

Nursing also provides baby with the comfort s/he is used to, helping him heal quickly and keeping him as comfortable as possible during the illness.

Always talk to your baby’s pediatrician when you notice signs of infection or illness. But, in nearly every case, the best thing to do is breastfeed the days away and take time to really nurture your baby. And rest assured that your milk is better than any packaged remedy.

Breastfeeding, in almost all cases, should continue when mom is sick.

Most illness in mom is caused by a virus, which are typically most contagious before mom even knows she’s sick. That means baby has already been exposed. Most of the time, sudden weaning causes more problems than it solves – both for baby’s physical and emotional well being.

When you’re sick, all you want to do is lie in bed and watch movies or read a book. But, you’ve got a baby to feed. Unlike formula-feeding moms, you can resume lying in bed while nourishing your child. So think about that whenever you complain about nursing a baby: at least you don’t have to get up.

The best thing you can do when you’re sick with a cold, flu or another common illness is to continue nursing your child.

Breastmilk contains antibodies that are specific to your illness.

If you have the flu for example, your milk will protect your baby against the flu or at least lessen the severity of it. How cool is that?! Often, the nursing baby in the house doesn’t get sick at all, especially if the baby is still exclusively breastfed and not eating solid foods yet.

It is very rare that you’ll have to discontinue breastfeeding because of an illness.

As always, consult with a breastfeeding supportive health care provider about your specific condition. For some serious illnesses, you may be advised to give your child expressed breastmilk for a short time because you are taking medication incompatible with nursing – or you’ll have to nurse on a particular schedule so that the baby is eating when the drug isn’t present in your milk.

But, in the vast majority of instances, you can breastfeed just fine.

Here is a link to an article published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on the topic: Can I Breastfeed With Swine Flu (H1N1)?

In a nutshell, the article discourages weaning even in the case of mom being sick with swine flu. It suggests mom pump her milk and have someone else feed baby, so that baby can continue to receive antibodies she has produced.

Review: Traditional Medicinal’s Organic Mother’s Milk

I received a box of Traditional Medicinal’s Organic Mother’s Milk when I first started to breastfeed and found that I truly enjoyed it right from the start. I prefer this over Yogi’s Nursing Mother’s tea as this one tastes lighter and smoother. Mother’s Milk is a caffeine-free, all organic blend of herbs and spices designed to promote lactation in breastfeeding mothers.

Traditional Medicinals Mother’s Milk, 16-Count Boxes

Anise is a spice that I have never enjoyed. The fact that Mother’s Milk seems to use less of it than Yogi’s nursing tea is a plus for me. What I taste when I drink Mother’s Milk is a sort of sweet, yet a little spicy blend of herbs. It tastes best with a touch of honey. It also contains the herbs of fennel, fenugreek seed and coriander, which are a nice combination for a healthy milk supply. The blend of spices smells delicious too.

The way I prefer to drink this tea is cold. I brew a pot of this overnight, chill and drink cold throughout the day. Since there is a tiny hint of spearmint in it, it can be refreshing. This way I am getting in several cups on a daily basis. During the winter months, a warm cup can be soothing for the body.

My milk production has been steady and plentiful throughout the years, perhaps due to drinking this tea. This is also one of my favorite gifts to give a pregnant mother who has planned to breastfeed or still deciding to do so. Having a low milk supply is worrisome for many women and having this tea helps reduce that worry. A box of 16 bags costs around $5.

See also: Yogi Women’s Nursing Support Tea review

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 well informed health care experts in cities, towns and villages is important to widely advocate the practice of breastfeeding.

First of all, health care experts should get to know the pregnant women in their area, their medical condition and keep track of their progress. They should visit the mothers regularly during pregnancy and talk to them about breastfeeding, pointing out its benefits and long term effects; highlighting its requirements and techniques, ways to increase milk production and inform them about the release of hormones (prolactin and oxytocin) which are good for relaxing, so that they can form their decision well before the delivery. They should also make clear the risks for the baby when the mother chooses not to breastfeed; greater risk of infections, medical conditions and later medical problems.

Breast milk strengthens the immune system of the baby, decreases the risks of various diseases that can affect the baby during breastfeeding or through childhood. It also reduces risks of infant mortality, gives long term health benefits to the baby and improves the bond with the mother. Breastfeeding is also beneficial for the mother and helps her lose pregnancy weight quicker, delaying ovulation and consequently, pregnancy, reducing risk of ovarian and breast cancer and improving the mother’s bond with the baby. In addition to this, breastfeeding has economic and financial benefits as well by reducing costs of formula milk by up to $1000 per household, and saving money that would be spent on hospital bills by reducing risks of illnesses in the baby. So, it is vital to inform parents about the various benefits of breastfeeding and to provide moral support to the mother during pregnancy, after delivery and throughout the breastfeeding period.

On the part of hospitals, they can participate in campaigns to advocate breastfeeding by increasing health care staff such as lactation coordinators, nurses or physician assistants to help mothers in initiating breastfeeding right after delivery, discourage the use of bottles and formula milk (except in special conditions) and to educate about breast pumps and its uses. To facilitate breastfeeding health care experts should first of all, assess if there are any contraindications present such as in infants with galactosemia, mothers with certain medical conditions, mothers using illegal drugs and mothers using certain medicines.

Health care experts should be present during and after delivery so that they can assist mothers in initiating breastfeeding, placing infant in direct contact with the mother, helping in latching, and advising mothers to breastfeed after every couple hours and pointing out different and optimal breastfeeding positions. After a caesarean birth, advise positions comfortable for the mother during breastfeeding and for premature babies, advise getting expressed milk to feed the baby using breast pumps should be given. Information about the types of breast pumps available and some of the famous brands producing manual and electric breast pumps such as Medela breast pump producing Medela style and Medela style advanced breast pumps.

After the mother and baby have been discharged from the hospital, health experts should pay a visit in the first week to weight the infant, perform a physical examination, inquire about breast problems (engorgement, soreness etc.), inquire about the infant’s bowel movements and take notice of mother’s breastfeeding practices. Another visit should be paid after 2 to 3 weeks pointing out positive progress of the baby and discouraging any introduction of complementary foods at this point. Educating the mother about the appropriate time of adding complementary foods to the baby’s diet; listing the necessary nutrients and advising about food items good for baby’s growth and development should also be a part of the responsibility of health care experts at hospitals. Educating the mother about vitamin and mineral supplements and if the mother or baby are not doing well at any point, they should be referred to a lactation expert or support group immediately.

Discussing the mother’s plans of returning to work and informing her of the methods to continue breastfeeding the baby efficiently while she will be away from the baby should also be part of their duty. Working moms should be encouraged to use breast pumps at this point as a way to increase milk supply to meet baby’s demands. Moreover, the health care experts must be fully prepared to answer questions concerning the frequency of breastfeeding, methods to check the amount of milk taken, ways to deal with nipple soreness and other problems. Apart from paying visits at home, it is also important to stay in touch with the parents through the telephone and answering any of their queries. Health care experts are a vital source of information for parents to carry out breastfeeding and baby care as efficiently as possible, information that might not have been available to them through any other source.

Some mothers choose to wean their babies at a predetermined time (perhaps at one year of age), or when life circumstances seem to warrant it (such as a new pregnancy).

But most of the time, weaning can be a gradual, natural process where a baby or young child grows away from the need to breastfeed. It is more comfortable this way for mom and baby. Technically, weaning begins when the first solid food is offered.

In this series of posts, we’re going to talk about why weaning your baby gradually is the best advice, for both baby and mom.

Why Sudden Weaning is a Bad Idea—for Mom

Is sudden weaning really the solution to your problems? Moms who’ve “had it” with breastfeeding often think the best way to wean is by stopping “cold turkey.”

But, unless it’s absolutely medically necessary, this may not be a great idea—at all. Aside from the emotional toll it can take on a child, sudden weaning is, literally, a pain for mom.

Breasts make milk on a supply-and-demand basis. Your breasts won’t have time to adjust if your baby is nursing six times one day and the next day you decide to cut nursing out completely.

Sudden weaning can painfully engorge your breasts, leading to plugged ducts that may result in a breast abscess or infection.

You could even get mastitis.

Sudden weaning also will cause a sudden drop in hormones, making you feel moody or depressed.

Re-consider the desire to suddenly wean your baby. The best way to wean is gradually, with love. Gradual weaning helps your milk flow adjust accordingly and your body adjust to new hormone levels.

Later we’ll talk about why gradual weaning is better for your baby.

This doesn’t have to mean weaning, however.
photo credit: EraPhernalia Vintage (somewhat busy)

If you are a nursing mom, there are some extra steps you can take to ensure you and your baby cope well with this change in schedule.

This means stocking up on milk to nourish your baby while you’re away, keeping up your milk supply and remembering a few comfort techniques for yourself.

Here are a few tips for nursing moms who have to be away from their baby.

1) Store Milk for Baby

Depending on how long you’ll be gone, you’ll want to begin pumping extra milk daily to be stored and used to feed your baby while you’re on your trip. This might take a couple of weeks, depending on how much your baby eats, how often you pump and what your milk supply looks like.

Many moms find that it’s easiest to pump extra milk in the morning when their supply is higher, or after a nap. (Typically a woman has more milk after a period of sleep.)

Store your milk in freezer-safe containers that the babysitter or another family member can pull out and warm for baby when he or she is hungry.

If your baby is not used to bottle feeding, it might be a good idea to briefly introduce the bottle to him or her before leaving. It usually works best if someone else offers the bottle, not you, as baby will often reject a bottle when your breasts are nearby.

You can also leave behind an article of clothing of yours, such as a shirt or nightgown, to remind baby of your smell while feeding.

2) Keep Up Your Milk Supply

While away, it is important to keep up your milk supply if you plan on nursing your baby when you get back. To do this, you’ll need to find a pump that works well for you. It may be a hand pump, electric pump or by hand expressing your milk. You’ll want to pump as often as your baby usually nurses, if possible. The pumping will cause your body to believe it is still nursing and continue to produce milk on a regular basis.

Many women find it helpful to take along a picture of their baby to look at while pumping or a blanket that has their smell. It is a good idea to use the same blanket during a couple of feedings before leaving and take this with you. You might want to wear nursing pads throughout the day to catch any leaking that may occur.

3) Comfort Techniques

Not being able to nurse as frequently can cause painful engorgement for some women. The breasts feel sore, tender and hard in some areas.

Pumping the milk out can help out tremendously, but you may still want to employ some comfort techniques for your own benefit.

Take a warm compress, such as a hand towel moist with warm water and place on your breasts. After a few minutes of direct heat, take some natural oil, such as sweet almond oil and gently massage the lumps in your breasts. This will help the milk flow easier and is a good time to pump some milk out.

After massaging the breasts, a cold pack might help reduce discomfort and pain. A hot or cold shower can replace the hot or cold packs if you wish.

One mom who was pumping exclusively researched breastfeeding herbs extensively because she wanted to make sure that her supply would always be enough for her daughter. The best two herbs for increasing supply that she found were Blessed Thistle and Fenugreek. These two herbs are also commonly found in breastfeeding herbal combinations – capsules, teas and tinctures.

My lactation consultant recommended Blessed Thistle. She said that many mothers found a significant increase in their milk supply in a week after beginning the herb. You can buy capsules at your local health store and the recommended dose is up to 4 capsules 3 times a day.

Another popular galactagogue (also known as breastfeeding herbs) is Fenugreek. The recommended dosage for this herb is 2-4 capsules, three times a day. Some mothers find that they notice an increase in as little as 24 hours. You should be able to smell the fenugreek (smells like maple syrup) in your sweat if you’re consuming enough.

If you want to dry up your milk quickly, you might try herbs that have the opposite effect, such as those found in Earth Mama Angel Baby Organic Herbal Tea “No More Milk”

Whenever you take herbs, keep in mind that even though they are natural it doesn’t always mean they are safe. Monitor any side effects you have and watch your baby closely. If you feel there are any adverse reactions to the herb, discontinue its use immediately.

More information on using herbs while breastfeeding:

Mother Food: A Breastfeeding Diet Guide with Lactogenic Foods and Herbs

Of course, if you are a breastfeeding mom you should make every effort to stop smoking. If you simply cannot quit cold turkey, it may surprise you to know that the recommendation of experts (including La Leche League and the American Academy of Pediatrics) is that you should still breastfeed your baby.

photo credit: zenera

If you smoke, do not stop breastfeeding due to fear that the nicotine that passes into your breast milk is harming your baby. Breastfeeding and smoking is much better than giving your baby formula because breast milk has antibodies that will help combat the effects of your smoking near your baby. That’s right, some of the risks of second hand smoke such as lung cancer and asthma are lowered because of breast milk.

Breastfed babies have fewer respiratory illness, even if their moms are smokers.

One of the biggest concerns with breastfeeding and smoking is that nicotine may contribute to reduced breast milk production and problems with letdown. If you are having trouble providing enough breast milk to your baby, you may try to cut back on the amount of cigarettes you smoke each day to see if that will help.

Some more recommendations:

• Do not smoke around your baby. This is pretty obvious.
• Smoke right after you breastfeed, not before or during. Ditto for nicotine gum – chew it after feedings.
• Cut down as much as possible.
• Find as many ways to reduce stress as possible. Breastfeeding in itself tends to calm a mom down due to the relaxing effects of prolactin and oxytocin, the hormones involved in nursing.

Read more about breastfeeding and smoking here.

]]> http://sexynursingbra.com/blog/breastfeeding-and-smoking/feed/ 1